Get help navigating Medicare and much more

BY BETH SLAUGHTER SEXTON STAFF CORRESPONDENT

According to a report from the Centers for Disease Control, almost 7 out of 10 U.S. adults ages 40-79 have used at least one prescription drug in the past 30 days, with around 1 in 5 using at least five prescription drugs. With multiple drugs, sounds like it might be a prescription for a mix up.

There are many tips and tricks for taking medications correctly and regularly, whether one uses a pill box that organizes medications or sets a reminder each day to let a person know it is time to take a medication. Among its many services, Clover Health offers the following advice on managing medications.

1. Take your medication as directed. Always ask questions if you don’t understand and never take a bigger or smaller dose.

2. Never stop taking your medicine without talking to your doctor first. It can be very dangerous to stop taking some prescriptions abruptly.

3. Update your medication list regularly. This list should include prescriptions, over-the-counter medicines and vitamins. Note the dosage and how often you take it. Also include the phone number of your pharmacy and if you see more than one doctor or have been to the ER or hospital, share the list with all of them.

4. Create reminders. Whether you use a chart, a pill organizer or set alarms on your phone, reminders are good to make sure you never miss a dose. Another trick is to store your medicine next to your coffee maker or toothbrush so you will see them at the same time every day.

5. Stay in touch with your doctor. During these visits, your physician may adjust your medications depending on changes in your health. Keep your doctor up to date on what supplements and herbal remedies you might be using. Some can interact dangerously with prescription and over-the-counter medicines. In addition to presenting ideas on managing medications and providing information on a range of topics important to senior adults, Clover Health also helps people navigate Medicare and offers Medicare Advantage plans that include Part D prescription drug benefits. Clover Health’s Medicare plan specialists inform those turning 65 or who are new to Medicare about its zero or low monthly premiums; plans with up to $2,000 dental allowances; allowances for groceries and over-the-counter items; hearing and vision coverage; savings on preferred and non-preferred insulin; zero or low co-pays for unlimited primary care visits; low co-pays for specialist visits; zero co-pays for many generic drugs; zero or low cost shares for diabetes monitoring supplies and telehealth for virtual doctor visits.

With its Medicare Advantage plans, Clover Health states its PPO provider networks are broad and open, enabling its members to see any doctor participating in Medicare willing to accept them. Many Clover Health PPO plans allow members to pay the same low cost shares whether the doctor is in or out-of-network. Clover Health collaborates with doctors by providing them with its Clover Assistant technology at no cost. Clover Assistant helps primary doctors get a more complete view of a member’s overall health by linking all healthcare information in one place. In addition to in-person office visits, members can also see their doctor from the comfort of their own home. They connect with physicians by video or phone call. If a personal doctor is not available, Clover Health states it can connect the member with a doctor or nurse practitioner via video or phone.

Medicare is the U.S. health insurance program for people 65 and older and while it helps with the cost of health care, it does not cover all medical expenses or the cost of most long-term care. For those who choose to have Original Medicare, Part A and B coverage, they can buy a medicare supplement insurance policy from a private insurance company. People have choices for how they get Medicare coverage. Carmalitha Gumbs, head of community engagement for Clover Health says she encourages seniors to decide what they want in a Medicare Advantage plan and then visit the Clover Health website to see what makes it unique. She said Clover Health’s Medicare Advantage plans can lower a person’s out-of-pocket healthcare costs and stretch their retirement dollars.

Gumbs and other Clover Health professionals are available to assist baby boomers and those 65 and older with plans and supplemental benefits designed to encourage healthy and happy years to come. For more information, visit www.cloverhealth.com.