MEDICARE SECTION

GOVERNMENT PROGRAM EXPANSION 2023 - Get Help With Healthcare Costs: Medicaid, MSP program, Extra Help

Good news! The state of NY is expanding eligibility limits for the MSP and Medicaid in 2023. The state will announce the expanded limits in January 2023. Attached is the announcement and some figures. If your income is close or near to the income they refer to in the announcement, I encourage if your income is close to these amounts to still apply. You could still qualify for other programs. If you don’t ask you may miss out!

In the announcement you will see Acronyms … UGHH!!! .... QMB, SLMB, AND QI. Don’t worry. I still get confused. And how do you figure out the percentage when Medicaid talks about the Federal Poverty Limit(s)? The percentage based on what amount? Don’t worry, I still don’t get it.  

Anyway, great information on how to save on your Part B premium for 2023 based on your income for New Yorkers. There is also help for your prescriptions, based on how low your income is, called Extra Help or LIS (Low Income Subsidy) program.  

• Enrollment in a Medicare Savings Program (MSP) can help you save over $7,200 per year in health care costs. Eligibility for MSPs and for Medicaid will expand for New Yorkers in 2023. 
• If you live in New York and have a limited income, you may be newly eligible to receive assistance with your health care costs through an MSP or Medicaid in 2023. 
• If you are currently enrolled in either program, you may receive more comprehensive benefits in 2023.  
• If you meet the income limits above, the Medicare Rights Center can help you apply for an MSP. Call 800-333-4114 for more information or to apply.
• If your income is close to the limit, it is often worth applying.



HEALTH SECTION

WHAT IS pH BALANCE? – Controlling Acidity Level will help Control Inflammation and Disease.

As I get older I am also looking for ways to reduce inflammation in my body. I notice that when my feet and ankles look larger it usually means I am gaining weight. When my rings on my fingers are tight that may also means I have gained weight but more importantly I always keep one eye on the inflammation going on in my body. Why, because I know what inflammation means which leads to diseases in the body. So I will look at what I have been eating and back off.  It’s not easy and what a rollercoaster, right?

Here is one way to control inflammation to pay attention to … your pH balance in your body. Good article on the bodies acidity versus alkaline in the body:

“When your pH is balanced, your body is at an alkaline state – and that’s good! It means your body is able to buffer harmful acids and keep your systems operating the way they should.”

“When your body pH balance is tipped toward acidic, your body’s systems can’t keep up with the amount of acid in your body. As a result of excessive acid, your body may take alkalizing minerals from your bones or suffer from inflammation that can lead to disease.”

“Inflammation and disease: When your body struggles to maintain blood pH required for survival, it can result in inflammation. Over time, this can lead to increase the pro-inflammatory blood acid homocysteine in your blood. Studies show that high levels of homocysteine in the blood double the risk of inflammatory conditions like:

• Heart attack
• Stroke
• Alzheimer’s disease”