Medicare pays for many preventive services to keep people healthy. Preventive services, like screening tests, may find disease early when it may be easier to treat. Shots and vaccines help keep people from getting dangerous infections or illnesses.

• Cardiovascular screenings that check cholesterol.
• Breast cancer screening with a mammogram
• Cervical and vaginal cancer screening with Pap tests and pelvic exams
• Colorectal cancer screening to help find growths in the colon so they can be removed before they turn into cancer
• Prostate cancer screening by either a digital rectal exam or Prostate Specific Antigen blood test
• Bone Mass measurements to check for risk for broken bones
• Shots to prevent flu, pneumococcal infections and Hepatitis B
• Diabetes screening, supplies and training
• Medical nutrition counseling for those with diabetes or kidney disease
• Tests for those at high risk for glaucoma
• Counseling to quit smoking for those with a smoking-related illness or taking medications that may be affected by tobacco.

Executive Vice President John Rother talked with the Washington Post's Lois Romano about health care reform and the difficulty of pleasing the nearly 40 million members of AARP.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/video/2009/11/11/VI2009111129787.html?sid=ST2009111207609

With Sunday, November 15 marking the beginning of Medicare’s open enrollment period, AARP is reminding its members and all older Americans to compare their current Medicare drug and health plans with others that are available and choose the one that best fits their needs. People in Medicare have until December 31 to add, drop or change prescription drug and health care plans for 2010. Each year, AARP encourages its members and everyone in Medicare to carefully consider their options for the coming year.

AARP suggests that seniors pay particular attention to changes in the cost of Part D drug coverage. A new AARP Public Policy Institute (PPI) analysis of 2010 Medicare Part D prescription drug plans finds a majority of the most popular national plans have increased premiums and cost-sharing for next year.

The report finds that more plans will require copayments of close to $100 for some brand name drugs. Other plans will require enrollees to pay a percentage of their drugs’ prices—instead of fixed copayments—for all medicines except generics. One popular national plan will charge different amounts depending on which pharmacies its customers use.

“Even those seniors who are happy with their current drug coverage should watch carefully for changes to their plans in 2010,” said AARP Senior Vice President Cheryl Matheis. “Each year the rising costs of prescription drugs help push premiums and cost-sharing even higher. Now is the time to talk with your doctor about lower-cost medicines that may be right for you. Then, take a close look at your coverage options and find a plan that best fits your needs and your budget.”

AARP encourages older Americans shopping for Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage to use the Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Finder at www.medicare.gov. This online tool finds plans based on a person’s location and current medications. After receiving a list of available plans, AARP recommends considering the “Four C’s”:
* Costs, including the monthly premium, the annual deductible and cost-sharing.
* Coverage for as many of your drugs as possible, which could save a person from paying more out of pocket.
* Convenience of participating pharmacy locations or access to mail-order pharmacies.
* Customer Service. Check Medicare.gov, which includes quality ratings for plans. Ask you doctors, pharmacist and friends about their experiences.

The open enrollment period is also an opportunity for people in Medicare to shop for Medicare Advantage plans, which generally combine traditional Medicare benefits with prescription drug coverage and some supplemental benefits. People in Medicare can compare Medicare Advantage plans head-to-head by using the health plan finder at www.medicare.gov. Seniors who need help finding a prescription drug or Medicare Advantage plan can also contact Medicare at 1-800-633-4227.

“Whether you’re looking to move up to a more comprehensive plan, or just looking for the best price, now is the time to shop,” Matheis added. “Making a smart decision now can pay off big next year.”

The December edition of AARP Bulletin looks at trends in Medicare drug plan costs for 2010. Its web site also provides a step-by-step guide to comparing drug plans and finding the best plan for you. The guide is available at http://bulletin.aarp.org/yourhealth/medicare/articles/quick_route_through_the_medicare_drug_plan_finder_2010.html.

AARP’s fact sheet on 2010 Part D plans is available at http://www.aarp.org/research/ppi/health-care/medicare/articles/fs161-medicare.html.

With the U.S. Census process beginning, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) advises people to be cooperative, but cautious, so as not to become a victim of fraud or identity theft. The first phase of the 2010 U.S. Census is under way as workers have begun verifying the addresses of households across the country. Eventually, more than 140,000 U.S. Census workers will count every person in the United States and will gather information about every person living at each address including name, age, gender, race, and other relevant data.

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Do you know the DC Heath Care Ombudsman is now open? Tell your friends, neighbors and clients!

The Health Care Ombudsman will serve all DC residents - those who are in Medicaid, the Alliance, or private insurance as well as the uninsured. It helps resolve problems with health care bills, coverage, and access to care.If you need help, call the Health Care Ombudsman at 877-685-6391.

• Canned tuna, chicken, salmon, peanut butter
• Canned fruit in its own juice or light syrup
• 100% fruit juice (all sizes including juice boxes)
• Canned vegetables (low sodium or no salt added)
• Canned soups, stews, chili
• Easy and Ready Meals (Mac & Cheese, pasta bowls, canned pasta)
• Healthy Snacks (raisins, dried fruit, nuts, cereal bars)
• Multigrain Cereals (cheerios, cornflakes, grape nuts, raisin bran)

Below please find a list of free Delmarva diabetes self-management education classes.  Every Diabetic Counts (EDC) classes are designed for underserved Medicare beneficiaries with diabetes who live in the District of Columbia and Maryland. Classes usually meet once a week for four weeks and usually last two hours. The goal of Every Diabetic Counts is to give Medicare beneficiaries with diabetes tools and information to better manage this serious disease so they can live longer, healthier lives .