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Living Healthy with Medicare Benefits
by Jetta Wiedemeier Bower for the Senior LinkAge Line and Trellis
VAN has been partnering with Trellis (Formerly the Metropolitan Area Agency on Aging) to get the message out to Minnesotans about the importance of regular health care in staying active and vital. This piece by Jetta Wiedemeier Bower of Trellis focuses on important, basic care that may have suffered--like so many other things--during the COVID 19 pandemic.
Staying healthy is important, but many older Minnesotans aren’t taking care of themselves as well as they could. Isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic is partially to blame. Added to that, the fear of catching the virus kept many from their annual medical appointments and screenings.
The reality is simple, changes in your lifestyle can get you back on track, and your Medicare benefits can help. Your annual check-ups and screenings are free, so there’s no reason not to care for yourself.
Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes has been on the rise in the United States. According to the Minnesota Department of Health, about 90-95% of all Minnesota diabetes cases are type 2, and around 24,000 new cases are diagnosed yearly. In addition, one in three adults in Minnesota has prediabetes and many do not know they do, greatly increasing their health risk. Without lifestyle changes, many prediabetics could develop type 2 diabetes within five years.
With type 2 diabetes, the body can no longer use insulin or the pancreas does not produce enough insulin to manage blood sugar levels. Type 2 diabetes can make you sick if not monitored and treated, leading to heart disease, stroke, end-stage kidney disease, blindness and even death.
The good news is that you can work with your doctor, physician’s assistant or nurse practitioner to prevent and control diabetes. If you eat healthy, exercise and get annual physicals and screenings, you can manage it. If you are prediabetic, you may be able to prevent developing type 2 diabetes.
Obesity
Obesity is also on the rise. Minnesotans who are obese are at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19 and other serious health conditions, including heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and some cancers.
Obesity is associated with poor physical and mental health, so now is the time to focus on your well-being by eating healthy and being active. Movement is important because it releases endorphins in your brain and nervous system that can increase your feelings of well-being.
Get in the habit
Taking care of your physical and mental health starts with setting healthy habits. Many Medicare plans offer extra benefits that help you stay healthy such as gym memberships and access to health promotion classes. Reach out to your Medicare insurance plan's customer service or benefits department to find out what is covered. You may be surprised to find out it’s more than you thought!
Important Medicaid/Medical Assistance update
The pandemic was a health emergency in the United States, so if you received Medicaid (called Medical Assistance in Minnesota), you could maintain your coverage throughout the pandemic without reapplying. However, as of April 1, 2023, that has changed and when your reapplication date comes up you will need to reapply to maintain your health insurance. You will receive a notification about reapplying in your mail. Don't ignore this notice! If you have moved, since you first applied for Medical Assistance, learn how to update your contact information at mn.gov/dhs/mycontactinfo.
Your Medicare benefits can help you get access to check-ups, screenings and treatments and help prevent disease. Get the knowledge and support you need for a healthy lifestyle.
Jetta Wiedemeier Bower has a master’s degree in public health. She is the volunteer and outreach manager for the Senior Linkage Line, a free service of the Minnesota Board on Aging, delivered by Trellis and other Minnesota Area Agencies on Aging.
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