Archive for June, 2010

How Much Long-Term Care Coverage Do I Need?

Long-term care may be needed for yourself, or a loved one, in the future and you need to prepare for that possibility. However, it can be difficult to know exactly how much long-term care they will need in the future, since it is impossible to predict the future. You could end up needing long-term care insurance for a few months following an accident, surgery or illness, or you could need long-term care insurance for years in your old age when you need assistance with day-to-day activities. There is no way to tell how it will be for you.

As a result, you should look at what kind of life you want for yourself in the event you need long-term care. Do you want to have the same financially stable life you currently enjoy, or do you want just enough insurance to get by because you have a large savings? These are the questions you need to ask yourself before you go about getting your long-term care insurance coverage.

Generally, you are not going to want to go with the lowest insurance plan because you may not have those savings forever, and even long-term care insurance will only cover so much if you go with the lowest plan. Before you know it, you could end up with no money left and poor insurance coverage. If your long-term care needs go on for years, you could be in a very difficult situation.

As well, you may choose not to go with the highest priced plan, despite the ample benefits it can provide for you. You may choose to not go with the highest priced plan because of you own financial situation at the time, or because you simply do not want to.

Try to go with a middle of the road long-term care plan that will cover you even if you have savings. This will allow you to have the care you need, without having to dip too much into your savings. This will then allow you to last for quite awhile on your savings. As with anything, the middle-road is often the best option to go with. You will not have to spend too much like you would on the higher plans, but you will gain more coverage than you would on the lower plans. It is all about moderation and having a good savings to go along with your long-term care insurance coverage plan.

Conclusion The world is an uncertain place, and while long-term care insurance can provide you with the assurance you need to know about how your life will play out in the event you need long-term care, finding the right coverage can be difficult. If you have the money, go with the higher-cost coverage plans, the more you pay the more you get and the less you worry. If you don’t have much money, then go with the best plan you can afford. You don’t want the lowest plan but if that is all you can pay for; then take it. A little long-term care insurance coverage will be better than none.

Deciding Between A Mobility Scooter And An Electric Wheelchair

Advances in personal mobility products including scooters and electric wheelchairs have returned convenience, freedom, and independence to many seniors suffering from limited mobility. These advances, because there are now so many quality choices, have also necessitated a thorough review of options and needs to ensure that the eventual purchase of the mobility product results in the best solution for each individual. The following is a review of both personal mobility products including descriptions as well as the strengths and weaknesses of each.

Mobility Scooters:

These scooters allow for low cost mobility without the psychological weight of being confined to a wheelchair. Options include a variety of styles, colors, designs and upgrades and cover the full spectrum of uses from shopping to navigating uneven terrain.   These scooters come in three different model types:

* Three wheel – These models typically offer better handling in tight quarters and more leg room than other options.
* Four wheel – Built for a bearing weight of up to 500 pounds, these scooters offer more stability and heavy duty mobility than the three wheel mobility scooters.
* Compact scooters – For situations where storage or transportation options are limited, these scooters fold down to allow for placement in smaller areas whether in the house, car, or van.     
Steering and control of electric mobility scooters is usually done via handlebars much like those seen on bicycles and work best for owners that are not suffering from upper body mobility issues. Top speeds average around 8 miles per hour, with higher power models usable on roads, uneven terrain, and up steep hills. Another advantage of these scooters is that transporting them requires only a simple trailer which can easily be attached to the back of a car or van.
Personal mobility scooters are an extremely cost-effective solution toward re-building an individual’s mobility, freedom and independence. Scooters, ranging in price from ,000 for a basic model to ,000 for one that is fully loaded, are much lower in price than electric powered wheelchairs.

Electric wheelchairs:
Advances in electric wheelchairs have all but eliminated the old perception of the “loaner chairs” available at airports, shopping malls and amusement parks and replaced it with a personal mobility option loaded with high tech features and capabilities. These chairs come with four to six wheels, easy maneuverability, and programmable joysticks for ease of navigation.

Built for individuals with greater mobility issues, these electric wheelchairs offer durability, stability, and a wide array of seat movement options including motorized stand, tilt, support, and recline functions which can be tailored to individual needs.
Three major drawbacks of electric wheelchairs are that they don’t fold down, their considerable weight, and their cost. The weight and non-foldable nature of the chairs severely limits their use with standard cars, lifts and light duty trailers. These chairs function much better in customized vans where four point tie-downs make for a much safer and stable ride. Cost-wise, electric power wheelchairs are the most expensive type of personal mobility vehicle with prices for upgraded electric wheelchairs going up to around ,000.
Determining the right personal mobility product comes down to an assessment of needs.

Mobility scooters are work best for people who:

* Do not have upper body mobility issues
* Are using the scooter for relatively brief periods of time
* Will need to transport the scooter in a car

Electric power wheelchairs are probably best suited for those who:
* Need joystick based navigation due to upper body mobility issues
* Need posture support
* Will be in the chair for extended periods of time

Related Mobility Scooter Articles

Epidemic of Nursing Home Abuse Endangers Seniors

This week, the New York Times reported that 90 percent of all nursing homes have been cited for violating federal health and safety standards. Even worse, 94 percent of all privately-owned facilities were cited for such violations. It is clear that nursing home abuse and neglect has become an epidemic, and anyone with a loved one in a nursing home needs to be aware of this issue.

Nursing home residents’ rights are guaranteed by the federal 1987 Nursing Home Reform Law. The law requires nursing homes to “promote and protect the rights of each residentâ€?.  Yet, as the New York Times recently made clear, nursing homes are not doing enough to protect their residents.

The National Center on Elder Abuse estimates at least one in 20 nursing home patients has been the victim of negligence and or abuse, though it concedes that the number is probably higher. According to the National Center’s study, 57% of nurses’ aides in long-term care facilities admitted to having witnessed, and even participating in, acts of negligence and abuse.  Data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that nursing home neglect played role in the deaths of nearly 14,000 nursing home patients between 1999 and 2002.

The New York Times report detailed a study conducted by the inspector general of the Department of Health and Human Services.   According to the inspector general, more than 1.5 million people live in the nation’s 15,000 nursing homes. To participate in Medicare and Medicaid, facilities must meet federal health and safety standards. These programs cover more than two-thirds of nursing home residents, and cost taxpayers more than billion per year.

According to the inspector general’s report, in the past year, poor nursing home conditions were the subject of 37,150 complaints. Of those, 39 percent were later substantiated by inspectors, and at least 20 percent involved the abuse and neglect of patients.  What’s more, 17 percent of nursing homes had deficiencies that caused “actual harm or immediate jeopardyâ€? to patients, the report said.

About two-thirds of the nation’s nursing homes are owned and operated by for-profit companies. Non- profit organizations own 27 percent, while government entities own and operate 6 percent. Of the facilities owned by non-profits, 88 percent were cited for violations, while 91 percent of government-run institutions received citations. According to the report for-profit nursing homes averaged 7.6 deficiencies per facility, while not-for-profit and government homes averaged 5.7 and 6.3, respectively.

To protect a loved one living in a nursing home, it is important to understand what constitutes nursing home abuse and how to spot it. The most common type of nursing home abuse is neglect. Understaffing at nursing homes is the main culprit behind this kind of abuse. Evidence of nursing home neglect includes bedsores and stiff joints, as well as signs of depression. A patient who appears over medicated or is needlessly sedated could be a victim of nursing home neglect.  The smell of urine or feces and poor personal hygiene are hallmarks of this problem.  Extreme unexplained weight loss in an otherwise healthy resident can also be a sign of abuse. And if visitors are made to wait while the staff readies a patient to see them, – or does not allow the visit at all – neglect could be the reason.

Nursing home neglect is as much a crime as any other form of abuse. Nursing home neglect robs patients of their dignity, and it can be deadly. Neglected nursing home patients have been known to wander away from facilities, and sadly some of these patients have died of exposure. Other unattended patients have been allowed to die as a result of undetected internal bleeding or other ailments that could have been corrected with proper medical care.

Physical abuse is an unfortunate fact of life in many nursing homes. Nursing home staff are often guilty of this crime, but abuse among residents is not unheard of. About 2500 cases of physical abuse by nursing home staff are being reported each year.  While physical abuse encompasses crimes like battery, it also includes placing a patient in excessive restraints or physically confining residents for no valid reason.  Over-medicating patients simply to keep them quiet, or withholding medical care are also forms of physical abuse.

And sadly, sexual abuse also occurs in nursing homes. Again, both staff and other residents can be guilty of this type of abuse. According to a 1996 Medicaid Fraud Report, 10% of all physical abuse cases in nursing homes are of a sexual nature. Sexual elder abuse is defined as non-consensual sexual contact of any kind with a nursing home resident. Sexual contact with any person incapable of giving consent is also considered sexual elder abuse.

Often, nursing home sexual abuse goes undetected. Sadly, the physical and cognitive impairments common among nursing home patients make it impossible for them to fight off sexual assailants or report sexual abuse. Some physical signs of nursing home sexual abuse bruising around breasts, upper abdomen, or inner thigh; is often evidence of inappropriate touching or worse. Signs that a nursing home resident has been the victim of a sexual assault include bleeding from the vagina or anus; the presence of a sexually transmitted disease; troubles walking or discomfort when sitting; and irritation or itching in genitals.

If nursing home abuse is suspected, immediate action must be taken. Call 911 if a resident appears to be in immediate danger, otherwise, report the situation to an administrator. All nursing homes are required to have formal complaint procedure and a staff person who is designated to review grievances. Submit specific information about your complaints and attempts to resolve them. If the situation is not resolved, then the problem should be reported state agency charged with overseeing nursing homes.  It may be necessary to remove a resident from a deficient nursing home if the problem is not corrected. In many cases of suspected nursing home abuse and neglect, it can be helpful to retain an experienced elder abuse lawyer to take action on a loved one’s behalf.

Understanding Medicare

Medicare 101

Understanding Medicare

This document was created to empower people with a better understanding of the Medicare system.  A better understanding will help you make an informed decision, instead of being sold by a smooth talking salesman…..  Yes I am an insurance professional, but I am a Christian first and abhor salesman that push products.  I believe in educating consumers about all of their options.  Once properly informed they will make the correct decision for themselves.

Medicare is a GREAT health insurance program!!  The problem is most people feel intimidated by it.  They are overwhelmed by the choices and get frustrated and ultimately turned off by the whole system.  That is unfortunate, but hopefully this article will clear up some of these issues. 

Medicare is a health insurance program designed for seniors (people 65 & older) and people with certain disabilities.  It covers Hospitalization costs (Medicare Part A) and doctors or outpatient services (Medicare Part B).  It was signed into law in 1965 by Lyndon B. Johnson.  It has gone through many changes over the years and now there is also Medicare Part C (also called Medicare Advantage) and Medicare Part D (prescription Drug coverage).

Who is eligible for Medicare?

People age 65 & older
People under age 65 with certain disabilities
People of all ages with end-stage renal disease 

How to start Medicare

Medicare will start automatically for people turning 65.  Medicare will send out information to you a few months prior to your 65th birthday.  You will get a Medicare welcome package, which includes a Medicare & You book (filled with everything you could possibly want to know about Medicare), and your Medicare ID card.  This will have your Medicare Claim # as well as your Part A & Part B effective dates of coverage.  The Part A & Part B effective dates of coverage should be the 1st day of your birthday month.  So if you were born on July 17th, your Part A & Part B effective dates of coverage would be July 1.

How much does Medicare cost?

For most Americans Medicare Part A is free.  Medicare Part B costs for most people .40 / month.  This is for people with individual income levels up to ,000 or jointly 4,000 a year.  The monthly premium will be higher for people with higher income levels.

What does it cover?

Medicare Part A

Helps cover your inpatient care in hospitals. Part A also helps cover skilled nursing facility, hospice, and home health care if you meet certain conditions.

Blood

All costs for the first 3 pints of blood you get as an inpatient, then Medicare approved amount for additional pints of blood (unless you or someone else donate to replace what’s used).

Home Health Care

for Home Health Care services.   20% of the Medicare approved amount for durable equipment.

Hospice Care

Copayment of up to per prescription for outpatient prescription drugs and 5% of the Medicare approved amount for inpatient respite care (short term care given by another caregiver, so the usual caregiver can rest).  You may have to pay room and board if you get hospice care in a facility other than short term general in-patient care or respite care.

Hospital Stay

,024 Deductible and no co-insurance for days 1-60 each benefit period
6 per day for days 61-90 each benefit period
2 per “lifetime reserve day” after day 90 each benefit period (up to 60 days over your lifetime)

Skilled Nursing Facility Stay

for the first 20 days each benefit period
8 per day for days 21-100 each benefit period
All costs for each day after day 100 in the benefit period

Medicare Part B

Helps cover medically-necessary services like doctors’ services and outpatient care. Part B also helps cover some preventive services to help maintain your health and to keep certain illnesses from getting worse.

Clinical Laboratory Services

for Medicare covered services

Home Health Care

for Home Health Care services.   20% of the Medicare approved amount for durable equipment.

Medical & other services

20% of the Medicare approved amount for most doctor services, outpatient therapy, most preventive services, and durable medical equipment

Mental Health Services

50% for most outpatient Mental Health Care

Other Covered Services

Copayment or Coinsurance amounts

Outpatient Hospital Services

Coinsurance or copayment amount that varies by service

Part B Deductible

The first 5 yearly for Part B covered services or items

Medicare Part C

Another way to get your Medicare benefits. It combines Part A, Part B, and, sometimes, Part D (prescription drug) coverage. Medicare Advantage Plans are managed by private insurance companies approved by Medicare. These plans must cover medically-necessary services. However, plans can charge different copayments, coinsurance, or deductibles for these services.

Medicare Part D

Helps cover prescription drugs. This coverage may help lower your prescription drug costs and help protect against higher costs in the future.

What is not covered by Medicare Part A or Part B

Items and services that Medicare doesn’t cover include, but aren’t limited to, the following:

Acupuncture
Chiropractic services
Cosmetic surgery
Custodial care (like help with bathing or using the bathroom), except when you also get skilled nursing care in a skilled nursing facility, at home, or in a hospice 
Deductibles, coinsurance, or copayments when you get certain health care services. People with limited income and resources may get help paying these costs.
Dental care and dentures (with only a few exceptions) 
Eye care (routine exam), eye refractions (exam that measures your ability to see at specific distances), and most eyeglasses
Foot care (routine), like cutting corns or calluses (with few exceptions) 
Hearing aids and exams for the purpose of fitting a hearing aid 
Hearing tests that haven’t been ordered by your doctor 
Most Laboratory tests for screening purposes
Long-term care, for example, if you only need custodial care in a nursing home 
Orthopedic shoes (with few exceptions) 
Physical exams (routine or yearly). Medicare will cover a one-time physical exam within the first 6 months of enrolling in Part B (coinsurance and Part B deductible applies)
Prescription drugs. Most prescription drugs aren’t covered by Part A or Part B
Shots to prevent illness
Syringes or insulin, unless the insulin is used with an insulin pump, but it may be covered by Medicare prescription drug coverage (Part D) 
Travel (Most health care while you’re traveling outside the United States)

Medicare Coverage Options

Medicare Supplement Insurance

Health insurance policies sold by private insurance companies to fill “gaps” in Original Medicare Plan coverage that assist in paying for some of the health care costs that the Original Medicare Plan doesn’t cover, plus benefits not covered by Original Medicare, like emergency health care outside the United States (subject to plan purchased).

You pay a monthly premium to the private health insurance company that sells you the policy. Medicare and the Medicare Supplement policy both pay their shares of covered health care costs.

Medicare Advantage Plans

Health plan options that are approved by Medicare but run by private companies. They are part of the Medicare Program, and sometimes called “Part C.” When you join a Medicare Advantage Plan, you are still in Medicare. Some of the plans require referrals to see specialists.

In many cases, the premium can be lower than they are in the Original Medicare Plan or the Original Medicare Plan with a Medicare Supplement policy. Medicare Health Plans charge different premiums and have different costs of services, so it is important to check with the plan before you join.

They generally offer extra benefits, and many include prescription drug coverage.

In many cases, your costs for prescription drug coverage can be lower than in the stand-alone Medicare Prescription Drug Plans.

Some of the plans coordinate your care, using networks and referrals, more than others. This can help manage your overall care and can also result in savings to you.

You don’t need to buy a Medicare Supplement policy, if you purchase a Medicare Advantage Plan

There are more and more types and styles of hearing aid available today, as technology becomes more advanced and hearing aid components become ever smaller. What this also means is that hearing aid prices will vary hugely.

Hearing aids can be analogue or digital, but it’s worth remembering that hearing aid prices will differ significantly within the analogue range and also the digital hearing aid ranges.

Prices of digital hearing aids can vary from as little as £300 or £400 to over £2,000 per hearing aid.  When considering a hearing aid you must first seek professional advice and learn about your individual hearing loss and what hearing aid solutions are available to help.

It may be that with a mild hearing loss a more cost effective hearing aid will be suitable but this may not offer the benefits or smaller hearing aid devices or in-the-ear hearing aids.

The best hearing aids will almost always be branded hearing aids offered by the leading hearing aid manufacturers such as Oticon, Phonak, Siemens, GN Resound and Widex.

Non branded hearings can be suitable but it is difficult to know what you are buying and whether your hearing aid will stand the test of time.

There are four main types of hearing aid, open ear hearing aids, which can also incorporate RITE (receiver in the ear) technology, BTE (behind the ear), ITE (in the ear), and CIC (completely in the canal) digital hearing aids. There are benefits and disadvantages of each type, but the one with the fewest disadvantages is the open ear RITE.

Most people with hearing loss can benefit from an open ear hearing aid, but severe and profound losses may find that BTE digital hearing aids are more suitable. If you are concerned about your hearing go for a free hearing test from a local hearing aid dispenser first. Phonak is one of the world’s leading hearing aid manufacturers and provides some of the best hearing aids available for all types of hearing loss and for all budgets. So if you are considering a hearing aid ask about Phonak hearing aids.

For those who want to try a discrete but varatile hearing adi ask about Phonak Audeo Yes. It’s a really tiny, light and discrete hearing aid, the Audeo Yes hearing aid has several features that make it an excellent choice. CrystalSound is the core of the hearing aid processor. It digitally amplifies the subtle, high-pitched sounds critical to understanding speech and makes sure nothing gets lost. Digital SurroundZoom is one the industry’s best directional microphone systems. All packaged into a cool, Red Dot Design Award winning form that combines style with ergonomics and practicality. The Audeo Yes shape is designed to allow optimum placement of the dual microphones on the hearing aid for the best performance in noise.

Also worth considering Oticon hearing aids such as Epoq the top of the range digital hearing aid that has binaural processing and can even communicate with mobile phones and other electrical devices. If you are considering a lower cost option consider Oticon Dual which also has amazing processing power and some great features.

With so many digital hearing aids available it’s difficult to know where to start so best seek advice from a hearing care professional.

Vanderbilt doctors are using digital technology and sound equalizers to help those who can’t hear well.
Video Rating: 4 / 5

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Hearing Aid Prices And How They Differ

Hearing aid prices and how they differ

Even when one needs to spend money on a critical item such as a hearing aid there is a lack of desire in actually parting with the money. So, it is not uncommon for individuals to look for lower cost hearing aid prices when the need to purchase a new digital hearing aid is required. However it is not always the best option to look for hearing aid prices that are the lowest and as the cheapest option may not be suitable or fit for purpose.

Shop Around to find out about hearing aid prices is the best advice.

Probably the best way to find more information on hearing aid prices would be to shop around. You will need to find a local hearing aid retailer who will provide a free hearing test and guidance on suitable hearing aids for your requirements and hearing loss.

Always consider all hearing aid options, consider the different styles and makes of digital hearing aids. All the major manufacturers, such as Phonak, Oticon and GN Resound have their own portfolios of different types and styles of hearing aids“>digital hearing aids, including the new open ear hearing aids. 

The NHS offers a free service in the UK. You would initially need to see your GP, who will refer you to be put on a waiting list for an audiological assessment, probably at a local hospital. Then, if you fall into NHS prescription guidelines, you will be able to rent a hearing aid free of charge of then. This will include free hearing aid batteries as well.  However on the NHS you will only be provided with a behind the ear hearing aid as they do not provide ‘in the ear’ or ‘completely in the canal’ hearing aids – the smaller and more cosmetically acceptable hearing aids.

Hearing aid prices will vary across the range of different digital hearing aids and hearing aid manufacturers but with hearing aids“>Oticon hearing aids and Phonak hearing aids you can be sure to find something in your budget.

Disposable modular hearing aids are the cheapest hearing aids available and are sometime advertised for less than £100. These are not made to fit an individual ear, and can prove more expensive than a ‘proper’ digital hearing aid due to the need to constantly replace it. They are by no means suitable for all types and levels of hearing loss, nor will they provide any comfort to the hearing aid wearer due to its modular make.

Digital hearing aids have revolutionised the hearing aid market and provide amazing benefits to the hearing aid wearer such as noise filters, directional microphones, wind noise suppression and anti-feedback technology.

When considering a digital hearing aid for the first time, speak to a professional hearing care retailer and ask about the level of aftercare offered and whether its included within the price of the hearing aid.

Find More Hearing Aids Articles

Long Term Care Health Insurance To Keep Yourself Protected

Most people are used to the concept of health insurance. However, not everyone knows the specifics on different policies. Certain situations may not be covered by a generic health insurance policy and therefore it is important to know which variants are available. Long term care health insurance is one of those variations and following is a brief explanation of how it works and why it is important.

Long term care is not a new concept and insurances including this coverage have been available for many years now. Though it includes medical services, it also includes in a more significant intensity, nursing services. Thus, the terms of these policies differ greatly from regular health insurance policies. Moreover, they can sometimes be included on higher cost health insurances.

Long Term Care Health Insurance

Long term care refers to the services that people who are ill, suffer an accident or become disabled need for their daily life. For instance: some people due to illness or disability cannot walk, eat, dress, take a bath, go to the bathroom, etc. on their own and thus need the assistance of a nurse or other personnel in order to aid them through their healing process or assist them on everyday situations.

Though long term care may seem to imply long periods of time, it can actually imply only a few weeks till the patient recovers or a life term period. The long term care concept refers to the time that the patient needs the above mentioned services once the medical services and procedures (that regular health insurance pays for) have ended. In other words, long term care may last a few weeks or many years and that’s why an insurance policy is advisable.

Long Terms Care On Healing Processes

During a healing process that can last between weeks and months, long term care will cover for all the costs of medical and nursing personnel visiting the patient and performing the needed activities for the patient’s recovery. A good example of this are the services needed to rehabilitate a person that suffered a major accident with broken bones and needs to exercise in a specific way and with the aid of specialized personnel in order to recover the ability to walk and move.

Long Term Care On Chronic Medical Conditions

However, there are also chronic medical conditions due to illness or accidents that require assistance for life. Such conditions include mental and or physical disabilities which require assistance just like those needed during the healing processes but the patient never fully recovers and therefore long term care insurance will cover all the costs of such patients for their lifetime.

As you can see, the sole possibility of a chronic medical condition justifies purchasing Long term care health insurance but even if you do not think that such a thing will happen to you, the costs of nursing services and such during a healing process can be very high and though you may be able to afford them, they can seriously disrupt your budget. Therefore, purchasing long term care health insurance to protect you from those situations is also advisable.

More Long Term Care Articles

Power Scooters…Ask The Right Questions To Get The Right Answers

Are you shopping around for power scooters? They can really transform the life of someone who feels trapped inside and is unable to get out and enjoy the outdoors because of limited mobility due to arthritis, weak legs, a bad back, or some other condition. Here are the questions you want to ask the sales person when you are shopping for a scooter:

1. How long has this model been out for? (A model that’s been out for a few months or a few years will have been “road tested” by other users so it will uncover any problems before you get it).

2. Is it front wheel drive (sometimes called “mid” wheel drive) or rear wheel drive?

3. What is the clearance on this scooter? (This will help you know how big of bumps you can go over if you have to).

4. How much does this power scooter cost?

5. What features does it have?

6. What is the difference between this scooter and power scooters that are slightly more expensive and slightly less expensive. (Asking this question will help you determine how they are pricing their extra features…you might find a less expensive scooter that suits your needs or you might find that a slightly more expensive scooter is far more appropriate for you).

7. How fast will this scooter go? (Of course you don’t want to join a race, but it’s important to know how fast it goes because you don’t want to be surprised by the top speed if you accidentally press it to go that fast).

8. How far will the scooter go on this battery?

9. How long with a recharge take?

10. Should I purchase two batteries and simply switch them back and forth?

11. What accessories are available for this scooter?

12. How much more does a canopy cost?

13. Which tires do you recommend for the type of driving that I am most likely to do? (Here, you’ll have to tell the sale associate what kind of driving you do: do you stay mostly indoors or do you like to go outdoors or do you like a mixture of both? If you like to go outdoors, you’ll have to tell the associate whether or not you live in an area that can get muddy or snowy.)

14. How often should I get my scooter tuned up? (Remember, power scooters are just like cars in that they need to be tuned up periodically).

15. Is there a service plan and a warranty?

16. Are there other options available? (Don’t buy the first power scooter you see that is in your price range without checking on the available options

Power scooters can provide you with a renewed sense of independence and freedom. Use this list of questions to help you find the right power scooter for your needs.

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Home modifications are changes made to adapt living spaces to meet the needs of people with physical limitations so that they can continue to live independently and safely. These modifications may include adding assistive technology (see the fact sheet on Assistive Technology for details) or making structural changes to a home. Modifications can range from something as simple as replacing cabinet doorknobs with pull handles to full-scale construction projects that require installing wheelchair ramps and widening doorways.
• Other examples of home modifications include:
• Grab bars in the bathroom (including by the bathtub, shower, and toilet)
• Handheld, flexible shower heads
• Handrails on both sides of staircases and for outside steps
• Lever-operated faucets that are easy to turn on and off
• Sliding or revolving shelves for cabinets in the kitchen
• Walk-in showers
WHY DO SENIORS NEED HOME MODIFCATIONS?
The main benefit of making home modifications is that they promote independence and prevent accidents. According to a recent AARP housing survey, “83% of older Americans want to stay in their current homes for the rest of their lives,” but other studies show that most homes are not designed to accommodate the needs of people over age 65
Most older people live in homes that are more than 20 years old. As these buildings get older along with their residents, they may become harder to live in or maintain. A house that was perfectly suitable for a senior at age 55, for example, may have too many stairs or slippery surfaces for a person who is 70 or 80. Research by the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that home modifications and repairs may prevent 30% to 50% of all home accidents among seniors, including falls that take place in these older homes.
HOW CAN I TELL WHAT HOME MODIFCATIONS ARE RIGHT FOR ME?
The best way to begin planning for home modifications is by defining the basic terms used and asking some simple questions. According to the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA), home modifications should improve the following features of a home:
• Accessibility. Improving accessibility means making doorways wider, clearing spaces to make sure a wheelchair can pass through, lowering countertop heights for sinks and kitchen cabinets, installing grab bars, and placing light switches and electrical outlets at heights that can be reached easily. This remodeling must comply with the Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988, the Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility guidelines, and American National Standards Institute regulations for accessibility. The work must also conform to state and local building codes.
• Adaptability. Adaptability features are changes that can be made quickly to accommodate the needs of seniors or disabled individuals without having to completely redesign the home or use different materials for essential fixtures. Examples include installing grab bars in bathroom walls and movable cabinets under the sink so that the space can be used by someone in a wheelchair.
• Universal Design. Universal design features are usually built into a home when the first blueprints or architectural plans are drawn. These features include appliances, fixtures, and floor plans that are easy for all people to use, flexible enough so that they can be adapted for special needs, sturdy and reliable, and functional with a minimum of effort and understanding of the mechanisms involved.
• Visitability. Visitability features include home modifications for seniors who may want to entertain disabled guests or who wish to plan ahead for the day when they may require some extra help in getting around their own homes. For example, installing a ramp to the front door of a house and remodeling the hallways and rooms to allow wheelchair access would make a home easier to visit for disabled family members or friends. Such changes may also give seniors a head start on home modifications they may need later in their lives.

New York Medicaid Fraud Highlights and Criminal Liability

Picture this: you’re a health care provider. Your business largely depends on Medicaid billing. In fact, Medicaid pays your bills. Your business is booming and then one day you get a letter or a call from The Office of Medicaid Management or an Attorney General’s Office. They tell you they investigate certain claims made by your office. They ask you for your billing records and your mood suddenly is not the same it was 5 minutes ago. Assuming the investigators have reasons not be impressed with your Medicaid billing practices, you will need a lot of hope and maybe some serious help because serious trouble is probably on the way.

New York’s Medicaid program has been funded more than 40 years ago and what it presently is may be defined as a cash cow or a “honey jar” that attracts all kinds of money-loving bees. New York Medicaid enrolls millions of people and spends over billion a year for everything from medical care to transportation to adult daycare to paying for shoes, diapers, etc. Because may Medicaid programs were so easy to exploit, New York Medicaid fraud became quite rampant and uncontrollable. It became an industry in itself and fortunes were made on Medicaid Fraud.

There are several ways in which Medicaid Fraud can occur. The most popular method of Medicaid fraud with which defense attorneys routinely deal is billing for services that were not provided. In fact, some providers manage to bill millions of dollars in fees for services they have never performed. The next forerunner is double billing (billing Medicaid after private insurance and/or the recipient have already paid for services). Unnecessary procedures and appointments billed to Medicaid are popular, too.

Many providers find themselves in hot water because they have unlicensed personnel perform services that may only be provided by licensed persons as per Medicaid regulations and bill Medicaid as if the professional do the work. Health care providers routinely overcharge Medicaid by inflating time they actually spend on providing their services.

On occasions, providers engage in fees sharing with other provider. This means referring patients to other offices that bill Medicaid and share the reimbursement paid by the Medicaid program.

Among New York Medicaid Providers involved with New York Medicaid Fraud are medical and dental offices, “ambulette” transportation companies, hospitals, nursing homes, pharmacies, school districts officials, and even retailers.

New York Medicaid Fraud cases may be investigated by the Office of Medicaid Management, the Office of the Attorney General, the local law enforcement, or even federal investigators. Because the problem has gotten out of hands lately, Attorney General Cuomo and the local district attorneys are really cracking down on New York Medicaid Fraud. According to the April 30, 2008 Attorney General Office’s report, New York had recover 2,5 millions in Medicaid fraud recoveries in 2007.

The latest in the string of New York Medicaid Fraud indictments is the prosecution of B&H Health Care Services, Inc., (Nursing Personnel Home Care), a Licensed Home Care Service Agency and half a dozen of its shareholders and managers who managed to bill over million in Medicaid fees.

Providers accused of New York Medicaid Fraud face various fraud-related charges as well as civil suites claiming damages. In the case of B&H Health Care Services, for example, the indictment contains charges of Grand Larceny in the First Degree (a Class B felony that carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 1 year and a maximum sentence of 25 years’ imprisonment) and charges of Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree (a Class E felony that carries a maximum sentence of 4 years’ imprisonment.) The civil suite filed by the state demands treble damages of million.

If it is a federal investigation, charges and potential consequences, both criminal and financial, could be even more severe.

So, let’s go back to the beginning. You get that letter or a phone call. Your next steps are limited to telling the investigators to disappear from your life, telling them all they want to hear, or telling them that your lawyer will contact them for you. Let me end with a banality: if you are accused or investigated for Medicaid Fraud, it is not the time to do it yourself.

www.esuremenow.com Welcome toPart 13 of 16 Long Term Care Insurance Videos from eSuremenow.com. In this video we shortly explain what Medicaid is. Does Medicaid pay for your Long Term Care expenses? You can find more answers to your Long Term Care Insurance Questions in our Long Term Care Insurance Guide at http and can also get your competitive Long Term Care Quotes from our experts at www.esuremenow.com Gurhan Gary Demirkan 703-490-4119 www.esuremenow.com Follow me on my other great blogs Main Blog: www.esuremenowblog.com Insurance Quotes Ning: myinsurancequotes.ning.com Gather: insurancequotes.gather.com Free Insurance Quotes Ning freeinsurancequotes.ning.com Gather: freeinsurequote.gather.com Online Insurance Quotes Ning: onlineinsurancequotes.ning.com Gather: onlinequotes.gather.com Facebook: www.facebook.com