Greg Nicholaides

The summer months are often a time for living out our travel fantasies. Whether it’s an international jetset, or just a quick weekend getaway with family, the enjoyable weather and more open schedule makes for a perfect chance to plan a vacation. However, we’re still living in the world of COVID-19, and it’s possible that those trips will end up being cancelled. With that in mind, travel insurance can help us to recoup some of the losses that come if flights, hotel stays, events, or car rentals don’t actually happen. But how does travel insurance work, and what kind of costs can it protect?

Travel insurance is coverage for prepaid costs relating to a trip or vacation. Much like a health or life insurance policy, policy-polders pay a premium in order to insure their bookings. For folks who travel often, it’s possible to have ongoing travel insurance that covers any of your trips; if, on the other hand, this is just for a single event, policy holders can choose to purchase coverage for a single trip. There are a variety of quotes and companies offering the insurance, so prices generally vary.

The standard coverage policy covers events outside of your control, and will be stated directly in the policy. Examples of travel insurance claims include:

• Illness, injury, or death of a traveler or their traveling companion
• Illness, injury, or death of a non-traveling family member
• Terrorist attack
• Dangerous or inclement weather
• Natural disaster

Should any one of these events occur, travelers with insurance can then contact their coverage company, file a claim, and request reimbursement for their costs. These policies will all have their own fine print, though, and it’s important to understand what exclusions may exist and prevent you from receiving the money back on a cancellation.

The cost of travel insurance varies based on provider, policy coverage, age of travelers, and length of coverage. However, you can expect for travel insurance to cost between 4%-10% of your total trip cost. So, while that may not be much for a short, single-person weekend trip, the cost of premium may be high for larger family trips.

How Does Travel Insurance Cover Coronavirus? 

The Coronavirus pandemic has caused a lot of plans throughout the country to change. While things seem to be opening back up in cities throughout the United States, there is a fear of a second or third wave of infections, particularly this summer or fall. While travel insurance may seem like a good option for staying covered in case of cancellations, a second wave of COVID-19 may not be covered.

In a recent interview, Christina Pedroni, senior vice president of Liberty Travel, said, “If you’re purchasing a standard travel insurance package right now for travel, COVID-19 is already a known event. So, typically, you wouldn’t be covered if you had to cancel because of COVID-19 being in the destination or you being sick from the virus.”

It is, however, possible to get travel insurance that allows you to submit a claim if you have to cancel for any reason at any time. Just be sure to speak directly with a travel insurance agent to find out exactly what you are or aren’t covered for, and how much you’re able to recover should a cancellation occur.

Traveling Safe with Travel Insurance

Traveling is one of the joys of retirement life, especially when it brings us together with family and friends. While traveling in the age of Coronavirus can be a bit nerve wracking, it can be made better with travel insurance that covers you in the event of a cancellation. Just be sure you’re checking directly with the insurer to find out what coverage you have.

Greg Says advises against purchasing the travel insurance offered on the airline’s booking website.  Although convenient, these offerings are usually overpriced and full of coverage exclusions in the fine print.  It’s better to go directly to a travel insurer or work with your travel agent for the coverage you need.

FRIDAY, July 30, 2020 (HealthPayer Intelligence)

HealthPayer Intelligence led with a story Friday with some surprising information.  From the story:  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 90 percent of national healthcare spending goes toward chronic disease management and mental healthcare, which means that strong mental health and chronic disease prevention strategies can help reduce payer spending.

The CDC has named the eight most expensive chronic diseases in the U.S.  The good news for payers is that most of these can be prevented to some degree.  By being aware of preventive care strategies for these eight chronic conditions, payers can actively reduce their healthcare spending and support positive patient outcomes.  Here are the eight conditions as reported by CDC:

1)  Heart disease and stroke – remain the most expensive chronic diseases.

2)  Cancer – consistently one of the most fatal diseases in the U.S.

3)  Diabetes – is also a major driver of healthcare spending.

4)  Obesity – one in three adults and one in five children classified as obese.

5)  Arthritis – affecting around a quarter of American adults.

6)  Alzheimer’s disease – a fifth of Medicare spending went to Alzheimer’s.

7)  Epilepsy – expected to increase from 2017 to 2027.

8)  Tooth decay – without treatment, tooth decay can lead to negative health.

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Like you probably, Greg Says isn’t surprised by anything on this CDC list.  The good news is that every one of the above items, with the possible exception of tooth decay, is covered by Medicare.

Journal of Internal Medicine

Telemedicine may seem complicated, but it’s actually simple. Use it once and you’ll see that it makes life easier for everyone, particularly seniors. You get convenient, inexpensive healthcare on-demand from licensed professionals, and you can help control the spread of contagious diseases.

Here are some details about the advantages of telemedicine for seniors.

You have easy, around-the-clock, access to healthcare professionals who can diagnosis and treat common illnesses, help you manage chronic conditions, and provide trustworthy answers to your health and wellness questions.

You don’t need to travel to get basic healthcare. When you’re feeling sick the last thing you want to do is get cleaned up, dressed, and travel to a doctor’s office or clinic, right? It’s so much more comfortable to just stay home and chat with a doctor.

You can save money. Telemedicine is typically much less expensive than in-person visits. The usual cost for telemedicine services with insurance is $50-$55, and $75+ without insurance.

You can get a prescription for medication sent right to the drugstore of your choice, if needed. (And many drugstores will then deliver it right to your home). Super convenient!

You help control the spread of infectious diseases. Telemedicine grew fast in 2020 specifically because it was a safe way to get healthcare while social distancing. This holds true even when there isn’t a pandemic – and telemedicine is predicted to be a preferred choice for many people going forward.

You may find that you’re taking better care of yourself since it’s so easy to see a doctor with telemedicine. Rather than putting off a visit to check in about a symptom or annoying health problem, like a rash caused by an allergic reaction or sinus congestion that just won’t go away, you can call a doctor. When professional help is so easy to access, you’ll likely deal with simple concerns before they become bigger worries.

Telemedicine is simple to use, even for the ‘not so tech-savvy’. If you use a computer, tablet or smart phone already you have everything you need. If you’re not fond of technology, you can simply use whatever phone you have – no fancy equipment or skills required. Click here to find out more about virtual doctor visits.

Ready to try telemedicine? If you have private insurance or a Medicare Advantage plan, check to see what virtual healthcare services are included, and how much you might need to pay out of pocket. Medicare temporarily expanded its coverage of telemedicine services to respond to the pandemic, to help ensure that recipients could safely receive care without the risk of exposure to COVID-19. The situation is fluid right now, so check with Medicare or your Advantage plan provider for details.

Heart Healthy Tips – July 2020

1. Full of Antioxidants

Dark chocolate is famous for its incredible delivery of antioxidants; it’s actually in the top 10 sources for dietary antioxidants. Antioxidants are linked to reduction of plaque formation that can block arteries and become dangerous – so you can eat the chocolate, and your body will thank you. 

If you’re trying to maintain a heart-healthy diet, eating sweets usually isn’t encouraged. But we have some good news: There’s a loophole to this theory. Dark chocolate may feel like an indulgent treat, but it actually has a plethora of health benefits. You may have heard of some of these benefits, but dark chocolate can offer way more than the basic nutrients publicized. It can be an amazing tool when consumed in proper moderation. Below, take a look at some of the best things about this tasty treat.

2. Improve Your Circulation 

A study published in the American Heart Association’s Circulation Research, indicates consuming the cocoa found in dark chocolate can help to lessen the symptoms of peripheral artery disease (PAD), which limits blood circulation. Patients who ate dark chocolate were able to walk further and longer due to improved circulation attributed to the sweet treat.

3. Manage High Blood Pressure

Eating dark chocolate is a great way to incorporate more cacao into your diet, which can help to lower your high blood pressure! The flavonoids in dark chocolate have been found to produce nitric oxide, which causes blood vessels to relax and lower high blood pressure. As long as you mind the amount you consume and consider your intake of fats, sugars, and calories carefully, dark chocolate is a great way to indulge in a sweet treat without messing up your heart-healthy diet.

4. Linked to Lowered Stroke Risk

A Finnish study from 2012 indicates chocolate can be closely tied to a lowered risk of stroke. This is exceptionally helpful for those living with atrial fibrillation (AFib), who are five times more likely to suffer from a stroke than those without AFib, 

5. Lower Your Cholesterol

Dark chocolate contains compounds such as polyphenols and theobromine that can decrease levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in the body and increase levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. In layman’s terms, it heightens your “good” cholesterol levels and lowers your “bad cholesterol” levels. 

6. Level Out Blood Sugar and Inflammatory Markers

Dark chocolate also contains several anti-inflammatory components that can be immensely beneficial to your overall heart health. A study from 2018 noted that participants who consumed higher levels of dark chocolate consumption had reduced inflammatory biomarkers (among patients with type 2 diabetes). This indicates a correlation with blood sugar regulation – an important part of a heart-healthy lifestyle that affects blood sugar, muscle exertion, and obesity. Overall, dark chocolate was found to be a beneficial addition for certain diabetic patients. 

Greg Says believes that properly taking care of your heart is a key contributor to living a long and healthy life – so make sure to exercise and eat a bit of dark chocolate every now and then.

FRIDAY, June 26, 2020 (HealthDay News) – More than 2 million Americans buy prescription drugs from other countries as a way around rising prices in the United States, a new study finds.

The analysis of nationwide survey data showed that 1.5% of adults got their prescription meds from outside the United States between 2015 and 2017.

Immigrants and people who were older or who had inadequate health insurance coverage and tight budgets were more likely to do so. Those who use the internet for health care information were, as well, the findings showed.

The number of Americans looking for cheaper prescription drugs is likely to rise due to the spike in unemployment stemming from the coronavirus pandemic and the loss of work-based health insurance, according to the University of Florida (UF) researchers.

“With the economic and health consequences of COVID-19 disproportionately impacting minority and low-income populations, more people in those groups may be seeking an alternative way to meet their medication needs,” said lead study author Young-Rock Hong, an assistant professor of health services research, management and policy at the UF College of Public Health and Health Professions.

Safety is a big concern with international medication purchases, the researchers said in a university news release. One in 10 medications sold in the world are substandard or fake, the World Health Organization estimates.

Study co-author Juan Hincapie-Castillo, an assistant professor of pharmaceutical outcomes and policy, stressed that “patients might not be getting what they think they’re getting.”

He said this is particularly dangerous for patients for whom even a small deviation in dose can have severe consequences.

With more Americans likely to buy prescription drugs outside the United States, patient education and stringent quality control are crucial, Hong said.

“Patients should be informed of these potential risks they can encounter, and policies that seek to pursue drug importation should reinforce quality assurance and strict monitoring processes to promote safe administration of imported medication in the U.S. market,” Hong said.

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Greg Says advises caution when considering the purchase of prescription drugs from overseas sources.  It’s important to know where the medication was manufactured as there is far less government oversight in some countries compared to the US.