By Guest Blogger, Ross Blair, senior vice president, eHealthMedicare.com

Medicare’s annual enrollment period is still about six months away, but contentious budget talks and the implementation of health care reform may already have you scratching your head when it comes to Medicare.

Health reform brings with it some important changes, and as Congress looks at ways to cut the federal deficit, there has been discussion about how to reduce the cost of certain entitlement programs, including Social Security and Medicare. If you’re confused, or uncertain about Medicare’s future, you are not alone. Below we’ve identified some of the top things you should know.

Medicare spending may not be growing as much as experts thought. There has been a lot of talk in Washington recently about the need to control health care costs. Here’s the thinking: If you don’t control Medicare and Medicaid spending, it will crowd out other budget priorities, including defense and education. However, in March, the White House issued its annual Economic Report of the President. According to that report, health care cost growth is on the decline. Experts aren’t sure exactly why; it may have to do with new payment rules. They also don’t know whether the decline will persist. However, the data does indicate that the budget debate around Medicare may shift. It’s also consistent with a 2012 report from eHealthInsurance, which found that, in 2012, family health insurance premiums declined for the first time in seven years.

The Medicare Advantage program is not going away. Plans to cut reimbursements to Medicare Advantage plans by 2.3 percent were reversed on April 1, 2013. Plans will now receive a 3.3 percent increase in 2014. There had been concern that health plans might quit participating in the program or drastically increase premiums due to the proposed cuts to reimbursements. Since enactment of the Affordable Care Act, Medicare Advantage enrollment has grown 25 percent. The number of plans participating in Medicare Advantage varies by county. You can compare plans in your area at eHealthMedicare.com, Planprescriber.com or Medicare.gov.

The new Independent Payment Advisory Board may not be what you think. Under the ACA, the members of this group must make recommendations on how to reduce the rate of growth in Medicare spending if spending exceeds a target growth rate. If reductions are necessary, the board will submit recommendations beginning in 2014 for the 2015 plan year. The board is prohibited from recommending changes that would ration care, increase costs for beneficiaries, reduce benefits, or change eligibility.

Physicians and hospitals are teaming up to provide better care through Accountable Care Organizations. If you haven’t already heard of Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs), you probably will soon. Since passage of the ACA, doctors and hospitals have formed more than 200 ACOs, which are designed to encourage better coordination of care, while lowering costs. ACOs, among other things, must agree to be accountable for the overall care of their Medicare beneficiaries and have adequate participation of primary care physicians, promote evidence-based medicine and report on quality and costs. Beneficiaries using ACOs may choose doctors inside or outside of the ACO.

The federal government is changing the way it pays hospitals to encourage safer care. The ACA reduces Medicare payments to hospitals when patients are excessively readmitted for things that could or should have been prevented. Also, beginning in 2015, Medicare will pay less to hospitals when a patient acquires a condition while in the hospital. You can compare hospitals in your area by going to www.medicare.gov/hospitalcompare. The database provides information on several aspects of hospital care, including how often each hospital gives recommended treatments for certain conditions, how likely patients are to suffer from complications and how patients rate how well doctors and nurses communicate.

When it comes to prescription drugs, do your research to save money. The good news is: Costs are going down, mostly because several popular brand-name drugs, including cholesterol drug Lipitor, are now available in generic forms. In addition to that, if you enter Medicare’s coverage gap – the “donut hole” – you will receive a discount of 52.5 percent on brand-names drugs and 21 percent on generics. However, our research shows that most beneficiaries are not in the plan with the lowest out-of-pocket costs available to them. Be sure to do your research to maximize your savings.

Understanding Medicare, not to mention the latest changes, can be confusing. However, there are many resources available to help you understand the latest developments and how they affect your coverage.

Ross Blair is senior vice president of eHealth, Inc., which operates eHealthMedicare.com and PlanPrescriber.com (www.PlanPrescriber.com <http://www.PlanPrescriber.com>). Both sites are leading providers of comparison tools and educational materials for Medicare-related insurance products.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has neither reviewed nor endorsed the information provided by PlanPrescriber.

Ah, food food food glorious food. Last year’s Food Revolution Day, a campaign launched by Jamie Oliver, was a huge success and this year’s should be even better. This Friday, May 17^th is the day for people who love food to be a more mindful community making better food choices, and understand food’s impact on health.

Just take a stroll through any-town-USA and it’s clear a lot of folks still haven’t got the message. This worldwide one-day food education event is not only about fun, but continues to raise awareness about America’s ongoing battle with obesity.

Watch this YouTube video with ideas for events in the workplace, in schools and to see who’s supporting Food Revolution Day 2013.

To find an event near you, go to foodrevolutionday.com. Jamie Oliver says it’s high time to “stand up for real food and for food education.”  His food foundation is chock full of ideas to get involved or launch your own event. Download this free bling to help promote Food Revolution 2013 and the activities in your neighborhood.

More and more Americans embrace a locavore lifestyle which includes making smart food choices as part of living well.  And, we know that that living well never gets old!

As Jamie Oliver says, “Cook it. Share It. Live It.”

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Why not start by making it an eco-friendly day of celebration.

First, start with the greeting card. Save paper, ink and postage by sending an e-card this year. And, since most Moms love chocolate, gift her from Fair Trade chocolatiers like Sweet Earth, Dagoba and Green & Blacks Organic. In a neat twist, especially if Mom is a gardener, give her Garden Bon Bons. Warning, these chocolate truffles are NOT for eating. In reality they’re seed bombs (truffles containing seeds, compost and clay) made by the Seattle-based design firm Moulton. Don’t forget the flowers and be sure to make them Fair Trade flowers.  The latest buzz is all about up-cycle shopping and crafter Mom’s will love any of these handmade gifts. Naturally, our favorite online places to shop are Bette Recommends and Bette’s Boutique.

The best way to honor mothers is with what they want most – TIME – time with their children or grandchildren and friends. Spend the day with your Mom at your local farmer’s market. Or splurge on a trip to wine country (bio-dynamic and sustainable of course). A simple online search should turn up one near you. Does Mom enjoy an occasional glass of beer?  Make sure to tap the brew pub and craft brewers in your town who make mindful business decisions based on minimizing environmental impact, and being socially responsible contributors to their communities.

There are more and more sustainable options than ever before available to help us all make this Mother’s Day truly memorable. We’d love to hear about your choices and how you plan to make your Mother’s Day sustainable.

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Just as Reviving Ophelia set the stage for bumps in the road on raising a daughter, in this book, Herman walks us through what early parenting has looked liked for most boomers. There is a good overview of how we moved “self-esteem” to the top of the ladder of importance to our children, and what effects this may have had.

Next she covers separation and individualization, which leads to several anecdotes on when this does not go well. Herman has been a psychotherapist in Seattle for over 20 years, and has much experience to draw from. There are many useful “lessons learned” sections.

Most helpful to me, as a parent of teens, is the summary of action items at the end of most sections such as: creating drive, grief and loss, forgiveness and letting go. This is a very valuable resource for navigating the potentially rough waters of your teens moving into adulthood.

Chapter eighteen covers “The Bill of Rights for Parents of Adult Children”:

1. The right to be free from abuse
2. The right to be free from guilt
3. The right to peace of mind
4. The right to have reasonable expectations
5. The right to be imperfect
6. The right to decide what to do with your own money
7. The right to decide what to do with your own time
8. The right to say “no”
9. The right to selective association…and…
10. The right to retirement

Having witnessed countless other struggles with some of the “rights” listed above, I found this particularly instructive.

The last chapter covers the “Twelve Truths About Parents of Adult Children” and each of these is equally instructive and even worth future review. This is a book to have on hand for the years to come. You could even do a baseline assessment of your own parenting style with the worksheets in Appendix A. Appendix B walks you through signs to diagnose if your child has a behavior problem (real or perceived). Lastly, Appendix C is a valuable worksheet for “personal coping skills for parents of adult children.”

While reading this insightful resource, I felt as though Linda Herman was sitting beside me. Her straightforward tone and ability to relate experiences provides solid advice and action items.

The Above mentioned books and more great books are available through our Bette Recommends web store.

With spring upon us, parents of high school students across the country are planning visits to colleges. They’re looking for the right community and academic fit for their child. These same parents may be facing an equally important decision with their own aging parents: As they reach their advanced years, which senior living experience will be the right one for them?

Both processes can be overwhelming, but these five tips can help make the search for the best senior living community less stressful and more rewarding for you and your parents.

1. Do some online research.

When searching for an assisted living facility near your or your parents’ home, begin with some online research. Before you even visit, you can find out a lot about a facility’s location. Find out if it’s near hospitals or doctors’ offices, places to shop, and recreation. If far away from friends and family, find out if there are hotels nearby for when you come to visit. You can also check out local crime reports to find out if a neighborhood is safe.

Find out what other people are saying about a facility in online reviews. Are the reviews generally positive?

The Department of Health and Human Services for each state can be a good place to start your search. Or read reviews from other families in the directory of senior living communities at Caring.com.

2. Take a tour.

Once you’ve narrowed your selection down to a few choices, it’s time to take a tour. Going for a visit is the best way to get a feel for a place. Go with your instincts. Does the place feel homey to you? Are there interesting activities and pleasant common spaces where residents can interact with each other? Are residents using them? Check out the dining room. Is it a nice place to gather? Are the staff you meet along the way pleasant and responsive to you and the people living there?

3. Make a surprise visit.

A guided tour is a great way to get a feel for a facility, but remember, it’s also a way for that retirement community to promote itself — they’ll be putting their best foot forward. Dropping in when you’re unexpected is a good way to see if the tour is representative of what life at that community is like. If the atmosphere has changed dramatically, is less pleasant, or the staff won’t let you in, that may be your cue to look elsewhere.

4. Take a test drive.

Sometimes looking isn’t enough. Sit down to a meal with your parents at one of the dining rooms. Not only is it a good way to sample the food but it’s a great way to meet residents, see how they interact, and see whether they’re enjoying the dining experience.

For a better taste, many senior living facilities offer overnight stays. Having your parents stay for a few nights or over the weekend can give them a great sense of residential life.

5. Keep your parents involved.

Choosing the right senior living facility is ultimately about what’s most comfortable for your parents, so make sure to include them in every step of the decision-making process. It can make sense to do some preliminary research and even touring without them — you may have a parent who is no longer very mobile — but ultimately their input is necessary before any final decisions are made. Working through your parents’ desires and concerns will help you decide on a facility that fits them best during their golden years.

Austin Kilham is an author for Caring.com, the leading online destination for caregivers seeking information and support as they care for aging parents, spouses, and other loved ones. For more insights about choosing senior living, see Assisted Living: 5 Things You Should Never See, and 5 Things You Should.

Italia Outdoors  Italia Outdoors blends top-notch, high-quality recreational biking, hiking, climbing, and skiing experiences with culinary programs that explore the history, culture, and food and wine of Northern Italy. Magnifico!

Epicurean Ways Epicurean Ways provides cultural and historic walking tours, olive oil mills tours, winery visits and tastings, cooking classes and demonstrations, tapas tours, and market visits with lots of free time built in to explore Spanish cuisine and the cultural of the country.

Kids Culinary Adventures Since summer is approaching, even the kids get into the act with cooking camps that can excite them to the point of ditching their digital gear. Camps mix in education, crafts, and teamwork while fine-tuning children’s culinary skills.

For those who love everything about Mexico including the food, Culinary Adventures, Inc. has got you covered. Others, like the Culinary Adventure Company are beginning to create a series of treks and trips that will change the way you think about food. Travel + Leisure magazine has compiled the Global Guide to Cooking Schools with plenty of time factored in for exploring the history and culture of each locale.

To get the most out of your travel experience, check-out these smart travel tips from Doris Gallan who has published travel booklets aimed to keep you safe, healthy and save money. Doris knows travel! So what are you waiting for? Get going on designing your perfect combination of adrenaline-pumping outdoor adventure with delectable culinary experience. Also, check-out our Shop where Bette Recommends some amazing foodie books.

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You can’t really pick up a newspaper or magazine without finding an article about health care. We read, listen and watch as the tale unfolds, but rarely do we truly understand the plot, or any of the twists and turns, until we are the protagonist.

For the last few weeks, I have been the protagonist in a story of much pain, many visits to health care providers, tests, and “diagnosis.” This would all have been scary enough, had I not recently read Steven Brill’s epic article in TIME , Bitter Pill – Why Medical Bills are Killing Us.

Brill outlines how patients are charged, what insurance and private payers pay, who they pay, and most alarming—how much things actually cost. The disparity between actual costs (when he could find them) and proposed payment was often enormous. One of the biggest takeaways to any readers seemed to be, “bills are negotiable.” That, and…some people in health care are getting very wealthy…and it is not the caregivers.

This new light made me watch every choice being made, test ordered, drug given, syringe used. Brill is correct when he states that those in need of care are a captive, and often unknowing, audience. Of course, Jon Stewart was able to exploit the absurdity of it all in the way only he can on the. Part one & Part two.

The article is the longest in TIME’s history, and well worth the read, note taking and page marking. There may be little each of us can do independently to change health care costs for the better, but being knowledgeable about how the system works is a great place to start. The article provides several sources for unraveling bills, and this whole idea about negotiating the cost of your care.

I am a haggler at heart, but must admit to finding it difficult to think I had any way to request a cheaper set of x-rays, or a discounted MRI. I may be better prepared to ask the right questions once the bills start rolling in, but the vulnerability of being sick, or in pain, certainly trumps one’s negotiating powers – at least in the short term.

Read the article and share your thoughts – we’d love to hear from you! Once we do start getting the results from more than a week of visits and tests, we will share our journey on this blog. This will be one story, much like the ones Brill covers, that helps to illustrate the process, and test our own foray with the “Chargemaster.”

Since 2001, the Lappés have released seven books. They are prolific advocates and educators for social change in many areas including worldwide collaborative public education efforts, through their books, articles, speeches, and in many other publications. They serve as experts and commentators for numerous television and film projects. They work with a talented team of dedicated volunteers and interns.

Also in 2001, the Lappés launched Small Planet Fund, a grass-roots organization focused on community-based social change. Two of their core grantees were honored with the Nobel Peace Prize: Muhammad Yunus and colleagues at the Grameen Bank, and Wangari Maathai and the Green Belt Movement.

The Small Planet Institute has partnered on numerous public campaigns ranging from the demands for GMO labeling to the Food Myths and Real Food Media Project, Corporate Accountability International’s efforts to make fast food giant McDonald’s accountable for marketing unhealthy food to children. They’ve also partnered Oxfam’s GROW campaign to end hunger worldwide. Anna Lappé takes her message on the road on specific projects including innovative ways to grow food – the Eat Grub Tour in 2006. Get the schedule of personal appearances of both Lappés on their website.

Because many don’t get the food-climate change inter-relationship, another project focus is the Take a Bite out of Climate Change campaign. Anna Lappé believes media coverage rarely connects agricultural policy to climate change. According to her, food production accounts for nearly one-third of the globe’s production of greenhouse gases, and she also states that farmers are rarely identified at fault in replacing diversity with crops dependent on fertilizers from fossil fuels. She says that politics and agribusiness favor crop insurance policies that encourage monoculture farming and poor soil management. Most of us are aware we can do our individual part by buying organic and locally sourced food, thereby supporting farmers who practice sustainable agriculture. Read more of Anna Lappé’s research on sustainable farming at foodmyths.org.

The Lappés also established Small Planet Media to further expand their message. Frances Moore Lappé released Getting A Grip: Clarity, Creativity, and Courage in a World Gone Mad which received the 2008 “Best in Small Press” Nautilus Award. Getting A Grip 2 was published in 2010. They’ve also produced two short-format documentaries, “Getting a Grip on Money & Politics, Parts I and II.” Click this link to View Small Planet Media Videos & Clips.

Visit the Lappés’ sister sites to mine their inexhaustible library of information:

Food MythBusters

Small Planet Fund

Take a Bite out of Climate Change

Follow Small Planet Institute on Facebook and Twitter and read Frances Moore Lappé’s articles on The Huffington Post.

That’s right, get out there and dance. Nothing makes one feel so alive and vibrant as a great night out dancing. Check out your local dance classes, and clubs with bands. Dancing isn’t just for your parents or your college kids.

We boomers might seem stuck in the middle a bit – “sandwiched” is the buzzword. Our parents knew all sorts of great dances: fox trot, jitterbug and swing to name a few. Our kids are out there “grinding” and some are clever enough to know actual dances. Our latest favorite is – West Coast Swing – take a look at how the Canadian champions do it.

Dancing goes beyond providing exercise. It is an opportunity to connect romantically with your partner (or a partner) and participate in a communal activity that is centuries old. It appears that ballroom dancing is traced back to 16th-century French renaissance social dances. Dances in the ballrooms of Loire Valley estates are a far cry from the rage that swept the world last summer – “Gangnan style.” The Wall Street Journal does a fabulous job of explaining the popularity of this song and the related dance in How “Gangnam Style” Went Viral.

We don’t suggest you go out and get your Gangnam on, but we do propose a swing lesson, some two-stepping, or any steps that get you around the dance floor. Grab your partner and off you go and let’s bring spring in with a dosey-doe!

Whine-free family travel is a great source for family fitness and making memories for that inevitable day when your kids abandon the nest. We strongly believe in buying American and Outside magazine has come up with 50 Great Family Adventures in the U.S. that we especially like.

Eco-travel, voluntourism and getaway ideas that include giving back are among our favorite places to travel. Two of our newest reviews, Adventure Collection and Red Mangrove, should give you even more inspiration to get off the couch and get going.

And, now’s the time to start making plans to send the kids off to summer camp. Today, kids and their parents can choose from a plethora of instructional camps that make the experience a whole lot more than sleeping bags and s ‘mores. We have a ton of great resources for kids’ camps, including sports camps and tech camps, which kids love. Check-out our “top 20” list where kids take away life skills that last long after the experience ends.

In this digital age, as in every industry, the travel market and its services are rapidly undergoing radical transformation. Smartphones, notebooks, advertiser and brand discounts, and much more change so quickly in our daily lives, it’s hard to keep up. But use them. They save you money and help relieve stress at the same time.

We hope to inspire you to tamp down that cabin fever in an exceptionally meaningful manner while having bucket-loads of fun, exercise and relaxation, as well. If you know of some new, red-hot best-of-the-best vacation spot, please let us know.

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