Newsletter from Theresa Cangemi @ Retirement Health Plans Made Simple (sm)

The Medicare Insurance Lady

Celebrating since 2008 as a Medicare Insurance Specialist

(This Is NOT A Government Newsletter)

📧 tcangemi@RetirementHPMS.com

📱 Cell: 315.727.4933

New Name: RETIREMENT HEALTH PLANS MADE SIMPLESM



  • MEDICAL SECTION – PROTECTIONS FROM AMBULANCE SURPRISE

BALANCE BILLS – Proposed


  • HEALTH SECTION - OZEMPIC – hot new drug for weight loss



ANNOUNCEMENTNOW LICENSED in NY and Florida.

If you are moving and relocating to Florida, I can help you find a new Medicare insurance plan. Please give me a call. Referrals to friends and family are always welcomed and appreciated! 


Keep reading!



Theresa Cangemi CSA, CLTC

"The Medicare Insurance Lady" 

MEDICAL SECTION


PROTECTIONS FROM AMBULANCE SURPRISE BALANCE BILLS – PROPOSED


Late last year, 2023, the Advisory Committee on Ground Ambulance and Patient Billing (GAPB committee) — created as part of the No Surprises Act (NSA) — approved recommendations to federal policymakers for protecting consumers from surprise billing for ground ambulance services.


While the NSA protects consumers from many of the most prevalent forms of surprise balance billing by out-of-network providers and facilities in emergency room, air ambulance, and in-network hospital settings, it does not cover ground ambulances. Federal lawmakers decided not to include them in the NSA because of the varied types of ground ambulance services, existing local and state regulations, and a lack of cost data.


If these recommendations become law, consumers will no longer face surprise bills and there will be a method to determine how much payers owe the providers. Consumers’ cost-sharing amounts will be limited and providers of ground ambulance services will be banned from billing for any higher amounts. GAPB rejected the use of an independent dispute resolution (IDR) process (created under the NSA to remove consumers from payment disputes through a third-party, baseball-style arbitration to determine the payment) in favor of a tiered payment standard that relies on state and local rate setting. If no such rate setting exists, the payment standard is benchmarked to Medicare payment rates.

Read Full Article

HEALTH SECTION


OZEMPIC - Hot New Drug for Weight Loss



Ozempic was found to be so effective at fighting kidney disease that a trial was stopped early. Ozempic has become the top-selling prescription drug in the US. More uses have been found for the drug while it’s still on patent.


A number of studies have begun to highlight the broad ranging benefits offered by Ozempic and similar drugs, known as GLP-1 receptor agonists. Apart from the ability to induce weight loss and thus reduce the risk of associated ailments, the medicine seems to offer benefits to the heart, liver, and kidneys. GLP-1 receptor agonists (semaglutide) appear to help combat substance abuse and fight the neuroinflammation and oxidative stress that contribute to Alzheimer’s.


Semaglutide is an antidiabetic medication used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and an anti-obesity medication used for long-term weight management. Semaglutide decreases hunger, and there are so many people using them that major food retailers are seeing changes in patterns of consumption; and It looks like the number of people taking the drug is only going up. 


It’s not only food cravings that seem to be kept in check by semaglutide. People taking the drug are reporting that they’re no longer interested in alcohol, that they’ve stopped smoking, that their impulse to shop has gone away and they’re no longer biting their nails. Researchers have a trio of theories about why this may be happening.


  • A change in the sense of smell and taste
  • A change in the part of the brain linked to pleasure and reward
  • An increased avoidance of certain chemicals such as those found in alcohol and cigarettes


To date, not much research has been done on the subject. And scientists theorize that the effect may dissipate and disappear when someone quits taking the drug. 

Read Full Article

New October 2022 CMS (government) REQUIRED disclaimer:


“Every plan may not be available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area.” “Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.” 


***********************************************************************

Theresa’s disclaimer:  I DO OFFER Medicare Insurance plans from MANY different insurance companies; in NY and Florida.


The available insurance plans will depend on your state, zip code, and eligibility.

* This article is for information purposes only. I don’t recommend, support, or diagnose any featured writer or article. I am not a doctor. Your health is one of a kind. What works for one person may not for another, so the information in these articles should not take the place of an expert opinion. Before making significant lifestyle or diet changes, please consult your primary care physician or nutritionist. You and your doctor will know your own health best.
LinkedIn Share This Email
Facebook  Twitter  Linkedin  

Forward this email to someone who you think might benefit from this information and have them click here to join our mailing list.