Colleagues for Life

From the web by Elaine Steward #26

2012-01-02T07:20:00.000-08:00

Happy NewYear, everyone! For 2012, I have decided that rather than continue with this blog, similar information will be available in an e-newsletter. Anyone is welcome to subscribe. Email me at esslady@gmail.com and your name will be added to the somewhere between monthly and bi-monthly mailing. Thanks for your support.

From the web by Elaine Steward #25

2011-11-28T06:44:00.000-08:00

Hi again from Elaine Steward! Following, is my most recent list of things which may be of general interest to us retirees. If have something you’d like to share, please post it to the comments section at the end of this blog.

The enrollment period for 2012 Medicare Part D (prescription drug) coverage will begin on 15 October 2011 and will end on 7 December 2011. These dates are different from those used in prior years.

For instructions on how to use the Medicare plan finder, go to www.mymedicarematters.org/PrescriptionDrugs/Instructions/instructions.php

For other open enrollment help, go to www.ncoa.org/enhance-economic-security/benefits-access/5-things-about-open-enrollment.html

Technical support professionals say that users create the need for at least half of all computer repairs by unknowingly damaging their machines.
www.nytimes.com/2011/09/29/technology/personaltech/tips-for-avoiding-user-errors-with-computers.html?emc=eta1

Looking for a better price on prescription drugs? This website compares prices (before insurance discounts – that’s the price which is used to calculate when you reach the “donut hole”) www.goodrx.com/

For an EXCELLENT description of the benefits of thorough estate planning, take a look at www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/11/27/reader-story-what-my-fathers-death-taught-me-about-estate-planning/

1) From AARP – bulletin.aarp.org

For a to-do list of estate planning, go to www.aarp.org/money/estate-planning/info-10-2011/estate-planning-to-do-list.html?cmp=NLC-WBLTR-CTRL-110411-F4t-23&USEG_ID=6388998522

For email safety basics, go to www.aarp.org/technology/how-to-guides/info-05http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif-2011/more-email-safety-basics.html

2) From Aging in Stride – www.aginginstride.org
http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif

For guidance on safety during the holidays, see aginginstride.enewsworks.com/en/13/articles/287/Safety-Tips-for-the-Holiday-Season.htm

3) From California Healthline – www.californiahealthline.org/
http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif

Blue Shield To Return $295M as Part of Pledge To Limit Profits On [13 Oct] Blue Shield of California announced plans to return a total of $295 million to comply with a pledge it made earlier this year to cap profits at 2%...(Rauber, San Francisco Business Times, 10/13).

Obama Opposes Repeal of CLASS Act Despite Suspension of Program On [17 Oct] White House officials said President Obama strongly opposes repealing the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports Act, despite the administration's decision [14 Oct] to suspend the program indefinitely, The Hill's "Healthwatch" reports.

Study: Most Employers To Continue Coverage Under Health Reform Most employers will continue to offer health coverage to their workers after the federal health reform law is fully implemented, according to a study by the Urban Institute, CQ HealthBeat reports.

Health Board for Native Communities Pursues Plan To Expand Care The California Rural Indian Health Board is aiming to form a consortium of tribes to expand health care coverage in 37 California counties for Native Americans and Native Alaskans, HealthyCal reports.

Brown To Propose Reform for Pensions, Retiree Health Care On [27 Oct] Gov. Jerry Brown (D) plans to propose steps to overhaul California's public pension system in part by increasing how much workers pay toward their retirement and health care costs… The plan aims to reduce spending by about $900 million annually (AP/Washington Post, 10/26).

Medicare Premium Increase To Be Less Than Expected Monthly premiums for Medicare Part B, which covers physician visits and outpatient procedures, will rise by $3.50 next year to $99.90. Earlier this year, Medicare trustees projected that premiums would increase by $10.20. Obama administration officials attributed the lower rates in part to cost-cutting provisions under the federal health reform law and beneficiaries' lower use of services

LAO: Calif. Falls $3.7B Short of Fiscal Year's Revenue Expectations On [16 Nov] the non-partisan Legislative Analyst's Office released a report projecting that California will be $3.7 billion short of revenue expectations this fiscal year, raising the possibility that additional cuts to education, and health and human services programs will be needed… (Herdt, Ventura County Star, 11/16).

Study: Medicare Part D Copays To Rise Up to 40% Copayments for preferred brand-name drugs under Medicare's prescription drug plans are expected to increase by an average of 40% in 2012, while copays for non-preferred brand-name medications likely will increase by an average of 30%, according to a new Avalere Health study. Avalere noted that the study highlights how Medicare has started to shift costs to patients with chronic conditions who require more costly types of medications, while encouraging beneficiaries to select less costly generics to manage their conditions. Medicare officials challenged the findings of the study, noting that it is based on broad averages of the prices in the drug plans.

State High Court Ruling Supports Retiree Rights to Health Benefits The California Supreme Court has unanimously decided that a city or county cannot pare back health benefits for retired workers if it previously set coverage at a certain level and implied that the level would be maintained… (Egelko, San Francisco Chronicle, 11/22).

5) I do hope you are all following the (USC) Dean’s Council on Health Reform at www.healthreform.usc.edu/ It is a very rich site.

6) From iHealthBeat - www.ihealthbeat.org/

HHS Issues Warning About Fake Health Care Reform Website On [12 Oct] HHS sent an email to consumer groups warning them about a private website that poses as an official information hub for the federal health reform law's Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan, Politico reports.

Indian Health Services CIO Calls for Expanding Access to Telehealth Testifying before the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, Indian Health Services acting CIO Howard Hays said that developing policies aimed at eliminating barriers to the adoption of telehealth technology will improve health care access and reduce costs for American Indians and Alaska Natives, InformationWeek reports.

Philanthropists Launch Technology-Focused Health Investment Fund On [19 Oct] California philanthropists Gary and Mary West announced the launch of a $100 million investment fund for health care companies that are working to improve care and lower costs, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Physicians' Use of Text Messages Sparks HIPAA Compliance Concerns Most physicians use text messaging to exchange patient information with other health care providers, but such communication could be a violation of federal privacy and security rules, experts said during a webinar Monday, BNA reports.

State Officials Worried About Sustainability of Health Data Exchanges Some state officials are concerned that new health information exchanges will not be able to sustain themselves after funds from the 2009 federal economic stimulus package run out, iWatch News reports.

VA To Offer Telehealth Services To Veterans Through New Initiative The Department of Veterans Affairs and American Well recently announced an initiative to provide telehealth services to veterans in their homes, workplaces and other locations using American Well's platform, Healthcare IT News reports (Monegain, Healthcare IT News, 11/7).

Bill Aims To Help Rural Clinics Get Medicare EHR Incentive Pay Rep. Aaron Schock (R-Ill.) has introduced a bill (HR 3458) that would make rural health clinics eligible for Medicare incentive payments under the meaningful use program, CQ HealthBeat reports.

7) From Kaiser Health News – www.kaiserhealthnews.org/

Cancer Patients Could Benefit From Greater Use Of Rehabilitation Reporting for Kaiser Health News, in collaboration with The Washington Post, Judith Graham writes: “Cancer rehabilitation focuses on problems that patients often experience after treatment, including fatigue, unsteadiness, pain, muscle weakness, swelling in their arms and legs, difficulty swallowing, numbness in the hands and feet, and cognitive changes” (Graham, 10/10). Read a related story: Offering Rehab Services Soon After Diagnosis Proves Beneficial (Kaiser Health News, Graham, 10/10).

Social Security To Hand Out First Raises Since ’09 Social Security recipients will get a raise in January — their first increase in benefits since 2009. It's expected to be about 3.5 percent. Some 55 million beneficiaries will find out for sure Wednesday when a government inflation measure that determines the annual cost-of-living adjustment is released. … Some of the increase in January will be lost to higher Medicare premiums, which are deducted from Social Security payments. Medicare Part B premiums for 2012 are expected to be announced next week, and the trustees who oversee the program are projecting an increase (Associated Press/Los Angeles Times 10/18).

Between A Hygienist And A Dentist, A Hard Sell Kansas Public Radio reporter Bryan Thompson filed this story as part of a reporting partnership that includes Kaiser Health News, Kansas Public Radio and NPR: “In Kansas and a few other states, advocates and some lawmakers want to solve this problem by creating a new level of dental care. A registered dental practitioner, or RDP, would have more training than a dental hygienist, but less than a dentist. Mid-level dental providers have been practicing in Alaska since 2005, and legislation has recently passed in Minnesota to establish the new level of care. Bills have been introduced in Ohio, New Mexico, Vermont and Washington” (Kaiser Health News,Thompson, 10/25).

By agreeing [on 14 Nov] to hear challenges to President Obama's 2010 health care law, the Supreme Court set the stage for a decision -- probably in late June and in the midst of the presidential campaign -- that could be among its most important in decades. Kaiser Health News, Taylor For an analysis, go to www.kaiserhealthnews.org/Stories/2011/November/14/stuart-taylor-supreme-court-health-law-hearing-analysis.aspx

Health Insurance Rate Hike Requests Go Online Consumers can check out detailed information regarding health insurers' rate hike requests on a new website set up by the state Department of Financial Services (Associated Press/Wall Street Journal 11/17).

8) From My Medicare Matters – www.mymedicarecommunity.org/

My Medicare Matters offers Webinars (live on-line training) for those who are Medicare advocates. If you are interested in being notified of training sessions, please contact me at esslady@gmail.com

9) From NCOA – www.ncoa.org

[NCOA/s] Reverse Mortgage Counseling Services Network is one of five national counseling groups approved by the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development. To schedule a counseling session, call toll-free (800) 510-0301.

Don’t forget the six-week on-line course for managing chronic diseases at selfmanage.org/BetterHealth/SignUp

10) From The New York Times – nytdirect@nytimes.com

Plan Would Delay Sales of Generic for Lipitor The biggest introduction of a generic drug in pharmaceutical history is being met with tough business strategies by Pfizer and pharmacy benefit companies, according to recent letters to pharmacists. Many drugstores are being asked to block prescriptions for a generic version of Pfizer’s Lipitor starting Dec. 1, when the company loses its patent for the blockbuster cholesterol drug and generic competition begins.

From the Web by Elaine Steward #24

2011-10-10T05:55:00.000-07:00

Hi again from Elaine Steward! Following, is my most recent list of things which may be of general interest to us retirees. If have something you’d like to share, please post it to the comments section at the end of this blog.

The enrollment period for 2012 Medicare Part D (prescription drug) coverage will begin on 15 October 2011 and will end on 7 December 2011. These dates are different from those used in prior years.

If you are a caregiver, you may find some support and/or ideas at this website: www.caregiving.com/

Is it time for dinner and you have 2-3 ingredients but can’t think what to make? Check out www.gojee.com/

For a checklist which asks about falling hazards found in each room of your home, including how to fix the problem go to www.cdc.gov/ncipc/pub-res/toolkit/cksafety.pdf (At the end of the checklist, you will find other tips for preventing falls); for more specific recommendations to prevent falls, go to www.mnsafetycouncil.org/seniorsafe/falls/index.cfm

If you are caring for someone with Alzheimer’s or another form of cognitive impairment, the College of Public Health at the University of Florida has on-line support for caregivers at alzonline.phhp.ufl.edu/en/topics/

You may be eligible for help with medical and other basic needs. To find out, go to www.benefitscheckup.org/

If you want a summary of the reasons for the Social Security/Medicare Trust Fund being in trouble, go to www.urban.org/publications/1001553.html

For a look at possible models for California’s Health Benefit Exchanges, go to www.chcf.org/publications/2011/08/health-benefit-exchange-visions

[The] Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 … requires the financial services industry to report their customers' cost basis to the IRS as part of Tax Form 1099-B, beginning in 2011 and phased through 2013 … subject to … changes by the IRS.

If your Internet or cell phone provider limits the amount of bandwidth you use, tips for minimizing usage can be found at www.nytimes.com/2011/10/06/technology/personaltech/tightening-your-data-belt.html?_r=1&nl=technology&emc=ctb1&pagewanted=print

For what to do in a case of identity theft, and information on how to avoid it happening to you, go to www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/

For a list of the top ten ways to get your computer infected with malware, and how to prevent that from happening, go to antivirus.about.com/od/securitytips/tp/badsecurityhahttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifbits.htm?p=1

1) From AARP – bulletin.aarp.org

For a list of 9 types of medications which older people should take with caution, go to www.aarp.org/health/drugs-supplements/info-07-2011/medications-older-adults-should-use-with-caution.html?cmp=NLC-WBLTR-CTRL-090211-F1-1&USEG_ID=6388998522

If you get a "security alert" from a bank or credit card company, don't click on e-mail links or call the number listed, in case it's fake. Instead, use a phone number you know to be authentic.

If your Social Security number is stolen, ask the credit bureaus to freeze your credit reports.

Find programs that help save money on health care, medication, food, utilities, children’s health costs and more! Go to aarpkb.benefitscheckup.org/moreprhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifograms.cfm?subset_id=49&partner_id=22&CFID=5423451&CFTOKEN=62850227

For the five most common retirement planning mistakes, go to www.aarp.org/work/retirement-planning/info-01-2011/common_retirement_mistakes.html?cmp=NLC-WBLTR-CTRL-093011-FT2-98&USEG_ID=6388998522

If you are a traveler, you might like this site for finding hotels (complete with map) and flights www.hipmunk.com/

2) From California Healthline – www.californiahealthline.org/

Rule Requiring Insurers To Post Reasons for Rate Increases Takes Effect [At the beginning of September], a new rule in the federal health reform law took effect that will allow the Obama administration and states to require health insurers to justify proposed rate increases of more than 10%, the Wall Street Journal reports.

Institute of Medicine Finds No Link Between Immunizations, Autism There is no evidence suggesting a link between vaccines and autism, according to an Institute of Medicine report released on [1 Sept], the New York Times reports (Harris,8/25).

Health Industry Likely To Back Automatic Cuts Over New Budget Plan The health care industry likely will push for the newly formed debt panel to allow automatic spending cuts to take effect instead of developing new budget cuts of at least $1.5 trillion, according to lobbyists and health care groups, Reuters reports (Reid/Yukhananov, 9/6).

President's New Deficit Reduction Plan Includes Cuts to Health Programs On [19 Sep] President Obama released a proposal to reduce the federal deficit by $3 trillion over the next 10 years, in part by making cuts to Medicare and Medicaid. (Baker, "Healthwatch," The Hill, 9/19).

Poll: People Aware of Long-Term Care Needs but Are Not Prepared Many Californians are highly aware of their future need for long-term care, but few are preparing financially for it, according to a poll commissioned by the California Partnership for Long-Term Care, HealthyCal reports.

Caregivers' Stress Remains Hot Topic UCLA researcher Geoff Hoffman is a little alarmed. His study took a look at the health risks of caregivers in California and found that http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifthe emotional and financial load of stress on caregivers in California may be causing the caregivers themselves to develop chronic health conditions

Blue Shield of California To End Coverage of Avastin for Breast Cancer Blue Shield of California no longer will pay for the drug Avastin for treatment of breast cancer, making the company the first large health insurer to end coverage for the drug, the New York Times reports

3) From Carepages – www.carepages.com

For suggestions on how to rebuild your social life after the loss of a partner, go to cms.carepages.com/CarePages/en/ArticlesTips/FeatureArticles/Contributors/rebuilding-your-social-life-after-loss.html?xid=nl_EverydayCaringFromCarePages_20110929

4) I do hope you are all following the (USC) Dean’s Council on Health Reform at www.healthreform.usc.edu/ It is a very rich site

5) From iHealthBeat - www.ihealthbeat.org/

Groups Launch Website, Campaign To Engage Patients on Care Quality The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has teamed up with the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality to launch a new project called "Care About Your Care" to help consumers better understand health care quality issues, Government Health IT reports (Mosquera, 9/1).

ONC Releases Final Version of Federal Health IT Strategic Plan On [12 Sep] the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT released an 80-page final version of its Federal Health IT Strategic Plan for 2011 through 2015, Modern Healthcare reports (Conn, Modern Healthcare, 9/12). The agency issued the final plan after receiving about 240 public comments on the draft plan that it released in March.

Measure Would Create Digital Smartcards for Medicare Beneficiaries Lawmakers in the House and Senate have introduced legislation to create a smartcard system for Medicare. The program would issue digitized cards to beneficiaries and health care providers in an effort to reduce fraud, cut costs and increase efficiency. InformationWeek et al.

FCC Seeks Comment on Expanding Mobile Phone Use During Emergencies [The week of 19 September] the Federal Communications Commission issued a notice of proposed rulemaking for a next-generation 911 system that would allow mobile phone users to contact emergency responders using pictures, videos or text messages, Computerworld reports.http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif

Researchers Modify iPhone for High-Quality Medical Imaging The Optical Society of America recently announced that University of California-Davis researchers have modified Apple's iPhone and transformed it into a low-cost, high-quality medical imaging device for analyzing blood samples, United Press International reports.

6) From Kaiser Health News – www.kaiserhealthnews.org/

For Many Seniors, There May Be No Retirement Many older people are finding themselves in a position they never expected to be in at retirement age: still working or in need of a job. … More than three in five U.S. workers in their 50s and 60s plan on working past 65 -- and 47% of that group say they'll do so because they'll need the money or health benefits, according to a 2011 study from the nonprofit Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies (Wall Street Journal, Ensign, 8/21).

Administration May Give States Second Chance To Avoid Federally Run Insurance Exchange The Obama administration said Tuesday that states that have not adopted their own insurance exchanges may get a second chance to avoid getting one run solely by the federal government. Only 11 states have fully embraced the idea of taking federal money to set up their own state-run insurance exchange, a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services official said Tuesday. The exchange, a key part of Obama’s health care overhaul, is designed to help uninsured people buy coverage from a choice of plans with federal tax credits (Asociated Press/Washington Post, 8/23).

NIH Finalizes Financial Conflict Of Interest Rules The National Institutes of Health has finalized rules to reduce financial conflicts of interests among federally funded researchers who also receive payments or stock from drug and medical device companies. The rules, which will affect more than 40,000 researchers, come after a string of high profile cases in which federally funded researchers failed to disclose millions of dollars from companies with a financial interest in the outcome of their work (Washington Post, Vastag, 8/23).

WellPoint’s New Hire. What Is Watson? WellPoint Inc. and International Business Machines Corp. are set to announce a deal on [12 Sep] for the health insurer to use the Watson technology, the first time the high-profile project will result in a commercial application. WellPoint said it plans to use Watson's data-crunching to help suggest treatment options and diagnoses to doctors. It is part of a far broader push in the health industry to incorporate computerized guidance into care, as doctors and hospitals adopt electronic medical records and other digital tools that can record, track and check their work (Wall Street Journal, Mathews, 9/12).

Actuaries To ‘Super Committee’: Slow Overall Health Spending, Not Just Medicare Now on KHN’s news blog, Marilyn Werber Serafini writes: “The deficit reduction “super committee” should act to slow the growth of health care spending overall – not just in Medicare – as it rolls up its sleeves, says the American Academy of Actuaries. “Achieving long-term sustainability for Medicare will require slowing the growth in overall health spending, not simply shifting costs from one payer to another,” said senior health fellow Cori Uccello.“

Long-Term Care Program In Doubt The Obama administration said it may not enact a long-term-care insurance program included in last year's legislation that overhauled health care. The initiative, known as the Class Act, was designed to help Americans cover the cost of aid for daily living needs such as bathing and using the toilet should they become too old or sick to care for themselves. It became law when President Barack Obama signed the health-care overhaul in 2010, though the program hasn't begun operating. Amid mounting concerns about its fiscal sustainability, officials at the Department of Health and Human Services on Thursday said they may not go forward with the program. "It is an open question whether the program will be implemented," the agency said (Wall Street Journal, Adamy, 9/23).

If you’re a Medicare patient admitted to the hospital, the odds are about one in six that you’ll end up back in the hospital within a month. And there was very little progress made in reducing that rate between 2004-09. That’s the not-so-good news from a new report by the folks at the Dartmouth Atlas Project, which tracks variations in medical care across the U.S. The report also found that more than half of Medicare patients who left the hospital didn’t see a primary-care doctor within two weeks of discharge — identified as a contributing factor to the revolving-door problem (Wall Street Journal Hobson, 9/28).

In New Term, Supreme Court To Tackle Divisive Issues The constitutional challenge to President Obama's health care overhaul almost certainly will be decided this term, but at this point it has not formally made it onto the docket. Also making their way to the court are cases involving almost every hot-button issue in America: immigration; affirmative action; gay marriage; and the constitutionality of the Defense of Marriage Act, the federal law barring federal recognition of gay marriage even in states where it is legal (NPR,Totenberg, 10/3).

Gray Market Threatens Drug Supply Shortages in critical drugs have tripled in the past five years, killing some patients, delaying surgeries and disrupting chemotherapy treatments at hospitals around the country. There are several causes, and they’re all complicated: The Food and Drug Administration doesn’t have enough resources to enforce strict regulations; there are manufacturing disruptions in aging facilities; and slim profit margins may discourage production in the first place (Politico Norman, 10/3).

U.S. Panel Says No To Prostate Screening For Healthy Men Healthy men should no longer receive a P.S.A. blood test to screen for prostate cancer because the test does not save lives over all and often leads to more tests and treatments that needlessly cause pain, impotence and incontinence in many, a key government health panel has decided (New York Times Harris, 10/6).

7) From My Medicare Matters – www.mymedicarecommunity.org/

My Medicare Matters offers Webinars (live on-line training) for those who are Medicare advocates. If you are interested in being notified of training sessions, please contact me at esslady@gmail.com

8) From NCOA – www.ncoa.org

[NCOA/s] Reverse Mortgage Counseling Services Network is one of five national counseling groups approved by the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development. To schedule a counseling session, call toll-free (800) 510-0301.

Don’t forget the six-week on-line course for managing chronic diseases at selfmanage.org/BetterHealth/SignUp http:

For a chart which shows newly free (no co-payment) Medicare benefits, see www.centerforbenefits.org/downloads/Medicare-Preventive-Benefits-chart.pdf

For information on hhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifow to detect and report Medicare fraud (and save all taxpayers money) go to www.cms.gov/Partnerships/04_FraudPreventionToolkit.asp#TopOfPage

For the top ten money saving tips for seniors, go to www.ncoa.org/enhancing-economic-security/economic-security/top-10-things-all-seniors.html?utm_source=NCOAWeek_111004&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=NCOAWeek

For an overview of Affordable Care Act changes already in effect, go to www.healthcare.gov/law/resources/reports/patients-bill-of-rights09232011a.pdf

9) From The New York Times – nytdirect@nytimes.com

For an article on distinguishing normal cognitive function as we age from cognitive impairment, see www.nytimes.com/2011/09/06/health/06brody.html?emc=tnt&tntemail1=y

For an informative article about telling men the truth about sex and prostate cancer (especially the letters at the end) see well.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/09/24/telling-men-the-truth-about-sex-and-prostate-cancer/?ref=healthupdate&nl=health&emc=healthupdateemb2

From the Web by Elaine Steward #23

2011-08-21T10:22:00.000-07:00

Hi again from Elaine Steward! Following, is my most recent list of things which may be of general interest to us retirees. If have something you’d like to share, please post it to the comments section at the end of this blog.

The enrollment period for 2012 Medicare Part D (prescription drug) coverage will begin on 15 October 2011 and will end on 7 December 2011. These dates are different from those used in prior years.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced on August 4, 2011, that Medicare average prescription drug premiums will not increase in 2012.

The Auto Club of Southern California has endorsed a computer program called Drive Sharp, which is designed to help seniors improve their driving skills (e.g., sharpen reflexes). Information can be found at www.positscience.com/our-products/drivesharp Right now, if you purchase it through the Auto Club, it is half price.

For some guidance on managing email, check out emailcharter.org/index.html. For more, go to pogue.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/06/30/we-have-to-fix-e-mail/?ref=personaltechemail&nl=technology&emc=cta1

If you want to manage your exposure on the Internet, go to www.reputation.com/ The free service will help you delete certain information and also see your current exposure. You can upgrade for a fee and get even more control.

Social Security Office Hours: Due to budget constraints, as of August 15 Social Security field offices will close to the public 30 minutes earlier each day. You can access many Social Security services and get up-to-date information online at www.socialsecurity.gov or by calling the toll-free 800 number 1-800-772-1213 and TTY number 1-800-325-0778.

If you love to read, but have trouble keeping track of your favorite author, book genre, etc, you can either bookmark or subscribe to www.tracknewbook.com/

Emergency preparedness people tell us that in a disaster, text messages are likely to get through when other kinds of communication fail. Just set up your I'm OK emergency contact list ahead of time. Then if you need to message your list (either that you're ok or that you need help), just text the I'm OK number. The site will email your entire contact list to let them know how you're doing. Set it up at imokapp.appspot.com/ Unfortunately, the mobile app is only available for the Blackberry Bold.

I’ve previously sent out information on unsubscribing from catalogues and now the same company has a central service for unsubscribing from on-line sites. For information, go to www.unsubscribe.com/

To create your own “how to” page (e.g., reminding a friend how to use a cell phone feature), go to www.tildee.com/

If you absolutely have to send sensitive information via the Internet, use quickforget.com/ The message will self-destruct after a specified period of time or a specified number of views.

1) From AARP – bulletin.aarp.org

For help understanding your quarterly Medicare statement, go to www.aarp.org/health/medicare-insurance/info-05-2011/your-medicare-summary-notice-and-you.html?cmp=NLC-WBLTR-CTRL-070811-F4t-15&USEG_ID=6388998522

If you have not yet applied for Social Security, check out this method of maximizing your benefits www.aarp.org/work/social-security/info-06-2011/social-security-mailboxhow-to-maximize-your-benefits.html?cmp=NLC-MONY-CTRL-71111-F1-1

The annual WELLNESS visit now covered by Medicare is NOT an annual physical. A physical will likely not be covered. For more information, go to www.aarp.org/health/health-care-reform/info-07-2011/free-medicare-wellness-exam.2.html

2) From Aging in Stride – www.aginginstride.org

A UCLA study has demonstrated mood benefits of Tai Chi. It seems that improved mood positively affects physical health.

3) From California Healthline – www.californiahealthline.org/

Governor Brown Signs Budget Package To Close State Deficit On [30 June] Gov. Jerry Brown (D) signed a package of bills to close the state's budget deficit just one day before the July 1 start of the new fiscal year, the Los Angeles Times reports.

USC Report: Tackling Chronic Conditions Can Save Billions A new report by researchers from the University of Southern California's Schaeffer Center for Health Policy and Economics, Harvard University's School of Public Health and RAND suggests that reducing the rates of obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure among middle-age U.S. adults could save Medicare and Medicaid as much as $632 billion by 2050. The report -- published this month in the journal Social Science & Medicine -- also suggests that addressing these chronic conditions could raise life expectancy. The researchers noted that the health status of people in their 50s plays a key role in their medical needs and costs of care.

Date Set, Plaintiffs Get Support in High Court Medi-Cal Case When the U.S. Supreme Court begins its 2011-2012 term Oct. 3, the first case on the docket will pose the question: Do Californians have the right to sue government agencies and officials over Medicaid

California Lowers Expenses for Pre-Existing Condition Insurance On [2 Aug] California officials announced that the state's high-risk health insurance program will reduce premium costs by an average of 18%, HealthyCal reports (van Diepen, HealthyCal, 8/2).

Reform Providing Preventive Services to California Seniors More than 1.4 million Medicare beneficiaries in California have received at least one of the no-cost preventive services made available under the federal health reform law, according to data from federal health officials. Nationwide, more than 17 million seniors have received at least one no-cost preventive service since Jan. 1. Such services include bone mass measurements, diabetes screenings, flu shots, mammograms and prostate cancer tests.

Drop in Revenue Raises Concern of Additional Cuts to Health Care California missed its general fund revenue target for July by $541 million, or about 10%, according to state Controller John Chiang (D), the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

State Plans To Provide Managed Care for Adult Day Health Care Users California health officials have released a plan they say will help keep thousands of Californians out of institutions when Medi-Cal stops offering adult day health care services as a benefit in December, the Los Angeles Times reports. Medi-Cal is California's Medicaid program.

4) From Carepages – www.carepages.com

For guidance on financial management of an incapacitated loved one, go to cms.carepages.com/CarePages/en/ArticlesTips/HelpfulTips/Financial-Management-During-a-Medical-Crisis.html?xid=nl_EverydayCaringFromCarePages_20110630

5) I do hope you are all following the (USC) Dean’s Council on Health Reform at www.healthreform.usc.edu/ It is a very rich site

6) From iHealthBeat - www.ihealthbeat.org/

New Online Directory Helps Patients Compare Care Quality Across U.S. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has launched an online directory that allows consumers to compare health care providers' quality of care. The tool includes information from 197 state and 27 national databases. Los Angeles Times' "Booster Shots," New York Times' "Prescriptions."

Mayo Clinic Launches Social Networking Site on Health Care Issues More than 1,000 people have joined a new social networking website that the Mayo Clinic launched [the first week in July] to connect consumers with similar health-related interests, the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal reports.

Expanded Access to Broadband Could Improve Rural Health Care Expanding broadband Internet access could help improve health care in rural areas of the U.S. by increasing the use of telehealth, electronic prescribing and electronic health records, according to participants at an Internet Innovation Alliance panel discussion in mid August.

Study: Mobile Phone Software Helps Improve Diabetes Management Software added to basic cell phones can help patients with diabetes significantly reduce a key measure of blood sugar over one year, according to a study published in Diabetes Care, the journal of the American Diabetes Association, the Wall Street Journal reports.

FCC Seeks To Facilitate Use of Mobile Devices in Emergencies The Federal Communications Commission has announced plans to develop technical standards for programs that allow the public to contact emergency responders by using their mobile phones to send text messages, photos and videos. FCC plans to launch a rulemaking process and seek public comment on the plan next month. National Journal's "Tech Daily Dose," Government Technology.

7) From Kaiser Health News – www.kaiserhealthnews.org/

If you are wondering whether you should obtain health insurance from a high risk pool, check out the Q & A at www.kaiserhealthnews.org/Multimedia/2011/June/Andrews-Q-and-A-On-High-Risk-Pools.aspx

Medicare Will Continue To Cover 2 Expensive Cancer Drugs
Medicare confirmed on [30 June] that it would continue to pay for two expensive cancer drugs that had been at the center of debate — Avastin from Genentech for breast cancer and Provenge from Dendreon for prostate cancer (New York Times Pollack, 6/30).

For an understanding of how “super committee” decisions may impact Medicare and Medicaid spending, go to www.kaiserhealthnews.org/Stories/2011/August/03/debt-deal-FAQ.aspx?utm_source=medicaretop&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=080411

Health Plan Buyers Get A Look Under The Hood Consumers shopping for health insurance will soon get a peek at a new standard form—akin to the nutrition label on food products—that will lay out the details of each policy, from deductibles to how much it might cost to have a baby. Federal regulators are expected to unveil the proposed summary form, part of the health-care overhaul law, on [17 August], and the requirement is supposed to take effect next March (Mathews and Adamy, Kaiser Health News 8/17).

8) From My Medicare Matters – www.mymedicarecommunity.org/

My Medicare Matters offers Webinars (live on-line training) for those who are Medicare advocates. If you are interested in being notified of training sessions, please contact me at esslady@gmail.com

9) From NCOA – www.ncoa.org

For a list of the members of the “supercommittee,” go to www.ncoa.org/news-ncoa-publications/news/deficit-reduction-committee.html

[NCOA/s] Reverse Mortgage Counseling Services Network is one of five national counseling groups approved by the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development. To schedule a counseling session, call toll-free (800) 510-0301.

Don’t forget the six-week on-line course for managing chronic diseases at selfmanage.org/BetterHealth/SignUp

10) From The New York Times – nytdirect@nytimes.com

Drive to Stem Shingles Meets Few Expectations Five years have passed since the Food and Drug Administration approved a vaccine against shingles. By now, experts had expected a substantial proportion of people older than 60, the most vulnerable population, to be protected from outbreaks of this nasty viral disease and the persistent, debilitating pain it can leave behind.

From the Web by Elaine Steward #22

2011-06-26T17:10:00.001-07:00

Hi again from Elaine Steward! Following, is my most recent list of things which may be of general interest to us retirees. If have something you’d like to share, please post it to the comments section at the end of this blog.

To view art at a number of famous museums around the world, go to www.googleartproject.com/

For an overview of how to get the most out of the site, go to www.ted.com/talks/amit_sood_building_a_museum_of_museums_on_the_web.html?utm_source=newsletter_weekly_2011-05-17&utm_campaign=newsletter_weekly&utm_medium=email

For a variety of needs assessment (over and above Medicare) tools for seniors, go to www.benefitscheckup.org/

The American Chronic Pain Association offers resources and support for people living with chronic pain, and helpful information for family caregivers. Go to www.theacpa.org/default.aspx

For 25 “Tech Tips” go to pogue.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/05/19/25-more-tech-tips-and-tricks/?nl=technology&emc=cta1

For advice on how to protect your identity if your wallet goes missing, go to www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/info-08-2010/a_wallet_gone_awol_.html

For a video on the correct way to tie your shoes (they won’t come untied as often) go to www.ted.com/talks/terry_moore_how_to_tie_your_shoes.html?utm_source=newsletter_weekly_2011-05-24&utm_campaign=newsletter_weekly&utm_medium=email

An on-line workshop for managing chronic diseases is available nationwide. To enroll, go to selfmanage.org/BetterHealth/SignUp

For volunteer opportunities in your neighborhood, go to volunteers.aarp.org/ones/ctg/mansell/registrant/create.htm?registrant.firstName=Elaine®istrant.lastName=Steward®istrant.emailAddress=esslady@ix.netcom.com®istrant.postalCode=91107&language=en&trace=MansellQ22011Campaign-a

1) From AARP – bulletin.aarp.org

For a list of six expenses to reexamine when one retires, go to www.aarp.org/money/budgeting-saving/info-04-2011/money-saving-tips-for-retirees.2.html

For information on strokes – from symptoms to what a stroke is to what to do if you or someone you are with is having one – go to www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/info-04-2011/are-you-having-a-stroke.html?cmp=NLC-WBLTR-CTRL-051311-F2t-7&USEG_ID=6388998522

For Ways to increase intimacy, go to www.aarp.org/personal-growth/transitions/info-05-2011/5-weeks-ep2-better-sex.html?cmp=NLC-WBLTR-CTRL-061711-F2-4&USEG_ID=6388998522

2) From California Healthline – www.californiahealthline.org/

Legislation Aims To Help Patients Obtain Quicker Coverage for Pain Drugs Under AB 369, by Assembly member Jared Huffman, insurers could require patients with chronic pain to try no more than two low-cost drugs before covering a physician-prescribed medication. The bill is before the Assembly Committee on Appropriations. Marin Independent Journal.

Trustees Say Medicare Hospital Trust Fund Will Be Exhausted in 2024 The Medicare Hospital Insurance Trust Fund will be exhausted in 2024, five years earlier than last year's estimates, according to the annual Social Security and Medicare Trustees report (Ohlemacher, AP/Bloomberg BusinessWeek, 5/13).

Changing the Culture in Nursing Homes Culture change in nursing homes can have a powerful impact on the daily life of residents and caregivers and on the quality of care. A new paper assesses the efforts of the California Culture Change Coalition to promote person-centered care.

Advocates Prepare To Fight Over Cuts to Adult Day Health Care Advocates for seniors and residents with disabilities are gearing up for a fight over Gov. Jerry Brown's (D) plan to eliminate California's adult day health care program, the Contra Costa Times reports (Kleffman, Contra Costa Times, 5/22)

Top Court Rules Against Stanford in Patent Battle Over HIV Test Kit On Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 7-2 against Stanford University in a patent battle over a test that measures HIV levels in a patient's blood, the New York Times reports (Liptak, New York Times, 6/6).

Judges Hear Arguments in Largest Case Against Health Reform Law On [8 June] a three-judge panel at the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta heard oral arguments and asked tough questions in the multistate lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the federal health reform law and its individual mandate, the Washington Post reports (Aizenman, Washington Post, 6/8).

HHS Announces $40M for Chronic Disease Prevention On [7 June] HHS announced the availability of about $40 million for state efforts to strengthen chronic disease prevention programs. The funding, which comes from the federal health reform law, will target arthritis, cancer, diabetes, heart disease and stroke. CDC will oversee the initiative.

Report: Employers Rethinking Health Coverage for Retirees More than 40% of employers are contemplating ending group health plans for retirees who do not yet qualify for Medicare because of the federal health reform law, according to a report by Towers Watson and the International Society of Certified Employee Benefit Specialists. The report notes that the employers intend to encourage pre-Medicare retirees to purchase coverage through the state-based health insurance exchanges that launch in 2014.

3) From Carepages – www.carepages.com

For suggestions on how to recharge when you are feeling down, go to cms.carepages.com/CarePages/en/ArticlesTips/HelpfulTips/BetterYou/five_senses.html?xid=nl_EverydayCaringFromCarePages_20110526

For some guidance on writing a will, go to cms.carepages.com/CarePages/en/ArticlesTips/HelpfulTips/how-to-write-a-will.html?xid=nl_EverydayCaringFromCarePages_20110623

4) I do hope you are all following the (USC) Dean’s Council on Health Reform at www.healthreform.usc.edu/ It is a very rich site

5) From iHealthBeat - www.ihealthbeat.org/

Risk Calculators Reduce Risk of Heart Attack and Stroke, Study Finds Computer-based risk calculators that can be integrated into electronic health record systems can help doctors develop individualized treatment guidelines, according to a study published [12 May] in the Annals of Internal Medicine, Reuters reports

HHS To Release Final Rule on HIPAA Privacy, Security by End of Year A final omnibus rule to strengthen HIPAA privacy and security safeguards and provide better protection for electronic health data will be released by the end of 2011, according to an HHS official, Government Health IT reports.

Telehealth Reduces Mortality Rates, Length of Stay for ICU Patients Telehealth services used in intensive care units are associated with lower mortality rates and shorter hospital stays, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, HealthDay reports (Dallas, HealthDay, 5/16).

CVS To Test Electronic Prior Authorization for Prescription Medication CVS Caremark will pilot electronic prior authorization capabilities in an attempt to help develop technical standards for the capability. Electronic prescribing network operator Surescripts will participate in the program. Healthcare IT News, Becker's Hospital Review.

ONC Releases First Examinations To Assess Health IT Professionals On [20 May] the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT released the first set of examinations to help stakeholders measure skill levels for certain health IT competencies that have been identified as essential. More than 27,000 health IT students and workers will be eligible for vouchers to take an exam at no cost. Government Health IT, HealthLeaders Media.

Increasing Number of Colleges Use Electronic Mental Health Screening More college campus counseling centers are opting for computerized mental health screening questionnaires over traditional paper evaluations to spot more serious issues quickly and to deal with increasing demand for mental health services, the AP/Miami Herald reports.

Senators Call for Greater Use of Rx Drug Monitoring Systems On [24 May] the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Terrorism pressed administration officials and experts for strategies to curb widespread prescription drug misuse, such as electronic tracking systems, McClatchy/Miami Herald reports.

Proposed Rule Would Open Up Medicare Data for Public Reports On [3 June] CMS issued a proposed rule that would allow certain qualified organizations to access Medicare data to compile quality and safety reports about physician practices, hospitals and other health care providers, HealthLeaders Media reports (Tocknell, HealthLeaders Media, 6/6).

CMS To Use Predictive Modeling Tools To Detect Medicare Fraud On July 1, the federal government plans to start using predictive modeling software to uncover potential Medicare and Medicaid fraud before paying claims, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports (Sell, Philadelphia Inquirer, 6/17).

Palm Scanning Tool Cuts Back on Patient ID Errors, Boosts Security Vein recognition technology that links to electronic health record systems can help expedite patient registration and prevent duplication and fraud, InformationWeek reports.

6) From Kaiser Health News – www.kaiserhealthnews.org/

For an eight committee, bipartisan report of “Proposals to Reduce Health Care Spending and the Deficit, go to www.kaiserhealthnews.org/Stories/2011/May/26/Peterson-Health-Care-Deficit-Proposals.aspx

If you must go to a hospital at night or on a weekend, here are some suggestions offered by experts to help patients and families keep themselves safe: www.kaiserhealthnews.org/Stories/2011/June/07/nocturnist-sidebar.aspx

Consumers Maybe Be Unaware Of Their Right To a Review O[f] Health Plan Decisions Reporting for Kaiser Health News, Susan Jaffe writes: “Millions of Americans gained the right this year to appeal decisions made by health plans to an outside, independent decision-maker. But many of these consumers might not know they have the new option -- and when they find out, it might be too late” (Jaffe, 6/10).

HHS Scales Back Rules On Health Insurance Appeals The Obama administration announced Wednesday that it is scaling back some of its earlier rules under the 2010 health law that governed consumers' right to appeal denials by health plans, disappointing patient advocates and earning praise from industry groups (Jaffe, 6/23).

7) From My Medicare Matters – www.mymedicarecommunity.org/

My Medicare Matters offers Webinars (live on-line training) for those who are Medicare advocates. If you are interested in being notified of training sessions, please contact me at esslady@gmail.com

8) From miscellaneous sources

The Independent Payment Advisory Board was created by the 2010 health care law. Last month, in releasing his deficit-reduction plan, President Obama called for increasing the panel’s authority, saying it was critical to controlling the costs of the program, estimated at $524 billion in fiscal 2010. For more, see
www.washingtonpost.com/national/health/controversial-health-board-braces-for-continued-battles-over-medicare/2011/05/03/AFR2ZwTG_story.html

If you are concerned about your gas mileage check out the following for gas saving ideas: www.budgettravel.com/feature/the-7-most-common-gas-guzzling-mistakes,7330/?wpisrc=newsletter

9) From NCOA – www.ncoa.org

For a variety of needs assessment (help over and above Medicare) tools for seniors, go to www.benefitscheckup.org/

For a list of The National Council on Aging’s recommendations on the renewal of the Older Americans Act, go to www.ncoa.org/public-policy/older-americans-act/

Trustees Report on Medicare, Social Security The Social Security and Medicare Board of Trustees released a report [the week of 6 June] showing that while Medicare and Social Security are financially strong today, there is more work to be done. The Medicare Part A Trust Fund will remain solvent for another 13 years—eight years more than expected thanks to the Affordable Care Act. The combined Social Security Trust Funds have resources to pay full benefits for the coming 25 years, the report states.

For a very nice summary of the various Medicare programs, especially Medicare Part D (the drug plan), go to www.centerforbenefits.org/core_benefits_part_d.html

To see the Global Coalition on Population Aging’s 7 Principles, go to www.globalcoalitiononaging.com/?id=global-principles

10) From The New York Times – nytdirect@nytimes.com

For an analysis of the “evidence” indicating that cellphones cause cancer go to well.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/06/06/piercing-the-fog-around-cellphones-and-cancer/?nl=health&emc=healthupdateema2

Biggest Banks in Reverse Mortgages Exit Business Wells Fargo and Bank of America have left the business, as falling home prices have made it more unpredictable.

From the Web by Elaine Steward #21

2011-05-06T05:35:00.001-07:00

Hi again from Elaine Steward! Following, is my most recent list of things which may be of general interest to us retirees. If have something you’d like to share, please post it to the comments section at the end of this blog.

More free university courses, one site, MIT, another which is a compilation of several universities. Go to ocw.mit.edu/index.htm and www.openculture.com/freeonlinecourses

If you are interested in reducing the number of catalogues and/or telephone directories you get, go to www.catalogchoice.org/login and set up an account. This is a very effective site – I no longer get catalogues. When I order something or make a donation, I immediately send customer service an email telling them that if they put me back on their snail-mailing list, I will no longer do business with them.

If you are comfortable with the Internet, and are interested in volunteering from home, and for short periods of time, try www.sparked.com/

For a really neat, and free, calendar, shopping list, journal site which is designed to be used by the whole family, go to www.cozi.com/ It has functions which sync with Outlook as well as free apps for your smart phone.

NCOA Offers Free Reverse Mortgage Counseling for Older Adults Seeking to Use their Home Equity Wisely CONTACT: Ken Schwartz 202-600-3131 Washington, DC – As older adults continue to face financial challenges in the sluggish economy, the National Council on Aging (NCOA) will offer free counseling for seniors through its Reverse Mortgage Counseling Services (RMCS) Network. RMCS counselors are waiving the usual $125 counseling fee in order to help more homeowners understand how reverse mortgage loans, along with community programs and other options, could help them remain in their homes. Consumers aged 62+ can schedule a free reverse mortgage counseling session by calling 1-800-510-0301. UPDATE: This funding was cut in the 2011 budget deal. You might still want to check in case any funds remain in the NCOA coffers.

For a consumer guide to putting together a long term care program, go to www.theconsumervoice.org/piecing-together-quality-long-term-care/pdf

For an update on hormone replacement therapy, go to www.nytimes.com/2011/04/10/weekinreview/10estrogen.html

For an update on prostate screening, go to www.nytimes.com/2011/04/12/health/12prostate.html?_r=1

If you’re having trouble finding gifts for friends and family, take a look at www.dailygrommet.com/

For the results of some research on the relationship between money and happiness (you may be surprised), go to www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/04/14/how-to-spend-your-way-to-happiness-part-one/

An on-line workshop for managing chronic diseases is now available nationwide. To enroll, go to selfmanage.org/BetterHealth/SignUp

The enrollment period for 2012 Medicare Part D (prescription drug) coverage will begin on 15 October 2011 and will end on 7 December 2011. These dates are different from those used in prior years.

The free Fast Society app, for your smart phone lets you set up a group of users you might want to contact (text, pictures, talk, or find) simultaneously: friends, family, or your colleagues on a committee. For more, go to www.fastsociety.com/

If you can’t find your cell phone, and don’t have another phone from which to call it, there’s a free website to help you find it. Go to www.wheresmycellphone.com/

For an NIH website which evaluates alternative medicine, go to nccam.nih.gov/health/providers/ The site is designed for health care providers, but seems pretty easy to understand and includes consumer information.

1) From AARP – bulletin.aarp.org

For guidance on preventing medical errors while in the hospital, go to www.aarp.org/health/doctors-hospitals/info-06-2010/hospital-bound_howtoprotectyourself.html

For the top 25 most asked questions about Social Security, go to www.aarp.org/work/social-security/info-12-2010/top-25-social-security-questions.1.html

2) From California Healthline – www.californiahealthline.org/

CMS Posts Hospital-Specific Incidents for California, U.S. CMS has posted data on hospital-acquired conditions, which include incidents of foreign objects left inside a body during surgery, urinary tract infections, and injuries sustained from preventable falls and other trauma. The data were posted to the nationwide Hospital Compare website. In California, 45 hospitals reported 54 incidents between October 2008 and June 2010 in which a patient retained a foreign object. A list of California-specific data from CMS is available from Payers & Providers.

California, Other States File Brief in Defense of Health Reform Law California Attorney General Kamala Harris (D) recently signed an amicus brief filed in the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals defending the constitutionality of the federal health reform law, Lake County News reports. The friend-of-the-court brief also was signed by attorneys general from: Connecticut; Delaware; Hawaii; Iowa; Maryland; New York; Oregon; Vermont; and Washington, D.C. (Lake County News, 4/13).

Brown Proposes List of Sweeping Changes to Calif. Pension System Gov. Jerry Brown (D) has developed a 12-item proposal designed to reform public employee pensions, the Sacramento Bee reports

U.S. Supreme Court To Weigh Expedited Review of Health Reform Case Next month, the U.S. Supreme Court will convene a private conference to discuss a request from the Virginia attorney general to fast-track review of a lawsuit against the health reform law. One expert says the court could issue a decision on the day of the meeting. CQ HealthBeat.

For information on three lesser known reforms included in the Affordable Care Act, go to www.californiahealthline.org/road-to-reform/2011/overlooked-but-not-forgotten-three-lesser-known-reforms.aspx

How Can California Exchange Minimize 'Churning'? Veterans of the Medi-Cal system in California -- providers, counselors, state officials and beneficiaries -- have said for years that one of the keys to making the Medicaid program work is continuity of care. But in most lives --and perhaps especially in low-income lives -- things change. People move, they change or lose jobs, their family situations evolve. When change happens, eligibility for subsidized coverage shifts and health care is often interrupted.

3) From Carepages – www.carepages.com

For recommendations on how to curb emotional eating, go to cms.carepages.com/CarePages/en/ArticlesTips/HelpfulTips/BetterYou/emotional_eating.html?xid=nl_EverydayCaringFromCarePages_20110324

For recommendations on how to communicate better with your doctor, go to cms.carepages.com/CarePages/en/ArticlesTips/HelpfulTips/BetterYou/communicate_better_with_doctor.html?xid=nl_EverydayCaringFromCarePages_20110331

For foods which help to relieve stress (and they’re NOT sweet!), go to cms.carepages.com/CarePages/en/ArticlesTips/FeatureArticles/Contributors/healthy-meals-during-stress.html?xid=nl_EverydayCaringFromCarePages_20110428

4) I do hope you are all following the (USC) Dean’s Council on Health Reform at www.healthreform.usc.edu/ It is a very rich site

5) From iHealthBeat - www.ihealthbeat.org/

Study: Virtual Reality Systems Could Aid in Stroke Rehabilitation New research examines 12 earlier studies and finds that patients who have been partially paralyzed by a stroke are five times more likely to improve their grip and other movements if virtual reality or video game training is added to a standard rehabilitation regimen. Reuters.

Supreme Court Justices Question Vermont Law Barring Rx Data Access On [26 April] U.S. Supreme Court justices suggested that a Vermont law requiring physicians to consent to having their prescription data sold for marketing purposes is troubling because it appears to restrict only certain entities from using the information. AP/San Francisco Chronicle et al.

Panel Wants Feedback on Data Exchange Privacy, Security Issues The Health IT Policy Committee's privacy and security "Tiger Team" is seeking public comment on a privacy and security policy framework for health information exchange, Government Health IT reports (Mosquera, Government Health IT, 4/21).

FDA Updates Website, Launches Search Engine To Track Food Recalls FDA has revamped a website designed to help consumers track food recalls. The updated site offers a consumer-friendly search engine of product recalls, short videos on the agency's efforts to minimize food safety risks and other features. The Hill's "Healthwatch," FDA release.

Senators Introduce Bill To Open Up Access to Medicare Database On [7 April] Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) introduced the Medicare Data Access for Transparency and Accountability Act (S 756), which would overturn a 1979 court injunction that bars the government from revealing the amount individual physicians are paid by Medicare, the Wall Street Journal reports.

CMS Adds Hospital-Acquired Condition Data to Consumer Website Consumers now can use CMS' Hospital Compare website to look up facility-specific information on eight serious hospital-acquired conditions. The newly added figures are not adjusted to account for hospitals' patient populations or case mix. Health Data Management, Healthcare IT News.

HHS Unveils Web Portal To Provide Consumers With Vaccine Guidance On [30 Mar], HHS launched Vaccines.gov to help consumers access vaccine-related information and guidance. During the next year, HHS plans to release a Spanish version of the website and add new data on infectious disease outbreaks. Health Data Management, HHS release.

Study: Computerized Systems Help Reduce Hospital Drug Errors A new study finds that Johns Hopkins Hospital's psychiatric unit saw its rate of medication errors decline by 87.7% after implementing a computerized provider order entry system and a Web-based system for reporting drug errors. Modern Healthcare, HealthLeaders Media.

Group Offering $3M Prize for Algorithm To Predict Likely Hospital Visits Heritage Provider Network, a California-based physicians group, is offering $3 million in prize money for the development of an algorithm that can best predict how often people are likely to be sent to the hospital, the Wall Street Journal reports

6) From Kaiser Health News – www.kaiserhealthnews.org/

New Labels Will Soon Help Consumers Choose Health Plans Reporting for Kaiser Health News, Susan Jaffe writes: “For the first time, consumers shopping for a health policy will be able to get a good idea of how much of the costs different plans will cover for three medical conditions: maternity care, treatment for diabetes and breast cancer. And because buying insurance is more complicated than buying a can of soup, the proposed insurance labels are two pages long” (Jaffe, 5/5).

Big Savings Coming From Emerging Generic Drugs, Patent Expirations Americans will see cheaper copies of some of the biggest drug names starting this fall. Out-of-pocket costs of the generic form of Lipitor, a widely used and advertised cholesterol drug that loses its patent protection in November, will be reduced to as little as $4 for a month's supply. Even for a person with health insurance, Lipitor can cost $25 to $40 — or more — each month. In the next two years, six of the nation's 10 best-selling drugs are expected to be available in generic form (Chicago Tribune, Japsen, 5/4).

[NPR reports that] insured patients are more — not less — likely to use the emergency department 89 percent of physicians in a survey said they believe the number of visits to emergency rooms will increase as the new health law is implemented. (The findings also echoed the results of a December survey of more than 600 emergency department administrators by the Schumacher Group.)

Medicare Is Now Offering Some Free Tests And Services Reporting for Kaiser Health News, in collaboration with The Washington Post, Susan Jaffe writes: “Despite tough economic times, there are some things the government can’t give away. Starting this year, seniors enrolled in Medicare no longer have to pay for more than a dozen tests and other services to help prevent or control cancer and other costly and debilitating diseases. These benefits, which also include an annual wellness exam, are part of the new federal health-care law (Kaiser Health News, Jaffe, 4/25).

Fix The Class Act. Don’t Repeal It. In his latest Kaiser Health News column, Howard Gleckman writes: “If it survives, the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports (CLASS) Act would, for the first time, create a national, voluntary long-term care insurance program to help pay for personal care for the frail elderly and younger adults with disabilities. It is a modest first step toward turning long-term care from an unsustainable and inappropriate welfare program into an insurance-based system” (Kaiser Health News 4/6).

Obama Administration Offers Rules For Delivering Care To Older Americans The Obama administration proposed rules [31 March] for using the influential Medicare program to spur a controversial form of managed care emerging around the country that nudges doctors and hospitals to save money by coordinating treatment for their patients (Washington Post, Goldstein, 3/31).

Cuccinelli Says Va. Suit Has 60% Chance Of Prevailing: The KHN Interview Reporting for Kaiser Health News, Bara Vaida writes: “Virginia's Republican Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli has defined himself as one of the country's leading conservatives with his lawsuit against the health care overhaul law. Filed within minutes after the law passed in March 2010, the suit could set limits on Congress' power” (Vaida, 3/30).

Virginia Files New Court Papers Arguing Federal Health Care Law Is Unconstitutional Virginia’s attorney general has filed additional court papers arguing that the Obama administration’s health care reform law is unconstitutional. The 69-page brief filed Monday urges the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to strike down the entire law. The court will hear oral arguments in May (AP,Washington Post 3/28).

Administration Delaying Some Rules For Appealing Health Insurance Denials Reporting for Kaiser Health News, Susan Jaffe writes: “The Obama administration is delaying until next January its enforcement of some new rules designed to protect patients who appeal insurers' decisions to deny or reduce health care benefits” (Jaffe, 3/25).

Health On The Hill: Analyzing The Health Law’s Rocky First Year Kaiser Health News staff writer Mary Agnes Carey and NPR’s Julie Rovner talk with KFF’s Jack Judd about developments on the Hill, including this week’s one-year anniversary of the health law (3/21). Watch the video at www.kaiserhealthnews.org/Multimedia/2011/March/032111-health-on-the-hill.aspx or read the transcript at www.kaiserhealthnews.org/Stories/2011/March/21/health-law-anniversary-health-on-the-hill-transcript.aspx.

7) From My Medicare Matters – www.mymedicarecommunity.org/

My Medicare Matters offers Webinars (live on-line training) for those who are Medicare advocates. If you are interested in being notified of training sessions, please contact me at esslady@gmail.com

8) From NCOA – www.ncoa.org

FY11 Budget Deal Eliminates Funding for Reverse Mortgage Counseling The FY11 budget bill that passed Congress last week eliminates all funding, totaling $88 million, for the federal Housing Counseling Program. The cuts include all funding for federally mandated reverse mortgage counseling, a service that helps older homeowners understand the costs, benefits, and risks associated with these loans before applying for one. NCOA is one of eight federally approved organizations that provide this counseling service nationwide. The cuts will likely mean higher reverse mortgage counseling fees for seniors.

9) From The New York Times – nytdirect@nytimes.com

Updated Guidelines for Diagnosing Alzheimer’s The definition of the disease will be recast for the first time in 27 years, with a division into three stages, including a new early phase.

For guidance on “smarter, safer antibiotic use,” go to www.nytimes.com/2011/03/22/health/22brody.html?nl=health&emc=healthupdateemb4

From the Web by Elaine Steward #20

2011-03-20T09:13:00.000-07:00

Hi again from Elaine Steward! Following, is my most recent list of things which may be of general interest to us retirees. If have something you’d like to share, please post it to the comments section at the end of this blog.

If you, friends, or family, need step-by-step computer/internet instructions, go to www.teachparents.tech.org for video instructions. The site is designed for kids to provide help to parents. It’s really very cute as well as informative.

If you are a member of AARP and want to have fun, serve, and learn all at one time, you're invited to join AARP and [their] band of volunteers to be a goodwill ambassador at the 2011 Life@50+ in Los Angeles convention, AARP's National Event & Expo. To sign up, go to www.aarp.org/giving-back/volunteering/info-03-2011/volunteers-needed-for-life-ca.html?cmp=NLC-STO-031511-CA-LAEvntVolRec

For a free website which will help you and/or your family construct its story, take a look at www.proust.com/

For more cautions on reverse mortgages, see www.nytimes.com/2011/03/12/your-money/12money.html?emc=tnt&tntemail1=y

For a website which collects recipes, go to foodily.com/ . A nice feature is that there is a WITHOUT (salt, gluten, peanuts, etc) field as part of the search.

If you know any woman currently undergoing chemotherapy, please pass the word to her that there is a cleaning service that provides FREE housecleaning - once per month for 4 months while she is in treatment. All she has to do is sign up and have her doctor fax a note confirming the treatment. Cleaning for a Reason will have a participating maid service in her zip code area arrange for the service. www.cleaningforareason.org//

Free help with tax filing is available for low to middle income people. For help, go to www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=107626,00.html

For a free downloadable booklet on how to use social media (e.g, facebook) to improve one’s health, go to www.cdc.gov/healthcommunication/ToolsTemplates/SocialMediaToolkit_BM.pdf

For a site which tries to predict trends in electronics, “Their blog conducts surveys and examines whether or not the market will be embracing those newest trends en masse” go to shop.retrevo.com/

If you worked in a job with health insurance after the age of 65, and are now retiring, there are deadlines for signing up for the rest of your Medicare benefits. For information. Go to www.mymedicarematters.org/ask_the_expert.asp

If you have a dog, perhaps you’d like to subscribe to the Woof Report, a weekly newsletter which covers such things as training tips, dog accessories, etc. Go to www.woofreport.com/

A coalition of consumer groups and health care providers has launched a website to help understand the Affordable Care Act. Go to www.healthcareandyou.org/ Members of the coalition are AARP; The American Academy of Family Physicians; The American Cancer Society's Cancer Action Network; The American College of Physicians; The American Medical Association; The American Nurses Association; The Catholic Health Association; and The National Community Pharmacists Association

“…the way we make decisions changes on a fundamental, physiological level as we age. The brain begins to approach its tasks differently, and once we understand the changes, we can learn to work with them.” For more, go to newoldage.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/03/08/why-it-takes-so-long-to-decide/?nl=health&emc=healthupdateema10

For free (up to 2 gigabytes)on-line back-up for your computer, smartphone, etc files, go to www.backupify.com/

1) From AARP – bulletin.aarp.org

For a good question-and-answer on Social Security, go to www.aarp.org/work/social-security/info-12-2010/top-25-social-security-questions.html?cmp=NLC-WBLTR-CTRL-031111-FT1-80&USEG_ID=6388998522

Before deciding that a reverse mortgage is the right thing for you, read the cautions at www.aarp.org/money/credit-loans-debt/info-02-2011/reverse-mortgages.html?cmp=NLC-MONY-CTRL-030911-F2t-7

For a list of tips and myths on saving on gasoline, go to www.aarp.org/money/budgeting-saving/info-07-2009/ask_sid_tips_and_myths_on_saving_gas.html?cmp=NLC-WBLTR-CTRL-031811-F2-4&USEG_ID=6388998522

2) From Aging in Stride – www.aginginstride.org

For recommendations on how to optimize brain health and function, go to enews.aginginstride.org/pub.48/issue.1533/article.6372/

3) From California Healthline – www.californiahealthline.org/

Appeals Court To Speed Up Review of Health Reform Law Ruling On [11 March] the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta said it will grant a request by the Obama administration to expedite the appeal of a federal judge's ruling against the federal health reform law, the AP/USA Today reports.

California HMOs Score Well for Meeting Care Quality Standards Most large HMOs in California received high marks for overall quality of care and patient satisfaction, but some health plans still fell short in certain areas, according to the state's 2011 Health Care Quality Report Card, the Sacramento Bee reports.

New State Plan Outlines Strategies for Tackling Alzheimer's Disease On [9 March] Sen. Elaine Alquist (D-Santa Clara), state officials and advocates released a new statewide plan that aims to address the growing challenges of Alzheimer's disease, the Sacramento Bee reports (Creamer, Sacramento Bee, 3/9). A task force led by the Alzheimer's Association, the California Health and Human Services Agency and CHHS' Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Advisory Committee developed the 10-year plan (Lavelle, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3/9)

Study: Workplace Wellness Programs Cut Health Costs Businesses that offer wellness programs to employees can slow the growth rate of health care costs by 15%, according to a Highmark study published in the American Journal of Health Promotion. Researchers said wellness program participants might pursue preventive care services more frequently than nonparticipants because wellness programs often provide information about such services.

DOJ: Ruling Against Reform Should Not Halt its Rollout [The week of 28 Feb], the Department of Justice sent a letter to U.S. District Court Judge Roger Vinson arguing that the 26 states in the multistate lawsuit challenging the federal health reform law should not have expected Vinson to halt implementation of the overhaul because the individual mandate applies to only 10 of the law's 450 provisions. DOJ said that halting implementation would complicate the nation's health care system because many overhaul provisions already have taken effect.

Questions Raised About Oversight of Concierge-Style Health Providers As some California health care providers move to a concierge-style direct primary care model, questions have emerged about how the state should regulate such services, the Los Angeles Daily Journal reports.

CBO Estimates Repeal of Health Reform Would Add $210B to U.S. Deficit A new Congressional Budget Office report states that repealing the health reform law would add $210 billion to the federal deficit between 2012 and 2021. The report says implementing the overhaul would save the government $124 billion between 2010 and 2019. Reuters.

4) From Carepages – www.carepages.com

For helpful advice on traveling with cancer, go to www.carepages.com/cancer/cancer-and-travel-precautions.html?xid=nl_EverydayCaringFromCarePages_20110224

5) I do hope you are all following the (USC) Dean’s Council on Health Reform at www.healthreform.usc.edu/ It is a very rich site

6) From iHealthBeat - www.ihealthbeat.org/

Online Messaging Shown To Improve Follow-Up Care for Depression Online messaging can deliver efficient and effective follow-up care for patients with depression, according to a study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine, Healthcare IT News reports.

HHS Seeks To Allow State Data Mining for Medicaid Fraud HHS' Office of Inspector General has proposed a rule that would allow states to use federal funding to mine state Medicaid claims data in an effort to uncover fraud. Currently, state Medicaid fraud control units are prohibited from using federal funds for such purposes. According to OIG, data mining is an effective way to root out fraud. Modern Healthcare, Health Data Management.

Researchers Unveil Platform To Kick Off Contest for Health Apps Researchers at Children's Hospital Boston and Harvard Medical School recently announced the public release of an interoperability platform and interface designed to support the development of innovative health-related Web applications, Modern Healthcare

Survey: Most Patients Want Online Access to Their Physician's Office Seventy-three percent of respondents to a new Intuit Health survey said they would like to have an online connection to their physician's office. Patients would use such connections to obtain their laboratory results or request appointments. InformationWeek, Healthcare IT News.

After Jeopardy!, IBM Moves Supercomputer on to Medical Research IBM and Nuance, a speech-recognition products vendor, have announced a five-year research agreement to explore ways for the health care industry to tap into the capabilities of IBM's Watson supercomputer, InformationWeek reports.

7) From Kaiser Health News – www.kaiserhealthnews.org/

Health Law Waivers Scorecard: Yes: 1,040. No: 79. The Obama administration Tuesday answered Republican lawmakers seeking to know how many employers and health care providers have been refused waivers from certain requirements of the federal health care overhaul. The answer: 79 as of late February, according to documents released this week by the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. By comparison, 1,040 entities received the waivers. Those denied waivers include Mesa Air Group and local branches of the Teamsters and United Food and Commercial Workers unions (Wall Street Journal: Washington Wire, Adamy, 3/15).

The Informed Patient: New Efforts To Simplify End-Of-Life Care Wishes The programs are known as Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment, or Polst. They are meant to complement advance directives, sometimes known as living wills, in which people state in broad terms how much medical intervention they will want when their condition no longer allows them to communicate. A Polst, which is signed by both the patient and the doctor, spells out such choices as whether a patient wants to be on a mechanical breathing machine or feeding tube and receive antibiotics (Wall Street Journal, Landro, 3/15).

Lifting The Veil On Medical Costs Americans are increasingly responsible for health-care expenses, yet it's nearly impossible to comparison-shop for a doctor, test or procedure. Castlight Health Inc. aims to change that by bringing the online-shopping revolution to the giant, opaque health-care industry. … "If you have diabetes, we can help you plan all your treatment for the whole year, so you know what it's going to cost," says Chief Executive Giovanni Colella, who co-founded the company in 2008 (Wall Street Journal, Richmond, 3/14).

Insuring Your Health: Some Medical Practices Move To Monthly Membership Fees For Patients In her latest consumer column, Michelle Andrews writes: “Just about everyone agrees that the way we pay for primary care needs fixing. Under the current insurance model, doctors get paid for procedures and tests rather than for time spent with patients, which makes doctors and patients alike unhappy and increases costs. Now some medical practices are sidelining health insurers entirely, instead charging patients a moderate membership fee each month. The approach gets a nod in the health overhaul law. But not everyone agrees it's the right way to go” (Kaiser Health News, Andrews, 7/8).

Obama Offers States More Flexibility In Health-Care Law President Obama sought to defuse criticism of the new health-care overhaul Monday by saying he is willing to give states an earlier opportunity to opt out of certain key requirements - but only if they can find their own ways to accomplish the law's goals (The Washington Post, Goldstein and Balz, 3/1).

Shutdown Preparations Begin Agencies throughout the government are scrambling to figure out how to handle a government shutdown, with a potential closure as soon as March 5 prompting a review of which activities are essential and which aren't (The Wall Street Journal, Bendavid and Paletta, 2/25).

States Pushing Managed Long-Term Care For Elderly And Disabled Medicaid Patients Kaiser Health News staff writer Phil Galewitz, in collaboration with USA Today, reports: “Desperate to rein in rising Medicaid costs, Tennessee last year became the sixth state to require its frailest and costliest patients — the elderly and disabled who need long-term care — to enroll in managed care plans. At least 10 other states, including Florida, Maryland, New Jersey and Rhode Island, are considering introducing or expanding the use of managed long-term care. The trend is sparking opposition from the nursing home industry and raising some concerns from AARP and other patient advocates (Kaiser Health News, Galewitz, 2/22).

8) From My Medicare Matters – www.mymedicarecommunity.org/

My Medicare Matters offers Webinars (live on-line training) for those who are Medicare advocates. If you are interested in being notified of training sessions, please contact me at esslady@gmail.com

9) From NCOA – www.ncoa.org

For a list of NCOA’s public policy priorities for the 112th Congress, go to www.ncoa.org/public-policy/ncoa-public-policy-priorities.html

If you worked in a job with health insurance after the age of 65, and are now retiring, there are deadlines for signing up for the rest of your Medicare benefits. For information. Go to www.mymedicarematters.org/ask_the_expert.asp

10) From The New York Times – nytdirect@nytimes.com

For more cautions on reverse mortgages, see www.nytimes.com/2011/03/12/your-money/12money.html?emc=tnt&tntemail1=y

For guidance on selecting an executor for your estate, go to www.nytimes.com/2011/03/03/business/retirementspecial/03EXEC.html?tntemail1=y&emc=tnt&pagewanted=print

Long-Term Care Needs Changes, Officials Say WASHINGTON — One of Senator Edward M. Kennedy’s legacies in the new health care law, intended to allow the chronically ill and people with disabilities to continue living in their homes, is too costly to survive without major changes, Obama administration officials now say.

From the Web by Elaine Steward #19

2011-02-20T05:43:00.001-08:00

Hi again from Elaine Steward! Following, is my most recent list of things which may be of general interest to us retirees. If have something you’d like to share, please post it to the comments section at the end of this blog.

For non-partisan fact sheets on the Affordable Care Act (healthcare reform), go to www.ncoa.org/public-policy/health-care-reform/straight-talk-for-seniors-on.html

To help you understand the new estate tax laws, go to guidance.fidelity.com/viewpoints/new-estate-tax-laws

For a copy of the IRS publication on income taxes, go to www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p17.pdf

Many credit cards are embedded with “smart chips,” which can be read from a distance by RFID (radio frequency identity) skimmers. To protect yourself from these electronic pick pockets, get RF identity blocker sleeves for individual cards or use a wallet with anti-RFID protection.

If you enjoy fine art, you might want to take a virtual tour of a number of museums at www.googleartproject.com/

For 10 Facebook privacy settings you need to know, go to www.allfacebook.com/facebook-privacy-settings-2011-02

The next time you want to check out medical symptoms using the web, try the Mayo Clinic’s www.mayoclinic.com/health/symptom-checker/DS00671/SYMPTOM=43CD6E20-2A5D-9994-E649B5FE9E2502D7 This is a recommended alternative to WebMD

Sign up now for a FREE on-line seminar for those with chronic diseases, go to selfmanage.org/BetterHealth/SignUp

POLST – Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment POLST (Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment) is a form that states what kind of medical treatment patients want toward the end of their lives. Printed on bright pink paper, and signed by both a doctor and patient, POLST helps give seriously ill patients more control over their end-of-life care. For more, go to www.capolst.org/

For a copy of the most recent dietary guidelines for Americans, see www.health.gov/dietaryguidelines/dga2010/DietaryGuidelines2010.pdf

1) From AARP – bulletin.aarp.org

For advice in how to “hacker-proof” on-line passwords, go to www.aarp.org/technology/privacy-security/info-01-2011/scam_alert_heading_off_the_hackers.html?cmp=NLC-MONY-CTRL-020911-F3-8

For an article evaluating the efficacy of prophylactic aspirin, go to www.aarp.org/health/drugs-supplements/info-04-2010/can_an_aspirin_do_more_harm_than_good.html?cmp=NLC-WBLTR-CTRL-012811-FT1-80&USEG_ID=6388998522

If you take over-the-counter pain killers for arthritis or other chronic pain, you might want to consult your doctor about the following: www.aarp.org/health/drugs-supplements/info-07-2010/common_painkillers_increase_heart_risks_in_healthy_people_.html?cmp=NLC-WBLTR-ACTIVE-020411-FT1-80&USEG_ID=6388998522

2) From California Healthline – www.californiahealthline.org/

California Wins Grant To Help Patients After Hospital Visits California is one of five states that will share a total of $500,000 to assess how technology can help improve the transition out of the hospital for patients. In California, the project will enable patients to use a personal health record to manage chronic conditions and find resources. The funding was awarded by the Center for Technology and Aging, in association with the Administration on Aging and CMS.

Health Care Experts Seek To Improve Rx Drug Compliance
Health care experts recently have been working to reduce the number of U.S. residents who do not comply with prescription drug instructions, which costs up to $290 billion in medical expenses annually. U.S. Pharmacopeia -- a not-for-profit organization that sets quality and safety standards for FDA-approved drugs -- is aiming to simplify, clarify and standardize drug labels by using simple words, big fonts and clear instructions on pill bottles. Other companies are designing ways to remind patients to take their medications, including sending text messages to patients, using a wireless pill bottle that lights up and beeps and educating patients on possible side effects of taking their medicines incorrectly.

Bill Would Offer Tax Exemption for Coverage of Adult Children Some California lawmakers are pushing for new legislation (AB 36) that would prevent the state from levying income taxes on the premiums that employers pay to provide health insurance coverage to their workers' nondependent adult children, the Sacramento Bee reports.

Enrollment In High-Risk Insurance Pools Lagging Behind Predictions More Americans have been signing up for special health plans designed for people with medical problems that caused them to be spurned by the insurance industry, according to new government figures. But enrollment continues to lag significantly behind original predictions (The Washington Post: Goldstein, 2/10).
Report Ranks Calif. 44th in Nation for Delivering Health Care to Children California ranks 44th in the nation for delivering health care to children, according to a report released [on 2 Feb] by the Commonwealth Fund, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Lawmakers Hear Testimony on Brown's Proposed Health Cuts
On [26 Jan], California lawmakers heard testimony from advocates who discussed the possible effects of Gov. Jerry Brown's (D) proposed cuts to health care programs, the San Francisco Chronicle reports (Buchanan/Lagos, San Francisco Chronicle, 1/27). Earlier [in Jan], Brown released a budget plan that would cut: $1.7 billion from Medi-Cal, California's Medicaid program; $486 million from In-Home Supportive Services; and $135.7 million from Healthy Families, California's Children's Health Insurance Program (California Healthline, 1/21). The governor's proposal also calls for the elimination of California's adult day health care program.

Wall Street Journal Publisher Sues for Medicare Data Access
On [25 Jan], Dow Jones, publisher of the Wall Street Journal, filed a lawsuit seeking access to data about how much Medicare funds individual physicians receive. The issue concerns access to a database -- known as the Carrier Standard Analytic File -- that includes information on physicians and other health care providers participating in Medicare who are paid on a fee-for-service basis. The American Medical Association maintains that such data should be kept private, while the Journal argues that prohibiting access to the data limits its ability to report on fraud and abuse in Medicare.

3) From Carepages – www.carepages.com

For helpful ideas about how to say, “no” and feel okay about it, go to: cms.carepages.com/CarePages/en/ArticlesTips/HelpfulTips/BetterYou/say_no.html?xid=nl_EverydayCaringFromCarePages_20110127

For step-by-step help in making good decisions (especially when under stress) go to: cms.carepages.com/CarePages/en/ArticlesTips/HelpfulTips/BetterYou/making_important_decisions.html?xid=nl_EverydayCaringFromCarePages_20110127

4) From CurXeD – curexd.human.cornell.edu

Healthcare reform law enacted in 2010 includes a provision to increase the Part D premium for higher income beneficiaries, beginning in 2011.
The Part D income-related monthly adjustment amount (IRMAA) uses the same income thresholds and adjustment percentages as Part B
and is calculated as a percent of the national average cost of the standard drug benefit.

5) I do hope you are all following the (USC) Dean’s Council on Health Reform at www.healthreform.usc.edu/ It is a very rich site

6) From iHealthBeat - www.ihealthbeat.org/

Commentary Compares WebMD, Mayo Clinic Online Health Websites In a New York Times Magazine commentary, journalist Virginia Heffernan compares medical information websites, strongly preferring the not-for-profit Mayo Clinic's Symptom Checker site to WebMD, which she said started as an "ad-supported health alarmism site."

California Telehealth Network Gears Up for Launch …CTN recently announced that 25 medical facilities now are hooked up to a broadband network, bringing the futuristic vision of telehealth closer to reality in California.

Report Says Health IT Has Potential To Advance Personalized Medicine Health IT could be a driving force for advances in personalized medicine that provide targeted treatments, according to a new report from the Center for Technology Innovation at the Brookings Institution, Healthcare IT News reports.

Men, Individuals With Chronic Illnesses Most Receptive to Virtual Care Men and people with chronic illnesses are the most likely to support the idea of integrating virtual physician visits with their medical care, according to a survey from Euro RSCG Tonic, American Medical News reports.

USDA To Award Grants for Telehealth Programs in Rural U.S. Locations Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture plans to award 45 telehealth grants through its Distance Learning and Telemedicine Program, Modern Physician reports (Barr, Modern Physician, 1/24).

7) From My Medicare Matters – www.mymedicarecommunity.org/

My Medicare Matters offers Webinars (live on-line training) for those who are Medicare advocates. If you are interested in being notified of training sessions, please contact me at esslady@gmail.com

For information on the new Medicare wellness exam, go to www.mymedicarematters.org/StayingHealthy/Services/services_wellness.asp

8) From NCOA – www.ncoa.org

If you would like to watch Kathleen Sebelius’ 7 Feb remarks on the CLASS (Long Term Care) Act, go to www.kff.org/medicaid/medicaid-long-term-services-briefing-resources.cfm

For non-partisan fact sheets on the Affordable Care Act (healthcare reform), go to www.ncoa.org/public-policy/health-care-reform/straight-talk-for-seniors-on.html

For information on vision and aging, go to www.nei.nih.gov/nehep/programs/visionandaging/materials/VandAToolkit_Mod1_Powerpoint_508.pdf

Sign up now for a FREE on-line seminar for those with chronic diseases, go to selfmanage.org/BetterHealth/SignUp

For a list of talking points on Social Security, go to www.iwpr.org/pdf/Social_Security_Talking_Points.pdf

For a free copy of NCOA’s reverse mortgage guide, go to www.ncoa.org/news-ncoa-publications/publications/ncoa_reverse_mortgage_booklet_073109.pdf

9) From The New York Times – nytdirect@nytimes.com

Social Security and Welfare Benefits Going Paperless Social Security and welfare checks are being replaced by direct deposit and debit cards, which will change some rituals of inner-city life, like using federal benefit checks as collateral.

From the Web by Elaine Steward #18

2011-01-24T05:36:00.000-08:00

Hi again from Elaine Steward! Following, is my most recent list of things which may be of general interest to us retirees. If have something you’d like to share, please post it to the comments section at the end of this blog.

For a comprehensive checklist on fall prevention within the home, check out www.environmentalgeriatrics.com/home_safety/safety_checklist.html

For a list of “free days” at Los Angeles area museums, go to golosangeles.about.com/od/losangelesmuseums/a/MuseumFreeDays.htm

If you have a dog, you might want to take a look at www.woofreport.com/ for training hints and the like

For a calculator to help you decide between a regular 401(k) and a Roth 401(k) [or 403(b)] go to www.bankrate.com/calculators/retirement/401-k-or-roth-ira-calculator.aspx

For a summary of the new tax law, go to guidance.fidelity.com/viewpoints/new-tax-law

To stay up to date on new books in your favorite genre, go to anynewbooks.com/ and sign up

For an on-line bookseller (new and used) which raises funds for various literacy charities, go to www.betterworldbooks.com/custom.aspx?f=netted

For information on where to recycle your electronics go to www.epa.gov/osw/conserve/materials/ecycling/donate.htm or www.digitaltips.org/green/default.asp Best Buy stores will take up to two larger items a day at customer service, including televisions and monitors up to 32 inches, computer C.P.U.’s, VCRs/DVD players, phones, remotes and keyboards. The company charges a $10 recycling fee for items with screens, but gives customers a $10 store gift card immediately.

For another website for free on-line courses from prestigious universities, go to www.einztein.com/ This site is currently in beta testing.

To cut down on junk mail, go to www.catalogchoice.org In addition: You now have the option to file a complaint directly to the Federal Trade Commission from within Catalog Choice to ensure your opt-out choices are honored by all companies. And Catalog Choice will help you stop more mail by removing your name from hard-to-find third party marketing lists – the lists that companies buy to find new customers. This valet-level service is available with a donation of $20 or more.

Californians who have been denied coverage because of preexisting health conditions and have been uninsured for at least 6 months are now eligible for the state's new Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan. To learn more go to www.pcip.ca.gov or call 1.877.428.5060 toll free

If you have a reason to look up the actual text of the Health Care and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act of 2010, go to
www.opencongress.org/house_reconciliation (there are inaccurate emails about its contents going around)

If you do not have a will and/or a trust, you should. For help, see Ten things you should know about a will at www.aarp.org/money/estate-planning/info-09-2010/ten_things_you_should_know_about_writing_a_will.html and www.aarp.org/money/estate-planning/info-09-2010/ten_things_you_should_know_about_living_trusts.2.html and www.aarp.org/money/estate-planning/info-01-2011/4_costly_estate_planning_blunders.html?cmp=NLC-MONY-CTRL-011111-F7t-27 for advice about estate planning errors.

For a free six week workshop in managing your chronic disease, go to selfmanage.org/BetterHealth/SignUp

1) From AARP – bulletin.aarp.org

For a website designed to compare health insurance plans, go to finder.healthcare.gov/?state=&x=15&y=15

The AARP Bulletin frequently has games, trivia quizzes, etc available. If you are a fan, I recommend that you join. I don’t think that you have to be an AARP member to use the website, but can’t guarantee that.

For a list of health care reforms which are already in effect, go to www.aarp.org/health/health-care-reform/info-01-2011/health_law_benefits_2011_and_to_come.html?cmp=NLC-WBLTR-CTRL-012111-MOREt&USEG_ID=6388998522

Before moving, you might want to check out the toughest states for retirees at www.aarp.org/work/retirement-planning/info-12-2010/10-worst-states-for-retirement.html?cmp=NLC-WBLTR-CTRL-011411-F3t-11&USEG_ID=6388998522

For help with keeping yourself safe while shopping on line, go to www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/info-11-2010/scam_alert_clicking_on_cyber_monday_.html?cmp=NLC-WBLTR-CTRL-121710-F1-1&USEG_ID=6388998522

To help avoid common money management mistakes, go to www.aarp.org/money/budgeting-saving/info-11-2010/five_common_money_mistakes.html?cmp=NLC-MONY-CTRL-110910-F1-1

2) From Aging in Stride – www.aginginstride.org

In 2001, the National Council on Aging (NCOA) launched BenefitsCheckUp®—a free, confidential online benefits screening and enrollment tool, available at www.benefitscheckup.org.

3) From California Healthline – www.californiahealthline.org/

Six More States Join Lawsuit Against Health Reform Law
On [18 Jan] Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi (R) announced that she has filed a motion in federal court to add six more states to the list of plaintiffs in the multistate lawsuit against the federal health reform law. The six states are Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Ohio, Wisconsin and Wyoming. Bondi said the addition of states would not delay U.S. District Court Judge Roger Vinson's decision in the lawsuit, which is expected before the end of this month.

Institute of Medicine To Advise HHS on 'Essential Health Benefits' Rules On [12 Jan] the Institute of Medicine [held] a closed-door meeting, followed by a two-day public briefing, to determine what are considered "essential health benefits" under the federal health reform law, CQ HealthBeat reports

CMS Issues Draft Rule on Hospital Value-Based Purchasing Program CMS has released a proposed rule on a value-based purchasing program that would give higher payments to hospitals that provide high-quality care. CMS is accepting public comment on the rule, which would take effect in fiscal year 2013. Modern Healthcare, The Hill's "Healthwatch."

Many Medicare Enrollees Not Signing Up for Rx Discounts More than two million eligible Medicare beneficiaries have not enrolled in a program called Extra Help that could save them an average of $3,900 in annual drug costs, despite federal efforts to promote the program. The program helps beneficiaries reduce their prescription drug costs through Medicare Part D. About 10 million of the 25 million Part D beneficiaries participate in the program, and about eight million of those were enrolled automatically.

Report Finds Gap Between Medicare Taxes, Benefits The amount U.S. residents pay in Medicare taxes falls short of covering the full value of benefits Medicare beneficiaries receive, according to a recent analysis by the Urban Institute. The report found that a couple whose annual income is $89,000 will have paid $114,000 in Medicare payroll taxes during their working years and can expect to receive $355,000 in medical services upon retiring in 2011.

California Opens New System for Health Plan Enrollment [In December 2010] California opened public access to a new system that allows families to apply online for coverage in public health insurance programs. The online platform, called Health-e-App, offers preliminary eligibility screening for Medi-Cal, California's Medicaid program, and lets families apply for coverage in Healthy Families, the state's Children's Health Insurance Program. Enrollment in the Access for Infants and Mothers program is expected to be added early next year. Health-e-App was developed by the California HealthCare Foundation in 2001 and licensed to California to help reduce the number of uninsured children in the state. CHCF publishes California Healthline.

4) From Carepages – www.carepages.com

For a list of healthy foods to eat to relieve stress go to cms.carepages.com/CarePages/en/ArticlesTips/FeatureArticles/Contributors/healthy-meals-during-stress.html

5) From CurXeD – curexd.human.cornell.edu

[Under the AHA, i]t is well publicized that there will be a 50% discount on the cost of brand name medications in the [Part D] coverage gap. Less well known is a gradual reduction in the cost of generic medications in the coverage gap, beginning with a 7% reduction in 2011, subsidized by the federal government.

6) I do hope you are all following the (USC) Dean’s Council on Health Reform at www.healthreform.usc.edu/ It is a very rich site

7) From iHealthBeat - www.ihealthbeat.org/

Survey: Patients Face Difficulty Finding Online Information on Doctors Many people experience difficulty finding information about primary care physicians and would like more information about doctors to be available online, according to a recent survey released by Insider Pages and conducted by Harris Interactive, Healthcare IT News reports.

Final Rule Gets Ball Rolling for Permanent Certification Program Earlier [in January] the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT released a final rule to establish the permanent certification program for health IT. The rule did not include any big surprises, something stakeholders say they are pleased about.

Baby Boomers To Help Expand Mobile Health Market, Report Says A report by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Enterprise Forum of the Northwest predicts that baby boomers will contribute to an expansion of the mobile health IT market. The report notes that many seniors are interested in telemedicine tools. NextGov, Mobihealthnews.

New Technologies Aim To Help Seniors Remain in Their Homes Longer Family members can turn to a wide variety of new devices to help them monitor the health and safety of elderly relatives who would like to continue living at home. Some new technologies include computerized pill boxes, location systems and movement-tracking sensors. HealthDay.

FDA's Safety Tracking System for Devices and Drugs Making Advances FDA is launching a pilot program to tap into roughly 70 million electronic health records in the coming year to track safety issues of approved drugs. The effort is part of the larger Sentinel Initiative, FDA's electronic surveillance network. CQ HealthBeat, MedPage Today.

More Patients Meeting With Doctors Via Web Programs Such as Skype Patients increasingly are making appointments to meet with physicians online via web cameras, MyHealthNewsDaily/Yahoo! News reports.

Federal Officials Aim To Release New Rules on HIPAA, HITECH in 2011 HHS' Office for Civil Rights plans to release final rules related to the HITECH Act and HIPAA privacy and security regulations next year, according to a senior OCR official, HealthLeaders Media reports.

For information on on-line patient community sites, go to www.ihealthbeat.org/articles/2010/12/20/social-networking-sites-gain-ground-for-sharing-personal-health-data.aspx

8) From miscellaneous sources

California nursing homes must now post their ratings. For more information, go to www.latimes.com/health/la-me-nursing-home-20101227,0,1165709.story

For the best tech ideas of the year 2010, go to www.nytimes.com/2010/12/30/technology/personaltech/30pogue.html?_r=1&emc=eta1

For 10 ways to get the most out of technology, go to www.nytimes.com/2010/12/30/technology/personaltech/30basics.html?emc=eta1

Doing your taxes? For help go to personal.fidelity.com/planning/tax/?fca_id=20104299p01

To see a blog for feminist women retiring go to forthefirstime.ca/

9) From My Medicare Matters – www.mymedicarecommunity.org/

My Medicare Matters offers Webinars (live on-line training) for those who are Medicare advocates. If you are interested in being notified of training sessions, please contact me at esslady@gmail.com

For recordings of the webinars, go to the archives at www.ncoa.org/calendar-of-events/events-archive.html?
utm_source=NCOAWeek_101026&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=NCOAWeek

Higher Part D Premiums for Beneficiaries with Higher Incomes Starting in 2011, [people] who pay a higher Part B premium because their modified adjusted gross income is above the threshold will also have to pay a slightly higher portion of their Part D plan premium.

10) From NCOA – www.ncoa.org

For information on CLASS, the long term care part of the Affordable Healthcare Act, go to www.advanceclass.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=62&Itemid=74

NCOA also has webinars. For a list of past webinars (recordings are available) go to www.mymedicarecommunity.org/forumdisplay.php?f=31?utm_source=BenefitsAlert_110105&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=BenefitsAlert

For information on the Senior Community Employment Program (job training for seniors) go to www.ncoa.org/enhancing-economic-security/mature-workers/senior-community-service-employment-program-scsep/

11) From The New York Times Health Update – nytdirect@nytimes.com

If you have a reverse mortgage, you need to read about possible weakened oversight of the process www.nytimes.com/2010/12/20/opinion/20mon2.html?emc=eta1

For another approach to fall prevention, go to www.nytimes.com/2010/11/30/health/research/30aging.html?emc=tnt&tntemail1=y

For an article on treatment for macular degeneration, go to www.nytimes.com/2010/11/22/health/policy/22retina.html?nl=health&emc=healthupdateema4

For help minimizing being tracked by on-line tracking programs, go to www.nytimes.com/2010/11/11/technology/personaltech/11basics.html?emc=eta1

From the Web by Elaine Steward #17

2010-10-24T07:00:00.000-07:00

Hi again from Elaine Steward! Following, is my most recent list of things which may be of general interest to us retirees. If have something you’d like to share, please post it to the comments section at the end of this blog.

Use this site to track prices of things you're thinking about buying, and save money even after you buy: put www.priceprotectr.com into your browser (for some reason, I can't get the HTML writer to work on this one.

For those of you with iPhones, free museum guide apps have been released by the Museum of Modern Art and the American Museum of Natural History, in New York; the Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust; and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (which also has an Android app).

If any of you Gmail users would like to disable the “conversation” grouping feature, go to gmailblog.blogspot.com/2010/09/turn-off-gmails-conversation-view.html and follow the directions in the third paragraph.

For a good site for comparing flight information, try www.hipmunk.com/ It doesn’t currently include Southwest Airlines, but it does include other discount airlines such as JetBlue and Virgin.

To remove your name from catalog mailing lists, go to www.catalogchoice.org/

Ever wonder what your town looked like a century (or even a few decades) ago? Try www.historypin.com/photos/ It doesn’t have pictures of everything, but you will likely be able to find something nearby which is very interesting. For example, did you know that Cecil B De Mille built an airport where the Altadena Country Club now stands?

Tuesday, 16 November, is national memory screening day. To find a site near you, go to www.nationalmemoryscreening.org/

For a weekly email on how your senators and congress person voted, go to www.congress.org/congressorg/megavote/ If you don’t want to be notified that way, there is a place on the website which tells you how your Senators and Congressperson voted on past issues. You will likely have to know your nine digit ZIP code.

1) From AARP – bulletin.aarp.org
For cautions regarding zero-interest charge cards, go to www.aarp.org/money/credit-loans-debt/info-08-2010/ask_sid_is_a_zerointerest_charge_card_too_good_to_be_true_.html?cmp=NLC-WBLTR-CTRL-91010-F1-1

Register for a free Webinar on health care reform on 27 October at ww2.eventrebels.com/er/Registration/RegistrationForm.jsp?ActivityID=5450&ItemID=20144

For questions and answers on sex after 50, go to www.aarp.org/relationships/love-sex/info-09-2010/sex_after_50_top_questions_answered.html?cmp=NLC-WBLTR-CTRL-102210-F1-1&USEG_ID=6388998522

2) From California Healthline – www.californiahealthline.org/

California Nabs Grant To Help Consumers Navigate Coverage On [19 Oct], HHS announced that it has awarded nearly $30 million in consumer assistance grants from the federal health reform law. The grants aim to strengthen state efforts to help consumers with health insurance problems or questions (Pecquet, "Healthwatch," The Hill, 10/19).

The Post-Hospital Follow-Up Visit: A Physician Checklist to Reduce Readmissions The post-hospital follow-up visit presents an ideal opportunity for the primary care physician to prepare the patient and family caregiver for self-care activities and to head off situations that could lead to readmission.

Insurers Can Set Higher Rates for Kids Who Have Pre-Existing Conditions On [13 October], HHS said that health insurers can charge higher premiums to cover children with pre-existing conditions, in an attempt to persuade companies to offer child-only policies, the New York Times reports (Pear, New York Times, 10/13).

For the 2010 report on California Health Plans, go to www.chcf.org/~/media/Files/PDF/A/PDF%20AlmanacHealthPlans2010.pdf

California Becomes First State To Create Health Benefit Exchange On [30 Sept], Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) signed two bills that will make California the first state to establish a health insurance exchange under the federal health reform law, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Sebelius Warns Insurers Not To Blame Rate Hikes on Federal Reform Law HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, in a letter sent [in early Sept] to America's Health Insurance Plans, wrote that the Obama administration will not tolerate insurers' attributing premium increases to the health reform law and spreading "misinformation and scare tactics" about the overhaul, the AP/Boston Globe reports (Alonso-Zaldivar, AP/Boston Globe, 9/10).

3) I do hope you are all following the (USC) Dean’s Council on Health Reform at www.healthreform.usc.edu/ It continues to be a very rich site

4) From iHealthBeat - www.ihealthbeat.org/

CMS Hospital Compare Site Should Include User Input, Commentary Says CMS' Hospital Compare website, which tracks hospitals' compliance with Medicare process measures, should incorporate patient satisfaction data and comments, according to a commentary by two Baystate Medical Center physicians published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, the Boston Globe's "White Coat Notes" reports.

States Will Link Databases To Track Prescription Drug Misuse Next year, 34 states with prescription drug databases will join together to monitor prescription drug misuse and allow police, pharmacies and physicians to watch for suspicious patterns, the AP/Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Study: Using EHRs Could Improve Reporting of Prescription Side Effects Electronic health records could help improve the reporting of serious medication-related side effects, according to a new study published in the journal Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety, the Wall Street Journal reports.

CMS Launches 'Blue Button' Feature for Medicare Beneficiaries CMS has launched a "Blue Button" service that allows 47 million Medicare beneficiaries to electronically view, download and print their complete medical records, Federal Computer Week reports.

Study: Telemedicine Could Improve Care for Seniors With Depression Early results from a pilot study suggest that telemedicine-based care could help improve treatment for geriatric depression, according to a presentation at the annual meeting of the National Association of Home Care and Hospice, Healthcare IT News reports.

CMS Delays Updating Website on Hospital-Acquired Conditions CMS once again has suspended plans to publish new information on hospital-acquired conditions to the federal Hospital Compare website, Modern Healthcare reports.

5) From miscellaneous sources

For support in rebuilding your social life after the loss of a loved one, take a look at cms.carepages.com/CarePages/en/ArticlesTips/FeatureArticles/Contributors/rebuilding-your-social-life-after-loss.html

For instructions for reversing a Roth conversion, go to guidance.fidelity.com/viewpoints/how-to-reverse-a-roth-conversion

6) From My Medicare Matters – www.mymedicarecommunity.org/

My Medicare Matters offers Webinars (live on-line training) for those who are Medicare advocates. If you are interested in being notified of training sessions, please contact me at esslady@gmail.com

For an overview of 2011 Medicare Part D, go to www.cms.gov/Partnerships/downloads/statefactsheets_all.pdf and find the page with your state (California is page 6) Annual enrollment begins on 15 November 2010.

The Medicare Part D plan finder for 2011 is now available at training.medicare.gov/find-a-plan/(X(1)S(dbx1im45b3qjhe45t1xekwmo))/questions/home.aspx?AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1

7) From NCOA – www.ncoa.org

For a national resources for LGBT issues for seniors, go to www.lgbtagingcenter.org/

8) From The New York Times Health Update – nytdirect@nytimes.com

Balance training for the elderly can help reduce falls. See nytimes.com/2010/09/16/business/retirementspecial/16BALANCE.html?emc=tnt&tntemail1=y

From the Web by Elaine Steward #16

2010-09-08T08:12:00.000-07:00

Hi again from Elaine Steward! Following, is my most recent list of things which may be of general interest to us retirees. If have something you’d like to share, please post it to the comments section at the end of this blog.

For information on 2010’s “Fabulous Freebies” (stuff that’s free and more-or-less fabulous), go to www.kiplinger.com/features/archives/fabulous-freebies-2010.html

For information on who is looking at your browser history and how to keep the information private, go to www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2010/08/09/whos-spying-on-and-profiting-from-your-browsing-habits/

To alphabetize your computer's bookmarks, “In the latest version of Internet Explorer, go to the Favorites menu (or open the Favorites panel on the left) and right-click on the list. Choose the Sort by Name option to reorder the list or selected folder’s contents in alphabetical order. Users can fine-tune the order of folder, rename bookmarks, move or delete them by choosing Organize Favorites from the Favorites menu; Microsoft has more tips at windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Managing-your-Internet-Explorer-favorites ”

For a comparison of Bing and Google search engines, go to www.nytimes.com/2010/08/02/technology/02google.html?nl=technology&emc=ctb2

I have found another site with free on-line college level courses, many from prestigious schools: education-portal.com/ Go to the page and click on free on-line courses in the center of the page. Caveat: in some cases, you may have to buy books or download special software.

For fee free telephone information, dial 1-800-466-4411.

To learn (or teach) a foreign language via webcam, go to learn2lingo.com/ Lessons cost $12 per session, and if you are teaching, you will be paid $9.50 per session.

For fact sheets on the Affordable Health Care Act, especially with respect to seniors, go to www.ncoa.org/public-policy/health-care-reform/straight-talk-for-seniors-on.html

www.hotcal.com/ is a FREE online calorie and fitness tracker that helps you keep track of your daily meals and exercise goals. For health risk assessment, menus, and other guidance for weight control, see www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi/bmicalc.htm

If you are thinking of moving, there’s a “cost of living comparison” calculator at www.bankrate.com/calculators/savings/moving-cost-of-living-calculator.aspx

For those of you who have antiques, or just items with a story which you would like to be passed on to family members, you can put the story at itizen.com/ with a coded label on the item. The service can be free, or you can pay a small fee for coded labels.

For a weekly email on how your state and Federal representatives voted, go to www.congress.org/congressorg/megavote/ If you don’t want to be notified that way, there is a place on the website which tells you how your Senators and Congressperson voted on past issues. You will likely have to know your nine digit ZIP code.

For the annual report on the state of the Social Security Trust Fund, go to www.socialsecurity.gov/OACT/TR/2010/

For help on how to keep your information safe on social networking sites, go to www.bu.edu/bostonia/summer10/terzi/

For a list of independent political groups which are making political donations, go to factcheck.org/playersguide2010/

If you need body work on your car, try www.dentbetty.com/ You post pictures of the damage and get estimates via email. Before selecting a vendor, I’d recommend checking them out with the State Department of Consumer Affairs www.dca.ca.gov/ and your area Better Business Bureau www.bbb.org/

1) From AARP – bulletin.aarp.org

For 99 ways to save money, go to www.aarp.org/money/budgeting-saving/info-06-2010/99_great_ways_to_save_intro.html

For free on-line games, some of which are recommended at “good for the brain,” go to games.aarp.org/

For cautions on using on-line coupons, go to www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/info-07-2010/scam_alert_getting_clipped_by_coupons.html?cmp=NLC-WBLTR-CTRL-9310-F2t-8

2) From Aging in Stride – www.aginginstride.org

For help with managing medications safely, go to enews.aginginstride.org/pub.48/issue.1392/article.5805/

3) From California Healthline – www.californiahealthline.org/

For an article assessing health reform’s impact on four key groups of Americans, go to www.chcf.org/publications/2010/07/assessing-health-reforms-impact-on-four-key-groups-of-americans

State Officials Approve Insurer Proposals To Increase Premiums On [25 August] California health insurance regulators announced that they approved a proposal by Anthem Blue Cross, the state's largest for-profit insurer, to raise premium rates for individual policyholders by 14% on average, the Los Angeles Times reports.

Insurance Association Files Suit Over New Anti-Rescission Rules [The week of 16 August] the Association of California Life and Health Insurance Companies filed a lawsuit seeking to nullify new state regulations designed to make it more difficult for insurers to rescind members' health insurance coverage, the AP/San Francisco Chronicle reports.

California Builds Unprecedented Broadband Telehealth Network On [17 August] California launched the California Telehealth Network, the nation's largest telemedicine network, to connect patients and physicians using broadband technology, the Sacramento Bee reports. By 2011, CTN is expected to link almost 900 health care facilities across the state. Currently, it is set up across 50 sites. UC-Davis Medical Center serves as the network's control center (Calvan, Sacramento Bee, 8/18).

MRMIB Unveils Rates, Details on New High-Risk Insurance Pool On [5 August] the Managed Risk Medical Insurance Board announced premium rates and said it has selected two companies to help administer California's new high-risk health insurance pool, the San Francisco Chronicle reports

4) From Carepages – www.carepages.com

For information on writing a will, go to cms.carepages.com/CarePages/en/ArticlesTips/HelpfulTips/how-to-write-a-will.html

5) From CurXeD – curexd.human.cornell.edu

October 8, 2010 has been set as the tentative date for when 2011 [Medicare Part D] plan benefit information will be available on the plan finder at www.medicare.gov Client costs are expected to remain fairly consistent with 2010.

6) I do hope you are all following the (USC) Dean’s Council on Health Reform at www.healthreform.usc.edu/ It continues to be a very rich site – lots of resources, lots of commentary

7) From iHealthBeat - www.ihealthbeat.org/

HHS Should Make Health Record Access a Priority, Markle Foundation Says […The] Markle Foundation -- a New York-based not-for-profit organization -- published a paper encouraging HHS to make access to personal health records a priority in the department's health IT efforts, Healthcare IT News reports

Report Says Hospitals Could Save Billions by Implementing Health IT U.S. hospitals could reap a total of $40 billion in annual savings if facilities effectively set up health IT strategies, according to a recent McKinsey report, Fierce Health IT reports.

NIST Publishes Set of Procedures for Testing, Certifying EHR Tools The National Institute of Standards and Technology has released a set of approved procedures that authorized testing and certification bodies will need to follow while evaluating whether electronic health record systems would support "meaningful use" requirements, Health Data Management reports (Goedert, Health Data Management, 8/18).

Sending Text Messages to Teens With Diabetes Boosts Drug Adherence A small pilot study at Columbus, Ohio-based Nationwide Children's Hospital found that adolescent patients with diabetes who received text messages related to their medication plan were less likely to miss treatment doses, Healthcare IT News report

8) From My Medicare Matters – www.mymedicarevommunity.org/

My Medicare Matters offers Webinars (live on-line training) for those who are Medicare advocates. If you are interested in being notified of training sessions, please contact me at esslady@gmail.com

The Medicare plan finder tool has been updated in response to user comments. To check out the changes, go to www.medicare.gov/find-a-plan/questions/home.aspx?AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1

9) From NCOA – www.ncoa.org

Medicare’s hospital comparison tool is now on-line. Go to www.hospitalcompare.hhs.gov/

NCOA has published a variety of fact sheets on the Affordable Health Care Act. If you would like copies, please email me at the address below.

To sign up for an on-line course in chronic disease management, go to selfmanage.org/BetterHealth/SignUp

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has announced that all HUD-approved reverse mortgage counselors must use three NCOA tools to help older homeowners determine if a reverse mortgage is right for them. The tools include [NCOA’s] Use Your Home to Stay at Home consumer booklet, BenefitsCheckUp, and [NCOA’s] new Financial Interview Tool (FIT). The goal is to give prospective borrowers a holistic view of their options and risks in tapping home equity with these loans. If you would like a copy, please email me at the address below.

10) From The New York Times Health Update – nytdirect@nytimes.com

For information on monitoring devices designed to help the elderly to live independently, go to www.nytimes.com/2010/07/29/garden/29parents.html?emc=tnt&tntemail1=y

From the Net by Elaine Steward #15

2010-07-08T12:15:00.000-07:00

Hi again from Elaine Steward! Following, is my most recent list of things which may be of general interest to us retirees. If have something you’d like to share, please post it to the comments section at the end of this blog.

Take an active role in your hospital aftercare to avoid having to return! For guidelines, see www.caretransitions.org/documents/Transition_Skills.pdf

For a daily email containing information on interesting new Web sites, sign up at netted.net/

A safety tip: Put your car keys beside your bed at night. In the event that you think there is an intruder in the middle of the night, setting off your car alarm may deter the intruder.

For those of you who are 70 ½ or older, Minimum Required Distributions (MRDs) from your tax sheltered funds are once again required. For Fidelity’s suggestions of what to consider, go to guidance.fidelity.com/viewpoints/smart-ira-withdrawal-strategies

For information on how to prepare for all sorts of emergencies, go to www.ready.gov/america/index.html Links which include contact information specific to your state.

For a source of instructions for organizing one’s financial records designed specifically for seniors, go to www.todaysseniors.com/pages/Organizers.html

For a fun free website where one can print an envelope with a custom lining from Google (I chose Paris) and a personal message, go to mapenvelope.com/ I had to use Firefox as my browser for the envelope to print correctly, but it was worth it! (Print-out is scored so one can properly fold the envelope. Envelope is invitation sized.)

To test your ability to focus, go to www.nytimes.com/interactive/2010/06/07/technology/20100607-distraction-filtering-demo.html?th&emc=th

Cell phone safety tips from Verizon Wireless:

Save Emergency Numbers in Your Phone: You may need to reach family members, friends, medical professionals, and emergency contacts during a weather emergency, power outage or while traveling.

Remember Your Charger: Get a car charger. In emergency situations, it also helps to have a back-up power source such as a spare battery.

Learn How to Use Your Phone’s Features: You never know when you’ll need to snap a photo, speed dial, take notes or save a phone number. And download Google Maps if you can. It can come in handy if you need directions and to help you locate emergency services.

Text Message in an Emergency: When a disaster strikes and communications networks are busy or you want to conserve your phone’s power, a text message can be your best bet.

Go Handsfree: Use a Bluetooth or corded headset whenever using your phone while driving.

For those of you who are QUICKEN users, I recommend that you use the “scheduled transaction” feature so that, should someone else have to pay your bills, they will not miss anything. You can schedule reminders for any cycle from weekly to annually. This will also help you to avoid late payments if a bill should get lost in the mail.

If you travel a lot, and would prefer to ship your luggage than to check it, check out www.luggagefree.com/

1) From AARP – bulletin.aarp.org

Ever heard of cybersquatting? It's time you did! Get the facts on how dishonest businesses are using copycat websites to deceive online shoppers. And get tips to protect yourself at www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/info-05-2010/watch_that_watch.html?cmp=NLC-WBLTR-CTRL-60410-F1-1

For recommendations for the single traveler, go to www.aarp.org/travel/travel-tips/info-06-2009/peter_greenberg_single_travelers.html?cmp=NLC-WBLTR-CTRL-60410-F3t-13

Last year the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommended that people over 80 not take aspirin at all because of bleeding risk. For more on prophylactic aspirin, see www.aarp.org/health/drugs-supplements/info-04-2010/can_an_aspirin_do_more_harm_than_good.html

2) From California Healthline – www.californiahealthline.org/

New Study Shows Impact of Program Allowing Patients to Document Wishes for End-of-Life Treatment. Medical order program available in California is linked to lower rates of unwanted hospitalization. The program is known in California as Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST).

Mark Smith on Health Reform in California CHCF President Mark Smith makes five recommendations about how to proceed with implementing health care reform legislation in California. Read the complete version of Dr. Smith's opinion piece that appeared in The Sacramento Bee.

Calif. Health Officials Declare Epidemic of Whooping Cough [On 23 June] California health authorities declared an epidemic of pertussis, or whooping cough, in the state. (McKinley, New York Times, 6/23).

Pre-Reform Health Plans Might Lose Reform Law Exemption Draft regulations by the Obama administration indicate that more than half of employer-sponsored health care plans might lose their "grandfathered status" in 2013 and be forced to change in order to comply with regulations in the new health reform law, the Wall Street Journal reports.

Single Payer Bill Back in the Mix The normally sedate audience at an Assembly health committee hearing broke into spontaneous applause [the first week of July] as Senate member Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) stepped to the microphone. Leno was introducing SB 810, which would establish a single-payer health care system in California.

3) From Carepages – www.carepages.com

There seems to be no specific connection between vasectomy and prostate cancer. For more information, go to www.carepages.com/cancer/vasectomy-and-prostate-cancer-risk.html

This site also has discussion boards on emotional eating, grieving, and the like.

4) From CurXeD – curxed.human.cornell.edu/

For an assessment of the financial viability of various Social Security Programs, go to curxed.human.cornell.edu/docs/Trust_Funding.pdf Of interest is the note at the end, which indicates how much actuaries have overestimated the public cost of the Medicare Part D side of the program.

5) I do hope you are all following the (USC) Dean’s Council on Health Reform at www.healthreform.usc.edu/ It is a very rich site

6) From iHealthBeat - www.ihealthbeat.org/

Study Sees Improved Outcomes for Patients Who E-Mail Doctors Individuals who e-mailed their physicians experienced better outcomes on management of two chronic diseases than people who did not e-mail, according to a new study of Kaiser Permanente patients, the Sacramento Bee reports (Peyton Dahlberg, Sacramento Bee, 7/7).

'Meaningful Use' Rules Sent to OMB; Final Release Approaches
The Office of Management and Budget has received the final rule defining how health care providers can demonstrate "meaningful use" of electronic health records, as well as the final rule on EHR standards and certification criteria. Requesting OMB approval typically is the first step before regulations are published in the Federal Register. Modern Healthcare, Health Data Management.

Federal Government Launches Website on Health Care Options On [7 July], the Obama administration unveiled its new www.healthcare.gov website, the Washington Post reports. The federal health reform law called for the creation of the site.

Obama Administration Unveils New Apps for Health, Other Services On [2 July], the Obama administration unveiled 18 mobile phone-based applications, including several health-related programs, the Federal Times reports (Reilly, Federal Times, 7/2). To check them out, go to apps.usa.gov/ It looks like the site is incomplete – not all apps have downloads for all smartphones.

Telehealth Tools Seen as Key to VA's Rural Health Care Strategy At a [28 June] hearing of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Health , experts encouraged the use of wireless health technologies to improve care quality and expand access to care, Healthcare IT News reports.

Electronic Pill Bottle Boosts Rx Adherence, Researchers Find Patients with elevated blood pressure who used a wireless electronic pill bottle were 27% more likely to adhere to their anti-hypertension prescription drug regimen than patients without the electronic pill bottle, according to an interim analysis of an ongoing study, Healthcare IT News reports. GlowCap The Center for Connected Health is conducting the six-month study, which aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the wireless prescription product GlowCap. GlowCap, which was developed by medical product firm Vitality, fits popular pill containers and uses lights and sounds to alert patients to take their medications at appropriate times.

New Online Programs Allow Consumers To Compare Health Prices Castlight Health is one of several new programs designed to help patients search for local physicians based on the services they offer and the prices of various procedures, the New York Times reports.

New FDA Website To Post Risk Summaries of Approved Drugs On [15 June] the FDA announced that it will release risk summaries about medicines approved after September 2007 and post them quarterly to a publicly accessible website, Reuters reports. Directory is at www.fda.gov/default.htm

7) From Miscellaneous Sources

For 27 safety precautions for under $40, go to www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2010/05/25/home-safe-home-27-safety-precautions-under-40/

8) From My Medicare Matters – www.mymedicarevommunity.org/

My Medicare Matters offers Webinars (live on-line training) for those who are Medicare advocates. If you are interested in being notified of training sessions, please contact me at esslady@gmail.com

Plan Finder Redesign Recently the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) launched a redesigned Plan Finder tool on the Medicare Website. CMS offers a tutorial video to walk you through the new layout and features. Go to www.medicare.gov/find-a-plan/staticpages/help/medicare_plan_finder.htm

On June 25, 2010, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a proposed rule that would implement key provisions from the Affordable Care Act that expand preventive benefits for Medicare beneficiaries and identify which preventive services will be free to people with Medicare starting next year. $250 checks for those Part D members who are in the “donut hole” are in the mail.

As of June 1, 2010, MediGap companies can no longer sell policies E, H, I, and J. Along with plans A, B, C, D, F, high-deductible F, G, K, and L, companies may now offer two new plans – plans M and N. Also, preventive benefits not covered by Medicare won't be included in newly sold Policy E and the at-home recovery benefit are eliminated from any new MediGap policy D or G sold from now on. People also will see a new hospice cost-sharing benefit added to the core benefit of all plans sold effective June 1.

9) From NCOA – www.ncoa.org

For a fact sheet on what health care reform means for seniors, go to www.ncoa.org/assets/files/pdf/Straight-Talk-for-Seniors.pdf

For a free brochure on reverse mortgages, go to www.ncoa.org/news-ncoa-publications/publications/ncoa_reverse_mortgage_booklet_073109.pdf?u

10) From The New York Times Health Update – nytdirect@nytimes.com

For 5 ways to keep on-line criminals at bay, go to www.nytimes.com/2010/05/20/technology/personaltech/20basics.html?8cir&emc=cirb1

For a list of things to consider before having a hip or knee replacement, go to www.nytimes.com/2010/07/03/health/03patient.html?nl=health&emc=healthupdateema4

For aftercare tips for individuals checking out of the hospital, go to www.nytimes.com/2010/06/19/health/19patient.html?emc=tnt&tntemail1=y

For a column on Getting on with life after a partner dies, go to www.nytimes.com/2010/06/15/health/15brod.html?ref=health

From the Web by Elaine Steward #14

2010-05-10T12:48:00.000-07:00

Hi again from Elaine Steward! Following, is my most recent list of things which may be of general interest to us retirees. If you wish to comment, or have something interesting to share, please post it to the comments section at the end of this blog.

Did you know that Microsoft's Windows Live has a suite of free online and offline services and programs? Sky Driveis a free, 25-gigabyte virtual hard drive on the Internet, accessible from any computer. Windows Live Sync is another very good free Windows Live service, for Mac and Windows, that everyone should know about. Go to download.live.com/

If you are wondering about the accuracy of what you hear on the news or read in the newspapers, check out The Annenberg Foundation’s factchecked.org/ Their mission statement is: “We are a nonpartisan, nonprofit ‘consumer advocate’ for voters that aims to reduce the level of deception and confusion in U.S. politics. We monitor the factual accuracy of what is said by major U.S. political players in the form of TV ads, debates, speeches, interviews and news releases. Our goal is to apply the best practices of both journalism and scholarship, and to increase public knowledge and understanding.”

For guidance in selecting a nursing home, go to www.medicare.gov and select "facilities and doctors" from the tab to the left.

Cleaning For a Reason is an organization that will connect women currently undergoing chemotherapy to participating cleaning services in their area to provide FREE housecleaning - one time per month for up to four months - while they are undergoing treatment. All a woman must do is sign up and have her doctor fax a note confirming the treatment. Cleaning for a Reason will have a participating cleaning service in her area arrange for the service. This organization serves the entire USA with ~600 current partners. For further information: www.cleaningforareason.org

For a check list of things to do when a spouse or domestic partner dies, go to the USC Emeriti Center web page www.usc.edu/org/emeriti_center/ and click on “Retiree Resources.” While you’re there, take a look at some of the other offerings. It’s a VERY RICH website.

Many USC and other physicians are available to answer questions via email. Check with your particular physician to see whether s/he is available via this medium.

Learn how to send text messages on your cell phone! In a recent earthquake preparedness talk, it was stated that in the case of an emergency, the texting feature will likely work when the phone feature will not. This is because of the difference in technologies involved.

For instructions on how to adjust your rearview mirrors so that you have no blind spots, go to www.caranddriver.com/features/10q1/how_to_adjust_your_mirrors_to_avoid_blind_spots-feature

For state-specific advance directive for healthcare forms, go to www.caringinfo.org/stateaddownload

For information on preventing falls, go to www.stopfalls.org/individuals_families/index.shtml

For help with Google searches, try some things recommended at www.nytimes.com/external/gigaom/2010/04/02/02gigaom-10-simple-google-search-tricks-58674.html?ex=1286856000&en=419dbe0b98920044&ei=5087&WT.mc_id=NYT-E-I-NYT-E-AT-0414-L11

For a search engine designed specifically for seniors, go to www.good50.com

1) From AARP – bulletin.aarp.org

For information on how people are dealing with the Estate Tax uncertainty, go to bulletin.aarp.org/yourmoney/personalfinance/articles/estate_tax_is_dead_but_confusion_lives_on.html?cmp=NLC-WBLTR-CTRL-43010-F4t-21

2) From Aging in Stride – www.aginginstride.org

For a check list of home modifications and repairs to do to make your home safer for seniors, go to enews.aginginstride.org/pub.48/issue.1301/article.5388/

For information on getting the sleep you need, go to healthysleep.med.harvard.edu/healthy/getting

3) From California Healthline – www.californiahealthline.org/

Updated Budget Plan Likely To Include Deep Health Care Cuts By the end of the week, Gov. Schwarzenegger is expected to release an updated budget plan that likely will include deep cuts to health and social service programs. The expected cuts are part of a response to lower-than-expected tax revenue and the state's unfulfilled requests for additional federal funding. San Francisco Chronicle et al.

Long-Term Care Coverage Headed for Change in California A portion of the health reform legislation -- the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports Act -- creates a national, voluntary insurance program to pay participants a cash benefit if they develop functional limitations or disabilities -- scenarios that become more likely for all of us, the longer we live. The intent of the CLASS Act is to increase the options when people are faced with the need for ongoing care.

Eighteen States Decline To Run High-Risk Health Insurance Pools
Eighteen states have decided not to administer their own high-risk pool for people with pre-existing conditions. California, as well as 27 other states and the District of Columbia, [have] informed HHS that they will administer their own high-risk insurance pools. Two other states have not yet informed HHS of their decisions. Some governors said Congress did not allocate enough funding for the states to operate their own pools. CQ HealthBeat, Washington Post.

CPOE Leads to Drop in Patient Mortality, California Study Finds Lucile Packard Children's Hospital in Palo Alto, Calif., saw its mortality rate decline by 20% after it implemented a computerized physician order entry system. The hospital is the first in the nation to find evidence that CPOE systems can reduce medical errors and save lives. Reuters et al.

Bill Would Keep Elder Care Ombudsman California has had a long-term care ombudsman since 1996, when the Legislature passed the Older Californians Act. Lawmakers hope to appropriate $1.6 million to keep that program going another year.

California Gears Up for Reform Provisions Taking Effect This Year For a list of what those provisions are, go to the 28 April 2010 edition.

Kaiser Leads Calif. Health Plans in Member Satisfaction Survey A new survey from J.D. Power & Associates found that most California health plans received consumer satisfaction scores that were lower than national averages. For the third consecutive year, Kaiser Foundation Health Plan received the highest score for member satisfaction among California health plans. Payers & Providers, Stockton Record.

4) From iHealthBeat - www.ihealthbeat.org/

More People Going On Line For Health Information. A new survey from Deloitte finds that 53% of seniors, 55% of baby boomers, 57% of Generation X and 56% of Generation Y look up treatment information online. Meanwhile, one in four U.S. adults use the Internet to find physician care quality information and 12% of respondents have gone online to find provider cost information.

The Empowered Patient Coalition is dedicated to helping people improve the quality and safety of their healthcare. To find an advocate, or to report an adverse medical event, go to www.empoweredpatientcoalition.org/

Senate Aging Panel Examines New Role of Telehealth Tools [The week of 19 April] the Senate Special Committee on Aging examined how the Federal Communications Commission's National Broadband Plan could help promote telehealth technologies that allow health care providers to remotely monitor and consult with patients, Healthcare IT News reports (Monegain, Healthcare IT News, 4/26).

Experts Push for Greater Patient Participation in E-Health Record Use At a Health IT Policy Committee work group hearing on Tuesday, experts stressed the importance of including patients in the use of electronic health records, Federal Computer Week reports.

Bill Would Expand Eligibility for 'Meaningful Use' Incentives [On 15 April] Reps. Patrick Kennedy (D-R.I.) and Tim Murphy (R-Pa.) introduced a bill (HR 5025) that would allow behavioral, mental health and substance abuse treatment providers to qualify for incentive payments for the "meaningful use" of electronic health records, Healthcare IT News reports.

Personal Health Record Use on the Rise in U.S., Survey Finds. Although the number of U.S. residents using personal health records has more than doubled since 2008, usage rates remain relatively low at 7%, according to a survey released Tuesday by the California HealthCare Foundation, the San Francisco Chronicle reports. CHCF is the publisher of iHealthBeat.

Hospitals Piloting iPad Applications To Explain Procedures to Patients Two hospitals are piloting new applications for Apple's iPad tablet computer that aim to help patients and their families better understand common medical procedures, the Orlando Business Journal reports.

HHS Takes on Active Role in New Federal 'Open Government' Plan [On 7 April] the Obama administration released memos describing how federal agencies plan to promote transparency and public interaction. HHS said it intends to post community health data online and promote a Web site that tracks and compares treatment costs. In related news, officials also clarified rules on how federal agencies can share information through social media. Washington Post et al.

5) From My Medicare Matters – www.mymedicarecommunity.org/

My Medicare Matters offers Webinars (live on-line training) for those who are Medicare advocates. If you are interested in being notified of training sessions, please contact me at esslady@gmail.com

CMS Terminates a Part D Plan - 3/16/10 For the first time ever, CMS has terminated it's contract with a Part D plan mid-year due to serious violations that deprived members of access to the drugs they needed and that should have been covered. As of March 10, 2010, Fox Insurance Company Part D plans in 21 states were discontinued

6) From NCOA – www.ncoa.org

“Create a national strategy to tap older volunteers” may be the best idea yet for improving the OAA. At least it’s one of the top ideas submitted to The Exchange, an exciting new Web site…launched [the week of 15 Mar 10]. Visit The Exchange to vote on this idea and many others—or post your own and encourage your peers to vote it to the top!” To participate, go to www.agingexchange.org/

Kaiser's primer on Medicare has been updated to reflect recent health care legislation. For the updated version, go to www.kff.org/medicare/7615.cfm

NCOA’s Reverse Mortgage Counseling Services Network is one of five national counseling groups approved by the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development. Call 800.510.0301 for an appointment. The fee is $125. In some circumstances, it may be waived.

CMS has improved the Medicare website. Check it out at www.medicare.gov

Confused about health reform? Wondering what it really means for older Americans? Read our new Straight Talk for Seniors on Health Reform. In just two pages, we lay out five straight facts on how health reform will affect seniors. Read it, download it, and share it widely with the older adults in your life. www.ncoa.org/assets/files/pdf/Straight-Talk-for-Seniors.pdf

7) From The New York Times Health Update – nytdirect@nytimes.com

For information on long term care and the new health legislation, go to www.nytimes.com/2010/05/04/health/policy/04land.html?emc=tnt&tntemail1=y

For information on an apparent relationship between diet and Alzheimer’s Disease, go to www.nytimes.com/2010/04/20/health/research/20aging.html?emc=tnt&tntemail1=y

For a very nice decision tree which may help you understand how the health care overhaul will affect you specifically, go to www.nytimes.com/interactive/2010/03/21/us/health-care-reform.html?nl=health&emc=healthupdateemb3

For information on a gadget which can detect when one falls and automatically report it, go to gadgetwise.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/03/18/monitoring-your-parents-falls/?emc=eta1

From the Web by Elaine Steward #13

2010-03-14T11:50:00.000-07:00

Hi again from Elaine Steward! Following, is my most recent list of things which may be of general interest to us retirees. If you find a really interesting site, please email suggestions to me at esslady@gmail.com

To coordinate rides, bringing meals, etc for someone in need, set up a calendar on www.lotsahelpinghands.com Someone sets up a needs calendar for the person needing help and folks sign up to do what they can. The FREE service sends e-reminders to the volunteer.

For free on-line University level courses (Harvard, MIT, NYU, etc) go to www.academicearth.org

To play multi-player games on line, go to www.omgpop.com

The National Council on Aging (NCOA) will offer free counseling for seniors through its Reverse Mortgage Counseling Services (RMCS) Network. For the next two months, RMCS counselors are waiving the usual $125 counseling fee in order to help more homeowners understand how reverse mortgage loans, along with community programs and other options, could help them to remain in their homes. Consumers age 62+ can schedule a free reverse mortgage counseling session through April 30, 2010 by calling 1-800-510-0301

The Kaiser Family Foundation has updated its Medicare primer. The primer explains key elements of the program, which provides health coverage to 47 million people. www.kff.org/medicare/7615.cfm

For an extensive guide on Medicare Part D published by Cornell University go to curxed.human.cornell.edu/docs/Pocket_Guide_2010.pdfCaveat: there are price differences between states, so remember that Cornell’s database is New York

For a free screen capture app, with “sophisticated features at no cost,” it's hard to reach higher than Gadwin PrintScreen. An attractive, easily navigated interface opens up a customization wonderland for users to decide default settings for shortcut key associations, capture preferences, and output.” For more information, go to download.cnet.com/Gadwin-PrintScreen/3000-2094_4-10123018.html

For a free and highly thought of translation program, go to translate.google.com

If you wish to comment on the proposed education standards, go to www.corestandards.org

Visit the Keck Health reform website at www.healthreform.usc.edu for daily updates on the latest news affecting health care policy, links to key information resources, and regular health reform events at the Keck School of Medicine.

1) From AARP – bulletin.aarp.org

To learn how to protect yourself from gas pump debit card “skimmers,” go to bulletin.aarp.org/yourmoney/scamalert/articles/scam_alert_no_pin_at_the_pump.html?cmp=NLC-WBLTR-CTRL-12210-F1-1

For an on-line book group, go to www.aarp.org/community/groups/BookTalk?cmp=NLC-WBLTR-CTRL-12210-COMM-33

For free help with your taxes, go to locator.aarp.org/vmis/sites/tax_aide_locator.jsp

2) From Aging in Stride – www.aginginstride.org

For an emergency preparedness check sheet particularly aimed at seniors, go to www.aginginstride.org/emergencyprep/docs/Just_in_Case.pdf

3) From California Healthline – www.californiahealthline.org

Expert Touts Need for Quality Reporting To Produce Data for Patients, Not Just Practitioners In a conversation for California Healthline, R. Adams Dudley, professor of medicine and health policy at UC-San Francisco, said that current health care reporting initiatives often focus on conformity to technical measures, rather than real-life outcomes of medical procedures that might be of more interest to consumers.

Senate Passes Jobs Bill That Would Avert Cuts To Medicare Payments [10 Mar] the Senate voted 62-36 to approve a $140 billion jobs bill that would avert scheduled cuts to Medicare reimbursements for physicians. The bill also would extend subsidies for COBRA coverage and offer funds to states through Medicaid. Washington Post, The Hill.

On [25 Feb], California Attorney General Jerry Brown (D) subpoenaed financial records and other documents from the state's top seven health insurers as part of an investigation into whether they are unfairly raising health care premiums (Hindery, AP/San Jose Mercury News, 2/26).

On [2 Mar], lawmakers expanded their investigation into health insurance rate increases by requesting that the chief executives of four health insurers testify at a hearing about claims denials for individuals with pre-existing conditions, the Los Angeles Times reports.

California has the largest number of Medicare beneficiaries of any state. For more Medicare statistics, go to www.chcf.org/topics/view.cfm?itemid=118742

4) From Carepages – www.carepages.com

For some ideas on what to take to a hospital bound friend, go to cms.carepages.com/CarePages/en/ArticlesTips/HelpfulTips/perfect-gifts-for-hospital-visits.html

5) From iHealthBeat - www.ihealthbeat.org

Jobs Bill Would Boost Eligibility for Health IT Incentive Program A Senate jobs bill passed [the week of 8 Mar] includes a provision that would make it easier for certain hospital-based physicians to qualify for federal incentive payments for the "meaningful use" of electronic health records. Currently, the 2009 federal economic stimulus package excludes all hospital-based physicians from the EHR incentive program. Health Data Management et al.

An FCC survey that found the U.S. lacks sufficient broadband connections to meet criteria for "meaningful use" of electronic health records that will determine whether health care providers are eligible for incentive payments under the 2009 federal economic stimulus package.

Concern about meeting the "meaningful use" criteria for electronic health records is dominating the concerns of health care providers across the country, according to the latest annual IT survey from Modern Healthcare. Under the 2009 federal economic stimulus package, health care providers who demonstrate meaningful use of EHRs will qualify for federal incentive payments.

HHS recently has started posting data related to medical data security breaches online, but the postings do not include enough details about the privacy lapses to be useful to consumers, columnist David Lazarus writes in the Los Angeles Times.

Health information exchanges can improve the quality and coordination of patient care, according to a recent Government Accountability Office report, Modern Healthcare reports. For the report, GAO examined four health information exchanges between May 2009 and February 2010. The exchanges varied in size, scope and stage of development.

Denmark's widespread use of health IT has increased efficiency among health care providers and helped to reduce health care costs. Denmark's small size, homogeneous population and regulated health care system make the country somewhat unique. Still, U.S. policymakers are examining whether Denmark's success with health IT can be replicated in the U.S. New York Times.

6) From My Medicare Matters – www.mymedicarevommunity.org

My Medicare Matters offers Webinars (live on-line training) for those who are Medicare advocates. If you are interested in being notified of training sessions, please contact me at esslady@gmail.com

7) From NCOA – www.ncoa.org

Older Americans Act (OAA) Reauthorization Since 1965, the Older Americans Act (OAA) has gained recognition as a unique and highly regarded statute that has stimulated the development of a comprehensive and coordinated service system. This system has contributed greatly to enhancing the lives of older individuals, family caregivers, and persons with disabilities.

In 2011 Congress will consider reauthorization and amendments to the OAA effective in FY 2012. In anticipation of this process, the Administration on Aging (AoA) is soliciting input concerning the reauthorization through three mechanisms: (1) AoA-Convened Listening Forums; (2) OAA Reauthorization Input Events; and (3) Direct Input via the AoA Website or Mail. Note that reauthorization input events registered on this site will be added to a special AoA web calendar. Our hope is that everyone who wants to provide input into the reauthorization process will attend a listening forum, a reauthorization event, and/or submit their views on-line. If you want more information on how to make a submission, email me at esslady@gmail.com

[T]he Social Security Administration has approved early onset Alzheimer's Disease and several other dementias for Social Security's disability program compassionate allowances. This means that Social Security has determined that people with these diagnoses will always qualify for disability benefits. The lists of the diseases which qualify can be found at www.socialsecurity.gov/compassionateallowances/conditions.htm and www.socialsecurity.gov/compassionateallowances/newconditions.htm

For a brochure on what you should know about medical imaging when you have electronic implantable devices, go to www.ncoa.org/assets/files/pdf/Brochure_v3-2.pdf

8) From The New York Times Health Update – nytdirect@nytimes.com

For guidance on what sort of living arrangements might be best for a particular elderly and/or infirm individual, go to www.nytimes.com/2010/03/13/health/13patient.html?emc=tnt&tntemail1=y

Older people may show noticeable decline in cognitive ability after hospitalization. For more, see www.nytimes.com/2010/03/09/health/research/09aging.html?emc=tnt&tntemail1=y

For even more evidence of exercise’s health benefits, go to www.nytimes.com/2010/03/02/health/02brod.html?emc=tnt&tntemail1=y

For innovations in hip replacement surgery, go to www.nytimes.com/2010/02/09/health/09brod.html?nl=health&emc=healthupdateemb2

As more adults near retirement age, gyms are adapting to meet the needs (and musical tastes) of a less-agile membership. For more, go to www.nytimes.com/2010/03/04/business/retirementspecial/04GYM.html?emc=tnt&tntemail1=y

From the Web #12 by Elaine Steward

2010-01-11T10:09:00.000-08:00

Hi again from Elaine Steward! Following, is my most recent list of things which may be of general interest to us retirees. If you find a really interesting site, please email suggestions to me at esslady@gmail.com.

Visit AARP’s Health Care Reform update on www.AARP.org and learn about the latest news on reform, as well as helpful tools to keep you in the loop.

Once one has set up a personal account on the Medicare site, there is a program where one can authorize another person to have access to his/her personal health information. The form can be found at www.medicare.gov. Go to forms and select “Authorization to Disclose Personal Health Information.” The form must be filled out, signed, and mailed to initiate this authorization. FYI, there’s also a place to insert contact information for the person with one’s health care directive. The site is actually quite powerful. I recommend that everyone set up a personal account. (They have our SS#s anyway...;-))

For information on the seven most common scams which target seniors, go to www.walletpop.com/retirement-guide/article/seven-top-scams-that-target-seniors/813319

For information on drugs, including herbals, go to www.peoplespharmacy.com/about

If you are having trouble remembering to take your meds, you can get text message (to your cell phone) or email reminders by establishing a FREE account at secure.medactionplan.com/index The reminders work for those of us whose dosages per drug remain constant from day-to-day.

To save money, become a grocery store “perimeter shopper,” avoiding the center aisles that are full of sugar, processed foods, and unhealthy snacks. Almost everything you need is around the perimeter of most grocery stores—produce, bread, milk, and meat.

To coordinate rides, bringing meals, etc for someone in need, set up a calendar on www.lotsahelpinghands.com Someone sets up a needs calendar for the person needing help and folks sign up to do what they can. The FREE service sends e-reminders to the volunteer.

[A] free online service www.CalQualityCare.org rates the care provided by California nursing homes, hospice programs, and home health agencies, where data is available to evaluate performance. The site also provides information on many other kinds of long term care, such as assisted living, retirement communities, and day care. CalQualityCare features an easy-to-use "Long Term Care Assistant" tool that helps consumers choose among care options by posing ten simple questions.

Roadwise Review Online is a FREE screening tool developed by AAA to help seniors measure certain mental and physical abilities important for safe driving. In as little as 30 minutes, you can identify and get further guidance on the physical and mental skills that need improvement. Go to www.seniordrivers.org/driving/driving.cfm?button=roadwiseonline

1) From AARP – bulletin.aarp.org

To evaluate whether it makes more sense to repair or replace an item, go to
http://www.aarp.org/money/consumer/savings_challenge/articles/repair_or_replace.html

2) From California Healthline – www.californiahealthline.org

Governor To Unveil Budget Plan Today, Health Care Cuts Likely [11 Jan], Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) is scheduled to release a budget plan that likely will include deep cuts to health care and social service programs, the San Jose Mercury News reports.

Schwarzenegger Urges 'No' Vote on Reform In his state of the state speech, Gov. Schwarzenegger spoke out against health care reform legislation moving through Congress and urged the state's delegation to reject the bill or incorporate better terms for California.

H1N1 Vaccine More Widely Available Throughout Calif. In a conference call [7 Jan], Mark Horton, director of the California Department of Public Health, said that the state has received about 15 million doses of the H1N1 flu vaccine, meaning that most jurisdictions should have enough vaccine doses to inoculate the general public. Horton urged the public to continue to be vaccinated because a third wave of H1N1 still is possible.

Immigration Provisions Loom Over Efforts To Merge Reform Bills The House bill (HR 3962) would open up proposed health insurance exchanges to immigrants but would provide federal subsidies only to people whose U.S. citizenship could be verified.

By comparison, the Senate bill (HR 3590) would limit access to plans offered through the health insurance exchanges to people whose U.S. citizenship could be verified. President Obama supports the Senate's tighter citizenship requirements for plans offered through the exchanges.

Obama Meets With House Democrats, Voices Support for Excise Tax President Obama met with congressional Democratic leaders for a second day [the week of 4 Jan] in hopes of advancing work on health care reform legislation in Congress. The president indicated support for an excise tax on high-value health plans, an idea House Democrats have opposed. Wall Street Journal et al.

Calif. Reps Lead the Fight Against Interstate Sales of Health Plans Twenty-nine California representatives and two others are urging congressional leaders to abandon provisions of health care reform legislation that would allow insurers to sell policies across state lines. The representatives argue the provision will let insurers sidestep strong consumer protection laws in 17 states by basing their plans in states with weaker laws. Los Angeles Times, Washington Post.

3) From iHealthBeat - www.ihealthbeat.org

Physician Resistance Stands in the Way of Telemedicine New York Times columnist Pauline Chen writes that despite the potential benefits of telemedicine, physicians have been reluctant to embrace the technology because of concerns that telemedicine will have a negative effect on the doctor-patient relationship. New York Times.

HHS Plans To Examine Privacy of De-Identified Patient Information HHS plans to hire a contractor to study whether patient data that have been de-identified under the HIPAA privacy rule can be re-identified and matched to a specific individual. The federal government's push for electronic health records has sparked privacy concerns about patient data. Washington Technology.

EHRs Not Living Up to Policymakers' Vision for Care Coordination A new Center for Studying Health System Change study finds that commercial electronic health records can facilitate care coordination within a practice by making data available at the point of care but are less useful for coordinating care across different settings. Healthcare IT News, Modern Healthcare.

OptumHealth Launching Online Physician Consultation Service
[In 2010], OptumHealth, a division of UnitedHealth Group, will offer a nationwide service that lets patients consult with doctors using video chat. Proponents of the technology say it will help address the country's physician shortage and increase patients' access to health care. New York Times.

Proposal To Ban Rx Data Mining Unlikely To Make Final Senate Reform Bill [On 14 Dec 09] a Senate staff member said a proposal offered last week to ban prescription drug data mining for marketing purposes is unlikely to be included in the Senate's final health care reform bill. Drugmakers and the American Medical Association support prescription data mining. Reuters.

4) From My Medicare Matters – www.mymedicarecommunity.org

My Medicare Matters offers Webinars (live on-line training) for those who are Medicare advocates. If you are interested in being notified of training sessions, please contact me at esslady@gmail.com

Dixie Hartman's "Good-Good" Cookie Recipe

2009-12-18T16:35:00.000-08:00

Mix together:

Add:

Drop by teaspoon-fulls onto greased cookie sheet;
mash a little with a fork;
bake about 12 minutes in a 375 degree oven;
remove from cookie sheet and immediately sprinkle with powdered sugar.

NOTE: Recipe provided courtesy of Janette C. Brown.

Second Annual Emeriti Center Executive Committee Holiday Luncheon

2009-12-15T16:07:00.000-08:00

The Executive Committee once again devoured Maricela Hinojosa's delicious chicken quesadilla (below) served with tossed green salad, rice, and tortillas and salsa. Those feasting after the regularly scheduled meeting of December 14, 2009, were Janette Brown, Austyn Castro, Natalie Cohen, Judy Diaz, Art Donovan, Jessica Gima, Carole Gustin, John Hisserich, Gloria Reyes, Bob Scales, Bob Stallings, Mitzi Tsujimoto, and Jerry Walker.

The "spread."

Maricela serves up a helping of her scrumptious chicken quesadilla.

Art Donovan, John Hisserich, and Natalie Cohen chow down.

From the Web #11 by Elaine Steward

2009-12-10T10:44:00.000-08:00

Hi again from Elaine Steward! Following is my most recent list of things which seem to be of general interest to us retirees. If you find a really interesting site, please email suggestions to me at esslady@gmail.com.

To see whether you can save money by switching your 2010 Medicare Part D plan, go to www.cvs.com/medicare for a helpful calculator.

On the same note, go to doughnuthole.aarp.org for AARP's doughnut hole calculator. It's kind of hard to enter drugs and dosages, but I recommend that one persevere in order to assess alternatives to entering the doughnut hole.

If any of you had a 2009 Minimum Required Distribution generated automatically, you may qualify to reverse it. For instructions, go to: personal.fidelity.com/misc.

Visit AARP's Health Care Reform update on www.AARP.org and learn about the latest news on reform, as well as helpful tools to keep you in the loop.

For surprising findings about exercise and bone density, go to well.blogs.nytimes.com.

For an EXCELLENT on-line driver safety course (available to AARP Members), which may just yield savings on your auto insurance, go to www.aarpdriversafety.org.

Once one has set up a personal account on the Medicare site, there is a program where one can authorize another person to have access to his/her personal health information. The form can be found at www.medicare.gov. Go to forms and select "Authorization to Disclose Personal Health Information." The form must be filled out, signed, and mailed to initiate this authorization. FYI, there's also a place to insert contact information for the person with one's health care directive. The site is actually quite powerful. I recommend that everyone set up a personal account. (They have our SS#s anyway...;-))

If you have books, CDs, or DVDs which you would like to swap, check out www.Paperbackswap.com, www.SwapaCD.com, and www.SwapaDVD.com.

1) From AARP – bulletin.aarp.org:

If you are confused about how Medicare Part D works, go to bulletin.aarp.org/yourhealth/medicare.

2) From Aging in Stride – www.aginginstride.org:

For help in avoiding complications of diabetes, check out enews.aginginstride.org.

3) From California Healthline – www.californiahealthline.org:

Proposed Excise Tax Could Prompt Changes to Benefits
A proposal in the Senate health care reform bill (HR 3590) to impose an excise tax on high-cost health insurance plans would push two-thirds of employers to change their benefits packages to avoid the tax, according to a new survey from Mercer. A separate analysis from the consulting firm projects that 19% of benefits packages offered by employers in 2013 would be subject to the tax.

Senate Bill Could Dilute Consumer Protections by Creating Interstate Market for Health Plans
California Medical Association Won't Support Senate Reform Bill [On 2 Dec] the California Medical Association [came] out against the Senate health care reform bill (HR 3590) because it says the measure would raise local health care costs and hinder access to care for seniors and low-income patients, the Los Angeles Times' "L.A. Now" reports.

New Analysis Finds Wide Disparities in Quality of U.S. Nursing Home Care
Long-term care quality ratings vary widely among different institutions across the country, according to a Scripps Howard News Service analysis of CMS' Nursing Home Compare system, SHNS/Ventura County Star reports.

Report: Senate Reform Bill Won't Increase Costs for Most People
A Congressional Budget Office report released on [30 Nov] found that under the Senate health reform bill, premiums would be unchanged or slightly lower for most U.S. residents, while a small minority would see premium increases, the Washington Post reports (Montgomery, Washington Post, 12/1).

Reform Could Push Calif. To Reconsider Malpractice Cap
The House health care reform bill (HR 3962) includes a provision that would "push—but not quite compel" California and other states that have capped medical malpractice awards to repeal the caps, columnist Dan Walters writes. The Senate has not included such a provision, and resolving the difference in conference committee could be a "major issue" if the Senate passes its reform bill, according to Walters.

Senate Plan for High-Risk Pools Has Pluses, Minuses for California
According to the HHS report, enacting reform proposals would provide an immediate opportunity for many medically uninsurable Californians to get coverage. Under Section 1101 of the Senate proposal, the newly created high-risk pool would be open to people with pre-existing conditions who have been uninsured for at least six months. The program would end by Jan. 1, 2014, when new health insurance exchanges are slated to be up and running.

Federal Law on Genetic Non-Discrimination Swings Into Effect
A federal law took effect [21 Nov] that prohibits employer discrimination based on genetic information, the Los Angeles Times reports.

Web Site Offers Ratings on Long-Term Care Providers
On [19 Nov] the California HealthCare Foundation launched a no-cost Web site, www.CalQualityCare.org, that rates the state's residential nursing homes, home health agencies and hospices. The ratings are based on data from state and federal agencies on staffing levels, quality of care and reported deficiencies. CHCF is the publisher of California Healthline.

California Ranks in the Middle of the Pack for National Health Scores
California ranked as the 23rd healthiest state in the nation in a report released Tuesday, the San Francisco Business Times reports. The ranking is one place higher than California's score last year.

Los Angeles County To Send At-Risk Patients to Certified Stroke Centers
On [16 Nov] Los Angeles County launched a new program that will route individuals experiencing stroke symptoms to the nearest certified stroke center, the Los Angeles Times reports.

4) From Carepages – www.carepages.com:

For suggestions on how to distribute family heirlooms, go to cms.carepages.com/permalink.

5) From iHealthBeat – www.ihealthbeat.org:

Seniors Who Use [the] Internet Could Reap Health Benefits, Studies Show
According to research released in October, spending time online reduces depression and increases cognitive brain function among senior citizens. A study conducted by Washington, D.C.,-based Phoenix Center found that spending time online reduces depression by 20 percent for senior citizens.

HHS To Award $235M To Boost Local Models for EHR Adoption
On [2 Dec] HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced the launch of a $235 million initiative to support community-based models for electronic health record adoption, Federal Computer Week reports (Lipowicz, Federal Computer Week, 12/2).

New Social Networking Site Targets Those With Mental Health Issues
The Mental Health Social site allows users to connect anonymously with other people who have similar mental health conditions. It also aims to promote discussions among family members and others who care for people with mental illnesses. Go to: www.mentalhealthsocial.com.

Ohio Health Plans Offer Members Access to Online Medical Bill Tool
The program collects health care providers' health insurance claims and translates the medical codes and jargon into understandable language. The software explains how much a physician charged, what the health plan paid and what the consumer owes. The online tool lets consumers keep track of past bills, their deductibles and co-insurances paid for them and their dependents. The software also offers advice on how to handle questions about billings.

Kaiser Permanente Teams Up With VA To Link EHR Systems
[On 25 Nov] officials from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Kaiser Permanente are scheduled to announce a pilot program that will link their electronic health record systems for eligible members in San Diego County, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Researchers Urge FDA To Create Database To Monitor Rx Drug Safety
The researchers write that the database could continuously pool and aggregate information from clinical trials to create a real-time picture of a drug's benefits and risks. They said officials should strive to make the database publicly available for consumers, physicians and researchers.

Federal Government Announces Launch of New Health IT Blog
[On 23 Nov] HHS unveiled a new blog to help update the public on the work of the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT. The Health IT Buzz blog also will provide a forum for consumers, health providers and others to share their input regarding health IT. Healthcare IT News, InformationWeek.

6) From My Medicare Matters – www.mymedicarecommunity.org:

My Medicare Matters offers Webinars (live on-line training) for those who are Medicare advocates. If you are interested in being notified of training sessions, please contact me at esslady@gmail.com.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) have launched the plan finders for 2010 Part D and Medicare Advantage plans, making plan comparisons possible. Open enrollment ends for most people on 31 December.

The Rights of Members of Non-Renewing Medicare Plans: The Non-Renewal Special Enrollment Period
When a plan decides not to continue in the Medicare market the following year, all current members are entitled to a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) to switch to a new plan, beginning on Oct. 1, 2009 and continuing through Jan. 31, 2010.

7) From NCOA – www.ncoa.org:

CLASS Act Survives in Health Reform
An amendment offered by Sen. Thune (R-SD) that would have stripped the CLASS Act [which provides home health care services for seniors] from the Senate health care reform bill was defeated on [4 Dec].

Budget Ax Continues to Fall on State Aging Units
An alarming 96 percent of state units on aging located in states with budget shortfalls say their budgets have been reduced, according to a new report from the National Association of State Units on Aging. The survey documents the challenges facing these states as they struggle to serve an expanding population with diminished funding and resources.

To listen to a radio program about reverse mortgages, go to www.hereandnow.org.
For a volunteer leaders' blog, go to www.volunteerleaders.org.

Long-Term Care Costs on the Rise
From 2008 to 2009, private room nursing home rates rose 3.3 percent to $219 per day or $79,935 per year, MetLife reports in its latest market survey. Assisted living also rose 3.3 percent to $3,131 per month; home health care jumped 5 percent to $21 per hour; and adult day services increased 4.7 percent to $67 per day.

From the Web by Elaine Steward #10

2009-11-09T15:57:00.001-08:00

Hi again from Elaine Steward! Following, is my most recent list of things which seem to be of general interest to us retirees. If you find a really interesting site, please email suggestions to me at esslady@gmail.com.

To see whether you can save money by switching your 2010 Medicare Part D plan, once open enrollment begins on 15 November, go to www.cvs.com/medicare for a helpful calculator.

On the same note, go to doughnuthole.aarp.org for AARP’s doughnut hole calculator. It’s kind of hard to enter drugs and dosages, but I recommend that one persevere in order to assess alternatives to entering the doughnut hole.

If any of you had a 2009 Minimum Required Distribution generated automatically, you may qualify to reverse it. For instructions, go to: personal.fidelity.com.

Visit AARP’s Health Care Reform update on AARP.org and learn about the latest news on reform, as well as helpful tools to keep you in the loop.

1) From California Healthline – www.californiahealthline.org

"Some in California's High-Risk Groups May Not Get Swine Flu Vaccine Until 2010" (Hennessy-Fiske, Los Angeles Times, 11/6).

Non-Native English Speakers Face Numerous Linguistic, Cultural Barriers to Medical Care Mary Masland of UC-Berkeley, Rachel Mutrux of the Missouri Telehealth Network, Margaret O'Kane of NCQA and Gayle Tang of Kaiser Permanente discussed intercultural communication challenges with California Healthline.

Report: Nursing Home Abuse Cases Might Be Going Underreported A recent report finds that California's nursing home ombudsman program has filed fewer complaints since state budget cuts took effect last year. The report's authors warn that this could indicate that some elder abuse cases are going unreported. AP/Riverside Press-Enterprise.

Insurance Premiums on the Rise in San Joaquin Valley, Across California Experts say health insurance premiums in San Joaquin Valley are 10% to 15% higher than last year, compared with an average nationwide increase of 5%. Officials note that California tends to have higher premiums and health care costs than the rest of the country. Fresno Bee.

Budget Picture Looks Grim in California as Revenue Misses Mark California's budget deficit likely will swell to $7 billion this year as state tax revenue is coming in below estimates used in the July budget package. Recent court rulings blocking state funding cuts to social services and health care programs also are coming into play. New York Times.

What Will New Timely Access Rules Mean for California? After seven years of haggling over details and crafting regulations, California is about to become the first state to mandate how quickly HMO members see a doctor.

Schwarzenegger Urges Congress To Pay for Medicaid Expansions
[On 27 October], Gov. Schwarzenegger sent Congress a letter expressing his support for a so-called "individual mandate" that would require all residents to have health coverage. Schwarzenegger also said California would need to shell out an additional $1 billion per year unless Congress fully funds the Medicaid expansions included in health care reform legislation. Sacramento Bee, Wall Street Journal.

Cost of Long-Term Care Up, Market Survey Finds. The cost of long-term care increased on average over the past year despite the current economic recession, according to a recent market survey by the MetLife Mature Market Institute. The average annual cost of private nursing homes in the U.S. rose 3.3% to $79,935, or $86,140 annually throughout much of California. The cost of assisted-living homes also increased 3.3% to an average of $37,572 annually, or $40,944 annually in Sacramento. In addition, the cost of home health aides and adult day care services in California rose 5% and 4.7%, respectively.

Recent Injunction Blocking In-Home Care Cuts Highlights Impact of Reducing Safety-Net Care On 19 Oct, a federal judge issued a temporary restraining order to prevent California from cutting services for participants in the state's In-Home Supportive Services program.

Analysis Takes Closer Look at Policy for Cancer Screenings An analysis in [the 21 Oct] Journal of the American Medical Association questions the payoff of increased screening for breast and prostate cancer, asserting that the screenings have not significantly reduced death rates from the diseases. The article comes as the American Cancer Society reportedly is preparing a statement for its Web site indicating that increased screenings could result in overtreatment of small cancers while missing more life-threatening forms of the disease.

New State Law Calls for Nursing Homes To Post CMS Five-Star Ratings California nursing homes will need to publicly post their scores from CMS' Five-Star Quality Rating System by Jan. 1, 2011, under a law Gov. Schwarzenegger signed earlier this week. Health care industry groups have been critical of CMS' rating system. HealthLeaders Media.

2) From iHealthBeat - www.ihealthbeat.org

Telemedicine: Good Innovation Hampered by Outdated Policies by Protima Advani Hospitals' investment in telemedicine technology can increase access to care, improve patient outcomes, and reduce unnecessary emergency department visits and readmissions. However, financial constraints, the lack of reimbursement and legal concerns stand in the way of hospitals embracing such technology.

Privacy, Security Laws Impede Health Data Sharing, Experts Say At a forum last week, health IT experts said the requirements of the Federal Information Security Management Act and HIPAA privacy rules make it challenging for federal agencies and private-sector health providers to share electronic health information. Government Health IT.

WebMD Founder To Launch New Web-Based Health Information Tool WebMD founder Jeff Arnold has partnered with Mehmet Oz, a cardiac surgeon and talk show host, to create a new Web site, called Sharecare. The site will offer a variety of answers to consumers' medical questions and will provide social networking opportunities. Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

California's Selection of Health Data Exchange Group Imminent The California eHealth Collaborative and the California Regional Health Information Organization both are vying to serve as the state-designated entity charged with using federal stimulus funding to create a statewide health information exchange in California. Healthcare IT News.

Work Group Gathers Input on Health Data Exchange Standards
[On 29 Oct], the Health IT Standards Committee's implementation work group heard from health care industry leaders about the challenges of establishing common standards for health data exchange. Some participants called for the federal government to create a standard communication interface for the exchange of clinical data. Federal Computer Week, Health Data Management.

Latest Reform Bill Would Revise HIPAA Standards, Track Medical Devices
The House health care reform bill released yesterday includes a provision that would establish national standards for electronic HIPAA transactions. The bill also would require FDA to create a unique identification system for medical devices. Health Data Management et al.

ONC Wants To Survey Consumers on Health Information Sharing
A notice in yesterday's Federal Register proposes surveying about 2,500 Americans about their opinions on health information exchange. The Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT plans to release a report and hold a Web seminar on the findings. Health Data Management, Government Health IT.

Programs Offering Online Consultations With Doctors Pick Up Steam
Proponents of online physician visits say the technology can increase efficiency, reduce costs and improve patients' access to health care. A recent survey by PricewaterhouseCoopers found that half of U.S. residents are interested in using the Internet to receive health care. U.S. News & World Report.

Experts: Health Care Reform Should Do More To Boost Telemedicine
Health care experts are pushing for Congress to implement policy changes that facilitate telemedicine adoption. Experts say that telemedicine can help reduce costs and increase efficiency but that reimbursement issues are hindering adoption of the technology. Scripps Howard News Service.

Blumenthal: Savings From Health IT To Exceed CBO's Estimates
National Coordinator for Health IT David Blumenthal said he expects the savings realized from health IT adoption to "far exceed" the Congressional Budget Office's projection of about $12 billion over 10 years, an estimate some analysts have thought is too high. Blumenthal reiterated President Obama's goal of providing all Americans with an electronic health record by 2014. MIT Technology Review.

3) From My Medicare Matters – www.mymedicarecommunity.org

My Medicare Matters offers Webinars (live on-line training) for those who are Medicare advocates. If you are interested in being notified of training sessions, please contact me at esslady@gmail.com.

By 15 November, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will have launched the plan finders for 2010 Part D and Medicare Advantage plans, making plan comparisons easier.

CMS announced that the Part B premium for 2010 is increasing to $110.50. This is the first time in the history of Medicare that the Part B premium will be above $100 a month. The good news however, at least for the majority of your Medicare clients, is that they are held harmless from this increase and will continue to pay a monthly premium of $96.40 in 2010 for their Part B.

Who Is Excused From Paying the Increased Part B Premium?

So who continues to pay $96.40 for Part B in 2010? Anyone Approximately 73 percent of people with Medicare have their Part B premium automatically deducted from their monthly Social Security benefit. They will continue to pay the $76.40 (sic - $96.40) premium monthly through deduction from their Social Security benefit, for their Part B.

Who will need to pay $110.50 for their Part B in 2010 – Four Categories of People with Medicare
New to Medicare in 2010

First, people new to Medicare, because, obviously, they6 did not have their Part B premium deducted from their December 2009 Social Security benefit. CMS projects that around 3 percent of people with Medicare in 2010 will be new to the benefit and accordingly have to pay a $110.50 monthly Part B premium.

People Paying a Income-Related Part B Premium Now

Next, people already paying a higher income-adjusted Part B premium because their income tax returns show their income is higher than $85,000 for a single individual, or $170,000 for a married couple filing a joint tax return. This amounts to about 5 percent of people with Medicare.

People Who Are Billed for Their Part B Premium

The next group is larger and less well-off economically. This group consists of people whose Part B premiums are not automatically deducted from their Social Security monthly benefit. People in this category may not have worked long enough under the Social Security system to qualify for a Social Security benefit. They get a bill from Social Security and pay their Part B premium directly. Approximately 19 percent of people with Medicare fall into this category.

People Whose Part B Premium is Paid by a Medicare Savings Program (MSP)

And the last group consists of those people with both Medicare and a Medicare Savings Program. Your state Medicaid program pays the Part B premium for all of those in your state who have Medicare and one of the MSP programs. Your state Medicaid program will have to pay the increased Part B premium in 2010 on behalf of all MSP clients in your state.

In some states the Part B premium is paid by Medicaid for groups of people with Medicare and Medicaid, in addition to those with a Medicare Savings Program. In these states, the state Medicaid program will also pay the $110.50 Part B premium on behalf of those additional categories of people with both Medicare and Medicaid.

Around 17 percent of people with Medicare also have an MSP or for other reasons their state Medicaid program pays their Part B premium.

Medigap Changes

All Medicare Supplemental (Medigap) policies sold or renewed by or after July 1, 2010 must comply with the following rules.

Standardized Policies Changing - No More Policies E, H, I, J

As of July 1, 2010, the standardized Medigap plans that can be sold will be different. Certain Medigap plans, E, H, I and J, will no longer be sold. Those who currently own one of these plans may be allowed to keep their policy, however if they do they may find that over time their premium might rise precipitously, so they should explore their options and consider buying different plans that will continue to be sold after July 1, 2010. They have a right to switch to a new Medigap policy.

4) From The New York Times Health Update – nytdirect@nytimes.com

You may need an advocate when undergoing medical treatment. For more, see www.nytimes.com.

Dementia has a physical, as well as a mental, component. For more, see www.nytimes.com/.

From the Web by Elaine Steward #9

2009-10-04T12:16:00.000-07:00

Hi again from Elaine Steward! Following, is my most recent list of things which seem to be of general interest to us retirees. If you find a really interesting site, please email suggestions to me at esslady@gmail.com

For information about caring for an aging parent, read When the Time Comes: Families with Aging Parents Share Their Struggles and Solutions (Springboard Press, 2009), by Paula Span. For a Q&A with the author, see http://www.bu.edu/bostonia/summer09/parents-keeper/index.shtml#expert-answers

TIAA-CREF has established a social networking site (facebook, and My Space are examples of social networking sites) for retirees. If you are interested, go to http://myretirement.org/n/login/login.aspx?webtag=tiaacref_reg and set up an account.

To see whether you can save money by switching your 2010 Medicare Part D plan, when open enrollment begins on 15 November 2009 go to www.cvs.com/medicare for a helpful calculator

1) From AARP – http://bulletin.aarp.org

To determine whether the CDC believes you are at risk for the H1N1 flu, go to http://bulletin.aarp.org/yourhealth/diseases/articles/america_braces_for_a_double_and_early_flu_season_.1.html?cmp=NLC-WBLTR-CTRL-9409-F1

For links to some travel groups which specialize in singles travel, go to http://www.aarp.org/community/groups/singletravelers?cmp=NLC-WBLTR-CTRL-82809-COMMt

For information on home design features to help seniors stay at home longer, go to http://www.aarp.org/families/home_design/

2) From Aging in Stride – www.aginginstride.org

For 10 ways to improve driving skills and extend safe driving capability, go to http://enews.aginginstride.org/pub.48/issue.1178/article.4876/

3) From California Healthline – http://www.californiahealthline.org/

Insurers Drop Out of Medicare Advantage, Citing New U.S. Rules
CMS officials said about 667,000 Medicare beneficiaries could be affected by many insurers' decisions to end their private fee-for-service Medicare Advantage plans when new federal rules take effect in 2011. The rules require insurers to establish provider networks. Wall Street Journal, CQ HealthBeat.

White House Reported To Be Preparing Reform Plan as a Backup Option
Insiders say the Obama administration is working on a health care reform proposal that could serve as a last-minute alternative if current legislative efforts stall. Meanwhile, the administration is fending off criticism of its agreements with health care industry groups. Roll Call, NPR's "Morning Edition."

Bill To Freeze Medicare Part B Premiums Sails Through House Vote
Only 18 members of the House of Representatives voted against a bill that would freeze premiums for Medicare Part B, which covers physician services. Without the legislation, about 11 million beneficiaries will see higher premiums in 2010. CQ Today et al.

Medicare Funding a Key Issue in Second Day of Finance Panel's Markup
Members of the Senate Finance Committee faced off over proposed changes to Medicare that would reduce payments to hospitals, nursing homes and other health care providers, as well as Medicare Advantage plans. Washington Post et al.

Census Data Find Wide Gaps in Insurance Coverage in California
[On 21 Sept] the U.S. Census Bureau released a new report finding that some regions of California have some of the highest uninsured rates in the nation, while other regions have some of the lowest. Overall, about 17.8% of California residents lack insurance coverage, compared with a national average of 15%. Experts say the data align with earlier studies. San Jose Mercury News et al.

Calif. Officials Launch Upgraded Prescription Drug Tracking System
[On 15 Sept] Attorney General Jerry Brown rolled out enhancements to an online database that helps physicians and pharmacists access a patient's prescription drug history. It is believed to be the largest prescription tracking system in the U.S. Los Angeles Times, Oakland Tribune.

Judge Halts Cuts to California's Adult Day Health Care Services
[The week of 7 September], U.S. District Judge Saundra Brown Armstrong ruled that reducing services in the state's adult day health care program could cause "irreparable and imminent" harm to participants. The state was scheduled to cut the program's services from five days per week to three. The suit is one of numerous legal challenges to recent state budget cuts. San Francisco Chronicle, Santa Cruz Sentinel.

4) From Carepages – www.carepages.com

The services offered by nursing homes, assisted living facilities, or hospice are all very different. Find out more about each one and the costs associated with them at http://cms.carepages.com/CarePages/en/ArticlesTips/HelpfulTips/nursing-homes-and-hospice-facilities.html

For information on how to write a will, go to http://cms.carepages.com/CarePages/en/ArticlesTips/HelpfulTips/how-to-write-a-will.html

For help with rebuilding one’s social life after losing a partner, go to http://cms.carepages.com/CarePages/en/ArticlesTips/FeatureArticles/Contributors/rebuilding-your-social-life-after-loss.html

For guidance on financial management during a health crisis, go to http://cms.carepages.com/CarePages/en/ArticlesTips/HelpfulTips/Financial-Management-During-a-Medical-Crisis.html

5) From iHealthBeat - http://www.ihealthbeat.org/

Report: Health Care Executives See Promise in EHR Data Mining
A PricewaterhouseCoopers report released yesterday finds that the majority of health care executives believe aggregated data from electronic health records will generate significant value during the next five years. The executives said EHR data mining could help them evaluate drug efficacy, identify health patterns and reduce medical errors. Health Data Management et al.

HHS Holds Keys to Next Generation of Health Information Privacy
by Deven McGraw and Harley Geiger - Stronger laws are not enough. Effective implementation -- including education, outreach and oversight -- will be needed to embed better privacy and security practices throughout the health care system as we move into the age of digital health records.

Economists Push for Use of Medicare Database To Evaluate Physicians
Economists say that using the Medicare database to evaluate physicians could help increase efficiency and reduce costs, but doctors have raised concerns about privacy and the accuracy of such data. NPR's "All Things Considered."

Health Data Breach Notification Rules To Take Effect [The Week of 21 September]
[On 23 Sept] HHS [was] scheduled to implement a rule requiring health care providers to alert patients of health data security breaches. On [24 Sept], the Federal Trade Commission [was] scheduled to implement a companion rule that will apply to personal health record vendors and other entities not covered under HIPAA privacy and security regulations. Federal Computer Week, HealthLeaders Media.

U.S. Trails Other Countries in Health IT Progress, Study Finds
A new study by the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation finds that the U.S. is far behind international best practices in health IT adoption. Researchers say the U.S. should look to countries such as Denmark, Finland and Sweden for health IT strategies. Government Technology.

Tech Firms Eye Reform Plan's Insurance Exchange Provision
The technology industry supports the inclusion of incentives for Web-based insurance exchanges in Senate Finance Committee Chair Max Baucus' health reform proposal. The provision calls for creating state-based portals to help direct consumers and small business to all individual health coverage plans available in their area. CongressDaily.

Study: Electronic Drug Interaction Alerts Can Improve Patient Safety
Although health care providers override more than 90% of electronic medication interaction alerts, such notices help prevent adverse drug events and reduce the costs of outpatient care, according to a recent study. HealthDay News/Modern Medicine, Archives of Internal Medicine.

6) From My Medicare Matters – http://www.mymedicarevommunity.org/

My Medicare Matters offers Webinars (live on-line training) for those who are Medicare advocates. If you are interested in being notified of training sessions, please contact me at esslady@gmail.com

By [the week of 12 October], the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will have launched the plan finders for 2010 Part D and Medicare Advantage plans, making plan comparisons easier

Medicare Coverage for the Flu Vaccines

This year there are two vaccines. The regular flu vaccine is already available and Medicare coverage remains the same as always. This vaccine is covered by Part B and [people] who have Part B should not be charged any deductible amount nor any co-payment.

In addition, the H1N1 flu vaccine is expected to be ready by [October]. The H1N1 vaccine is given in the form of two shots. Some … Medicare clients will be in the priority groups to receive this vaccine first, including those with suppressed immune systems. This vaccine is given to providers free of charge and Medicare will pay providers an administrative fee for giving the shots. Since the H1N1 vaccine is a preventive service, just like the regular flu shot, [people with Medicare Part B coverage] should not be charged for the H1N1 vaccine. Providers are not allowed to charge for either the Medicare Part B deductible nor for any co-payment.

7) From NCOA – www.ncoa.org

Vice President Joe Biden and Health & Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius [have] released a new report… — Health Insurance Reform and Medicare: Making Medicare Stronger for America's Seniors. The report answers key questions about President Obama's health reform plan, such as:
• How will reducing subsidies to Medicare Advantage plans affect me?
• How will health insurance reform make my care more affordable?
• Will health insurance reform actually improve my care?
• Will I have a choice of doctor?
• Will Medicare be there for me in the future?
To see what they said, go to http://www.healthreform.gov/reports/medicare/index.html

[On 17 November] qualified healthcare professionals at community venues nationwide offer free, confidential memory screenings, education about memory screenings and successful aging, and follow-up resources. To find a site in your area, go to http://www.nationalmemoryscreening.org/ (Sponsored by the Alzheimer’s Foundation)

8) From The New York Times Health Update – nytdirect@nytimes.com

With Soap and Water or Sanitizer, a Cleaning That Can Stave Off the Flu
A host of recent studies finds that hand-to-face contact has a surprising impact on health.

If you are confused about whether or not to treat a diagnosis of osteopenia, go to http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/07/the-confusing-diagnosis-of-osteopenia/?nl=health&emc=healthupdateemb1

A Basis Is Seen for Some Health Plan Fears Among the Elderly The concerns of many older Americans as they look at the health overhaul bills in Congress focus on the savings intended to come from Medicare.

Making Sense of the Health Care Debate
Prescriptions, a new blog from The New York Times, tracks the health care debate as it unfolds. Check out the continuous health care coverage as well as frequently asked questions and a comparison of proposals now in Congress.

Prevention: Diet and Exercise Lower Alzheimer’s Risk
A Mediterranean-style diet along with regular activity reduced the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

For 11 health myths which may surprise you, go to http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/06/29/11-health-myths-that-may-surprise-you/?nl=health&emc=b1

From the Web Special by Elaine Steward

2009-09-02T16:26:00.000-07:00

All members of the USC community are urged to join the Dean’s Council on Health Reform, which will provide guidance to the Dean’s Office in the selection of speakers, the content of this Web site, and recommendations for other relevant educational and research activities. Membership in the Council is open to all members of the Keck School faculty, medical and graduate students, residents and fellows in USC training programs, and staff, as well as alumni and others interested in these issues. The Council will meet approximately once a month, particularly at the beginning of the academic year. To join, go to http://www.healthreform.usc.edu/who-can-join

From the Web by Elaine Steward #8

2009-08-10T09:24:00.000-07:00

Hi again from Elaine Steward! No, I haven't disappeared — I just took a vacation for the month of July. Following are some more things which seem to be of general interest to us retirees. Please e-mail suggestions to me at esslady@gmail.com.

AARP has developed a "doughnut hole calculator," another tool to be used when selecting your Medicare Part D Policy. Go to doughnuthole.aarp.org. AARP's Doughnut Hole Calculator is powered by DestinationRx as part of a special arrangement between AARP and The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS).

For a Web site that deals with long-term care, go to www.ltcmonth.com. The site was established:
(1) to provide up-to-date, unbiased, objective information and perspective on the many aspects of long term care planning, and;
(2) by providing on the site a directory of associations and businesses who can help at a local level.

To find discount generic drug programs in your area, go to medtipster.com.

For free specialized telephones for Californians with hearing, speech, cognitive, mobility, or vision disabilities, go to www.ddtp.org or call 800.806.1191 or (TTY) 800.806.4474.

For a free copy of the forms needed to build a notebook filled with all of the information anyone might need to know about you (in cases of emergency, other people need this information and often no one knows how to get it), e-mail me at esslady@gmail.com.

If you run a balance on your credit card, beware of a change to variable rates! See www.smartmoney.com/personal-finance for more information.

1. From AARP – bulletin.aarp.org:
For "tax smart" ways to help out your kids financially, see bulletin.aarp.org/yourmoney/personalfinance.

To get the facts about health care reform, go to aarp.convio.net/site.

If you are a poet, join AARP's poetry club at www.aarp.org/community/groups/PoetryClub.

Studies have shown that walking in a natural environment is not only good for your body, it can help improve your memory. See bulletin.aarp.org/yourhealth.

For an on-line memoir writing group, go to www.aarp.org/community/groups/WritingMemoir.

2. From California Healthline – www.californiahealthline.org:

Recession, Budget Cuts Make Long-Term Care Difficult.
The economic recession and resulting state budget cuts have made it difficult for families to continue to provide long-term care for elderly relatives or sick children at home.

California Governor's Line-Item Vetoes Illegal, Legislative Counsel Concludes
The California Legislature's legal counsel asserted [5 August] that Governor Schwarzenegger overstepped his power when he used line-item vetoes to deepen funding cuts to health care services and other programs. Although the governor's office maintains that Schwarzenegger acted legally, groups affected by the funding reductions are expected to file legal action. Los Angeles Times et al.

White House Stands Up for Deal on Cost Savings With Rx Drug Industry
The Obama administration reassured the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America that it would stick to a June agreement and not seek greater savings from the industry. House progressives who want more from the industry criticized the move. New York Times

Insurers' Chief Lobbyist Pushes Back Against Democrats' Criticism
Karen Ignagni, president and CEO of America's Health Insurance Plans, held a conference call [4 August], highlighting a number of areas where AHIP has reached agreements with lawmakers on health care reform efforts. Ignagni pledged to continue participating in negotiations. The Hill et al.

UC Schools To Receive $200M for Telemedicine, Other Building Projects
State officials closed a $199.9 million bond deal that will provide financing for telemedicine projects and other infrastructure improvements at eight University of California campuses. UC-Davis will receive $35 million for a new telemedicine center. KGTV News et al.

Elderly Californians Likely To Feel Impact of Health Program Cuts
The budget revision package signed [the week of 27 July] reduced funding for adult day health care and Alzheimer's disease programs. Advocates say the cuts could force Californians to send family members to nursing homes, thereby increasing state Medi-Cal spending. San Bernardino County Sun, Contra Costa Times.

CMS Announces Cuts for Skilled Nursing Facilities
[On 31 July,] CMS announced Medicare would lower payments to skilled nursing facilities by 1.1%, or $360 million, in fiscal year 2010. (Masterson, HealthLeaders Media, 8/3).

Californis Health Cuts Could Signify Challenges of National Reform California's inability to maintain previous funding levels for Healthy Families and Medi-Cal suggests that federal lawmakers could encounter difficulty in achieving sustainable national health care reform. Advocates say California's health care cuts could bring the state's population of uninsured children to two million, up from 1.1 million in 2007. Wall Street Journal et al.

For a discussion on what health care reform could mean to California, go to www.californiahealthline.org/Think-Tank.

House Democrats Float Idea of Trigger for Tax Hikes To Fund Reform
In an interview [20 July], House Majority Whip James Clyburn said House Democrats are considering a plan that would require surtaxes on upper-income Americans only if other provisions of the health care reform bill do not cover the cost of the legislation. CQ Today et al.

Oral Health Advocates Call for More Emphasis on Dental Coverage in Health Care Reform
The California Dental Association's Dean Chalios, Paul Glassman of the University of the Pacific, and Daphne Von Essen of the California Dental Hygienists' Association discussed oral health care with California Healthline.

3. From Carepages – www.carepages.com

This is a free patient websites for everyone coping with illness. Share your story. Meet others. Get support.

If you are a caregiver, be prepared for medical emergencies. For guidance, go to cms.carepages.com.

For help with dealing with the loss of a loved one, go to cms.carepages.com/CarePages.

4. From the Center for Healthy Aging – www.healthyagingprograms.org

For information on preventing fall injuries, go to www.ncpad.org/disability.

For the CDC report on improving and extending life among older Americans, go to www.cdc.gov/nccdphp.

5. From iHealthBeat - ihealthbeat.org:

Governors' Alliance Issues Guide for States on Health IT Adoption
The State Alliance for e-Health's new guide encourages states to prepare for federal health IT regulations by establishing offices and procedures related to health data exchanges. The alliance, which is part of the National Governors' Association, will meet Friday at its semi-annual conference to further discuss state-level health IT initiatives. AHA News, Healthcare IT News.

War Game Forecasts Future of Electronic Records
The future of electronic health records is filled with acquisitions, labor shortages, and a lot of untethered information, according to predictions from a new war game run by health care experts and played by teams of business school students from Columbia, Kellogg, MIT, and Wharton.

Use of NHIN Cuts Wait Time for Disability Applications
According to a new report from the Social Security Administration's Inspector General, disability applicants whose medical information was submitted through the Nationwide Health Information Network received approval and benefits faster than all other disability cases. Government Health IT

Senior Citizens Begin To Embrace Online Tools To Better Manage Their Own Health Care
Mark Beach of AARP, Elizabeth Boehm of Forrester Research, and Jan Oldenburg of Kaiser Permanente spoke with iHealthBeat about seniors' use of online health tools.

White House Taps Internet To Counter Health Reform Criticism
The Obama administration is using blog posts and online videos to rally support for health reform and respond to misinformation. Later [the week of 3 August], the White House plans to unveil a Web site dedicated to promoting health reform proposals. The online strategy echoes the Internet-based approach Obama used during his presidential campaign. Washington Post, AP/San Jose Mercury News

New Consumer Portal Scores Hospitals on Patient Satisfaction
Consumer Reports [August 4] unveiled a new Web site that allows users to search and compare hospitals according to patient satisfaction rankings. The site evaluates facilities for staff attentiveness, room cleanliness, pain control, and other measures. Raleigh News and Observer et al.

Health IT Push Could Threaten Health Data Security, Experts Say
Privacy advocates are raising concerns that the federal government's push for health IT adoption could make health information less secure and lead to an increase in health data breaches. The federal government has stressed the need for increased security for EHRs, but it has not yet proposed ways to better protect patients' health data. Wall Street Journal

Report: Europe Offers Guidance for Health IT Expansion in U.S.
A new report from CSC suggests that U.S. health IT efforts are following Europe's lead by setting clear objectives, gathering stakeholder input, and providing incentives for adoption. However, the report notes that the U.S. could face unique challenges because it does not have a government-run health system and has a lower EHR adoption rate than the European countries studied. BNET Healthcare

CMS PHR Pilot Program Sees Low Participation Among Arizona Seniors
Few Arizona seniors have signed up to participate in CMS's $2.5 million personal health record pilot program, according to officials. The lack of interest among Medicare beneficiaries is raising questions about whether federal officials should continue the program next year. Arizona Republic

CDC: Most States Using Electronic Disease Monitoring Systems
According to CDC's weekly status report, 40 states now have operational electronic disease surveillance systems. Of those states, 34 are using a combination of systems to conduct disease surveillance and report public health data to the federal government. Modern Healthcare

Health IT Plays Vital Role in Health Care Reform
Accelerating the deployment of health IT strategies is an essential cornerstone of the America's Health Insurance Plans' pledge to help bend the health care cost curve to make broad reform sustainable in the long run.

Survey: Number of Health Data Exchanges Up 40% Since 2008
Today, the eHealth Initiative released a report identifying 57 operational health data exchanges, up from 42 last year. The survey noted that 40 exchanges said their participation in a network helped generate cost savings. In addition, physicians said the exchanges helped boost efficiency and improve operations at their practices. Healthcare IT News, Health Data Management

Mobile Phones Could Store Electronic Health Records, Boost Personal Health Monitoring
Monique Levy of the health care advisory firm Manhattan Research and Shankar Sastry of the University of California-Berkeley spoke with iHealthBeat about how mobile phones can help promote personal health monitoring.

New CCHIT Recommendations Target Long-Term, Acute Care
A Certification Commission for Healthcare IT task force issued new recommendations covering electronic health record certification for long-term and post-acute care facilities. CCHIT said the group will begin developing the criteria later this month and could roll out EHR certification for skilled nursing facilities and home-based care in 2010. Health Data Management, Healthcare IT News.

6) From My Medicare Matters – www.mymedicarevommunity.org

My Medicare Matters offers Webinars (live on-line training) for those who are Medicare advocates. If you are interested in being notified of training sessions, please contact me at esslady@gmail.com.

By [the week of 12 October], the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will have launched the plan finders for 2010 Part D and Medicare Advantage plans, making plan comparisons easier. Beginning January 1, 2010, changes in the law will make it easier for some people to qualify for Extra Help with their Medicare prescription drug plan costs. If you would like a copy of the modification, please e-mail me at esslady@gmail.com.

For instructions on applying for the Part D Extra Help referenced above, e-mail me at esslady@gmail.com.

7) From The New York Times Health Update – nytdirect@nytimes.com:

For more help with understanding health care reform, go to www.nytimes.com/2009/08/10/health/policy.

For information on changes in cognitive function as a result of chemotherapy, go to www.nytimes.com/2009/08/04/health/.

For information on making one's home safer for seniors, go to www.nytimes.com/2009/07/18.

For a consumer checklist on purchasing a hearing aid, go to www.hearingloss.org/HLAAHearingAidChecklist.pdf.

There's an interesting article that goes with this checklist to be found at www.nytimes.com/2009/07/25/health.

For information on rights guaranteed to people by the FTC vis-à-vis funeral homes, go to www.ftc.gov/bcp.

Remaining socially active aids motor skills. See www.nytimes.com/2009/06/30/health.

From the Web by Elaine Steward - #7

2009-06-24T13:55:00.000-07:00

Hi again from Elaine Steward! Here are some more things which seem to be of general interest to us retirees. Please e-mail suggestions to me at esslady@gmail.com.

You can access your Medicare Account, including monitoring CMS payments, by signing up at www.medicare.gov/coverage.

I continue to recommend the blog www.getrichslowly.org/blog. A recent edition was entitled, "Estate Planning 101." If you haven't done so, do your planning now—not only can you save money with the right estate plan, but you can ease the burden for your children by letting them know your desires.

1) From AARP – bulletin.aarp.org:

The "doughnut hole" in Medicare Part D is a gap in prescription drug coverage that leaves people responsible for thousands of dollars in drug costs while still paying their Medicare Part D premiums. It's something that should be fixed when Congress acts on health care this year. Write to your representative. To find an e-mail address, go to: writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.

Help yourself and loved ones to be prepared for emergencies. Forms for "Operation Emergency Prepare" can be found at assets.aarp.org/articles/pdf.

To post or look for a volunteer opportunity, see www.aarp.org/makeadifference. (And don't forget SRA, RFA, and Emeriti Center volunteer opportunities!)

Keep an eye on your bank accounts and their related charges. For insight, see bulletin.aarp.org/yourmoney.

For some easy money saving ideas, see www.aarp.org/money/consumer.

2) From California Healthline – www.californiahealthline.org:

President Obama is stepping up his involvement in the push for health care reform after cost projections from the Congressional Budget Office sparked concerns about the scope of the effort. House Republicans and three former Senate majority leaders also put forward proposals [the week of 15 June 09].

At a news conference [on 23 June], President Obama said he believes a public health plan would help control health care costs and expand coverage. Obama said there will be "some healthy debate" about how such a plan should be crafted, but the president did not say he would oppose legislation that does not create a public plan. New York Times, et al.

[On 22 June,] President Obama praised an agreement that will have pharmaceutical companies reduce Medicare beneficiaries' prescription drug costs when they reach the so-called "doughnut hole" coverage gap. Media reports are questioning whether the arrangement will provide significant savings that the federal government can apply toward the cost of health care reform. New York Times, et al.

Advocates say Democrats' budget plan could hinder California's adult day health care program and prenatal services. Gov. Schwarzenegger has proposed eliminating the adult day health care program and cutting $20 million from prenatal care. Riverside Press-Enterprise, Capital Public Radio's "KXJZ News."

Advocates say the budget proposed by Democratic lawmakers could significantly weaken state health and eldercare services, although not to the same degree as the plan put forth by Gov. Schwarzenegger. The state stands to lose federal funds under both proposals. San Jose Mercury News, et al.

Pharmaceutical firms will reduce prescription drug costs by $80 billion for low- and middle-income Medicare beneficiaries who reach the coverage gap in the Medicare drug benefit. President Obama hailed the deal as an important part of health care reform efforts. Washington Post, et al.

The American Medical Association voted to support approaches to reforming the nation's health care system that bolster competition among private insurers and aim to achieve universal access to care. President Obama addressed AMA [15 June]. Chicago Tribune, et al.

[16 June] A joint legislative panel voted in favor of a budget plan that would reduce cuts to In-Home Support Services programs and raise cigarette taxes and other fees. Committee members voted along party lines for the proposals, with Democrats in the majority. The panel is expected to release a more complete budget outline [17 June]. San Francisco Chronicle, et al.

[15 June] A joint legislative panel turned down several of Gov. Schwarzenegger's budget proposals, including eliminating Healthy Families and Adult Day Health Care, cutting HIV/AIDS programs and borrowing money from local governments. Assembly Democrats also released their own plan to mend the budget gap by raising revenue through fees and tax increases. Los Angeles Times, et al.

The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission said changes to the Medicare provider payment system are needed to coordinate care more effectively and cut unneeded spending. The report advocated organizing care providers into groups that would be eligible for incentive payments. Washington Post, et al.

California patients prefer a no-frills approach to health insurance, and they're willing to trade non-essential coverage for keeping costs down, according to a new report, "What Matters Most." To see the results of the survey, go to www.chcd.org/report.pdf.

To check out ratings of California Hospitals, go to www.calhospitalcompare.org.

On [9 June], state regulators announced that Family Care would be California's first licensed discount medical plan. The plan is required to have legitimate contracts with health care providers and inform clients that it is not health insurance. Sacramento Business Journal, et al.

In a letter to key Democratic Senate leaders, President Obama said he would be open to proposals requiring Americans to maintain health insurance coverage and calling on large businesses to share the cost of employees' health insurance benefits. The president also called for more cost savings in Medicare and Medicaid to help cover the cost of health care reform. Los Angeles Times, et al.

3) From iHealthBeat - www.ihealthbeat.org:

On [19 June], House Democrats released a discussion draft of their proposed health care reform legislation, which includes fewer health IT provisions than a Senate bill under consideration. The House bill would create a Bureau of Health Information under HHS. Health Data Management.

[22 June], a group of advocates, physicians and bloggers launched HealthDataRights.org to encourage policymakers to support initiatives that improve patient access to electronic health records. The group also released a Declaration of Health Data Rights. New York Times' "Bits" et al.

In a new white paper, several U.S. medical experts argue that telemedicine should be incorporated into health reform efforts. They say that telemedicine can help boost access to care, contain rising costs and improve health care quality. United Press International.

A new study finds that one in 14 abnormal test results are never reported to patients. Researchers note that physician practices using both electronic health records and paper files have lower patient notification rates than practices using a single system. Modern Healthcare, et al.

A regional health information exchange in Memphis, Tenn., helps health care providers make more informed care decisions and reduces costs by eliminating duplicate tests. Such initiatives are set to receive $300 million under the federal economic stimulus law. Kaiser Health News.

Rural health care will get a boost from federal economic stimulus efforts aimed at expanding high-speed broadband. As health care moves into the digital age, high-speed access to the Internet becomes increasingly important for both health care providers and patients.

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston is launching a project to test the usefulness of giving patients access to physicians' notes as part of their online medical record. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation provided the hospital with a $1.5 million grant for the project. Boston Globe.

During its annual meeting in Chicago [the week of 15 June], the American Medical Association adopted several new policies on health IT issues. The resolutions dealt with security breaches, government subsidies of electronic health records and open-source EHR adoption. Modern Healthcare et al.

A new study published in [17 June's] European Journal of Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation finds that telemedicine technology can help patients without access to cardiac rehabilitation services increase coronary prevention activities and reduce their risks. Healthcare IT News.

[15 June], General Electric launched a program offering no-interest loans to health care providers who purchase its Centricity electronic health record system. The company guarantees that its EHR system will meet federal certification standards. New York Times' "Bits," GE release.

Pam Dixon, executive director of World Privacy Forum, said medical identity theft likely has grown because of an increase in use of electronic health records systems without adequate safeguards. Health care providers say that they are taking measures to prevent identity theft. New York Times.

[11 June] Maine Gov. John Baldacci signed into law a bill that requires health insurers to cover telemedicine services provided through interactive audio, video or other electronic media just as they would for in-person health care services. Maine Public Broadcasting Network, Office of the Governor release.

A report released [11 June] finds that about 61 percent of Americans use the Internet to access health information. Of those, about 20 percent actively post health-related comments online. The Pew Research Center and the California HealthCare Foundation prepared the report. CNET News, Pew release.

Microsoft and the University of Miami are conducting a study to determine whether software and increased primary care can lead to health care improvements in patients with diabetes. Microsoft is donating software platforms, while other grants will go toward computers. Miami Herald.

The Buyers Health Care Action Group is preparing to launch a personal health record platform that will allow users to track their medical history, store patient records, monitor treatment and access resources. The group aims to launch the platform in July. Health Data Management.

[In July], the American College of Radiology will go live with a new database to let mammography facilities compare their performance and outcomes with those at similar facilities. The database will use information already being collected under a federal mandate. Health Data Management.

More than 40 Web sites allow patients to post reviews of their physicians online, spurring concerns from many health care providers about the accuracy of such comments. In response, some doctors are requiring patients to sign contracts agreeing not to post comments online. Boston Globe.

UnitedHealth plans to combine technology from its OptumHealth subsidiary and American Well to create a service that will allow patients to consult with physicians 24 hours a day via the Internet or phone. The service will be available to 60 million OptumHealth members. AP/Boston Globe.

Cerner is capitalizing on the billions of anonymous patient records it has access to by marketing the information to pharmaceutical firms and clinical researchers. Cerner says its data-mining capabilities could help accelerate the drug development process, identify potential new uses for existing drugs and pinpoint prescription drug side effects. Kansas City Business Journal.

In a new report on care management for patients with chronic diseases, research and consulting firm Health Industry Insights argues that IT is key to controlling costs and improving treatment. The report also touts the medical home model and remote patient monitoring. Health Data Management.

According to a notice published in [28 May's] Federal Register, the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT plans in October to begin awarding contracts to establish regional health IT extension centers. The federal stimulus package calls for the creation of such centers. Government Health IT.

The Defense Department's "Real Warriors" Web site aims to provide a safe place for combat veterans to access mental health information. The site allows users to chat with mental health workers online and connect to additional resources through social media tools. Nextgov.com.

Health reform legislation introduced by Republicans in the House and Senate on [20 May] would authorize the creation of electronic health record banks to collect and store patients' information. Under the health record bank model, patients control who can access their health data and what information to make available. Health Data Management.

4) From My Medicare Matters – www.mymedicarevommunity.org:

My Medicare Matters offers Webinars (live on-line training) for those who are Medicare advocates. If you are interested in being notified of training sessions, please contact me at esslady@gmail.com.

5) From The New York Times Health Update – nytdirect@nytimes.com:

For six reasons to grow old, go to newoldage.blogs.nytimes.com.

For ways to prevent memory loss, go to newoldage.blogs.nytimes.com.

"Alcohol is Good for You? Some Scientists Doubt It." Maybe moderate drinkers are just healthier to begin with. For more, go to www.nytimes.com/health.

From the Web by Elaine Steward - #6

2009-05-18T12:23:00.000-07:00

Hi again from Elaine Steward! Here are some more things which seem to be of general interest to us retirees. Please email suggestions to me at esslady@gmail.com

From my on-line bank's site—some ways to protect yourself from on-line identity theft:

• Don't click pop-ups and don't download files from Web sites you don't trust.
• When making online transactions, be sure Web addresses begin with https (not http) and look for a key or padlock icon in your browser window.
• Don't surf to other sites while you are visiting a secure banking site; finish banking, always log out, and close your browser before you move on.
• Don't click links or open attachments in suspicious e-mails. We will never ask you to give personal information by email.
• Never send personal or sensitive information by email.
• Choose passwords that are difficult to guess and change them on a regular basis.
• Don't use the same passwords for other websites that you use for secure sites like ingdirect.com.
• Back up your important computer files at least once a month.

1) From AARP – bulletin.aarp.org
People on Medicare spend an average of 30 percent of their income on out-of-pocket health costs. [AARP is lobbying] to make sure Congress passes reform that strengthens Medicare and ensures that everyone can afford the care they need.

2) From California Healthline – www.californiahealthline.org/
Because the recession and other factors have resulted in low inflation rates, Social Security beneficiaries likely will not receive cost-of-living increases in 2010 or 2011. About 75 percent of Medicare beneficiaries will be protected from premium increases for Medicare Part B in this situation, but other beneficiaries' Part B premiums could still go up. (New York Times)

At the state Capitol on [15 May], researchers from the Georgetown University Health Policy Institute presented a report on the California health insurance market that found that residents enrolled in different individual and small group policies experienced significantly different out-of-pocket costs. The researchers recommended developing a standardized approach to health insurance disclosure that consumers can easily understand.

The California Senate approved legislation to bar health insurers from basing premiums on a person's gender. Earlier in the week, the Senate approved a bill that would require some health plans to cover the vaccine for the human papilloma virus. (San Francisco Chronicle, Eureka Times-Standard)

Increased adoption and use of electronic medical records by physicians and other organizations could transform the quality of American health care. But will the security of patient information be compromised in the process? The Center for Democracy & Technology examines consumer protections under current state and federal law, along with more stringent provisions from the recently enacted national stimulus legislation in this new CHCF issue brief.

The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission released its annual report yesterday projecting that the trust fund used to pay for Medicare hospital costs will become insolvent two years earlier than the commission estimated last year. Obama administration officials said the report builds the case for a large-scale overhaul of the U.S. health care system. (Washington Times, et al.)

CHCF has launched a new Web site about ELINCS, the lab data standard for electronic health records now being used by more than 40 organizations involving some 165 health care provider sites across California. Visitors can request a free testing tool.

Some of the proposals CMS issued [at the end of April] would cut Medicare payments for some hospital services to correct excessive payments to hospitals in recent years. CMS also proposed new regulations that would reduce Medicare payments to nursing homes. (CQ HealthBeat)

3) From iHealthBeat - www.ihealthbeat.org/
In a new short-term experiment, Google will ask users who search for certain health topics if they are conducting the search because they, or someone they know, are experiencing that particular health issue. Google hopes the data will help it improve health-related search results. (eWeek)

The Department of Defense has begun deploying AHLTA Dental, the military's first integrated dental and medical electronic health record. A military official said AHLTA Dental will allow medical and dental providers to share information relevant to patient treatment. (Government Health IT)

The recently introduced Medicare Telehealth Enhancement Act, coupled with funding for telemedicine expansion in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, could usher in a new era for telemedicine in the U.S.

In a scientific statement released [on 7 May], the American Heart Association said that evaluating stroke patients through telemedicine is just as effective as a bedside examination and can improve patient access to stroke specialists. (HealthDay News/U.S. News & World Report)

In her first appearance before a congressional committee since becoming HHS secretary, Kathleen Sebelius said health IT could be the foundation of health care reform efforts. She also stressed the importance of health data privacy protections. (Government Health IT, Healthcare IT News)

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has given $5.3 million to Project HealthDesign, a national program working to develop personal health record systems. The grant will let the project continue its work through at least 2012. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

4) From My Medicare Matters – www.mymedicarevommunity.org/

The National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a) is working with the Administration on Aging and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in a nationwide campaign to develop innovative communication methods to educate young retirees, individuals aging into Medicare, their family members, and caregivers about their options for health care benefits and long-term care.

Read about the Elder Economic Security Initiative at www.wow-eesi.blogspot.com/

My Medicare Matters offers Webinars (live on-line training) for those who are Medicare advocates. If you are interested in being notified of training sessions, please contact me at esslady@gmail.com

5) From The New York Times Health Update – nytdirect@nytimes.com

Chronic Pain Guidelines Suggest Opioids High doses of aspirin or ibuprofen may be risky for the elderly, a panel says.

WASHINGTON — Struggling to find ways to pay for the president's signature health care overhaul, the administration on Monday proposed to raise nearly $60 billion more over 10 years mostly from tightening rules for inheritance taxes affecting the wealthiest estates.

Aging: Reminders of Age Undermine Memory Older people who believe that memory loss goes hand in hand with aging may be undermining their own performance, a new study says.

High-Functioning, but Still Alcoholics As many as half of all alcoholics may be high-functioning types—able to live a successful life in spite of their addictions.

What Are Friends for? A Longer Life Many people overlook a powerful weapon in the quest for better health: their friends.

Risks: Waist Size Strongly Tied to Heart Disease Even among people of normal weight, a large waist size significantly increases the risk for heart disease, a new study shows.

From the Web by Elaine Steward - #5

2009-04-18T11:58:00.000-07:00

Hi again from Elaine Steward! Here are some more things which seem to be of general interest to us retirees. Please email suggestions to me at esslady@gmail.com.

1) From AARP – bulletin.aarp.org:

If you’re interested in brain exercises, go to www.aarp.org/health/healthyliving/brain_health/.

If you wish to send a letter to your congressperson asking for health reform not, go to aarp.convio.net.

2) From California Healthline – www.californiahealthline.org:

Rapid action on bills dealing with Medi-Cal and COBRA funding set the stage for part of the federal stimulus money to begin flowing into California. The third and perhaps biggest flow of health care-related funds—for health information technology—will take longer and could be thornier.

At a briefing [15 April], White House Office of Health Reform Director Nancy-Ann DeParle expressed optimism that lawmakers would reach an agreement on health reform this year and outlined potential areas for compromises lawmakers could explore for a proposed public health plan option. DeParle also hit on President Obama's effort to control health care costs. (AP/Seattle Post-Intelligencer, et al.)

This year, a law took effect in California that requires health care providers to comply with patients' preferences for end-of-life care that are documented in a form called a Physician's Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment. A Bakersfield group is publicizing the law locally. (Bakersfield Californian)

With passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), the federal government is making significant new investments in national health care, including billions of dollars for programs in California. Three new issue briefs explore the impact of the stimulus package on the state. The first outlines ARRA's major health provisions and available funds. The second, published by the California Center for Connected Health, examines its effect on state telehealth and broadband investment. The third, released earlier, probes ARRA's influence on health IT.

Some Medicare Advantage [reimbursement] cuts [for 2010] are expected to be as high as 4.5 percent, lower than the Obama administration's earlier estimate of a 5 percent cut. An insurance industry representative warned that the cuts could result in higher premiums or scaled-back benefits for Medicare beneficiaries. (Wall Street Journal, et al.)

3) From iHealthBeat - www.ihealthbeat.org:

In written answers to questions from Senate Finance Committee members, Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, President Obama's nominee for HHS secretary, repeatedly cited health IT as a way to lower costs, boost health care quality and achieve comprehensive health care reform. (Government Health IT)

In the last month, the Certification Commission for Healthcare IT has certified ambulatory electronic health record products from 10 vendors. Since last September, CCHIT has certified a total of 30 EHR products under 2008 criteria. (Health Data Management)

A new survey from the Deloitte Center for Health Solutions found that consumer interest in health IT has increased. According to the survey, 42 percent of respondents are interested in creating an online personal health record that connects to their physicians, while another 42 percent favor increasing government funding and incentives to support electronic health record adoption. (Healthcare IT News)

[On 9 April], President Obama announced a new project to create an electronic health record system that allows for the seamless transfer of medical records between the departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs. Administration officials said the EHR system, called the Joint Virtual Lifetime Record, could serve as a model for a national EHR system. (Washington Post, et al.)

The federal government has made available online no-cost, open-source software that will allow public and private organizations to share health information via the Nationwide Health Information Network. (Modern Healthcare, Government Health IT)

Google and Microsoft say that a federal stimulus package provision, designed to extend HIPAA medical privacy regulations to third-party data repositories and personal health record tools, does not apply to them because they provide their services directly to consumers. (BNET Healthcare)

Witnesses testifying before the Senate Finance Health Subcommittee said health IT is a critical part of long-term care improvement. National Governors Association Executive Director Ray Scheppach said federal and state health IT initiatives will be essential to more effectively reward long-term care providers and better tailor care to patients. (Modern Healthcare)

A Kaiser Permanente pilot program that connected coronary artery disease patients and their health care providers with an electronic health record and advanced clinical care registry reduced heart attack deaths by 73 percent. (Healthcare IT News)

An article in the Journal of the American Medical Association says questions surrounding ownership of electronic health data could be an obstacle to allowing disparate care providers to share information about a single patient. Patients, insurers and providers each have different rights to the information. (Healthcare IT News, Health Data Management)

A … Spyglass Consulting Group study found that use of remote patient monitoring technology can improve outcomes for patients with chronic conditions, reduce unnecessary emergency department visits and prevent hospital readmissions. According to the study, about 97 percent of health care organizations use remote patient monitoring to improve clinical outcomes. (Healthcare IT News)

4) From My Medicare Matters – www.mymedicarecommunity.org:

Did you know that there is an official notice which Medicare Part D plans must give to [you] when the plan denies coverage of a drug? E-mail me at esslady@gmail.com, and I will send you a copy of the form.

Medicare Part D benefits for 2010 have been determined. To see the new list, send an e-mail to esslady@gmail.com.

The Long-term Care at Home Consumer Guide addresses three basic questions faced by families caring for aging relatives at home. What is home care? Where and how can it be obtained? What are the sources to pay for it? For a copy, go to: www.biblioline.com/eldercare/consumer/ltcguide.pdf.

5) From The New York Times Health Update – nytdirect@nytimes.com:

If you’re concerned about the recent stories about bed bug infestations, go to: www.nytimes.com.

Nasal irrigation seems to be effective against allergies. Go to: www.nytimes.com.

A blog for people caring for the elderly: newoldage.blogs.nytimes.com.

An on-line calculator for determining the risk of developing type 2 diabetes: www.nytimes.com.

From the Web by Elaine Steward - #4

2009-03-22T11:22:00.000-07:00

Hi again from Elaine Steward! Here are some more things which seem to be of general interest to us retirees. Please email suggestions to me at esslady@gmail.com.

For a money management blog recommended by Money magazine, go to getrichslowly.org/blog.

1) From California Healthline – www.californiahealthline.org:

Obama Administration Appears Open to Taxing Some Health Benefits
Obama administration officials have indicated that President Obama will not flatly reject proposals to tax some employee health benefits packages to help cover the cost of his health care reform plan. During the campaign, Obama criticized a similar proposal. New York Times, Washington Times.

Schwarzenegger Kicks Off Push to OK Special Election Initiatives
Gov. Schwarzenegger is urging voters to approve measures placed on the May 19 special election ballot as part of the budget agreement he signed last month. The governor says the initiatives will improve the state budget process, but health advocacy groups are critical of some measures. Los Angeles Times et al.

Effort Pushes for New Yardstick to Measure Poverty in California
by George Lauer
Almost half of California's seniors struggle to pay for medical costs, housing, food, transportation and other basic needs, according to a new report. It was released in conjunction with a push for a new way to measure poverty—and determine eligibility for publicly funded programs—in California.

Mental Health Advocates File Lawsuit Over Ballot Measure
Two mental health advocates have filed a lawsuit challenging the language of a May 19 special election ballot measure that seeks to divert mental health funding allocated under Proposition 63 to help balance the state budget, the Sacramento Bee reports (Furillo, Sacramento Bee, 3/4).

2) From AARP – bulletin.aarp.org:

For what the economic stimulus package might mean to you, go to bulletin.aarp.org/yourworld/politics.

For warnings about IRS Phishing scams, see bulletin.aarp.org/yourmoney/scamalert

3) From iHealthBeat - www.ihealthbeat.org:

Journal Editorials Debate Role of Online Health Care Information
An editorial in the British Medical Journal argues that online health information "should be welcomed and encouraged as good for patients and doctors alike." However, a separate editorial in the journal raises concerns about "false medical claims" on the Internet. Reuters.

Medical Group Management Association Campaign Pushes for High-Tech Patient ID Cards
James Kelley of miCARD, Daryl Richard of UnitedHealthcare, Chris Seib of InstaMed and Robert Tennant of the Medical Group Management Association discuss the push for high-tech patient identification cards with iHealthBeat. (6:06)

Online Health Records Can Help Get Patients More Involved in Care
Large managed care groups and health plans increasingly are turning to online tools to provide reliable, targeted and timely health information directly to patients to help them manage their conditions and make medical treatment decisions. Wall Street Journal.

Privacy Advocates Support Language in Federal Stimulus Package, But Some Questions Remain
Pam Dixon of the World Privacy Forum, Deven McGraw of the Health Privacy Project for the Center for Democracy and Technology, Deborah Peel of Patient Privacy Rights and Robert Zirkelbach of AHIP discussed the provisions with iHealthBeat. (4:22)

Google Rolls Out Upgrades to Personal Health Records Tool
Google has added a new feature to its Google Health online personal health record tool that lets users share their health information with doctors, friends and family members. Google also has added a new graphing tool and a feature that lets users print hard copies of their PHR. CNET News.

4) From The New York Times Health Update – nytdirect@nytimes.com
Exercise: A Pace for Fitness: 100 Steps a Minute
By ERIC NAGOURNEY
A new study finds that a pace of 100 steps a minute or more seems to be enough for a workout to be considered of moderate intensity.

From the Web by Elaine Steward - #3

2009-03-01T09:00:00.000-08:00

Hi again from Elaine Steward. Sorry it’s been such a long time—among other things, I had Internet connection problems for nine days. MAJOR withdrawals! Here are some more things that seem to be of general interest to us retirees. Please email suggestions to me at esslady@gmail.com.

Site for comparing Nursing Homes: www.medicare.gov/NHCompare. Keep in mind that some reservations have been expressed about these ratings.

1) From California Healthline: www.californiahealthline.org.

Researchers took into account the cost of health care, housing, transportation and other basic needs in each California county when they developed the Elder Economic Security Standard. Using the standard, researchers found almost half of California seniors are economically insecure. (San Jose Mercury News et al.)

Eight in ten Californians say they wouldn't want to be kept on life support if they were in a coma with no hope of significant recovery, yet fewer than four in ten have put their wishes in writing. Now a new form, "Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment" (POLST), lets patient wishes be known in all settings of care. CHCF makes a major commitment to spreading the word.

2) From AARP: bulletin.aarp.org.

In May, retirees and other Social Security beneficiaries will get an extra $250 per person from Uncle Sam, as part of the economic stimulus bill signed into law [in mid-February].

3) From iHealthBeat: www.ihealthbeat.org.

At [the 24 February] National Governors Association's State Alliance for e-Health conference, experts warned that variations in states' privacy and patient consent regulations could bog down efforts to create a nationwide health information network. One expert recommended developing an interstate agreement or creating a uniform law states could adopt to share electronic health data. (CNET News)

In an opinion piece, Eric Norwood, President and CEO of Dekalb Medical in Georgia, argues that consumers should use independent Web sites, such as HealthGrades, to find quality information about their local health care providers. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

An editorial argues that physicians' concerns about patients using a service from Zagat Survey and WellPoint to post physician reviews and ratings are unwarranted. According to the editorial, patients are in the best position to rate doctors on bedside manner, availability and other measures. (New York Times)

Medpedia aims to provide consumers with health information, as well as an opportunity to interact with each other and with medical professionals. Harvard Medical School, CDC and other institutions have provided content for the site. (New York Times)

1) From The New York Times Health Update: nytdirect@nytimes.com.

See www.nytimes.com for problems with correct interpretations of living wills.

2) From National Council on Aging www.ncoa.org.

Seniors Can Now Apply For Social Security Online (January 13, 2009). To meet the needs of millions of baby boomers who are becoming eligible for retirement at a rate of 10,000 a day for the next 20 years, the Social Security Administration (SSA) has announced its new online retirement application. The service allows individuals to apply for Social Security via the Web by answering a series of questions. Actress Patty Duke stars in a public service announcement campaign promoting the new service. Visit the Retire Online site; View a demonstration.

Reverse Mortgages Increase Despite Slow Housing Market (January 30, 2009).
Despite turmoil in the broader mortgage market, new data released by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) show that the number of federally insured reverse mortgages closed in 2008 grew 6.4 percent. Reverse mortgage experts anticipate even more growth in the coming months due to newly enacted changes to the federally insured home equity conversion mortgage (HECM), including a higher loan limit, lower fees, a home purchase component, co-op eligibility and stricter consumer protections around cross-selling reverse mortgages with other financial services products. NCOA has received a HUD grant to develop a reverse mortgage counseling network nationwide. Read about NCOA's reverse mortgage initiatives.

Valetine Surprise 2009

2009-02-15T15:44:00.000-08:00

Natalie Cohen, USC Retired Faculty Association (RFA) President Elect, and the rest of the RFA Board of Directors were treated to a Singing Valentine on February 13 by a barbershop quartet from the Santa Monica Oceanaires.

The appearance of the Santa Monica Oceanaires was made possible by the largess of board member Bob Biller. Jerry Walker (second from the left, below), Director of the Emeriti Center College, is a member of the quartet. The other three members are: Todd Kolberg (far left: tenor), Tom Laskey (second from the right: bass), and David Zasloff (far right: baritone)

Both photos were taken by John Orr, RFA board member.

From the Web by Elaine Steward - #2

2009-02-01T11:04:00.000-08:00

Hi again from Elaine Steward! Here are some more things which I've found on the Web which seem to be of general interest to us retirees. Please email suggestions to me at esslady@gmail.com.

I heard about www.grandparents.com on a TV news show. There are recommendations for activities (by city), menus, toys and gifts, and the like.

1) From California Healthline – www.californiahealthline.org
· Los Angeles County supervisors have asked Gov. Schwarzenegger and his administration to support a plan that would require California nursing homes to display information about CMS quality ratings. If it wins approval, nursing home industry representatives say California would be the first state to take such action. Los Angeles Times.
· Medicare has expanded its coverage of off-label use of some medications to treat cancer. Doctors had pushed for the changes, arguing that such treatments are critical to providing patients with the most up-to-date care. However, opponents of the move argue that the new approach might waste money and expose patients to side effects of drugs that might not help them.
"Medicare Widens Drugs It Accepts for Cancer Care" (Abelson/Pollack, New York Times, 1/27).

2) From iHealthBeat - www.ihealthbeat.org
· [On 27 January] the Senate Appropriations and Finance committees approved portions of the economic stimulus package that include funds for health care. Prior to approval, the Senate Appropriations Committee made several revisions to the $5 billion health IT portion of the stimulus package. Meanwhile, the Senate Judiciary Committee heard testimony on health IT privacy. CongressDaily, et al.

· A new HHS-funded report urges the federal government to play a key role in identifying and curbing medical identity theft. The report recommends that the government include the prevention and detection of medical identity theft in its health IT initiatives and create and lead a public-private task force to address medical identity theft. Government Health IT, Modern Healthcare.

3) From My Medicare Matters
CMS announced a new Special Enrollment Period for [those] clients who discover that the plan finder data they used to select the least costly Part D plan for 2009 is no longer valid and that, as a result, they will end up in the coverage gap during 2009. The file for determining if you qualify requires membership. I suggest you go to the Medicare.gov page to determine if you qualify and then call a representative for help. www.mymedicarematters.org/PrescriptionDrugs/Enrolling/index.asp may also be helpful.

From the Web by Elaine Steward

2009-01-21T10:12:00.000-08:00

Hi and Happy New Year from Elaine Steward! I expect to be a regular contributor to our ColleaguesforLife blog. I'll be reading a couple of health related (and other) on-line bulletins, and will try to pass on those things which seem significant. If you have suggestions, please email me at esslady@gmail.com. This being my first column, it'll be a bit of a "catch-up." In the future, I hope to be writing weekly, so the column should not ordinarily be this long.

1) Do sign up for the AARP Bulletin Today—it's free. Go to bulletin.aarp.org. There are columns on health, money, the world, and the like. There is a weekly newsletter. The 16 January edition has a column on "Shopping Smarter."

2) From California Healthline (www.californiahealthline.org):

a) President-elect Barack Obama, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, and other Democrats want to scale back the Medicare Advantage program through which HMOs and other health plans provide benefits to more than 10 million beneficiaries.
b) WellPoint has been banned from adding new customers to its Medicare plans because of concerns that the insurer denied needed prescription drugs to members. WellPoint says it has made "significant progress" in addressing the problems.
c) CMS has proposed a ban on reference-based pricing, a practice that lets private insurers charge Medicare beneficiaries penalties for choosing brand-name drugs instead of less expensive generic drugs. CMS originally supported the practice as a way to control costs but reversed its position after lawmakers and patient advocates argued that reference-based pricing makes it difficult for consumers to calculate drug costs.
d) CMS has finalized a regulation that will change how Medicare beneficiaries' drug costs are calculated, a shift that is intended to keep some beneficiaries from reaching the so-called "doughnut hole" coverage gap earlier. The rule takes effect in 2010.

3) From iHealthBeat (www.ihealthbeat.org):

a) [On 13 January] CMS launched a one-year pilot program that lets Medicare beneficiaries in Arizona and Utah create personal health records to help manage their health more effectively. The PHRs, offered by four participating vendors, automatically will be populated with claims data. If the pilot is successful, it could be extended or expanded to other areas.
b) A new online rating system for nursing homes unveiled by the federal government last month is getting mixed reviews. Critics question its validity while some industry groups and nursing homes welcome the new Web site as a valuable tool to help people navigate the difficult task of choosing a nursing home.
c) [On 13 January] the federal government launched a Web site that lets patients create an electronic family health tree and share it with relatives and physicians. The site builds on a family health history tool developed by the surgeon general's office in 2004.
d) In a speech detailing his economic stimulus plan [on 8 January], President-elect Barack Obama vowed to make the investments necessary to ensure that all U.S. residents have electronic health records within five years. During his presidential campaign, Obama said he would allocate $50 billion over five years to support health IT adoption.
e) To meet an increase in consumer demand, several new health Web sites recently have launched and many existing health sites have expanded. The Wall Street Journal highlights some of the new and expanded sites, including www.everydayhealth.com and www.whynotthebest.org.
f) Under a new partnership, FDA will post public health advisories, consumer updates, and safety information on a dedicated WebMD Web page. In exchange, FDA will publish consumer updates in WebMD's bimonthly print magazine.

4) From The New York Times Health Section (health.nytimes.com):

There is an interesting blog entitled "The New Old Age." Go to newoldage.blogs.nytimes.com/tag/in-home.

New Law Allows Deferring Minimum Distributions in 2009

2008-12-30T08:16:00.000-08:00

Lois Friss calls attention to new legislation signed by President Bush that allows retirees receiving minimum distributions from their IRA or 403b plans this year to suspend payments for 2009 without penalty. She notes that this is a good tax benefit for those who are able to use other funds to meet their needs for next year. The TIAA-CREF Web site has a good Q&A.

Emeriti Center Staff and Executive Committee Enjoy Special Pre-Holiday Luncheon

2008-12-09T10:35:00.000-08:00

Emeriti Center "Co-Head Chef" Maricela Hinojosa (below) prepared and served this scrumptious meal for staff and committee members on December 8.

Wikipedia Not Always Accurate with Drug Information

2008-12-04T10:53:00.000-08:00

Elaine Steward points out that the Web site, iHealthBeat.org, reports that Wikipedia, the immensely popular online encyclopedia, contains several entries on drugs that "often omit important safety information." Read the
summary of an article originally appearing in Reuters Health.

Emeriti Center Celebrates 30th Anniversary

2008-11-28T08:36:00.001-08:00

The USC Emeriti Center kicked off its 30th Anniversary celebration with a luncheon on October 25, 2008, at Town and Gown on the University Park Campus. Some 340 staff and faculty retirees and guests from the AROHE conference taking place the same weekend at the Radisson Hotel Midtown attended the luncheon. Keynote speaker was Roger Anunsen (below), creator of MemAerobics. See a slideshow of photos from the luncheon.

USC Hosts 2008 Biennial AROHE Conference

2008-10-31T10:39:00.001-07:00

The USC Emeriti Center was the official host for the fourth international conference of the Association of Retirement Organizations in Higher Education (AROHE, for short) October 24–26 at the Radisson Hotel Midtown. Program Chair Linda Pearson (Ivy Tech Community College, Terra Haute, IN) and Conference Committee Co-Chairs Eddie Murphy (Emeriti/Retire Relations Center, UCLA) and Janette Brown (Emeriti Center, USC) put together a jam-packed 2-1/2 days of formal presentations, panels, networking tables, exhibits, tours, and social events. Helen Dennis (below) gave the Paul Hadley Honorary Address on "The Retirement Revolution—A Winning Opportunity."

Instructional Video: Searching the Web

2008-10-09T08:08:00.000-07:00

See other instructional videos prepared by Lee and Sachi LeFever on their Web site, commoncraft.com/show, or on YouTube.

What Would You Look for in a Retirement Community?

2008-10-08T16:24:00.000-07:00

If you are planning some day to move to a retirement community, what would you be looking for?

I would like to have a place that had the following:

-A place that looks like a home or independent apartment
-Walking distance to services, food, entertainment, recreation, etc.
-Near a university campus to enjoy all the activities where the public is invited
-Efficient living space with kitchen, 2 baths, 2 bedrooms, study and work room, living area, great closets and storage areas, etc.
-Washer and dryer
-TV, phone, fax and internet connection
-Safe convenient garage for the car
-People nearby that are young, families, working people, students
-Commons area for social exchange, meals if desired, meeting rooms, classroom, etc.
-Some interesting views from my windows
-Recreational facilities 24 hr accessible
-Near good public transportation
-Healthcare on site- clinic, therapy, nurse

What about you?

Bob Scales

rscales@usc.edu

Welcome!

2008-10-08T16:22:00.000-07:00

This blog is intended to be a source for information about the USC retiree community and a space where ideas affecting this community can be discussed. We hope that you take advantage of this new means of connecting with your retiree colleagues and with the university.