Happy Spring! As you make your travel plans for Summer, we wanted to reach out with a few reminders about your Medicare coverage. First, thank you for being a valued Medicare client of DDI Benefits. Navigating your Medicare benefits can be confusing, so it our job as your advisors to help you along the way. We are available during the annual enrollment season in the Fall and throughout the year to answer your questions. You can reach us by email at medicare@ddibenefits.com, by phone at 503-206-4080, or in person at our Northeast Portland offices. Thank you for choosing DDI Benefits Medicare Advisors!
Will my Medicare plan cover me when I’m traveling?
It you are thinking of traveling outside the area this summer, here are couple things to keep in mind:
- With Medicare Advantage plans, you’ll have emergency and urgent care coverage when traveling outside of your network, within the United States, as well as outside of the US on most plans. That means you don’t have to worry about coverage if you get a sudden illness or break a bone while traveling.
- If you need non-emergency or non-urgent care while traveling, it may not be covered, or you may have to pay more out of pocket. So, plan accordingly, if you know you’ll be out of the area, you may want to schedule any non-urgent health care and fill any prescriptions prior to traveling.
- If you have Original Medicare with or without a Supplement Plan you have coverage anywhere in the US and its territories from doctors and hospitals that take Original Medicare
Tips for Happy, Healthy Travels…
Whether you are adventuring through Europe or visiting family and friends in the US here are some great reminders…
- Take precautions on flights. Long flights are dehydrating. Ask for “two orange juices with no ice” whenever the flight attendant comes by. Eat lightly, stay hydrated, and avoid coffee and alcohol until flight is over.
- Mask up. Travelers with suppressed immune systems may want to wear a face mask in close quarters.
- Eat nutritiously. The longer your trip, the more you’ll be affected by an inadequate diet. Budget travelers often eat more carbohydrates and less protein to stretch their travel dollar. But protein helps you resist infection and rebuilds muscles.
- Use good judgement when eating out. Avoid unhealthy-looking restaurants. Meat should be well cooked and, in some places avoided altogether. Prepared foods gather germs (a common cause of diarrhea). When in serious doubt, eat only thick-skinned fruit… peeled.
- Keep clean. Wash your hands often, keep your nails clean, and avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. Carry and use a hand sanitizer, such as Purell.
- Be active. Physically, travel is great living – healthy food, lots of activity, fresh air, and all those stairs! If you’re a couch potato, try to get in shape before your trip by taking long walks.
- Get enough sleep. Know how much sleep you need to stay healthy (generally 7-8 hours per night).
- Give yourself a break. Travel can be overstimulating. Maybe enjoy a long, dark air-conditioned trip back to California in a move theater. Stop at a Starbucks. A taste of home can do wonders to refresh the struggling traveler’s spirit.
- Basic First Aid. It’s tempting to go, go, go while traveling – but if you’re not careful you might push yourself to the point of getting sick. Be proactive to stay well. If you do get sick, take action to regain your health. Plan ahead by having common first aid items on hand to treat aches and pains, fever, colds, abrasions, blisters, sprains, motion sickness, allergies, and everyone’s favorite – diarrhea!!
Read Rick Steves’ full article here. Happy Travels!
How does Medicare work? Medicare 101 Webinar – Refresher:
If you are approaching age 65, or retiring after you’ve turned 65, you will need to make decisions regarding Medicare. Or maybe you’ve already made your decisions and just want a refresher on how it all works before the Annual Election Period in the Fall? To help you get the information you need to make the best decision for you or your loved ones, DDI provides free Medicare 101 educational webinars each month (view a recent recording HERE).
Watch a recording of DDI’s latest overview of the basics of Medicare HERE
DDI offers FREE ongoing Medicare 101 webinars each month. Click HERE to register for future webinars, or call 503-206-4080 / email medicare@ddibenefits.com
Feel free to forward this information to your friends and family needing help with Medicare. DDI Medicare advisors provide personalized assistance and help with enrollment in a plan that best fits your needs, as well as ongoing support as your needs change. Our services are available at no cost to our clients.
Thank you for reading our DDI Medicare E-Newsletter. Contact DDI To learn more, or to set up an appointment with one of our local agents. 503-206-4080 / 844-806-2500; medicare@ddibenefits.com
**Medicare Disclaimer: we may not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent 8 organizations in Oregon and Washington. Please contact medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all your options. Please note that we are required to record all phone conversations with clients who want to discuss Medicare Advantage and/ or Part D prescription drug plans.
