What is Medicare?Medicare is a federal health insurance program that gives you access to specific coverage and benefits. Medicare is different from health insurance you may have had before. It offers you a variety of coverage options and it has key enrollment dates and guidelines you need to follow. Were here to help you make sense of it all. How is Medicare Different From Other Health Insurance?You may be surprised at the differences between Medicare and other types of health insurance. If youve had health coverage through your employer, your plan likely included medical and prescription drug coverage, along with other benefits. It also may have covered both you and your spouse.Medicare only covers one person at a time. This means you and your spouse must enroll separately. In addition, Medicare gives you options that can make it possible to receive your benefits in a variety of different ways.You can:       Choose hospital and medical coverage delivered through the federal government.       Add prescription drug coverage delivered through a private company.       Purchase a supplemental insurance policy from a private insurer that can help cover some of the costs.       Choose coverage from a private insurer that combines hospital, medical and often prescription drug coverage into one plan.In short, with Medicare you can choose coverage that fits your needs, budget and lifestyle. We can help you take full advantage of that freedom. Who is Eligible for Medicare?      - Age 65+      - Under age 65 with certain disabilities      - Have End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) When and How Do I Apply?If youre like most people, youll enroll in Medicare around the time you turn 65. Your Initial Enrollment Period begins three months before your 65th birthday, includes the month you turn 65 and ends three months after that birthday.Keep in mind that if you dont get Medicare during this Initial Enrollment Period, you may have to pay Medicare Part B or Part D late enrollment penalties. Plus, you could be missing out on coverage and benefits that can help protect your health and finances. Thats why its generally a good idea to enroll as soon you can. How you enroll generally depends on if youre getting benefits from Social Security, the Railroad Retirement Board or the Office of Personnel Management.Contact me today at 724-554-7989 for a FREE consultation.  

Happiness At Any AgeStart your journey to joy now in your 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, and beyond with these simple and effective exercises, strategies, and positive insights.Living happily in any decade involves an open heart, open mind, and appreciation for the joy in the journey. While everyone is unique, heres a guide to enjoy life in your 20s, 40s, 60s, 80s, and beyond.In your 20s & 30s Embrace uncertainty. This is the time for trial and error. Try new things and take risks, even if they feel scary. Build connections. Your social network can be a source of support, advice, and shared experiences both now and as you get older. Learn how to learn. Develop a growth mindset. Teach yourself that its ok to feel silly as you learn new things. Itll set the stage for lifelong learning. Build healthy habits. Establish healthy habits early. Try to move your body, eat well, and sleep well. In your 40s & 50s Balance work and life. Prioritize time with your family and friends. Work hard in your professional life. But don't forget to find joy in the little things. Plan your finances. Establish good financial habits. Save and invest in your future. Spend less than you make. Financial stability contributes to your peace of mind. Practice gratitude. Take time to appreciate what you have. Thank those who help you and contribute to others in a positive way. Build a mindset that's all about gratitude. Be open to change. Life is always changing, so it's a good idea to be open to all the curves along the way. Being able to adapt to everyday life is a skill that will serve you well in the future. In your 60s & 70s Reassess your goals. That thing you always wanted to do one day? Do it now. Adjust and modify your goals to include the steps itll take to reach that dream. Start working on writing that book, taking that trip, or even reaching a health and wellness goal to keep a positive mental attitude going. Add in some adventure. Remember, theres no age limit to new adventures. Happy thoughts and actions can even make you more likely to try new things. Go for new activities, try new recipes, or make new friends as an adult. These ideas keep your sense of play alive and well. Nurture old and new relationships. Improve relationships by focusing less on long-held disagreements. You don't get any points for winning arguments. Letting go of the past paired with self-compassion exercises can help you move forward. Mentor others patiently. Share your experiences and wisdom with others. Remember to be kind and patient by listening without judgment and putting yourself in their shoes. Someone out may need you to guide them in a way that only you're capable of. In your 80s & 90sMake time for the small things. Love spending time with your family? Make an effort to engage in the small activities you enjoy every weekor even daily! This can lead to an overall positive mental attitude later in life.Keep learning. Nows the time to try that new hobby youve always wanted to or pick up an old one. Even making friends as an adult or participating at a senior center near you can lead to a sense of joy. Plus, learning new skills keeps your brain sharp.Be kind to yourself. Listen to your body and give it what it needs. Go for a quick walk outside. Eat healthy foods. Embrace each day as a chance to live the life you desire, regardless of your age.  This article is contributed by Devoted Health.  Contact your local Devoted Health Representative at 251-391-3788 to find out how you could save with a Medicare Advantage Plan.

Early detection of lung cancer increases your odds of successful treatment and celebrating more birthdays. But a lung cancer screening comes with a few risks, too. So, should you get checked?The American Cancer Society, American Lung Association and the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) say yes if you meet certain criteria tied to long-time cigarette use.Lets take a closer look at your options with pulmonologist Peter Mazzone, MD, MPH.Who should get a lung cancer screening?A lung cancer screening isnt for everyone, states Dr. Mazzone. Its recommended only for adults who are at high risk for the disease which explains why screening guidelines are pretty specific.The USPSTF suggests an annual lung cancer screening if all of the following apply:  Youre between age 50 and 80.Youve smoked at least 20 pack-years of cigarettes. (To calculate pack-years, multiply the average number of packs smoked per day by the number of years you smoked. So, 20 pack-years is one pack a day for 20 years or two packs a day for 10 years).You currently smoke or have quit smoking within the past 15 years.Its also important that youre healthy enough to benefit from finding and treating early-stage lung cancer. People who get tested dont typically have symptoms of lung cancer.If someone comes to us in a wheelchair already wearing oxygen and couldnt tolerate treatment, they typically arent eligible for screening, clarifies Dr. Mazzone. However, there are nearly 15 million Americans who are at high risk and should receive screening.It should be noted, too, that a lung cancer screening is a quick and painless imaging exam. It uses low-dose computed tomography, or low-dose CT, to capture very detailed pictures of your lungs.Why is lung cancer screening important?As noted, lung cancer often doesnt announce itself with early symptoms. So, without an annual screening, lung cancer is often detected once the disease has progressed and spread which makes successful treatment less likely.People with lung cancer have about an 80% chance of being alive five years later if the cancer is diagnosed and treatment begins during Stage 1. The five-year survival rate is about 4% if tumors have spread.That leads us to this alarming reality: Only about 1 in 4 people with lung cancer are diagnosed before the cancer spreads. Early detection is key to changing that, says Dr. Mazzone.Are lung cancer screenings perfect? Of course not. Scans sometimes detect small spots called nodules that look concerning but are basically harmless little scars. Radiation exposure is a concern, too. Ditto for overdiagnosis of conditions and additional testing and stress.But the benefits of lung cancer screening still outweigh any potential harm for many people, notes Dr. Mazzone.How often is lung cancer found during a screening?Lung cancer is found in about 1 in every 140 people who get screened. This may sound like a small number, but its about the same or better than the results for breast cancer and colon cancer screening.How to decide whether to get a lung screening?A counseling session is often required before a lung cancer screening so you can discuss lung cancer risks, the screening process, benefits and potential harm. It can be a complex and difficult decision for people to make.Many people value the potential benefit of screening so much theyre happy to accept them, explains Dr. Mazzone. Others may have a different perspective. Talk to your doctor to help decide whats best for you.And because the test is annual, the decision on whether to do it can be revisited every year.This article was written by Lungs, Breathing and Allergy Team from Cleveland Clinic and was legally licensed through the DiveMarketplace by Industry Dive.Contact Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama for your medicare and health insurance needs. Contact them at 251-344-2115