Health

To get the most out of your Medicare health benefits, it’s important for you to understand how and when to enroll in Medicare. Unless you qualify for automatic enrollment, you will need to sign up for Medicare Part A and/or Part B during the Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) that begins three months before you turn 65 and lasts for seven months.

Automatic Enrollment for Original Medicare

Initial enrollment in Original Medicare, Part A and/or Part B, occurs automatically if you are turning 65 and already getting Social Security or Railroad Retirement Benefits (RRB) benefits or will start collecting retirement at age 65. You will need to sign up for Medicare Part B at the time that you apply for retirement benefits, and Medicare Part A enrollment occurs automatically if you are eligible for Social Security retirement. A Medicare card will be mailed out about three months before your 65th birthday.

Medicare Part B comes with a monthly premium, while most people get Part A premium-free as long as they have worked at least 10 years (or 40 quarters) and paid Medicare taxes. Because Medicare Part B has a premium, some people may choose to delay enrollment if they are already covered under a different plan, such as an employer group plan.

Keep in mind that if you do not sign up for Medicare Part B when you are first eligible and sign up later, you may have to pay a late enrollment penalty for the duration that you have Medicare. If you delay Medicare Part B enrollment because of coverage under a current employer (either your own or your spouse’s), you can qualify for a Special Enrollment Period when this group coverage ends and will not be subject to the penalty.

Medicare enrollment is also automatic if the person has been entitled to certain Social Security and Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) disability benefits for at least 24 months. A Medicare card is mailed out about three months before the 25th month of disability benefits.

Beneficiaries with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease) will automatically be enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B starting in the month that their disability benefits begin.

If you have end-stage renal disease (ESRD), you do not need to be receiving Social Security disability benefits to qualify for Medicare and can still be working. If you have ESRD and require kidney dialysis or a kidney transplant, you can enroll in Original Medicare at any time before turning 65.

When to Enroll in Medicare

If you aren’t receiving Social Security or RRB benefits when you turn 65, you will have to sign up for Medicare A and/or Part B during your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP). This enrollment period begins three months before your 65th birthday, includes the month that you turn 65, and ends three months later.

You can enroll in Medicare during your IEP even if you do not plan to begin receiving retirement at age 65. When you apply through Social Security, there is an option to apply for Medicare only. You can sign up to receive Social Security retirement at a later time.

If you do not qualify for retirement benefits because you have not worked long enough, you can still enroll in Medicare Part A and/or Part B during your IEP. You may not qualify for premium-free Medicare Part A, and the cost of your premium will vary, depending on how long you worked and paid Medicare taxes. If you sign up for Medicare Part B, you will have to pay a monthly premium for Part B as well.

If you miss your initial enrollment for whatever reason, you can sign up for Medicare Part A and/or Part B during the General Enrollment Period that runs from January 1 through March 31 of every year. You may have to pay a late enrollment penalty for both Part A and Part B if did not sign up when you were first eligible. You can also make changes to your coverage during general enrollment.

You can sign up for Original Medicare, Part A and Part B, through Social Security:

• By visiting www.ssa.gov.
• By calling 1-800-772-1213 (TTY users 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday, from 7AM to 7PM.
• By visiting your local Social Security office.

If you worked at a railroad, contact the Railroad Retirement Board to enroll in Medicare Part A and/or Part B. You can call the RRB at 1-877-772-5772, Monday through Friday, 9AM to 3:30PM; TTY users can call 1-312-751-4701.

Once you enroll in Medicare, you will receive a red, white, and blue Medicare card showing whether you have Medicare Part A, Medicare Part B, or both. Keep your card in a safe place so you will have it when you need it. If your card is ever lost or stolen, you can apply for a replacement card or call Social Security’s toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213 (TTY users 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday, from 7AM to 7PM.

When Medicare Coverage Begins

If you are already receiving retirement benefits before turning 65, your Medicare coverage will start with the month you’re first eligible (at age 65). If you sign up during the general enrollment, your coverage will not begin until July 1.

If you are receiving disability benefits through Social Security or the RRB, your effective date is determined by the Social Security Administration or the Railroad Retirement Board.

If you sign up for Medicare Part A and/or Part B during your initial enrollment, the start of your coverage will depend on which month of IEP you signed up. The following chart shows when your Medicare coverage becomes effective if you enroll during your IEP:

The golden years of our lives are not called golden for nothing, and while Robert Frost warns us that “nothing gold can stay,” studies have shown that we can, in fact, take certain steps to lengthen the duration of our golden years and keep our minds sharp. In fact, genetics account for only 20-30 percent of our aging process, while lifestyle accounts for 60-70 percent, with nutrition being the most influential factor. If we make smart choices, filling our plates with smart foods, we can keep our bodies and minds resplendent throughout our golden years.

Entrees: Fish and Turkey

Fatty fish, such as salmon, herring, mackerel and sardines, are some of the most potent proteins we can consume to help support healthy brain function. Chocked full of Omega-3 fatty acids, consuming fatty fish decreases the risk of Alzheimer’s Disease. People aged 65 and older who ate fish three or more times a week had a 26 percent decline in their risk of dementia. In addition, the consumption of these fish can decrease your risk of suffering a stroke. In fact, adding these fish to your diet can also help increase your memory as you age. Because fatty fish contain the mineral selenium, consuming them may help keep your mood balanced, as well. Diets low in selenium correlate with higher instances of depression, leading researchers to surmise that maintaining a higher level of the mineral can help support mental health.

If you’re not a fan of seafood, turkey is another adequate source of selenium, proven to help boost mood. While turkey’s tryptophan content has long been infamous for causing the all-too-familiar Thanksgiving Day food coma, tryptophan is actually quite misunderstood. Instead of making you tired all on its own, it produces serotonin, an anti-depressant that helps regulate your sleep cycles. Without tryptophan, the brain cannot produce serotonin, which helps with memory, transmitting impulses between nerves, sense of well-being and mood balance.

Sides: Broccoli and Beans

Both turkey and seafood pair well with broccoli, a superfood associated with a decreased risk of Alzheimer’s, as well as with helping to maintain “crystallized intelligence,” or the skills and knowledge you have acquired over and applied throughout the span of your life. Broccoli is also a good source of lutein, a plant pigment that embeds in cell membranes and protects your neurons. The consumption of lutein helps preserve our telomeres, essentially protective caps on both ends of our chromosomes that help safeguard the genome from degradation with age.

High in protein and low in saturated fat, beans make another smart food choice for brain health. They contain folate, iron, potassium, magnesium and choline (a B Vitamin), just to name a few nutrients. Consuming beans can increase acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that assists with maintaining involuntary bodily function. Beans can also help stabilize glucose, which your brain needs but cannot store.

Garnishes: Berries, Walnuts and Avocado

Traditionally, we think of the major food groups as including carbohydrates and starches, fruits, vegetables, proteins, dairy and sweets. The MIND diet (Mediterranean-DASH Diet Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay) lists berries as their own, standalone food group, though fruit is not included as its own category. In a recent study, the motor skills and learning of older rats who consumed blueberry extract improved to match the ability of much younger rats, implying that people who consume blueberries may be able to reverse cognitive decline resulting from age. Berries contain anthocyanin, a phytochemical that reduces damage from free radicals, radiation and inflammation, thus also helping reduce your chances of Alzheimer’s by protecting the brain from “oxidative stress.” In addition, like broccoli, berries provide antioxidants that preserve telomeres.

Walnuts provide omega-3 fatty acids, polyunsaturated fats that are good for your heart. They also provide omega-6, Vitamin E, folate, Vitamin B6 and magnesium, all found to boost mood and decrease memory loss.

Like berries, avocados can help decrease your chance of Alzheimer’s. They contain monounsaturated fat, which lowers the bad cholesterol linked to the development of Alzheimer’s, and increases blood flow to the brain. In addition, consuming avocados helps lower blood pressure, and so also decreases risk of hypertension, a condition that often contributes to cognitive decay. In fact, lower blood pressure supports overall brain health.

Drinks: Milk and Lemonade/Fruit Juice

Milk provides Vitamin D, low levels of which are associated with depression, and Vitamin B12, a lack of which causes low levels of S-adenosylmethionine, used in the brain to process chemicals that balance mood. Milk also provides thiamine, which the body cannot produce on its own. A thiamine deficiency can cause Korsakoff’s syndrome, a condition that affects memory and balance, and can cause ataxia (lack of muscle coordination), and other symptoms.

While we’re often warned against indulging in too many sugary drinks, an occasional lemonade or fruit juice can provide us with a natural form of glucose that helps the body process sugar from carbs, and temporarily boosts memory, alertness and mental ability.

Dessert: Chocolate

If you’ve ever needed a reason to justify eating more chocolate, here it is: The Vitamin E found in dark chocolate decreases cognitive decline with age. In addition, dark chocolate contains caffeine, which improves focus and stimulates endorphin production, thus kick-starting a sense of well-being and a feeling of happiness. Along with Vitamin E and caffeine, consuming dark chocolate provides you with flavanol, an antioxidant that increases blood flow to brain.

The Smart Plate: A Meal to Power your Brain

After all this talk of food, your stomach might be growling. Here’s how you can create your own smart plate for dinner tonight. First, include a fist-sized portion of fatty fish or turkey garnished with one-quarter avocado, sliced thinly. According to Carol Sorgen’s article, “Eat Smart for a Healthier Brain,” available on WebMD, because avocados contain high levels of fat, experts recommend eating only one quarter to one half of an avocado daily. As a side, include a small portion of broccoli garnished with chopped walnuts. You can also add nuts to cereal, yogurt, desserts, and meats. The experts in Sorgen’s article recommend consuming one ounce per day. They also recommend eating half a cup of beans daily, so go ahead and add a scoop to your plate, right beside your broccoli. For dessert, enjoy half an ounce to one ounce of dark chocolate (the daily recommendation), shaved over a quarter cup of blueberries. Sorgen’s nutritionists recommend consuming one cup of fresh, frozen or freeze-dried berries a day. Oh, and don’t forget to wash it all down with a tall glass of milk!

This article is brought to you by The Hartford, provider of the Union Plus Life Insurance plans.
Group coverage is available for your family in the event of the unexpected. Learn more about valuable Life insurance benefits and union rates here.

Cavities are likely to form the more sugar we snack on. Our mouths are full of bacteria, some helpful, some malevolent, and the latter bacteria feeds on sugars, forming acid that eats away at our teeth. Like your dentist always reminds you, daily brushing (with a toothpaste that has fluoride in it) and flossing can help prevent the buildup of sugar and cavities.

In the earliest stages of a cavity, it’s entirely likely that you’ll feel nothing, as the first layer of your teeth is simply enamel, which has no nerves and thus no sensitivity. The good news is that this stage of a cavity can be reversed. Proper oral hygiene can repair the enamel, stopping that pesky cavity in its tracks.  

Unfortunately, some cavities persevere, which leads to more pronounced symptoms. The classic one is, of course, a toothache, especially when you eat something sweet. Remember how the bad bacteria feeds on sugar? Well, coating an already decaying tooth in more sugar produces more acid, which will eventually dissolve all the enamel and make its way to your tooth’s sensitive nerve endings, causing discomfort.

This expanding cavity can also lead to other symptoms, such as a bad taste in your mouth or bad breath that just won’t go away. It’s possible to feel or even see a more advanced cavity – you may notice a dark spot on your tooth, or a mysterious hole. Any of these indications are cause to see a dentists as soon as possible. 

Whatever stage a cavity is in, it’s certainly a nuisance, especially once your dentist hands you your bill. The Union Plus Dental Discount Plan can help you save on your next dental visit.

Plus, use code UPGC10* when you sign up for any annual Dental Discount Plan and we’ll send you a $10 Starbucks gift card! 

Search for a participating dentist near you and schedule an appointment today! 

Save on Dental Now 

If you’re thinking about buying a kit for yourself or a family member, the FTC has advice about protecting the privacy of the sensitive information that DNA tests reveal.

Although most tests require just a swab of the cheek, that tiny sample can disclose the biological building blocks of what makes you you. The data can be very enlightening personally, but a major concern for consumers should be who else could have access to information about your heritage and your health. If you’re thinking about buying an at-home DNA test kit, you owe it to yourself – and to family members who could be affected – to investigate the options thoroughly.

Comparison shop about privacy. A number of companies offer similar services, but price and performance are only two of the comparisons you should draw before making a purchase. The other key comparison is privacy. Scrutinize each company’s website for details about what they do with your personal data. Rather than just clicking “I accept,” take the time to understand how your health, genetic, and other sensitive information will be used and shared. Hold off on buying a kit until you have a clear picture of the company’s practices.

Choose your account options carefully. Most testing companies offer an array of options about how public – or how protected – users want to keep their personal information. Will your profile be available to others online? Can users send you personal messages? A company’s out-of-the-box defaults often aren’t the most private options, so it’s unwise simply to accept a site’s automatic settings. A more prudent approach to consider is to select more protective options initially and revisit your choices once you’ve become familiar with how the site operates.

Recognize the risks. Hacks happen. Before deciding to use a DNA test kit, reflect on your personal approach to the risk of unauthorized access that accompanies the use of any online service (or, for that matter, any brick-and-mortar business) that maintains sensitive information about you.

Report your concerns. If you think a genetic testing company isn’t living up to its promises, let the FTC know. We’ve brought dozens of cases challenging deceptive or unfair practices related to consumer privacy and data security – including a settlement with a business that sold products based on at-home genetic testing, but allegedly failed to provide reasonable security for consumers’ personal information.

Giving a test kit as a gift? Print this post for the recipient and share other consumer information from FTC about DNA test kits.

It may seem strange to suddenly be having these problems again, but in fact it is very common for you to experience cavities again as you get older. They don’t just affect children! Children and seniors are the two highest at-risk groups for tooth decay.

One common cause of cavities for older Americans is dry mouth, which is often a side-effect of medications for blood pressure, cholesterol, allergies and more. So how can you prevent this?

First, you should speak with your dentist about any medications you are taking and get their input. Here are some other tips for keeping your teeth healthy:

• Keep your diet low in sugar
• Drink more water
• Add more calcium to your diet
• Make sure you’re getting enough fluoride – try using fluoride toothpastes or mouth rinses

With these tips and regular cleanings, you can keep your teeth healthy. Scheduling regular cleanings (2 each year are recommended) can help your dentist catch and treat the early stages of cavities or other issues before it becomes more serious.

“Many different germs can survive on surfaces,” says Tom Talbot, M.D., chief hospital epidemiologist at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tenn.

Touching a spot that has been contaminated by germs — at home, at work, or just about anywhere else — puts you at risk of infection if you later touch your mouth, nose, or eyes, all areas that allow microbes to enter your body.

Washing your hands — the right way and at the right time — eliminates the germs before they can gain access and make you sick. Here, advice from the experts:

When to Wash

Always wash your hands after you use the bathroom, before you eat food, and anytime your hands are visibly dirty, says Janet Haas, Ph.D., R.N., director of epidemiology at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York and president-elect of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology. It’s easy to pick up or transmit germs in all three of these instances.

“People should also consider cleaning their hands after they’ve been on public transportation,” she adds.

Make sure kids wash their hands when they come into the house after playing outside. And the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also recommends that you wash your hands after touching animals.

And if you’re sick with a respiratory infection, such as the common cold or the flu, you may want to clean your hands more often than usual, Haas says, because if you’re coughing and sneezing, you could be contaminating your hands and spreading the bug to others.

How to Encourage Your Doctor to Wash

While hand hygiene is always important, it’s essential if you’re in the hospital, where severe and sometimes antibiotic-resistant infections can lurk.

“Hospital personnel not only can transmit infections but also can get sick themselves,” says Orly Avitzur, M.D., Consumer Reports’ medical director. “So we all know that we should wash our hands before and after attending to every patient.”

But research shows that doesn’t always happen. According to the CDC and assorted studies, some providers clean their hands as little as half as often as they should.

If you are hospitalized or caring for someone who is, and notice that a healthcare provider hasn’t washed up when entering your room, speak up.

To make this conversation feel less daunting, Avitzur recommends taking note of any signs posted about hand-washing in the hospital and using that as a way to start the conversation.

Avitzur suggests saying—or asking a family member to say—something like, “I was so pleased to see that your hospital has a hand-washing policy. Have you washed your hands?”

In addition, remind visitors to wash their hands when they enter and leave your room. And if you’re the patient, be sure to keep up with your hand hygiene. Ask for help washing your hands before a meal, or request a bottle of alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

The Best Way to Wash

Generally, washing with soap and water is the most effective method for reducing the number of germs on your hands.

Plain soap is best—skip antibacterial products because there’s no evidence they work any better than regular soap, and they may encourage the breeding of bacteria that can’t be cured by antibiotics.

If you have no access to soap and water, using a hand sanitizer made with at least 60 percent alcohol is the next best option. But hand sanitizers won’t eliminate all kinds of germs, according to the CDC.

For example, they’re ineffective against Clostridium difficile (C. diff), a hard-to-cure diarrheal infection that’s common in hospitals. So if you have this infection, you (and your care team and visitors) will need to wash with soap and water. 

Copyright© 2006-2017 Consumers Union of U.S., Inc. No reproduction, in whole or part, without written permission.

The AEP runs from October 15 to December 7 each year. If you didn't sign up for one of these plans when you first became eligible for Medicare (during your Initial Enrollment Period), the AEP is generally your chance to make these changes, unless you qualify for a Special Election Period (SEP).

What changes can you make during the AEP?

Here's a quick rundown of what you can do during the Annual Enrollment Period:

• Change to a Medicare Advantage plan from Original Medicare, Part A and Part B.

• Change from a Medicare Advantage plan to Original Medicare, Part A and Part B.

• Change from one Medicare Advantage plan to another (regardless of whether either plan offers drug coverage).

• Enroll in a Part D prescription drug plan.

• Change from one Medicare prescription drug plan to another.

• Opt out of Medicare prescription drug coverage completely.

Changes you make during the AEP go into effect January 1 of the next year.

Union Plus has partnered with eHealth to offer union retirees the Union Plus Retiree Health Insurance Program. The resources offered by eHealth can help you navigate your Medicare Plan options and choose the right Medicare plan for you and your spouse, based on your budget and needs. eHealth can provide information about many different insurance companies and Medicare plans at no additional cost to you with no obligation to enroll.

If you need personalized help over the phone, you can call an eHealth licensed insurance agent at 888-680-4770 (TTY users 711) Monday through Friday, 8 am – 8 pm Eastern Time during AEP to help you compare Medicare plan options available in your area or you can visit unionplusmedicare.com.

There are certain times when you can make these changes; some of these time periods are different depending on the type of Medicare plan. For Medicare Advantage (also known as Medicare Part C) and Medicare prescription drug plans, there's an Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) when you can sign up for, change, or disenroll from the plan.

The AEP runs from October 15 to December 7 each year. If you didn't sign up for one of these plans when you first became eligible for Medicare (during your Initial Enrollment Period), the AEP is generally your chance to make these changes, unless you qualify for a Special Election Period (SEP).

What changes can you make during the AEP?

Here's a quick rundown of what you can do during the Annual Enrollment Period:

• Change to a Medicare Advantage plan from Original Medicare, Part A and Part B.
• Change from a Medicare Advantage plan to Original Medicare, Part A and Part B.
• Change from one Medicare Advantage plan to another (regardless of whether either plan offers drug coverage).
• Enroll in a Part D prescription drug plan.
• Change from one Medicare prescription drug plan to another.
• Opt out of Medicare prescription drug coverage completely.

Changes you make during the AEP go into effect January 1 of the next year.

Union Plus has partnered with eHealth to offer union retirees the Union Plus Retiree Health Insurance Program. The resources offered by eHealth can help you navigate your Medicare Plan options and choose the right Medicare plan for you and your spouse, based on your budget and needs. eHealth can provide information about many different insurance companies and Medicare plans at no additional cost to you with no obligation to enroll.

If you need personalized help over the phone, you can call an eHealth licensed insurance agent at 888-680-4770 (TTY users 711) Monday through Friday, 8 am – 8 pm Eastern Time during AEP to help you compare Medicare plan options available in your area or you can visit unionplusmedicare.com.

When you take a vacation, make sure you don’t check out completely. Just because you are taking a break from the everyday doesn’t mean you can ignore your daily dental routine! When you go on vacation there are a few things to keep in mind. 

When you pack, make sure you pack enough to keep your daily routine the same. A 3.4-ounce travel size toothpaste will provide 10 brushings per tube. With that number you can adjust and decide how much you should bring on your trip. The same goes for mouthwash and floss — make sure you bring them in order to maintain your normal routine!

Another important aspect to look at is the toothbrush you will be bringing with you on your trip. Some of the travel brushes on the market today have a major flaw. The lack of a long handle makes it difficult to get to the back molars in your mouth, leaving patches that have been avoided. Make sure when you shop for toothbrushes you keep in mind that it’s for travel. There is no need to spend excess amounts of money on an expensive, high-end toothbrush you are only going to use for a few days out of the year. It is better to put that money in your home toothbrush to make sure you are getting the most out of it. 

One thing that can be taken out of your regular schedule is your teeth whitening. Keeping up with your overall dental health is much more important than continuing an at-home whitening schedule. There are some mobile teeth whitening kits that are available. However, they tend to be very expensive and quite bulky to carry around. If you are going on a short trip it is probably worth passing on the whitening.

When you travel you tend to snack much more often. When you are snacking on the go, make sure that you try to choose healthy treats instead of all the chocolate and sugar that is floating around airports. Apples and other fruits are a good choice if you can find them. Some of the best alternatives are pretzels and crackers because they promote a healthy thirst. The key is make sure to quench that thirst with water, not sugary soda and juices! The water will naturally help clean and rinse your teeth, helping reduce plaque buildup and keep away nasty stains. 
 
Wherever you go, make sure you keep your dental health on your mind. This will help you remember to brush, drink lots of water and stay away from detrimental foods! No matter where your travels take you, make sure to keep up with your daily dental routine! 

Most people enjoy flowers in any way, shape, or form they can get them. Aside from being pretty, plants have many benefits for a person’s overall health and well-being. Summer is a great time for change, so why not spruce up for house or office with a few more plants. Here are just a few health benefits of having fresh-cut flowers part of your everyday life:

Emotional Health Improvement

Receiving flowers, whether they are sent from another person or you bought them for yourself, can give you an immediate mood boost. A bouquet of flowers is a sign that someone cares for you, and being well-thought of can do a lot for a person’s well-being. A pretty flower bouquet with bright colors and a soothing scent can brighten a room and your mood at the same time.

Aid in Memory and Concentration

Many people have a moment where they completely lose their train of thought. Keeping plants in indoor spaces may help with concentration and memory; plants oxygenate the air, boosting your brain cells and making you feel more like your best self. You can opt for a bouquet, or go for a longer-lasting plant, such as Teleflora’s Peaceful Zen Garden, a combination of bamboo and easy-to-care-for succulents in a brown bamboo container. These plants only need water once a week and grow quickly, making them entertaining, as well as good for supercharging your brain.

Aid in Relaxation

There is a reason so many stressed-out people turn to gardening to combat the blues; not only is the experience of growing things cathartic, but floral scents can do a lot to lower stress. Bring home a sachet of something soothing like lavender or chamomile and feel your troubles melt away. Even a fresh sprig of rosemary may help with headaches and tension. Before you know it, you will find yourself feeling like your best self.

Feel Better Faster

There is a reason people give flowers as gifts to patients in the hospital; yes, it’s a nice thing to do, but it may also help a patient heal faster. Frequently, hospitals include access to green space for recovering patients because simply looking at plants every day helps stressed people feel more relaxed. A relaxed person in the hospital typically heals faster than someone who is stressed out. Give a sick friend a major boost with a bouquet like Teleflora’s Make a Wish, a combination of multi-colored daisies, purple asters and red and orange carnations topped off with a bow. They will feel better in more ways than one.

You can find many soothing scents and beautiful bouquets with Teleflora, so try a few out and see what works best for you!