This new telesummit featuring four experts is sure to open your mind up to the many facets of choosing the right Senior living option for your aging parents, another relative or for yourself.  You will benefit from the experience of these four experts to gain a clear idea of four senior living options, including Aging in Place, Continuing Care Retirement Community, Assisted Living and Nursing Home.  This will help prepare you for the future when your parent are in need of a different level of care.

All sessions will be at 8-9pm Eastern time.

• Monday, November 2: Aging in Place (Mark Hager, founder of Age in Place)
• Tuesday, November 3: Continuing Care Retirement Community (Jill Gilbert, founder of Gilbert Guide, now VP at Caring.com)
• Wednesday, November 4: Assisted Living (Lisa Sneddon, founder of Senior Living Experts)
• Thursday, November 5: Nursing Home (Eleanor Barbera, founder of My Better Nursing Home)

Each attendee will also receive a worksheet that will make note-taking structured and simple.  Your completed worksheet can then serve as a resource you can turn to in the future when you need to transition your parent(s) or yourself.

There will be a Q & A time at the end of each session for you to ask questions!

The telesummit is no charge.  Recordings will be available for a fee.

Click here to register

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Ageinplace.com has no relationship with Best Bath or any of it’s affiliates or contractors. This post does not constitute an endoresment of Best Bath, it’s products or services. It is for informational purposes only.

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Jane Regan is a go-getter. She’s dedicated to helping seniors maintain their quality of life as they age and it shows.

She is the owner of HB Design Services, providing kitchen, bath, interior & lighting design. She is especially focused on aging in place design, that can help seniors wishing to stay in their homes longer as they age. She works alongside her husband, Bob Regan, owner of Hammer Building, a general contracting firm. Together, they are a dynamic duo for aging in place design, home building & remodeling in San Francisco & San Mateo Counties, CA.

“I enjoy doing this kind of work for people because it is necessary, and appreciated once it is in place. Clients are grateful for the forethought behind the small things.”

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Aging-in-place is a popular choice among seniors and, while it certainly requires some thoughtful changes in home design and function, it most certainly does not mean converting the home into a series of sterile, hospital-like rooms, as any Certified Aging-In-Place Specialist (CAPS) will tell you.

While design function and universality are tantamount to aging-in-place design, there are plenty of creative ways to implement both purpose and aesthetic into your home.

1. A wall-mount sink that protrudes beyond the counter and cabinetry allows easy access, plenty of knee-room and a unique style. For an example, see the master bath in this award-winning home.
2. Recessed tub - Low bathtubs are standard, but that’s no reason to sacrifice depth. Recessed tub design sets your tub into the floor so that getting in and out is as easy as possible, all without sacrificing the all encompassing luxury of a warm bath.
3. Solar carports kill two birds with one stone. First of all, you get the advantage of covered parking and entry to the home. At the same time you are generating free and low-maintenance electricity! There are many other ways to incorporate solar energy into the home as well. Solar energy systems are hassle-free ways to keep warm, brightly lit, and comfortable without struggling with high energy bills, as so many seniors unfortunately do.
4. Heat recovery ventilators are an excellent choice for any home, yet as we grow older the importance of clean indoor air only grows. heat recovery ventilators recirculate heat from exhaust air back into the inflowing fresh air, increasing air quality and saving energy.
5. Natural light is key to warm, healthy, and easy aging-in-place living. You can, however, get creative with your wall of windows. Consider such features as stained-glass transom windows, glass block sidelights and more. Natural light, or daylighting, reduces the headache of searching for light switches, saves energy on lighting and provides valuable (as in free) solar heating.

image courtesy of Kohler US

About the Author: Dan Harding, Calfinder Remodeling Contractors This article was written by Dan Harding of CalFinder Remodeling Contractors.  See more of his articles in the remodeling magazine, get remodeling ideas, as well as free remodeling estimates.

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Over the next twenty years, roughly 79 million Americans will cross the threshold to retirement, joining the millions of folks that are already retired. Welcome to what we call “Generation R”. The Retirement Generation.

In my years of retirement research, I’ve identified five common risks that all retirees face. These are detailed in my new book, “Generation R: A Retirement Nation at Risk.” Several of these risks defy conventional retirement wisdom, so pay attention. It’s important that current and future retirees take heed – for any of these risks can seriously compromise a long, rich, and rewarding retirement lifestyle. Here they are:

Outliving Your Assets
This new generation of retirees will live longer than any other generation in human history. In 1970, the average age of retirement was 65, and on average, you expired at around age 72. Today, the average age of first retirement is 58, and many will live into their 90’s. We’ve essentially quintupled the amount of time we spend in retirement, and sadly many people aren’t prepared for it. According to the annual Metlife Retirement Survey, the average person plans for just 19 years of post retirement living. Ensuring that you position your retirement assets to support you for the long haul should be a critical element of your planning.

Inflation
First, let’s define this. Inflation is nothing more than the rise in cost of good s and services, and it’s been a constant since time began. When you retired at 65 and died at 72, a 3% annual inflation rate probably didn’t concern you. However, 30 years in retirement with a 3% inflation rate is a different picture. If inflation averages 3% for 25 years, you’ll need twice as much money just to maintain your current standard of living. So, a $75,000 per year lifestyle will cost $150,000 by 2034. Don’t let inflation sneak up on you and compromise your retirement lifestyle.

Poor returns
In the past, conventional wisdom dictated that you place all your assets in “safe” investments like CD’s and bonds when you retired. These investments typically carry lower returns due to their focus on preserving principal. But, when you factor in inflation, taxes, and a reasonable rate of withdrawals to support yourself, you’ll find that these instruments may not last for a 30 year retirement. You might run out of money. Investment returns that at least offset inflation and taxes are a critical component of any long term retirement strategy. You should invest accordingly.

Healthcare expenses
Here’s the big one. Medical advance and better healthcare have cured many of the ills that caused premature death, but they haven’t cured all the things that make us sick. The Center for Retirement Research at Boston College projects that by 2030, as much as 35% of your after tax dollars could go to support your healthcare needs. You’ll need a solid primary healthcare plan and a long term care strategy in case you or a spouse need long term care, which is not covered by Medicare. (Many mistakenly believe it is.)

Taxes
The traditional notion held that your taxes would be lower in retirement than in your working years. Based on the current state of our economy and our budget deficit, I would suggest this is faulty thinking. You’ll need to carefully manage your tax bills in the future through prudent strategies to pay as little in taxes as is legally required of you. Every dime you pay in taxes is a dime out of your retirement funds.

In a future article, I’ll provide the antidote for each of these risks. Until then, best of luck in your retirement planning!

About the Author: Biography – Jeff Helms, CFA Jeff Helms is a certified retirement coach and the founder of Reinventing Your Retirement, a retirement education program designed to educate individuals on retirement issues, challenges, and solutions. An accomplished public speaker, Jeff addresses audiences throughout the nation on the changing retirement landscape. Jeff is author of two books on retirement. His latest book, “Generation R: A Retirement Nation at Risk”, details the coming retirement challenges our nation faces and provides readers with insights they will need to succeed in planning for their retirement. He has been featured on Nightly Business Report, and was recently appointed to a statewide task force examining retiree issues by the Chief Financial Officer of Florida He serves as a pension trustee for the City of St. Augustine and also manages a retirement planning and consulting practice serving clients throughout Florida.

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As you know, AgeInPlace.com is focused on helping older people maintain their quality of life and received the care they need as they age. And, as such, people who are in the business of providing service in our communities to seniors and their families are incredibly important for us to meet that goal.

As part of that effort, our sister site AgeInPlacePros.com has launched launched a groundbreaking survey to help these local businesses grow, prosper and increase the level of service they provide in their communities. The “2009 Aging in Place Business Survey” is focused on gathering and analyzing input from local businesses across the nation that provide goods or services to seniors. This data will then be shared with every business person that participates in the survey at no charge.

If you are a provider of goods or services to seniors, I encourage you to participate in the survey. The information you will receive could be very helpful to you. If you know someone who is a provider in your community, please consider sending them a note to tell them about the survey.

Everyone who participates will get a copy of the final report for free. This survey is for you, the business person. So, no strings attached & no obligations.

>>Click Here to Begin Survey

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If you would like to hear it, please head on over to the aging in place interview. You can listen right from your computer.

For everyone’s benefit, I’m posting my notes from the call below. They are rough, but I hope they provide some value. However, we covered more in the call. You should really listen to it for the full benefit.

1. What is aging in place?

Aging in place the concept simply means securing necessary support services in response to changing personal needs as you grow older and allowing to remain in your residence of choice for as long as you are able.

Or, more simply put, remaining in your home as you grow older and executing your plan to manage your environment, life activities and assistance you’ll require as your needs change.

2. Why is it important?

The issues that the aging in place concept addresses affect a lot of people. You (or a loved one), the immediate family or close friends, your community and the nation. I know a problem that big sounds ominous, but let me break it down.

The Nation

Currently, the majority of persons aged 65 and older are living either with a spouse or alone in their own home. Many of these older people struggle with everyday tasks, their health care and the lives they lead in their homes. For many, their quality of life goes down as they get older.

As of 2000, there were approximately 35 million Americans over the age of 65. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, by 2030 there will be approximately 71.5 million Americans over the age of 65. That number is more than twice what it was in 2000 and represents nearly 20% of the entire projected U.S. population in 2030. The challenge this number of older Americans will bring to the country is unprecedented.

Your Community

The vast majority of people will require some assistance from people, organizations or agencies in their community. Some examples of this would be non-medical care in the home, having a yard or house maintained, transportation or medical care. At some point, a large number will also require other living arrangements because they can no longer be on their own.

So, between the aging in place stage and end of life, you could require a lot of involvement from other businesses or organizations in your community. The fact is, most communities currently do not have the capability to provide assistance to everyone that will need it. That capability will not increase sufficiently to accommodate the needs that are growing as the number of older people increases.

Family  & Friends

As you grow older, it is only natural for family and friends to step in to help. There are many things that these people will be concerned with, such as your health, your diminishing abilities, transportation or your day-to-day care. Many of these people will have families and life cares of their own.

The plan that you make will help relieve some of the stress your situation will place on them.

3. Is aging in place the answer for everyone?

Actually, it isn’t “the answer” for anything; it is part of the answer for many people. Not everyone will be able to age in place, either for health reasons, living conditions or other situations. However, for a large number of people, aging in place can be part of the overall plan for their later years.

4. What can aging in place mean for the average person?

There will be many situations and choices that you have the right (and, yes, the responsibility) to decide. If you plan properly, you get to exercise more control. Control over your quality of life, your dignity & your future.

5. What do I, or my loved one, need to age in place?

If you haven’t picked up on it yet, you need a plan. Thankfully, you don’t have to go down that road alone. The plan is yours, but should involve your family and any people or organizations in your community who can help you. I can’t stress how important it is for you to involve the people who are going to be helping you as you grow older during the planning process. Your wishes need to be prepared for, but they also need to be communicated. Also, if your family will be involved, it is only fair to include them as much of the responsibility for your care may fall on them as you age.

An example of some of the people who can help answer your questions and help you build & execute your plan are:

• Your primary care physician
• Occupational Therapist
• REALTOR® with the Seniors Real Estate Specialist designation
• Builder or contractor with the Certified Aging in Place Specialist designation
• Geriatric care manager
• Elder Law attorney
• A Certified Financial Planner, preferably with certifications or experience in senior finances

6. What are the most common questions you get from people about aging in place?

The question I get asked the most is, “How do we pay for home modifications for my mother or father?” And, I have to tell you, that is the most difficult one to answer. So much of that depends on a person’s situation, income level or location. Just for the record, I’m not an expert in finances, so do not take any of this as financial advice. You need to talk to a certified financial planner or someone who is qualified to answer your financial questions. That said, if you do not have a money available to pay for things like in-home care, home modifications, medical care, etc., there is some funding available at a local level. Much of that is hard to come by. Here a few things I’ve discovered that might be helpful.
(Much of this list comes from Dawn Tyler, Care Management Director at Region IV Area Agency on Aging  in Chicago. She’s been a great resource, so kudos to her.)

• Use the Eldercare locator from the US Government ( http://www.eldercare.gov/ or 1-800-677-1116) to connect with your local Area Agency on Aging. They will have the most relevant information available.

• Local cities have CDBG (community development block grants) for home repair. And/or contact the local Mayor to find local funds.

• Rural Development is also a great resource for low-interest 1% loans/forgiveable loans and grants for home repair/home mod. http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/
• Sometimes community foundations will also fund a variety of start-up programs and may know where to turn locally.

• Habitat/Rebuild Together are also up in our neck of the woods Indiana/Michigan.

• Larger churches in our area volunteering, especially the men’s groups for some handyman/home fix up.

• Reverse mortgages. Not for everyone, but can help many.

• If you’re a veteran, try the Veteran’s Administration

I also get asked a lot about how one gets modifications done to their parent’s home. Many people understand that their parent’s needs are changing and that things can be done to their home to make it easier to live in. You can talk to an Occupational Therapist about it. They will assess the person’s needs and their home, then recommend modifications that can be made. You can also talk to a builder, contractor or interior designer who has the Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS) designation from the National Association of Home Builders or any number of other designations or experience in senior accessibility. The most important thing you can do is to make sure they have experience, check references, licenses and certifications.

Another question I get asked a lot is, “How do I know when my parent is no longer fit to drive?” That’s a tough one for many adult children. Being mobile is such a big part of our lives. An older person not being able to drive inhibits them, as well as their family and friends. This is one of those situations where you have to have the “talk” with them when you feel the time is right. Many adult children are afraid to have that conversation with their parent for one reason or another. My best advice is if you think it’s a problem, you should address it with them no matter how difficult it may be. You might save someone’s life; maybe even theirs.

7. What would you consider your best advice for someone planning to age in place?

Remember, aging in place is only part successful aging. You need to step back and consider your life after retirement and make the best plans you can for it. There is no cookie cutter plan to follow. And, if you don’t do it, someone will eventually be responsible for you who may not make the same choices for your life that you would. Here are some ideas to start you thinking.

• Think about what you want your life to be like and balance that with the reality of your current situation. (where you live, finances. etc.)
• Research what successful aging in place will take. There is plenty of information available online and you can start on our website @ ageinplace.com.
• Make a list of the type of help you might need (financial advisement, legal planning, long-term care, etc.) and locate professionals that can help you with these items.
• Begin identifying the items that are currently achievable, such as legal or financial planning, home modifications or others as your situation dictates.
• Start building your plan in timeline form and commit to dates. Fill in as you learn more and put completion dates on things. Make the commitment to yourself to finish it.

As I said earlier, every situation is different. The key is to start planning as early as you can, be as thorough as you can, involve your family in the process and revisit your plan regularly.

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Many Americans are helping their parents cope with aging issues, most often decreasing vision, balance and flexibility.    If you’re one of them – or an older American yourself – here are some ways to improve comfort and safety in the bathroom, where so many accidents occur.

Replace a standard  toilet with a comfort-height version. Comfort-height toilets are several inches higher and will be easier to use.   If a resident uses a wheelchair, it’s best to find a seat that’s close to the same height.  Manufacturers’ specifications typically are available on their web sites.

Add grab bars in the shower, tub and toilet areas. Double rows in the tub and shower areas are ideal, as they assist the standing and seated bather.   A hand-grip at the entrance to the tub space will be especially helpful to an adult or child climbing in and out.  The good news is that grab bars and hand grips now are  available in many of the same fashion finishes as faucets and other bath accessories.

Replace knob-style faucets with lever-handled faucets. These are much easier to grip by someone with arthritis, Parkinson’s or just diminished strength.

Replace a wall-mounted shower head with one on a slide bar. This enables someone in a wheelchair or standing to shower comfortably, (as long as the previous bather remembered to slide down the shower head!).  The ideal scenario is to add the slide bar shower head and keep the standing one, but this requires much more remodeling work.  Slide bar shower heads are convenient for all members of the family, as they enable bathers of different heights to shower more efficiently, and they make cleaning the tub/shower area easier, as well.

Replace a pre-code shower valve with a non-scald version. Scalding is one of the most serious bath injuries and can be avoided by one of the pressure and temperature-balanced shower valves available today.   You’ll render the flush toilet/scorch bather syndrome obsolete, so everyone wins.

Add a bench to the shower stall. This is helpful for the elderly user who needs to sit while showering, and works best with the slide bar shower head system.  It’s also great for those who shave their legs in the shower.

Increase the bathroom’s lighting. One of the symptoms of old age is decreased vision.  Installing brighter lights, and adding lighting, where possible, in the bathroom is a small compensation for that limitation.

Increase color contrasts. Another way to offset decreasing vision is to increase color contrasts in the room, especially around the vanity counter top area.  You can do this by putting a new light-colored countertop on a dark vanity, or a dark-colored top on a light vanity.  Offset the wall color with this new countertop, as well, so that an older user can clearly delineate where one starts and ends.

Remove sharp edges on countertops. When changing out a countertop, be sure the replacement has rounded corners.

Check that the vent fan is working properly to help avoid mold. Mold is hazardous to your health, especially to the most vulnerable among us, and is often caused by excessive moisture.  Your vent fan should ideally vent outside the home, not into an attic.   The new vent fans that turn on and off automatically when they sense moisture in the room are ideal, especially for memory-challenged seniors, but generally need to be planned into new construction or a large-scale remodel.  An automatic fan/light combo can be a more moderate vent plan.

Replace smooth, slick flooring with a textured tile. Polished marble is beautiful, but hazardous when wet, especially for older folks with balance issues.    Replace it with a textured tile that offers more traction.  Or add a floor traction treatment to your existing smooth flooring to make it rougher.  Products like SureStep will meet this need.

Remove steps in front of tubs. These are most common in master baths, and are high-risk slip hazards, especially for older users.  I strongly recommend remodeling to remove them.  One out of three Americans older than 65 will suffer a fall.  Improve your risk factor by eliminating a potential problem spot.

This article was written by Jamie Goldberg, AKBD, CAPS, an independent kitchen and bath designer and Certified Aging in Place Specialist in Tampa, Fla. See more of Jamie’s aging, design and remodeling articles on her blog, Gold Notes, or contact her at (813) 810-0467, jamie@jgkitchens.com or www.jgkitchens.com.

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Canes, Walkers & Wheelchairs
Certainly no one wants to think about needing help to get around their home. The reality is, however, that the older you get the greater the chance you will need at least some assistance. Finding the right home or properly planning home modifications can allow you to more safely maneuver around.

• Are entrance doors at least 36″ wide and interior doors a minimum of 32″ wide? (Needed for wheelchair and walker access.)
• Are rooms designed so as not to impede passage? (Features such as sunken rooms,  hallways that may be difficult to navigate or ornamental fixtures that are hard to get around.)
• Also, give thought to new or existing flooring; high-pile carpeting, area rugs or flooring that has a slippery surface can be trip & fall hazards.

Balance & Standing
As people grow older, physical issues caused by lack of muscle strength, equilibrium and other conditions begin to appear. Making accommodations that prepare for these will help you stay in your home longer. Two areas where standing occurs regularly are bathrooms and kitchens.

• Is there sufficient space given the room design for grab bars?
• Will the space allow for turning if you install a roll-under sinks? (These can be used for wheelchairs or other chairs) Are counters at the proper height in these areas?
• Regardless of the room, ensure there are ample places to provide chairs or benches while you perform regular tasks.

Bending & Reaching
No matter what your age, bending and reaching can be an issue. For older folks it is a common problem. The best approach to helping the situation is to keep as many things needed for your daily life within easy reach. Areas of the home that are more prone for this to be an issue such as the kitchen, laundry room and bedrooms (especially closets) should be looked at closely.

• Are there sufficient cabinets (at the proper height) and counter space to reduce bending and reaching?
• Would it be necessary to install under cabinet, roll-out shelves or pull-down shelves?
• Are closets sufficiently sized for closet organizing systems?

Reduced Hearing
As people grow older, many of them experience a reduction in hearing. Though there are many modifications you can make to your home to help with this, when remodeling or buying keep in mind that older people have a more difficult time hearing phone ringers, doorbells and alarms of any kind.

• Are there sufficient telephone jacks in the house? (Commonly used rooms should have them … the closer the ring, the more likely to be heard.)
• Are there smoke/CO2 alarms in the proper rooms? (You always can replace older models with ones that have visual indicators or louder alarms. Having them in the right rooms is the first step.)
• Also, keep in mind that voices through doors are difficult to hear. Having a window in/near entrance doors is a good idea and very important for safety.

Grasping & Holding Items
Most people have a more difficult time grasping and holding items as they grow older. Opening drawers or doors, holding items that may be heavy and any fixture that requires holding and turning to operate need to be given thought.

• Do cabinet drawers and doors have “D” shaped handles?
• Are door knobs lever-handled?
• Are there sufficient flat spaces such as counter tops, tables or benches in areas where you will be working or where you may have to juggle carrying a load while performing a task?
• Do all faucets have lever handles

Understanding that these abilities may diminish over time will help you make good choices when making decisions on features you would like to have in your home such as hardware, appliances and fixtures. Also, when planning your new space (whether you remodeled or bought) take special care to choose products that will assist with these issues. Items that are universally designed (for use by people of all abilities) can be of great help such as home accessories, kitchen aides and phones.

Eyesight
Diminished eyesight is a condition most older people face at some point. This can hinder a person from getting around in their home, using their appliances and make every day tasks more difficult.

• Is there sufficient light in every room and work area? Ensuring proper or additional lighting is one of the best (and inexpensive) things you can do for yourself if you have difficulty seeing.
• Are floor transitions easily distinguishable? Having contrasting colors at floor transitions will make them easier to see.
• Do appliances have large displays or text? Choosing models that do will make doing chores much easier and reduce the chance of error.

As stated in the previous section, given the fact that this condition will most likely occur can help you as you plan and purchase items for your remodeled or new home space.

Sitting & Lying Down
For the same reasons mentioned in Balance & Standing, sitting and lying down can be an issue for older people. Actually, the issues are with getting safely down and back up again.

• Does the home have plenty of open space where couches or chairs may be to accommodate assitive devices needed for safely sitting and standing? (Walkers are a good example of these.)
• What about in bedrooms? Is there sufficient space to enter or exit a bed if you are using a walker and/or bed safety rails?
• Is the bathroom designed to allow for installation of grab bars?

As always, you also may wish to consult with your physician or Occupational Therapist to discuss your options for walking, sitting or standing assistance.

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Why You Should Choose a Certified Aging in Place Specialist
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Only a licensed contractor, preferably a contractor recognized by the National Association of Home Builders as a Certified Aging in Place Specialist, who is experienced in these types of modifications should be hired to perform modifications to your home. You should not attempt making home modifications yourself, as implementing these types of solutions incorrectly can have life-threatening consequences.

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Health insurance costs are rising at an alarming rate. According to a 2005 survey conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation, employee premiums have increased 70% since 2000. During the same period, wages rose just 15%.

Unfortunately, while insurance costs are rising, the medical claims processing system remains highly complex, resulting in individuals not receiving coverage they deserve. Consider these statistics from Medical Economics:

• 31% of all medical claims are delayed
• 20% of all medical claims are denied
• Denied claims typically take 3-4 months to resolve

In this time of rapidly increasing out-of-pocket medical costs, it is important that individuals do all they can to get the coverage they deserve from their insurance provider.

Here are 10 things you can do to make sure you get the coverage you deserve.

1. Review Your Evidence of Coverage or Policy Disclosure Document
   Every insurance company has information on what is covered and what limitations there may be for specific medical treatments. You should have received an Evidence of Coverage or Policy Disclosure document when you obtained your policy. Review this document to understand your coverage, deductibles and limits. It is very important to understand the limitations of your policy, so that you can plan accordingly and discuss options with your doctor. If you have questions about your coverage always call the insurance company for clarification.
2. Bring Your Current Medical Insurance Information to Every Visit
   Many of the problems we experience in getting coverage are due to improper insurance information. Most receptionists will ask for updated insurance information, typically a card provided by the carrier, but don’t wait to be asked. Have your card or cards ready when you arrive. Make sure you understand where claims need to be sent and also give this information to your doctor. For example, if you have an HMO plan, your claims need to be sent to your medical group and not the insurance company.
3. Ask Your Doctor if They Bill Your Insurance Directly
   Most doctors’ offices will bill your insurance directly, but some don’t. Ask your doctor’s office if they will bill your secondary or tertiary insurance. Keep a notebook and record their answer for your future reference. If your doctor does not bill directly, make sure you receive a detailed bill with complete procedure and diagnosis code information. You will need to send this information along with a claim form to your insurance company.
4. Ask Your Doctor to Verify that You are Covered
   Many insurance companies have limits or specific benefits for specific procedures and conditions. Most doctors are knowledgeable or have back office billing staff that can check with your insurance provider to make sure you are covered for your visit or any resulting procedure. For some procedures doctors are required to obtain pre-authorization by the insurance carrier. Make sure you get this prior to all major medical procedures.
5. Submit Your Claims in a Timely Manner
   Most Insurance companies have time limits for submitting claims. If your doctor is submitting your claim, make sure it has been sent in and is being processed in a timely manner. Make sure you have the most current claim forms and billing addresses available. Forms can be found on most insurance company web sites or can be mailed.
6. Review Your Explanation of Benefits Statements Carefully
   After a claim has been submitted to your insurance provider, you will receive an Explanation of Benefits (EOB) statement. Review this carefully as it details what is covered, what is not, what is applied to deductibles and in what amounts. If you don’t understand any information on this statement, call your insurance company for clarification.
7. Always Contact Your Insurance Company Quickly with Questions
   It’s important to quickly contact your insurance carrier with any questions. Many providers have time limits for handling disputed claims. Have your policy information handy when making your calls so you can have the agent research any specific coverage issue you may have. Remember to document every conversation and take down the agent’s name if you have issues.
8. Be Persistent and Courteous with Customer Support Agents
   Often times the insurance agent taking your call has to wade through a great deal of policy information to answer your specific question. Take the time to make sure they understand your issue. Be persistent to insure you are getting the appropriate attention, but courtesy will often result in an agent being more sympathetic to your issue. Don’t underestimate the power an agent has in slowing down or even denying your coverage, or, better yet, getting your claim re-processed for additional benefits.
9. Understand your Prescription Benefits
   Check to see if medications are covered under your health plan. If you have prescription benefits take care to understand their “generic prescription” policy. Many insurance companies cover generic brand prescriptions at a higher rate than brand name prescriptions. Ask your doctor about prescribing generics. Read the exclusions list to see if your current medication is not allowed. Do not forget about your secondary and tertiary insurance policies. They may have some prescription benefits for you.
10. Know About Resources Available to Help You
    There are third party resources available to help you. First, the Internet is full of information on medical insurance, beginning with insurance company web sites. Medicare has a good support center available through a toll-free number. Their website is also useful, www.medicare.gov. In addition there are agencies, such as HICAP, who can provide limited free assistance. In cases where you need an advocate, there are local claims specialists you can contact.

It is important not to give up when you experience a problem with a medical claim. Take the time to carefully understand the issue and present it clearly to your insurance company or doctor. With patience and persistence you will be surprised at how many of your medical claims can be covered with some additional benefit to you. One way to manage the ever-increasing costs of medical care is by being an informed health care consumer.

Clarisa Odell has over 15 years experience with medical claims processing and specializes in helping individuals manage their medical claims. For more information contact her at clarisa@claimsrelief.com or visit www.claimsrelief.com. © 2005 Clarisa Odell, ClaimsRelief Solutions™

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