One frequently asked question we get is “Does Medicare pay for dentures?” The short answer is NO.

Teeth are important part of your health. However, dental care is not a covered benefit in Original Medicare. As a result, Medicare does not pay for dentures.

Read on to find out how to get your dentures covered in other ways.

What Dental Services Does Medicare Cover?

Not much at all. In fact, the only time dental work may be covered by Medicare is in an emergency setting such as a hospital. For example, if you were in a car accident that affected your teeth, the emergency doctors and health care providers may need to provide emergency dental care.

In this instance, these services would be covered under Original Medicare Part A. (More at Medicare.gov.)

Options for Dental Insurance for Medicare Beneficiaries

Medicare beneficiaries looking for dental coverages, will need to look for benefits outside of Medicare insurance.

Other than paying for dentures and dental work with cash, there are two options for insurance:

1. Medicare Advantage
2. Dental Insurance

Medicare Advantage Plans (MA/MAPD Plans)

There are select Medicare Advantage (MA or MAPD) Plans that have dental benefits. Most of them have a network of dental offices that participate in their plan. Often, this is a reimbursement based plan.

You can read more about MA/MAPD plans (also called Medicare Part C) in this article.

Dental Insurance

Dental Insurance is especially worth purchasing if you have big ticket dental items or procedures coming up (i.e. dentures). Make sure when you are researching plans that you pick one that has denture coverage included. Plans and premiums can differ dramatically, so take the time to make sure the plan meets your needs.

Conclusions on Medicare Denture Coverage

If you are a Medicare user in need of dentures, I suggest your first step is to look into either a Medicare Advantage plan with dental benefits, or a stand alone dental plan.

Independent Insurance Agents for Dental Benefit Coverage

To find a plan in your area, I also suggest talking to an independent insurance agent that will be able to help you compare the options in your neck of the woods.

• You can find one here.

• Additionally, if you have never worked with an agent before, please read this article on the benefits of working with an agent.

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Does Medicare Cover Ambulance Services?

Yes, Medicare covers ambulance services in approved emergency situations. As with all Medicare covered costs, you will pay 20% of the cost of service, unless you have additional coverage.

Let’s break down in more detail – what is covered and how it gets paid for.

Does Medicare Pay for Ambulance Services?

Medicare Part B covers ambulance services. (Part B is medical insurance. To learn more about what Part A and Part B offers, visit this page.)

What does the government describe as covered ambulance services? Well, they include:

• Emergency ground transportation to a hospital (including critical access and skilled nursing facilities)
• Emergency air transportation (via helicopter or airplane) when ground transportation is not available or is not adequate

Does Medicare Cover Non-Emergency Transportation?

No, Medicare does not typically cover non-emergency transportation. For example, you will not be able to get an ambulance to a doctors appointment.

However, there are certain Medicare / Medicaid programs that do offer non-emergency transportation to people who need it. Also, according to CMS (Center for Medicare Services), there are a few instances where Medicare may provide non-emergency ambulance services:

“In some cases, Medicare may pay for limited, medically necessary, nonemergency ambulance transportation if you have a written order from your doctor stating that ambulance transportation is medically necessary. For example, you may need a medically necessary ambulance transport to a dialysis facility if you have End-Stage Renal Disease.”

https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/ambulance-services

What are My Costs with Medicare Ambulance Coverage?

First, it is good to remember that the reason for your ambulance ride must be considered a “Medicare approved” service. Otherwise, your ride might not be covered at all. Also, CMS states that the ambulance can only take you to the nearest medical facility considered appropriate for your needs. (You can read more about it here.)

Next, if you only have Original Medicare Part B, then you will pay the 20% of the ambulance bill that Medicare does not pay. (If you only have Medicare Part A, then ambulance services are not covered. You will need to enroll in Part B to have them covered.)

However, most people have a supplement or a Part C (Medicare Advantage) Plan in addition to Medicare Part A and Part B. Original Medicare works together with your private insurance options to pay for ambulance services. Let’s look at both options and how they cover ambulance rides.

Medigap Ambulance Coverage

Remember that with Original Medicare Part B, the government pays for 80% of the cost of a Medicare covered ambulance ride. You are responsible for the rest, unless you have a Medigap plan. Also known as Medicare Supplement plans, these plans help you pay for the co-insurances, deductibles, and co-pays that Original Medicare does not pay for.

Coverage By Specific Medicare Supplement Letter Plan

In exchange for a monthly premium, Medigap plans will help you pay for some or all of your personal costs of Medicare approved services. The Part B Co-insurances or co-payments are

• Paid in full by Medigap Plans A, B, C, D, F, G and M.
• Plan K pays for 50%;
• L pays for 75%,
• And N pays for all minus a co-pay.

You can read more about the supplement coverage chart in our article: What are Medicare Supplements here.

Medicare Advantage Ambulance Coverage

Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans are private insurance options that “replace” Original Medicare as your only Medicare coverage. They offer everything that Original Medicare offers, and also offer extra benefits are services on top of what is covered in Part A and Part B.

Medicare Advantage plans cover at least what Part B covers for ambulance rides. In addition, they also may cover the 20% that Part B doesn’t cover, but they way they do that is specific to each individual private insurance company.

For example, some Medicare Advantage plans will have a set co-pay for ambulance use, or they may have a percentage they cover. They may also distinguish between air and ground emergency transportation in how they cover costs.

It is important to know that every Medicare Advantage plan has a set max out-of-pocket cost that you can never go above each year. So, for example, if your MA plan had you pay 10% of the cost for air transportation, then you would be responsible for that cost only up to the max out-of-pocket limit set for your plan.

Remember, each Medicare Advantage plan is different, and if you are a MA plan beneficiary, you will need to look at your plan information or “Summary of Benefits” to see how your costs will be covered.

If you want to compare Medicare Advantage vs Medigap plans, you can read more here.

Other FAQ’s

Here are a few other frequently asked questions:

• Does Medicare cover air ambulances?
  Yes, as long as it is a “Medicare approved” service, then it is covered. If you need an emergency air transportation and it is considered a necessary, approved situation, then Medicare will pay for it. Remember, you will be responsible for a 20% co-insurance payment unless you have additional coverage (like with a Medigap or Medicare Advantage plan).
• Does Medicare cover life flight?
  Life Flight or LifeFlight is just a branded name of a company that provides emergency air transportation services. If you use their services for a Medicare approved expense, then it will be covered accordingly.

Conclusions

Yes, Medicare will cover ambulance service for approved and necessary emergency transportation needs. You will still have co-insurance unless you also have a Medicare Supplement Plan or a Medicare Advantage Plan. Do you need help finding coverage in addition to what you receive through Original Medicare (Part A and Part B)? Then please reach out to us.

• If you live in Nebraska, please contact us here.

• If you live anywhere else in the lovely United States of America
  • Read more about Medicare Plans here or
  • Find an agent here.

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Hearing aids are expensive. We are talking thousands of dollars, sometimes even with insurance. In addition, they may be overkill for the amount of hearing support you require.

Fortunately, there are hearing aid alternatives. You just need to know where to look and what to look for.

Hearing Aids are Not Covered by Medicare

One of the main problems is that hearing aids are not covered by Original Medicare. (Read this article to learn more, and how they are sometimes “covered” or subsidized by select Medicare Advantage plans.

Just as a refresher, Medicare Advantage Plans are private insurance plans (Medicare Part C) that are available to Medicare Beneficiaries in certain geographic areas. Some of them do have hearing care benefits.

So, What is a Low Cost Hearing Aid Alternative?

Before 2009, the only solution for procuring a hearing aid was through a doctor. In addition, to make matters worse, these solutions were (and still are) thousands of dollars.

Enter the PSAP…

What is a PSAP?

However, in 2009, a court decision finally allowed sales of OTC (over the counter) hearing aids. They changed the name of these “hearing aid alternatives” to Personal Sound Amplifier Products or PSAP.

What is the Difference Between a Hearing Aid and an Amplifier?

To be frank, the main difference between a hearing aid and a hearing amplifier is FDA regulation. To get a hearing aid, you will

• Need to see a doctor
• Go to follow up doctor visits
• Get a prescription
• Pay a lot of money, or have great insurance to help cover the cost.

To get an amplifier (PSAP), you just need to purchase one online. No doctor or prescription required. However, you may want to see a hearing specialist just to be sure your hearing loss is not connected to another condition.

How do Amplifiers Work?

Personal Sound Amplifiers are basically over-the-counter hearing aids. They “manage” noise around you and help you hear what is important, like the sound of voices directed at you. Some of them even have noise cancelling technologies. (Affiliate Link)

Our PSAP Brand Recommendation

One of the first, and still very popular, brands of PSAP’s is Otofonix. We recommend this brand, and our links for them are affiliate links. The company was started by an ENT (ear, nose and throat) doctor and the company has many different options and price points.

Otofonix has some limited time offers for our readers. They are listed here:

• Get up to 50% OFF | Shop Hearing Aids @ Otofonix Now!

• Free Two-Day Shipping on Orders Over $75!

Otofonix is known for having great customer service, a 1 year warranty and a up to 45 day return window.

Hearing Health Tips for Improving and Protecting Hearing

Finally, we are ending our hearing aid alternatives article with a few tips for naturally improving hearing. They might not be a substitute for an amplifier or hearing aid, but they might make a difference.

To Start, Keep Your Ears Unclogged

There are multiple ways your ears can get plugged up. You could have an infection, allergies, pressure build-up (like from a plane ride), or even too much war wax.

I remember when my mom spent months not being able to hear and thinking she needed hearing aids. However, when she went to the doctor, they found out she just had a prolific amount of ear wax! After they drained her wax out, she could hear again.

There are ways to “irrigate” your own ear canal, but that also might be something to consult your doctor about. It is always a good idea to be safe and gentle your ears. (And stay away from putting things in your ears like cotton swabs.)

Finally, Prevent Further Hearing Loss

Hearing Loss Prevention is the Key to hearing health! Make sure you are protecting your hearing by:

• Wearing ear plugs when you know you will be experiencing loud sounds. For example, at a concert or fireworks show.
• Give yourself some quiet time. Your ears and brain work hard together to interpret sounds. Make sure to give them a break every once-and-a-while.
• Turn down the volume on the TV and on your music.
• Take care of your whole self. Exercise and a healthy diet will help to keep all your body’s systems in proper working order, including your ears.
• In addition, foods rich in magnesium may help bolster hearing health. Studies have been inconclusive in how other vitamins and minerals help hearing health.

The post Best Hearing Aid Alternatives appeared first on Medicare Life Health.

Insurance has changed a lot over the last 20 years, and there is no better example than the way we define and use provider networks. When you are looking at insurance plans, it’s important to compare HMO vs PPO. Which is better for you?

We are here to clear up the confusion, and quickly answer the most frequently asked questions in regards to what is HMO and PPO insurance, how the plans work, and where you will find HMO and PPO insurance plans.

If you are a Medicare user, you will run into HMO vs PPO in regards to choosing a Medicare Advantage Plan. You can learn more about Medicare Advantage Plans here.

What is an HMO?

To start, what is HMO health insurance? A HMO is a network of health care providers, set-up by a health insurance company, to offer services and benefits to its customers. (More at Healthcare.gov.)

What does HMO stand for? Health Maintenance Organization

How does an HMO work?

• To start, when you are a beneficiary/member of an HMO, you have access to a specific set of healthcare providers in a specified geographical area. (For example, a city, counties or defined state(s).) These providers include doctors, healthcare professionals, specialists and hospitals.
• You must use the HMO’s contracted providers to have your care paid for by your insurance plan. Moreover, if you go outside the plan for care, you will often have to pay the full cost of your care.
• You can only go outside of your plan’s provider list in the case of an emergency.
• With most HMO’s you need to have a Primary Care Physician (called a PCP). Your PCP takes care of your general health care and then refers you to specialists as needed.
• So then, as a member of an HMO, if you need to see a specialist, your PCP with often have to refer you, to use one. However, in some states, and with some plans, the insurance companies have take away this requirement. As a result, it is important to check your specific plan’s requirements for seeing a specialist.
• Finally, HMO’s are often concerned about prevention and keeping their member’s as healthy as possible to keep everyone’s costs down. For this reason, health maintenance organizations will often provide prevention based benefits and services to encourage safe and healthy behaviors among their members.

What is a PPO?

So, in regards to insurance, what is a PPO? A PPO is a type of insurance plan that uses a defined network of medical providers to meet your health care needs.

You pay a contracted rate (less than full price) to see network providers. However, unlike an HMO, with a PPO you can use doctors, clinics and hospitals outside the network at a higher cost. (More at healthcare.gov.)

What does PPO stand for? Preferred Provider Organization.

How Does a PPO Work?

• First, with a PPO, you still have a network of providers to use that offer contracted prices to members of the PPO.
• In contrast, you have more flexibility to go outside the network if needed to use uncontracted providers. You will most likely have to pay a higher percentage of the costs to use these providers, but the insurance companies will still pay something.
• You can use any provider when the circumstance is deemed an emergency.
• With most PPO’s, you do not have to have a referral to see a specialist.

What is the Difference Between HMO and PPO Insurance Plans

Both HMO’s and PPO’s have contracted networks of healthcare providers, clinics and hospitals where they will pay for some or all of your care. However, there are differences to consider:

• First, HMO’s and PPO’s treat their out of network costs differently.
  • With an HMO, if you go “out-of-network” to see a provider, they may not cover any of your costs. Unless, it is an emergency situation.
  • With a PPO, the plan will most likely cover “out-of-network” provider/hospital visits, but at a lower percentage rate than their “in-network” providers/hospitals.

• Second, the networks treat visits to healthcare specialists differently.
  • With an HMO, you will often need a referral to see a specialist.
  • With a PPO, you can most often just choose a specialist from the network provider list and make an appointment to see them without a referral.

• Third, the PCP is usually the person making referrals in an HMO network. As a result,
  • The HMO’s often require having a primary care physician (PCP) on file for its members.
  • While the PPO’s usually do not have a requirement to name a PCP.

So, HMO vs PPO Which is Better?

After reading about the differences between HMO’s and PPO’s, it may seem like the PPO sounds hands down better than the HMO. Regarding, its freedom to see both in-network and out-of-network providers, and its options to see specialists without a referral, it does seem more flexible.

So then, why do people like HMO’s as well as PPO’s, and which one is right for you?

• To start, HMO’s have changed a lot over the last years. Their networks have become more robust and their requirements less strict. In certain geographical areas, the HMO might include all the major hospital systems and the majority of providers. As a result, it may not matter to a person if they have a PPO or HMO, in regards to providers available.

• Second, in some states, it is not necessary to get a provider referral to see a specialist in an HMO’s network. State laws often dictate how HMO’s work in this capacity, so it is important to learn how your area’s plans work.

• Third, their may be a cost difference paid by members between an insurance company’s HMO and PPO plans. These costs include monthly premiums, max out of pocket costs, deductibles, and co-pays/co-insurances. When picking a plan, it often comes down to what is the more affordable option.

• Finally, since HMO’s are often more focused on the wellness of their members, they might have other prevention benefits and services available to their members. PPO’s can sometimes have these services too, you will just need to do your homework to see what is included when shopping for a plan.

Going Deeper: HMO vs PPO Which is Better FAQ’s.

For those of you that have further questions, here are the most asked questions in regards to HMO and PPO insurance.

What does HMO POS mean? / What is HMO POS Medicare Advantage?

An HMO POS is a type of HMO network that allows more flexibility in seeing providers outside of the specified HMO provider list. POS stands for Point of Service.

According to Healthcare.gov, with an HMO POS, you will still need to choose a PCP (primary care physician) and they will still make specialist referrals for you. However, with a POS, if they want to refer you to a specialist outside of the HMO network, they can do so with the POS designation. Keep in mind, specialists and providers outside of the HMO network may still have higher out-of-pocket costs than in-network providers.

In a HMO POS Medicare Advantage Plan, you also have this ability to use providers who are “out-of-network,” but they may incur an increased cost.

What is Medicare PPO? / What is Medicare HMO?

PPO’s and HMO’s come into play in Medicare when you are using Medicare Part C – aka Medicare Advantage Plans.

Medicare Advantage (MA & MAPD) Plans are alternative plans offered by private insurance companies to take the place of Original Medicare. They often include drug coverage or Part D coverage (MAPD plans). They are approved by the Federal Government and cover everything that Original Medicare covers. In addition, they often offer benefits and services beyond what Medicare offers such as dental, vision and hearing benefits.

So then, what is a Medicare Advantage PPO plan or HMO plan?

Medicare Advantage plans are often HMO, PPO, or PFFS plans. (Additionally, they have special plans set up for people with special needs.) When you are choosing a Medicare Advantage Plan, you will need to consider everything we discussed about HMO’s and PPO’s as they will apply to these private insurance plans and how they set-up their provider networks.

Ok, then what is a PFFS Plan?

PFFS is a Private Fee-for-Service Plan. These plans also have networks that include a list of providers that have agreed to accept the plan. Moreover, you can see other providers, not on the list, as long as they agree to the plan’s terms and conditions and bill the plan directly. Original Medicare is an example of a PFFS plan.

What is HMO Medicaid?

Medicaid is provided to its recipients at a state level. Each state has to decide how to manage their Medicaid programs. These “managed care” options include choosing an insurance administrator to deliver healthcare services to Medicaid beneficiaries in a way that will “manage cost, utilization, and quality.” Often times the contracted insurance company will use an HMO model to structure their network of providers.

In addition, if you are a “Dual Eligible” beneficiary – meaning that you qualify for both Medicaid and Medicare – then you have the option of finding a private insurer to manage your health care insurance. Each state has DSNP Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage) providers that offer plans to dual eligible beneficiaries to help them manage the care between Medicare and Medicaid. These plans can also be HMOs or PPOs.

What is an EPO?

An EPO is an Exclusive Provider Organization. According to Healthcare.gov, “EPOs generally limit coverage to care from providers in
the EPO’s network (except in an emergency).”

What is PPO Dental Insurance? / What is HMO Dental Insurance?

Dental Insurance Carriers (aka Insurance Companies) set-up their provider networks similar to how medical companies set-up their networks. They have both DHMO and DPPO plans.

Just like in medical insurance, both DPPO’s and DHMO’s have provider networks, but HMO’s will typically only pay for services rendered by providers in the network. In addition, PPO’s will pay more of the costs for services provided by network providers, but will pay some percentage of costs out-of-network. For this reason, Dental HMO’s are usually less expensive than PPOs.

What is Better HMO or PPO Dental Insurance?

There are other differences between Dental PPO’s and HMO’s including deductible costs, and co-pays/co-insurances. When you are looking at dental plans in your area, you will need to decide what type of plan most affordably meets your dental care needs.

Sometimes this will be an DHMO and other times, this will be a DPPO, so compare costs, provider networks and types of dental services covered before buying a policy. Here is a good article for more detail on dental insurance network types to help you decide what is best for you.

What is Preferred Provider Organization?

Also known as a PPO, a Preferred Provider Organization is a type of insurance plan that provides a network of healthcare providers, offices and hospitals for its members to use at contracted costs. In addition, it provides the flexibility to use providers outside of its networks if needed, but at a higher cost to the members.

Then, what does preferred provider mean?

Preferred provider means that a particular doctor, specialist, clinic, hospital or other healthcare professional or facility is a part of your insurance provider’s network. They will offer a contracted (most likely discounted) rate for you to use their services while on your PPO insurance plan.

What is the largest PPO network?

The largest PPO Network in the United States is MultiPlan.

What is MultiPlan PPO?

Multiplan is not a “type” of healthcare insurance. They are a third party company that helps insurance companies “manage the cost of care, improve their competitiveness and inspire positive change.” You do not have a Multiplan PPO, you have a PPO that uses Multiplan.

What is a Regional PPO?

We often hear the questions, “what is a Regional PPO?” and “what is a Regional PPO Medicare Advantage Plan?” Regional just refers to the service area for the PPO. Members will have access to providers in the PPO’s specified region.

What is Health Maintenance?

“Health Maintenance” refers to a system of prevention. In insurance terms, it refers to an insurance network plan with a focus on keeping medical costs down by keeping members healthy with lower cost preventative care options.

The thought is “an ounce of prevention” will lead to significant cost savings on unused healthcare dollars down the road.

So then, what are the benefits for providers who use HMO model?

Providers who are a part of the HMO model have benefits of being a part of a network that pays them based on a contracted fee. Each network will arrange the contracts differently. However, the providers will know that they have access to the insurance carrier’s pool of members to service for their healthcare needs.

HMO vs PPO Which is Better Summary

In conclusion, whether a PPO or a HMO is “better” all depends on your needs and the plans available in your area.

If we missed any questions in “HMO vs PPO Which is Better” you may have, please drop us a note in the comments and we will do the best to answer them!

All the best. Carly and the MLH Team

The post HMO vs PPO Which is Better? appeared first on Medicare Life Health.

Original Medicare Rehabilitation

Rehab, or Inpatient Rehabilitation Care, is part of Medicare Part A or “Hospital Insurance.” To learn more about what Part A covers, click here.

Rehab administered in an outpatient setting or by doctors / medical providers can be covered by Part B when considered necessary by Medicare Standards. One example of a covered program is Cardiac Rehabilitation Programs.

“Medically Necessary”

Original Medicare will pay for part of your rehab in most cases if your care is considered “medically necessary” by CMS (Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services) standards.

According to CMS, medically necessary rehabilitation requires:

• certification by a doctor that you have a medical condition that requires rehab
• continued professional medical supervision
• coordinated care from doctors and therapists

How Many Days does Medicare Pay for Rehab?

If you only have Original Medicare, you will have costs associated with rehab for each benefit period.

• For the first sixty days, a deductible will apply (in 2020, $1,364).
• After that, a $341 coinsurance will apply to days 61-90, and $682 coinsurance from day 91 and beyond.
• Finally, if you are going beyond 91 days in rehab, you will only have 60 more “lifetime reserve days” for coverage. What this means is that Medicare will only cover 60 rehab days total in your lifetime after you hit the 90 benefit period limit. These lifetime days do not start over each year. As a result, if you run out of lifetime reserve days, you will be paying 100% of all costs for rehab when you run out.

For more information on inpatient rehab, please visit this medicare.gov page.

Medicare Supplements (Medigap)

Medicare Supplements are designed to pick up the costs that Original Medicare does not cover (such as deductibles, coinsurance and co-pays.)

Click here to read more about Medicare Supplements.

There are some Medicare Supplements that pick up just about all costs that Medicare does not pay. (As long as they are “covered services.”) You can consult this chart to see what plan pays what.

Medicare Plan F and Plan G offer the most extensive coverage and among the most popular plans.

• Click here to learn more about Medigap Plan F
• Click here to learn more about Medigap Plan G

Medicare Advantage Rehab Coverage

Private insurance companies run Medicare Advantage plans. They are designed to “replace” Original Medicare. They cover at least what Original Medicare covers plus they offer additional coverage and extra benefits and services to their beneficiaries.

• You can learn more about Medicare Advantage here.
• In addition, you can learn about the differences between Medicare Advantage and Medigap Plans here.

Each Medicare Advantage Plan will be different in regard to their Medicare rehab coverage. However, they most often offer additional coverage or a different structure as to how they cover rehab days – both inpatient and outpatient.

Additionally, all Medicare Advantage Plans (also called MA / MAPD plans) are required to have a “max-out-of-pocket” limit for each annual benefit period. This means that you will not pay more than that predetermined amount each year for your covered health services.

Now that we have looked at the various plans and how long they cover rehab, let’s look at a few specific examples that Medicare addresses.

Does Medicare Pay for Physical Therapy?

Sometimes, when people ask if Medicare pays for rehab, they are referring to outpatient physical therapy.

Medicare covers some costs for outpatient physical therapy when it is considered “medically necessary” as we defined earlier in this article.

Medicare Part B helps pay for physical therapy, and if you only have Original Medicare, you will pay 20% of your medical costs.

How Long Does Medicare Pay for Physical Therapy?

According to CMS, “Medicare law no longer limits how much it pays for your medically necessary outpatient therapy services in one calendar year.”

Finally, always remember to make sure that your physical therapy is considered both medically necessary and a Medicare covered service. If it is not, you may end up paying for all of it.

How Long Does Medicare Pay for Cardiac Rehab?

If you have recently had a heart attack or some other cardiac event (see here for more information on what “events“ CMS covers), Medicare will cover most costs for Cardiac rehabilitation programs. These programs usually are covered for as long as they are needed.

Medicare covered costs can include both regular cardiac rehab and “Intensive Cardiac Rehabilitation” Programs (ICR).

According to CMS, programs can address exercise, education and counseling in some form, and can either be held in an outpatient hospital setting or at a doctor’s office.

In regards to costs, just remember…

• Original Medicare will cover 80% of approved medical bill amounts under Part B. (Part B deductibles may apply).
• If you have a Medigap Plan (aka Medicare Supplement) then that plan will pick up additional costs according to your plan’s letter specifications. (See the Medigap chart above or visit our Medigap Page for more information.)
• Or, if you have a Medicare Advantage Plan, your plan will list out how it covers cardiac rehab costs and what your copayments will be, if any.

How Long Will Medicare Pay for Nursing Home Rehab?

If you need rehab that extends beyond a stay as an inpatient at a regular hospital, your doctors may transfer you to a “Long-Term Care Hospital” (LTCH). Long-Term Care Hospital stays are different than living in a Long-Term Care facility (also called a nursing home). They are still considered a hospital setting, so they are covered by Medicare Part A.

Under Original Medicare, your coverage lengths and payment amounts are the same as the inpatient rehab amounts we detailed out above in the section, “How Many Days does Medicare Pay for Rehab?.” Or, you can find them on the government website here.

However, your benefit period does not start over if you are transferred from one hospital to another (including a LTCH). So, you will not have to pay another deductible.

Conclusions

We understand that Medicare rules and costs are often confusing. This is especially true when you are confronted with rehab options. Your coverage lengths and costs will often be different depending on how you have your Medicare coverage set-up.

If you need more help in answering questions regarding your specific plan, you can reach out to your insurance agent or plan directly. If you are looking for an agent, you can contact us for help.

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There are a lot of acronyms in Medicare, and even more in insurance. We know, it can get very confusing when you are not hip to the “Medicare/ insurance world” lingo. As a result, one of the most repeated acronym questions we hear is: What is MAPD?

Medicare MAPD plans are private insurance plans offered by Insurance Carriers to replace Original Medicare. Also called Medicare Part C, they offer a single payer option to beneficiaries. In addition, they offer extra benefits to members above and beyond what is covered in Medicare Part A and Part B. Finally, they also include a Part D drug plan.

What does MAPD Stand for?

MAPD Stands for: Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug.

If the plan does not offer drug coverage, then it is just called a MA (Medicare Advantage) Plan. As mentioned, these plans are also called Medicare Part C, and insurance companies offer Medicare MAPD plans with extra benefits to take the place of Original Medicare.

What Do Medicare Advantage Plans Cover?

Medicare Advantage Plans are regulated by the CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services). This agency makes sure that every plan offers at least the same standards of care and coverage that Original Medicare offers. Most plans offer additional benefits, not covered by Original Medicare, such as vision, dental, hearing and even gym memberships such through organizations like SilverSneakers or Renew Active.

Medicare Advantage Plans are often set up as managed care plans with networks of doctors and hospitals members have access to. To learn more about how these networks work, please read, HMO vs PPO – Which is Better?

Costs of MAPD

Medicare Advantage Plans often come with lower premium costs than Supplement Plans. Some of them even offer “zero premium” options. They are not technically “free” because everyone still has to pay their Medicare Part B Premiums directly to the government each month.

However, they are low cost options because the government is paying the insurance company to take beneficiaries onto their books and off the government books. Essentially, the Medicare Advantage Insurance companies are replacing beneficiaries Original Medicare with their Part C plan and becoming a single-payer.

PDP vs MAPD

PDP is an acronym to Prescription Drug Plan. We also refer to it as Medicare Part D. You can read more about PDP Drug Plans here.

Similarities between PDP and MAPD Plans

• Just like Medicare Advantage (Part C), PDP plans are not administered by the U.S. government, but instead by private insurance companies. Just like MAPD Insurance plans, you can shop to find the best PDP plan for your needs each year.

• And also, just like Medicare Advantage Insurance plans, you do not have to go through medical underwriting to be accepted into a Part D plan.

• You can enter into a PDP (or MAPD) plan each year during AEP – the Annual Enrollment Period which runs from October 15th – December 7th.

Differences Between Medicare Advantage and Part D Plans

• First, if you have Original Medicare, you will need a PDP plan in addition to Parts A & B to cover your prescription drugs needs. They are not included.
• Additionally, beneficiaries on Original Medicare + a PDP Part D Drug Plan often also have a Medigap Plan (Supplement) to cover the 20% of costs, co-pays and co-insurances that Medicare does not cover.

• MAPD Healthcare Insurance Plans, on the other hand, include all three of these options in one (Parts A + B + D).
• As a result, you will not need a standalone PDP plan or a Medigap Plan in addition. All you need is your MAPD Plan (aka Medicare C).

Further Medicare Reading

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The post What is MAPD? appeared first on Medicare Life Health.

Applying For Medicare Overview Infographic

Applying for Medicare – Parts A & B

Let’s get right to it! If you are ready to enroll in Medicare, there are three ways to do it: in person, online, or by phone. Alternatively, if you are already on Social Security before you turn 65, your enrollment will be automatic.

(Read our FAQ’s below if you still need to determine if you are ready to enroll, or to see if you enrollment is automatic.)

Medicare Enrollment Preparation

Before you head over to apply in person, online or by phone, you might want to gather the necessary documents needed to apply.

The SSA has created a helpful checklist of what you will need to apply for Medicare. You can find it here.

How to Apply for Medicare in Person

For those that are not automatically enrolled (still working or not taking social security yet on your 65th birthday) you will need to enroll yourself. Your first option is to do this in person.

While appointment wait times in the SSA lobby can make this a longer application process, it is often the fastest way to get your benefits started. For example, I will have clients that walk into the SSA office needing their Part B instated, and leave the office that same day with their benefits active. If you are in a time crunch (i.e. sudden retirement via layoff!) this is the fastest way to get your benefits in place.

In addition, if you run into any problems or concerns with your enrollment process, visiting Social Security in person might also be the fastest way to resolve any issues.

Click here to find a Social Security Office Near You
to Apply for Medicare in Person.

How to Apply for Medicare Online

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has partnered with CMS (The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services) to offer you an online enrollment option. It is a fast process (about ten minutes) and is safe and secure.

____________________

Click here to be directed to the Social Security Website for Online Medicare Enrollment.

If you are retiring and need both Social Security Benefits and Medicare, you can complete one application for both here.

____________________

According to the Social Security Administration, when you apply for benefits online, you will get a receipt. Moreover, you will have the ability to check the status of your application with the confirmation number on your receipt. This is a big benefit to applying online, but if you prefer, you have one more enrollment option: phone.

How to Apply for Medicare by Phone

Finally, you can apply for Medicare by phone. However, this is the slowest option, as you will likely have to use “snail mail,” the U.S. postal system that is, to receive and send paperwork.

If you decide to enroll by phone, just understand that it will take a while. Confirm with the SSA representative you are talking with that you will have enough time to complete enrollment this way. It is important to have your benefits in place in time for when you need them so you are not without coverage.

To apply for Medicare by phone, call
1-800-772-1213. (TTY 1-800-325-0778)
from 7 AM to 7 PM Monday through Friday.
(Source: SSA website.)

Enrollment in Medicare Part D

Next, you may be wondering, how do I enroll in Medicare Part D – Prescription Drug Coverage?

Part D is actually run by Private Insurance Companies, not the CMS (Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services). For this reason, you will need to enroll in a Prescription Drug Plan (Part D) separately from your enrollment in Original Medicare Parts A and/or B.

You can only enroll in a Part D plan if:
– You are in your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP)
– Have a Special Enrollment Period (SEP)
– Or are in the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) – Oct. 15 – Dec 7

How to Apply for Medicare Part D

To enroll in a Part D, Drug Plan, we highly suggest working with an agency, either online, by phone or in person, instead of just doing this on your own.

The main reasons we suggest using an agent, is…

1. First, if you ever have a problem with your policy, you can call your agent for support and they can talk to the carriers with you and for you.
2. Second, the Part D drug plans change often, and your agent will have the ability to stay on top of changes and premium rates. They can make sure you always have the best coverage and costs for your unique situation.
3. Finally, like we saw in 2019, there are sometimes issues with policy comparison technologies. An independent agent can help you compare plan information correctly.

How to Apply for Medicare Advantage & Medigap Plans

After you enroll in Original Medicare, you will need to decide if you want:

• Original Medicare + A Supplement + Part D Drug Plan
• Or a Part C Medicare Advantage Plan (includes Parts A, B, & D)

There are benefits to going both routes, and you will need to decide which plan fits your needs the best. We do advise seeking the help of a licensed, independent insurance agent to help you in your decision making process. Moreover, your agent can then help you to enroll in your plan and be your support into the future.

In the meantime, here are some articles to help you decide which Medicare Plan is best for you:

How to Choose a Medicare Plan	What is Medicare Advantage	What are Medicare Supplements

Medicare Enrollment Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

When Can I Apply for Medicare?

The Initial Enrollment Period (IEP): You will have a seven month window to apply for Medicare if you are not already on Social Security or Railroad Retirement Benefits. (Remember, if you are on Social Security/Railroad Benefits, you will be automatically enrolled.)

Your Seven Month Enrollment Window:

• Starts 3 Months Before Your 65th Birthday Month
• Continues Through Your Birthday Month
• And Then Lasts Until 3 Months After Your Birthday Month

During this time, you will need to apply for Parts A & B from the SSA or RRB (Social Security Administration or Railroad Retirement Board) and then decide if you want a stand alone Part D with a Supplement, or a Medicare Advantage Plan.

How Do I Enroll in Medicare Easy Pay?

Medicare Part B does cost money. You will pay a monthly premium for your Part B benefits. To see how to set up automated payments with Medicare Easy Pay, please click here.

How to Apply for Medicare Without Claiming Social Security?

You have access to Medicare at age 65, whether or not you decide to claim your social security benefits. You can do this in person, by phone, or online here.

How to Avoid Late Penalties

To read extensively about Medicare Late Enrollment Penalties, please read this article. In summary,

Part A – If you have to pay for Part A, and you don’t sign-up for it when you are first eligible, there is a late enrollment penalty: Premium price increase of 10% for “twice the number of years you could have had Part A, but didn’t sign up.” 

Part B – If you do not sign-up for Part B when you are first eligible, there is an even steeper late enrollment penalty: Standard premium price increase of “10% for each full 12-month period that you could have had Part B, but didn’t sign up for it,” for as long as you have Part B.

From https://medicarelifehealth.com/medicare-penalties-for-late-enrollment

To avoid these penalties, make sure you apply for Medicare during your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) if you are not automatically enrolled through SS or RRB benefits.

What if you have health care with your employer at 65?

Make sure your employer’s insurance is considered “credible coverage.” Then, if it is you will let the government know you will be delaying your use of Medicare Part B until that coverage ends. (Part A does not cost you anything in most cases, so starting Part A when you are eligible is always a good practice, even with employer coverage. In this case, you would not have a penalty when you eventually begin Part B.

Dual Eligible? How to Apply for Medicare & Medicaid

People who meed the low income levels set by CMS may be eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid. If you are eligible for both programs, you have special plans that help to coordinate your care and make things easier to manage. Please contact an independent insurance agent to see what plans are available to you in your area.

The post How to Apply for Medicare appeared first on Medicare Life Health.

The Medicare and Medicaid Difference Guide helps you understanding both services, so you can make the best decisions for yourself and your loved ones.

The United States has two separate national health care systems: Medicare and Medicaid. The government created the two programs for two different kinds of people. However, they often overlap. Let’s look at both programs, including their similarities and difference. We will also look at who needs or qualifies for each program.

Let’s Start with Medicare vs Medicaid.

What is Medicare?

Medicare is the U.S. national health care program that provides seniors age 65 and older, and some disabled people, with health insurance.

The U.S. government started the program in 1966. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services runs these programs. Medicare also covers people with end stage renal disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Medicare does not cover all of the costs associated with health care. As a result, people with Medicare will also use a Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan (Medigap Plan) or a Medicare Advantage Insurance Plan to round out their care coverage.

Please read our Ultimate Guide article on “What is Medicare.“

What is Medicaid?

Medicaid is the United States National Health Care System that provides health coverage to over 64.7 Million People.

The program was created for people with low-incomes that cannot afford, or do not have access to, private healthcare insurance.

How are the programs similar?

The programs are both National Health Care Systems. In fact, they are the only two nationalized heath care systems the United States has. Many other countries around the world have much more extensive national coverage for their citizens. The U.S. has a limited program for specific age, income, and health groups, and the rest of the country relies on private health insurance.

In addition, both programs cover specific hospital services, doctor services, and other health care related services.

Medicare has four parts. First, Medicare Part A, also known as “Hospital Insurance,” helps with coverage regarding: inpatient care, home health care, nursing facilities, and hospice.

Second, there is Medicare Part B, also known as “Medical Insurance.” Part B helps with coverage related to doctor and other provider services, including: doctors visits, health care providers, outpatient, prevention services, and medical equipment. Medicare Beneficiaries pay for Part B.

Finally, Medicare has a Prescription Drug Program that is administered by private insurance carriers. Click here to lean more about What Medicare Covers and Medicare Parts A, B, C and D are.

Both Medicaid and Medicare Advantage Plans can be set up as managed care plans with networks of doctors and hospitals members have access to. If you would like to learn more about how these networks work, please read, HMO vs PPO – Which is Better?

How are the programs different?

One of the biggest differences between the two programs is who runs them. Medicare is run on a national level, by the Federal government. On the other hand, Medicaid is run by each state individually.

Of course, the biggest difference is the the different populations the programs serve:

• Medicare – For Seniors over age 65, and some disabled people
• Medicaid – For people with low income and few resources

Medicare and Medicaid Differences in Beneficiaries – Who Gets What Program?

The U.S. government created Medicare and Medicaid to take care of different “vulnerable” populations – the poor, the disabled, and the elderly. Let’s look at each program and population.

Who should get Medicare?

Anyone who is a citizen or qualified resident of the U.S. can enroll in Medicare when they turn 65 years old. There is a seven month window of time starting three months before turning 65, the month of your birthday, and then three months after your birthday month.

How do I Sign-up for Medicare?

First, you may be automatically signed-up if you are already receiving Social Security (SS) or Railroad Retirement (RRB).

Second, if you are not already receiving SS or RRB benefits, you must sign up for it when you turn 65 years old.

Conversely, if you are not ready for Medicare when you turn 65, you must notify the government that you want to delay your benefits. If you do delay, it must be because you have credible coverage in place. An example of this would be an employer plan.

Click here to read more about Medicare, including where to go to enroll.

From Our Article What is Medicare? A Guide to All Medicare Basics

Supplemental Medicare Insurance Options

Medicare picks up about 80% of the health care costs for its beneficiaries. For the other 20%, seniors turn to either Medicare Supplements (aka Medigap Plans) or Medicare Advantage Plans. Click here to read our article on Medicare Advantage vs. Medigap, or see the informational articles below.

Who should get Medicaid?

Medicaid is for people with limited income and resources. Medicaid is run on a state level, not on a federal level. As a result, in order to qualify for Medicaid, you will need to determine what your state defines as a qualifying income level.

How Do You Enroll in Medicaid?

Again, since Medicaid is run by State Governments, you will need to contact your state’s agency to start see if you qualify to enroll.

You can find a list of State Agencies here on the Medicaid.gov website.

Who Can Get Both Medicare and Medicaid?

People of any age who have certain qualified disabilities and people over 65, who are also below their states Medicaid income levels, can qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid.

For example, Henry is a 55 year-old disabled man who is also unemployed and living below the poverty level set by his state. Consequently, he would most likely qualify for both Medicaid (because of his income level) and Medicare (because of his qualified disability).

People that qualify for both programs are called “Dual Eligible.”

Who Can Help?

Navigating one (let alone both) of these systems can be confusing. But there is help available.

• If you need help with Medicaid or need to enroll in Medicaid only, then contact your state agency directly.

• If you need help enrolling in Medicare, then you can contact CMS and Social Security in the following ways:
  • BY PHONE: If you need to sign-up for Medicare, you can call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213.
  • ONLINE: Additionally, you can also visit CMS online at ssa.gov/benefits/medicare if you need to sign yourself up.
  • RAILROAD: Finally, if you are on Railroad Retirement Benefits, you will need to notify the local Railroad Board (RRB) office before you turn 65 that you would like to sign-up for Medicare. You can sign-up 3 months before you turn 65 even if you are not planning on retiring at 65. You can read more about Railroad requirements in our article here.

• Finally, if you need help finding a Medicare Supplement or Medicare Insurance Plan, or if you are dual eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid, then please contact an Insurance Agent. An Independent Medicare Insurance Agent will help you explore your options, and help you make the right choice for your unique situation.
  • You can contact your author Carly Cummings here, for assistance if you live in Nebraska or Iowa.
  • Or, if you live in all other 48 states, you can find an agent in your area here.

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The post Medicare and Medicaid Difference Guide appeared first on Medicare Life Health.

Does it sometimes seem like Medicare and Insurance companies are trying to make things as complicated as they possibly can? Just when you think you have Medicare Advantage down, something else comes up! For example: Renew Active vs Silver Sneakers.

Not so very long ago, there was one main senior fitness program when you joined a Medicare Advantage Plan: SilverSneakers®. Then, in January 2019, one carrier dropped SilverSneakers and replaced it with Renew Active. Many people were concerned when this first happened. However, it now seems like Renew Active is a reasonable replacement.

Who is Affected?

The people affected by the change to Renew Active are those that are a part of a Medicare Advantage Plan that has the program as a benefit. (In addition to those people considering whether or not to join their plan.) The majority of the other Medicare Advantage plans still use Silver Sneakers as their main plan.

How to Make a Decision?

If you are trying to decide on a Medicare Advantage Plan in your area, Renew Active vs Silver Sneakers may play a part in your decision. Exercise is very important for staying healthy and reliving stress during your Medicare years.

Let’s take a quick look at the two programs, how they are similar or different, and whether or not there are advantages to either one.

What is Silver Sneakers?

SilverSneakers® is a fitness and wellness program for seniors age 65 and up. It includes free gym memberships across the country, and it is included with many Medicare Advantage Plans.

Click here to read our article: What is Silver Sneakers?

What does a SilverSneakers Membership Include?

• LOCAL GYM MEMBERSHIPS: Silver Sneakers has an extensive list of gyms that participate in their program that offers free gym memberships to seniors. Their website boasts having more gym facilities than there are Starbucks locations in the U.S. (at over 16,000).
  • If you are a part of a Medicare Advantage (MA) program that uses Silver Sneakers, then you can access the gyms in their network at no cost. You can use as many of these facilities as you like while you are a part of your MA plan.

• ONLINE FITNESS CLASSES: If you prefer to workout at home, or do not have a physical location close to you, SilverSneakers offers online fitness classes.

• APP: They also have an app to help you track your fitness goals and schedule your fitness plans. The app can also help you locate participating locations.

What is Renew Active?

Renew Active is another program offered by a carrier with select Medicare Advantage plans. It also offers access to gyms and fitness places across the country.

What does a Renew Active Membership Include?

• GYM ACCESS: When we looked into all the benefits offered by Renew Active, we found the standard access to local gyms.

• BRAIN TRAINING: Interestingly, they also offered a unique feature of online brain training. The company partnered with BrainHQ to offer an app to keep your brain sharp with games and tools available on a PC or mobile device.
  • The BrainHQ service is available for purchase from $8-$14 a month, so getting this included with your Renew membership does seem like a good deal.

Renew Active vs Silver Sneakers: How are they Similar?

When comparing Renew Active vs Silver Sneakers, you will find they are very similar in their main functions.

• To start, both programs offer free gym memberships at local fitness facilities.
• In addition, you can sign-up for multiple fitness locations with both memberships.
• Both plans offer at-home options for people that are too far away from any participating facilities.
  • For at home options with Renew Active you must call their customer service phone number. Apparently, you can find this on the back of your health plan member ID.
  • You can find SiliverSneakers at home programming information online here.
• Finally, Medicare Advantage Plans include one of these programs at no additional cost to plan members.
  • (Some Medigap plans in certain states may have access to some sort of fitness benefit, but that is all dependent on the insurance company and the service area. This is not near as common. Mostly fitness plans are an extra benefit of Medicare Advantage plans.)

How They are Different: Renew Active vs Silver Sneakers

• The first difference we see at this time is Silver Sneakers seems to be in more facilities.
  • SilverSneakers boasts over 16,000 locations.
  • At the start of 2019, Renew Active mentioned over 7,000. However, it seems like their program has grown since that mention.
  • Check the location searches for both programs to make sure your gym preference is covered.

• The second difference is that Renew Active has an online brain training application included, and Silver Sneakers does not (at the time I am writing this article).
  • The BrainHQ app seems to retail at $8-$14 a month if you wanted to buy it separately, so that does suggest added value.
  • We have not tried this app, and could not find a lot of research or reviews on the platform at the moment. Please leave a comment if you find something useful!

• In our Renew Active vs Silver Sneakers comparison, the third difference we see is that Silver Sneakers has an good list of online classes.

What’s Better About Silver Sneakers?

To start, if you are someone who likes to do workouts at home, and likes to stream different workouts online, Silver Sneakers has more to offer you in this area. Their online “on-demand” workout section boasts hundreds of online workouts available.

Also, Silver Sneakers seems to have the larger network of physical fitness facilities at this time.

Finally, multiple Medicare insurance company plans use SilverSneakers. This means your coverage might not change if you change Medicare plans.

What’s Better About Renew Active?

Renew Active is only associated with one carrier’s Medicare Advantage Plans. It’s major advantage over SilverSneakers seems to be the access to BrainHQ training games. It’s network might be a bit smaller than SilverSneakers, but it is still impressive and very useful.

Should Renew Active vs Silver Sneakers be a Deciding Factor on Your MA Plan?

In my opinion, there are much more important factors to consider when choosing a Medicare Advantage Plan than Renew Active vs Silver Sneakers. Your network access to doctors and medical providers should be your first consideration. Your drug plan and hospital facilities and costs should also be more important.

However, if all your plans seem comparable, your decision might include the convenience of using a local wellness facility, streaming exercises at home, or participating in brain health activities.

In this case, it is a great idea to hop onto the facility location tools and online resources for both Renew Active and Silver Sneakers. You can then make sure the program you choose covers your gym or desired services.

Further Reading:

• How Much Does Medicare Cost?

• Getting Healthy! How to Stop Eating Sugar

The post Renew Active vs Silver Sneakers appeared first on Medicare Life Health.

Maybe you just overhead your neighbor talking about his free gym membership, or maybe your doctor asked you if you are a SilverSneakers user. You might then be wondering, just what it Silver Sneakers?

SilverSneakers(r) is a fitness and wellness program for seniors age 65 and up. It includes free gym memberships across the country, and it is included with many Medicare Advantage Plans.

NOTE: If you are a part of AARP’s Unitedhealthcare’s Medicare Advantage Plans, then you will be a part of Renew Active. This is a similar program, but has several differences you can read about here.

What is Included in a Silver Sneakers Membership?

• LOCAL GYM MEMBERSHIPS: Silver Sneakers has an extensive list of gyms that participate in their program that offers free gym memberships to seniors. Their website boasts having more gym facilities than there are Starbucks locations in the U.S. (at over 16,000).
  • If you are a part of a Medicare Advantage (MA) program that uses Silver Sneakers, then you can access the gyms in their network at no cost. You can use as many of these facilities as you like while you are a part of your MA plan.

• ONLINE FITNESS CLASSES: If you prefer to workout at home, or do not have a physical location close to you, SilverSneakers offers online fitness classes.

• APP: They also have an app to help you track your fitness goals and schedule your fitness plans. The app can also help you locate participating locations.

What you Need to Know About Silver Sneakers

First, there are a few things you need to know to get started. Here is an overview and some frequently asked questions about the program.

How do I know if I am a member of SilverSneakers?

Well, if you are part of a Medicare Advantage Plan, then there is a very good chance you are already a part of the program.

To check on your eligibility, click here.

Where can I find participating gyms and wellness facilities?

As an overview, SilverSneakers tries to be in as many convenient fitness facilities as possible. Moreover, they are doing an excellent job of reaching this goal! Right now, they are in over 16,000 fitness facilities.

Here is the official link to search for a participating fitness facility near you.

What if there are no facilities close to me?

If you are in a smaller town or rural area, there might not be a class or gym close to you. However, even if there is not a Silver Sneakers contracted location close to you, you can still participate. The program features online classes and workout kits.

Do I have to take the Silver Sneakers Classes?

Often, people will ask me if they have to attend the SilverSneakers branded classes at the gym. The answer is no. The program gives you access to the whole facility. This includes Silver Sneakers classes, but also all the other classes at the gym. You can also just go walk on the treadmill or lift weights.

The post What is Silver Sneakers? appeared first on Medicare Life Health.