Medicare & The Coronavirus PRESENTED BY: KEITH NABB
SARS COV2 and COVID-19 The World is experiencing a once in “100 year” virus pandemic. Medicare and Medicare plans have responded quickly to help you adjust, cope, and save money.
Quick Review: Traditional vs Modernized Medicare has modernized over the past 15 years. • 2 paths to access: Traditional Medicare or Modern HMO/PPO Medicare • Understanding this difference is vitally important • We can send you information in our Medicare e-book and educational flyers to • understand these 2 pathways. With traditional Medicare you can “Pre-pay” for your medical events by purchasing a • Medigap insurance policy. With modernized Medicare you will “Pay-as-you-go” for your medical events. • However with modernized Medicare you may receive thousands of dollars in extra • healthcare benefits each year.
The Coronavirus • The Coronavirus outbreak started in Wuhan, China and spread globally. • Incubation period before symptoms of up to 21 days. • The typical infection time is 6 days before symptoms. • The main problem with this virus is this spreading without symptoms. • It is vitally important for those who seem perfectly healthy to wear face-coverings in public or while near others to stop the fast spread of the virus.
Symptoms: • Symptoms of the virus include headache, cough, tingly sore throat, fever, and a general feeling of being unwell with body ache. Some cases have brought on flu and pneumonia symptoms. About 60% of individuals lose their ability to taste and smell. This is actually the most common way to indicate that a COVID-19 test is needed asap.
Asymptomatic Spread “A subset of people who don’t develop symptoms, but can transmit virus to others. There are also PRE-symtomatic individuals spreading the virus.” • Studies have indicated that people with no symptoms do transmit the virus. • Between 30% to 50% of viral spread is from these individuals • Typically from the same household or close coworkers • Data shows that 80% of infections are mild or even asymptomatic, 15% are severe infection, requiring oxygen and 5% are critical infections, requiring specialized ventilation therapy Source: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/
Other facts: • In the U.S. there have been 5,752,653 cases and 177,759 deaths • In Georgia, there have been 260,590 cases and 5,311 deaths • It is expected to take 2 years for the virus to run its full course • We have never created a vaccine for any coronavirus. But 100 candidate vaccines are rushing into testing now. • This is many times more dangerous than seasonal flu (~10x) Numbers updated as of: 8/26/20
What have we learned?: • The lockdown worked much better than expected. • Children do get affected by this virus, perhaps in a delayed manner – studying a Kawasaki disease like syndrome now • Ventilators may have been overused. Most who get on a ventilator pass away unfortunately. Dexamethasone is improving that! • This virus causes inflammation of the arteries which also leads to blood clotting. Blood thinners are used a lot now. • Vitamin D3 helps, Vitamin C helps, Zinc helps – talk to your doctor!
Is Testing Why Cases are going UP? New York did 57,000 tests recently and had a 1% positive rate. - Georgia is at 10% and Florida is at 12%. • More testing does, in fact, turn up more cases. • If testing was the sole reason for the rise in cases, the share of positive tests should go down . • Instead, that figure is rising in a number of states such as Arizona, Texas and Florida. Over 20 states are have increased case counts. • Therefore Community Spread is one clear reason for the increase in cases.
What does Medicare cover? The lab tests for COVID-19. You pay no out-of-pocket costs. FDA-authorized COVID-19 antibody tests at no cost. All medically necessary hospitalizations at normal costs. • This includes if you're diagnosed with COVID-19 and might otherwise have been discharged from the hospital after an inpatient stay, but instead you need to stay in the hospital under quarantine. The vaccine for COVID-19 is free, when one becomes available.
Telehealth & Related Services Most plans offer Take advantage of plans You can get early refills telehealth services to that offer over-the- on drugs from your allow you to virtually counter benefits and pharmacy. speak with a doctor. home fitness programs. The 3-day hospital stay You should pay no fees Pay no fee for drugs to rule has been for Coronavirus testing. be delivered to home. suspended to qualify for rehabilitation care.
Coping With Stress People 65+ are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19. Here are a few things you can do to cope with that stress: • Take breaks from news stories and crazy social media. • Take care of your body. Take deep breaths, stretch, or meditate. • Try to eat healthy, well-balanced meals, exercise regularly, get plenty of sleep, and avoid alcohol and drugs. • Make time to unwind. Try to do some other activities you enjoy. New hobby? • Connect with others. Talk with people you trust about your concerns and how you are feeling. Try using ZOOM or Facetime with your friends and family. • Call your healthcare provider if stress gets in the way of your daily activities. - Many plans offer free virtual or telehealth mental services.
Beware of COVID-19 Scams • Scammers are using the COVID-19 pandemic to try to steal your Medicare Number, personal information, and money. • Here are recent Coronavirus scams to watch for : • Robocalls offering you respiratory masks • Social media posts fraudulently seeking donations for non- existent charities • Fake testing kits and offers for protective equipment • Calls or ads on Stock deals - “going to take off” with the latest cure, test, or vaccine • Emails claiming to be from the CDC or WHO • Text messages saying a person you know has COVID-19
Will Medicare call me? Remember: • Medicare will never contact you for your Medicare Number or other personal information unless you’ve given them permission in advance. • Medicare will never call you to sell you anything. • Medicare will never visit you at your home. • Medicare can’t enroll you over the phone unless you called first.
Conspiracy Theories Wow – LOTS of crazy theories being hatched! • The “ Plandemic ” video with Dr. Judy Mikovits has been debunked completely. • Masks won’t “activate” the virus in you. • We are not over counting deaths. An under count for sure. • 5G Cellphone towers do not cause COVID-19 • Vaccines are good for you and society. They have vastly improved our world.
Some Medicare Carrier Responses Waive out-of-pocket costs for primary care, specialists, behavioral health and telehealth for part of 2020 .
Some Medicare Carrier Responses Re-process claims for members that have already paid out-of- pocket for in-network primary care, behavioral health, and telehealth visits, dating back to start of epidemic.
Some Medicare Carrier Responses Sending you free safety kits, including washable face masks
Some Medicare Carrier Responses Some Medigap Supplement policies will provide both new and renewal premium price stability and support
Some Medicare Rule Revisions CMS approved a Special Enrollment Period for people affected by the epidemic.
Resources www.AMSPlans.com www.CDC.gov www.Medicarerights.org www.DPH.Georgia.gov
THANKS FORJOINING! Don’t forget we offer FREE Medicare planning services! (770) 945-5261 TO REQUEST A COPY OF THIS PRESENTATION, PLEASE CONTACT: raquel@amsplans.com
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