Feeling exhausted is so common that it has its own acronym, TATT, which stands for “tired all the time”. At any given time, one in five people feels unusually tired, and one in ten have prolonged fatigue, according to the Royal College of Psychiatrists. Women tend to feel tired more often than men.

What State or Federal laws, regulations, or policies (including Medicare, Medicaid, and other sources of payment) reduce or restrict competition and choice in healthcare markets?

Medicare can be confusing or even overwhelming, especially when a person has chronic illness, limited resources, or a lack of help. Choosing among traditional Medicare, Medicare Advantage (MA), Medicare Part D, and supplemental or “Medigap” options can make it almost paralyzingly complex. We rely on people with Medicare to make informed, savvy choices—in other words, to “vote with their feet”—so that competition can reward plan innovations that work, identify bad actors and problematic behaviors, and reduce both beneficiary and program costs. Yet, studies show that older adults struggle to compare plans1 and often do not change MA or Part D plans even when doing so may lead to lower premiums and reduced cost-sharing.2 To put it simply—people with Medicare are overwhelmed with information, but it may not be the information they need.

As policymakers consider putting beneficiaries on the hook for plan and health care choices, the absence of quality, useful information becomes increasingly punitive. We cannot support proposals that will shift costs to people with Medicare, penalize them for failing to make optimum choices, or otherwise transfer burdens onto their shoulders. Doing so becomes especially egregious when people are kept in the dark about what their choices are or what they might mean. The existing resources are insufficient. They must be improved before new complexities are added.

Currently the only Medicare choice tool is Plan Finder. While Plan Finder allows head- to-head comparisons of prescription drug plans, its utility is limited as it does not even allow a beneficiary to search across plans for particular providers. And there is no adequately-resourced tool to fill the gaps. The vital State Health Insurance Assistance (SHIP) program, which offers one-on-one personalized assistance,3 is woefully underfunded, faces challenges meeting current demands, and is constantly under threat.4 1-800- MEDICARE, while a needed resource, is no substitute for in-person assistance. We urge the administration not to move forward with any proposals to increase plan flexibility that would also further complicate beneficiary choice until adequate tools and resources are available for beneficiaries to effectively evaluate and compare their options.

We also note that as plan offerings become more complex, the administration’s responsibility to oversee plans appears to be getting less emphasis. Such oversight is an obligation that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) owes to beneficiaries, and is only increased by increasing complexity.

We might point out that CMS’s inability to negotiate prices for prescription drugs further compounds beneficiaries’ options, as plans are free to choose the pharmaceutical benefit managers that give them the “best price for a restricted formulary” regardless of how it will impact the beneficiary.

Recently an 81 year old beneficiary with diminished capabilities succumbed to marketing mailers from a United Healthcare plan endorsed by AARP and enrolled in a Medicare Advantage HMO plan without understanding the implications of her decision. She just “trusted AARP!” The local HICAP (California’s SHIP) will attempt to unravel her situation to ensure that she and her daughter understand the consequences of her decision, and make any needed changes based on her unique circumstances.

With laser teeth whitening treatments you are able to walk out of the dental office with your teeth a lot brighter. With laser bleaching, a barrier is put around the gums and a strong bleach is put on your teeth. A laser light is used to activate the bleach to make it work. A down side of laser teeth whitening treatments can be the cost since laser whitening is the most expensive of the teeth-whitening options available.

Question: How much will my Share of Cost be?

Reply: The more money you make, the higher your Share of Cost is. You can complain if you think there is a mistake and your share of cost is too high.

If you can not figure out how much your Share of Cost is, you would want to speak to your case worker. Your case worker should be able to tell you how much your Share Cost is and how much your income is over to have a Zero share of cost.

With additional studies showing links of poor oral health to over all health care issue it is important to maintain your oral and dental care health. Seniors may need to see their dentist more then just twice a year if advised by their dentist in order to properly maintain their dental healthcare needs.

However with the rising cost of dental care many seniors tend to put off their dental care needs. One why to address the cost factor is by having dental insurance. There are many different types of dental insurance plans that can address different needs. One this website we offer Affordable low cost dental insurance plans such as HMO and or dental discount plans. Both of these plan types will make dental care much more affordable at a low month cost.

For people that wish to stay with or choose their own dental provider we also offer dental PPO plans such as Dental Dental, StandardLife Dental and Madison Dental to name a few. Take a moment to review our dental insurance and plan options and see which may be the best fit for your dental needs and your budget.

Teeth clenching is the clamping and pressing of the jaws and teeth together in centric occlusion, this is frequently associated with psychological stress or physical effort.

Not only is dental insurance an acceptable expense to meet your share of cost spend down requirements. Having dental insurance help you save money on your dental care needs. Most all our plans provide preventive care free to low cost. Need dental insurance? Call our member services at 310-534-3444 as they will be happy to help you find a plan that best fits your needs.

Question: I have a toothache pain in one of my back molars. I do not have and current dental insurance and I looking for a plan that will starts like right away, so that I can see the dentist about this pain.

Answer: At this time for your current toothache pain you may want to look at a dental discount plan since those types of dental plans normally will start within the next business day. At least that way you will be able to see a plan dentist ASAP and get the discounted saving on having your tooth fixed. Depending on the enrollment date of an HMO plan if you can put off your dental care until the first of the following month you may want to look into a HMO dental insurance plan. HMO’s normally do not have waiting periods or dollar maximum limits. You should be able to find an HMO that does offers free office visits, X-rays, and cleaning’s, that alone is going to really save you money.

Buying individual dental insurance or family dental insurance plans does not have to be a painful process because most dental insurance plans offer low cost monthly payment options with immediate or next dental coverage. ShareofCost.com a dental specialist in individual dental insurance and affordable low monthly family dental insurance and dental discount plans, vision and prescription coverage programs. We have been serving the dental insurance community since 1983, you will find our licensed dental insurance agents ready to assist you.

It is easy to compare family and individual dental insurance plans and decide which one is right for you and your family. Many of the dental plans of insurance have next day benefits and services from well established individual and family dentists in local dental offices near you

Dental health insurance is the insurance that covers expenses related to treating dental problems and is available through various dental insurance companies such as California Dental, Delta Dental, Dental Health Services and more. Dental health insurance is available for individuals, small businesses, and families as well. Dental health insurance plans are one way of ensuring individuals and families get regular dental check ups. There are several different types of dental health insurance plans, but there are four kinds that are most commonly purchased. Finally, these types of plans are much different than discount dental plans because they are indemnity plans, capitation programs or schedule-of-allowance programs.

People that are lactose intolerance can have epigastric pain due to eating and drinking dairy.

Seniors can find affordable dental insurance in CA, on our ShareofCost.com website. Cost of living can be rather high in California, with dental care cost continuing being on the rise it is important to have current dental insurance to help control your dental care costs. Let our member services help you with our dental insurance plans if you have any questions just call 310-534-3444

“Share of Cost” is the amount you agree to pay for health care before Medi-Cal starts to pay. This is called “meeting your share of cost.” Your Share of Cost is a set amount based on how much money you make. You only need to meet your

Share of Cost in the months that you get health care services. After you meet your share of cost, Medi-Cal pays for your care the rest of that month

Some counties have contracted IHSS care providers. Community care providers, friends, neighbors, and relatives can provide services as well. You are responsible for hiring, firing, and supervising your IHSS caregiver.

In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) are financed by state, county, and federal funds. Depending on your countable income, you may have to pay for a portion of the cost of services. This is known as share of cost.

If you work, you may qualify for no-cost IHSS even if you think you have to pay a share of cost. That’s because if you have a disability, you could sign up for Medi-Cal’s Working Disabled Program (WDP).

Full or partial dentures replace your teeth when you have lost your natural teeth, from periodontal disease, tooth decay or injury. They will help your appearance and your health including support for facial muscles sag which makes a person look older. Dentures normally take one month and 4-5 appointments which include the initial exam, wax bite impressions, and final denture adjustments. Need dental insurance for dentures? Call our member service line at 310-534-3444 we can help you find a dental insurance plan that best fits your dental care needs