Greg Nicholaides

Sept. 14, 2020 (HealthDay News)

Here’s evidence that prescription drugs don’t have to cost a fortune: New research finds Medicare saved billions as more generic cholesterol-lowering medications became available, even though the number of Americans using the drugs increased.

“One of the most important contributors to our health care costs is expenditure on prescription drugs,” said study author Dr. Ambarish Pandey, a cardiologist and assistant professor of internal medicine at University of Texas (UT) Southwestern Medical Center. “The switch to generics is an effective strategy to cut the costs incurred by health systems.”

Between 2010 and 2018, patents on a number of cholesterol-lowering drugs expired – including Crestor and Zetia – and generic versions became available.

For the study, researchers analyzed Medicare Part D Prescription Drug data from January 2014 through December 2018. They found that the number of prescriptions for statins and other cholesterol-lowering drugs climbed from 20.5 million to 25.2 million in that period, a 23% increase.

But even though prescriptions for the drugs rose, total costs decreased, according to the study.

The number of prescriptions for generic cholesterol-lowering drugs rose by 35%, from 17.8 million to 24 million, while overall spending on statins fell by 52%, from $4.8 billion in 2014 to $2.3 billion in 2018.

Statins are the most popular type of cholesterol-lowering drug in the United States, prescribed to more than 35 million people.

During the study period, Medicare still spent $9.6 billion on brand-name cholesterol-lowering medications, but could have saved an additional $2.5 billion of that by switching to generics more quickly when they became available, the researchers noted.

The findings were published Sept. 9 in the journal JAMA Cardiology.

“It’s important for our health care system to find avenues to become more cost-efficient and accessible,” said study first author Dr. Andrew Sumarsono, an assistant professor of internal medicine at UT Southwestern.

“Even though there is still a lot of work to be done, it is encouraging to see how quickly patients switched to generic options once they became available,” Sumarsono said in a UT Southwestern news release. “This rapid switch to generics saved Medicare a lot of money.”

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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.