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We want to help you understand the basics of Medicare Advantage as it’s something you’ll get bombarded with every year after you initially become eligible for Medicare. What are Medicare Advantage Plans? To get started, you may also see these types of plans referred to as MAPD or Part C plans. But don’t let all the names worry you, Medicare Advantage is actually pretty simple. Medicare Advantage Plans are just another way to get your Medicare Part A and Part B coverage. These plans are offered by Medicare-approved private companies that must follow a strict set of guidelines set by Medicare. In addition, most Medicare Advantage Plans also include drug coverage known as Part D. There may be several potential benefits when taking advantage of these types of plans available in the counties we serve which are Alameda, Contra Costa, Placer, Sacramento, Santa Clara and Yolo Counties in California. Depending on your individual circumstances, these benefits may include: Drug coverage Gym memberships Dental and vision coverage, Transportation to and from doctors, Meal delivery services Tele-doc office visits A reduction in your part B premium Day-to-day health related products Hearing benefits Capped money out of pocket Convenient medical service copay A single health coverage card for your doctor and pharmacist And much more. How much do Medicare Advantage Plans cost? Well, in many instances, your monthly premium will be $0.00. (Must continue to pay your part B premium) Right now you are saying to yourself, that is too good to be true, it must be a hoax. Let me assure you it's not. The government contracts private insurance companies to use your part B premium and the money you paid into the part A system over your working years to pay for the policy. So while this can in many instances be $0 to you, it’s certainly not free by any stretch. Conclusion Medicare Advantage plans are one great way to manage your Medicare benefits and they offer additional benefits not available from Original Medicare. If you have additional questions, that is ok. Nivano in partnership with Medicare Health Benefits has agents standing by to answer those questions free of charge. This is a service we provide our patients at no cost. Feel free to reach out to the Nivano Medicare Hotline at 866-674-3959 . About Nivano Accepted Medicare Plans: Nivano Physicians proudly services Medicare members in Alameda, Contra Costa, Placer, Sacramento, Santa Clara and Yolo Counties through Anthem Blue Cross and Imperial Health Plan. Here is a link to more information on Nivano accepted Medicare plans .

“1 in 3 people will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime” - The American Cancer Society. (ACS) While this is a very high ratio, many forms of cancer are highly treatable when diagnosed in the early stages. It is imperative that you get the appropriate screenings as indicated by your provider in order to catch the cancer early and to eliminate the chance of it spreading. Preventative cancer screenings are covered by your insurance and offered to you free of charge. The most common cancers, and preventative screenings available include: Breast cancer screening: Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women of all races and ethnicities in the United States. Early detection can lead more treatment options, lower risk of dying and lower health costs. A mammogram is recommended every 2 years to women 50-74 years of age. Nivano Physicians collaborates with Alinea Mobile Mammography for breast cancer screenings. We partner with many primary care clinics and bring the mammogram equipment to local provider offices and eliminate the need to travel to imaging centers. Cervical Cancer Screenings: Cervical cancer is one of the most common causes of cancer death among American Women. When detected and treated early it can reduce the chance of death. It is recommended that women ages 21-64 years of age are tested every 3- 5 years depending on your doctor’s recommendation. Colorectal Cancer screenings: Colorectal cancer can have a 90% survival rate after 5 years when treated in its earliest stage. It is recommended adults 50-75 years of age have any of the following tests: annual fecal occult blood test (FOBT), flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years, colonoscopy every 10 years, computed tomography colonography every 5 years, stool DNA test every 3 years. Nivano Physicians partners with Quest Diagnostics and offers at home FOBT kit for colorectal cancer screening. We can mail the kit to you to complete in the convenience of your home. In addition to the preventative screenings, it is also essential to adopt healthy lifestyles in order to reduce the risk of cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, diet and exercise can increase a person cancer risk. To reduce your risk of cancer the ACS recommends you maintain a healthy weigh throughout your life, get regular physical activity, eat healthy, limit alcohol, and quit smoking! For more information on the preventative cancer screenings available to you please visit our website at nivanophysicians.com or call us at 916.407.2000.

California Medicare Guide Nivano physicians proudly serves individuals eligible for Medicare living in the great state of California and has remained dedicated to being a valuable resource to patients in the Nivano family as well as those interested in joining. This Guide to California Medicare Includes: What is Medicare and do I qualify? California Medicare Eligibility Guidelines Medicare Plans in California What is the Cost of Medicare in California Can I Have Medicare and Medicaid in California? How do I Apply for Medicare in California? What is Medicare and Do I qualify? Medicare is a federal health insurance program comprised of four main parts: Parts A, B, C and D. Together, Parts A and B are known as “Original Medicare” offered by the government. United States citizens 65 and older OR those that have been legal residents for at least 5 years and are 65 and older and them or their spouse have worked for at least 10 years (or 40 quarters) in Medicare-covered employment are eligible for Medicare coverage. Someone also may be eligible for Medicare younger than 65 if they meet criteria for certain disabilities. Requirements may vary among the different Medicare plans. Medicare Part A Eligibility Hospital Insurance You're at least 64 years and 9 months old, or; You're under 65, but live with a certain disability or conditions; or You have end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Medicare Part B Eligibility Medical Insurance: You're at least 64 years and 9 months of age, or; You're under 65, but live with a certain disability or condition; or You have end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Medicare Part C Eligibility (Medicare Advantage Plans – offered in California): You're entitled to Part A, and; You're entitled to Part B, and' You do not have end-stage renal disease (ESRD), unless you meet an exception, and; You live in the plan's service area. Medicare is a federal health insurance program with very specific enrollment rules to navigate which we will cover in this article. Go here to read more about the four parts of Medicare. As with the other states, there are private companies that operate in the state of California that offer health care plans that work in together with Medicare to provide health insurance to qualifying individuals. We will go into detail in this article. California Medicare Eligibility Guidelines There are four ways to become eligible for Medicare in California: You are 65 or older You have End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) You have Lou Gehrig’s Disease (ALS) You currently receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) for 25+ months. Once you have confirmed eligibility requirements have been met, you can then begin shopping the various health plan solutions. Medicare Health Plans in California Even though there are hundreds of health insurance plan options for Medicare in California, there may only be a select few that are available to you and that make sense for your needs. Keep in mind that Original Medicare (the government-sponsored health insurance plan) is NOT the same thing as privately owned California Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement plans. Original Medicare is made up of Part A and Part B and is what you will first start with when you become eligible for Medicare. You can read more about the 4 parts of Medicare here. Once you have Part A and Part B, most people will make a decision between enrolling in the following options. Medicare Advantage plan with Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage. Medicare Supplement with Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage. Stand-alone prescription drug coverage (part d) plan. Medicare Advantage Plans in California Medicare Advantage plans in California are great options for those who want additional health insurance benefits than what's available strictly through original Medicare. Contrary to what you may have heard, Medicare advantage plans still require you to have all your Part A and Part B benefits, but may also have more! Additional health insurance benefits may include: Fitness programs Meal delivery Dental Vision Hearing Non-emergency transportation Need help making your California Medicare enrollment decision? We suggest that you make a list of the health care benefits that you need before you start shopping for Medicare coverage from any insurance company. Also, make a list of the doctors and pharmacies you like to visit, and the prescriptions that you are currently taking. Make sure that the plan you select will cover all of your needs. Medicare Advantage Plans Enrollment Details Enrollment in Medicare Advantage Plans occurs annually between October 7th and December 15th. This is called the Annual Election Period is the the period of time that the majority of Medicare Advantage plan enrollments occur. If you are just turning 65 and becoming eligible for Medicare, your initial enrollment date will be effective the 1st day of your birth month. For example, if you're birthday is May 15th, your Medicare effective date will be May 1st. Medicare Supplement Plans in California If Medicare Advantage isn’t right for you, you may want to consider Medicare Supplement plans instead. These plans are often called “ Medigap ,” because they close the gap between what Medicare covers and your out-of-pocket costs. Medigap plans usually do not include all the extra benefits that Medicare Advantage plans can provide. Instead, Medigap plans can cover your Part A and Part B premiums, deductibles, co-payments, and coinsurance. What is the Cost of Medicare in California? If you stick to the basics (Part A and Part B), your costs will be standardized. Most people will have premium-free Part A (unless you did not pay Medicare taxes throughout your life). The standard Part B premium for 2021 is $148.50 per month, and the standard deductible is $203 per year. Most people will not pay any less or more, but those numbers can be adjusted based on your income. If you enroll in a Part D plan, your costs will be slightly different based on the plan you choose. However, the standard deductible for 2021 is $445. Premiums for prescription drug plans can reach as low as $13 or as high as $80 per month. If you enroll in California Medicare Advantage Plans or Medicare Supplement plan, you will have a different premium. Some $0 premium Medicare Advantage plans may be available in your area. Keep in mind that if you are not paying a premium, chances are that your deductible and co-payments will be a bit higher. Lastly, the costs for Medicare coverage can vary based on where you live. For example, premiums for Medicare advantage plans in Los Angeles can be completely different than premiums in Sacramento. California’s Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Discount Program Did you know that California Medicare recipients have access to Medicaid-level drug pricing? Regardless of the prescription drug coverage you have, as long as you have your Medicare card to prove that you have medicare coverage, you can get great discounts. When you pick up your prescriptions, show your Medicare card to the pharmacy and ask for the Medi-Cal reimbursement price. If the Medi-Cal price is lower, they can give you that price instead. Be aware that if you have a great Part D or Medicare Advantage plan, there is a chance that it will actually be cheaper for you to use your Medicare plan than using the Medi-Cal discount. Always make sure that the price is actually lower before going that route. Additionally, know that only pharmacies who accept Medi-Cal coverage can offer this discount price, so your favorite pharmacy may not participate in this program. Can I Have Medicare and Medicaid in California? Medi-Cal is what is referred to those in California with medicaid benefits. If you qualify for Medicare and meet the income requirements for California Medicaid (Medi-Cal), you may qualify for plans that have benefits from both programs, which is referred to as Dual Special Needs Plans (DSNP). These types of Medicare Advantage plans were specifically created for this scenario. DSNPs generally cover most, if not all, of your health care costs. Enrollment for Medicare in California? Ready for enrollment into Original Medicare? For most, enrollment is automatic for Part A upon turning 65. If you are not automatically enrolled, or if it is time for you to enroll in Part B, your options are: Visit SocialSecurity.gov Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) Visit your local Social Security office in Alameda, Contra Costa, Placer, Sacramento, Santa Clara and Yolo Counties. Alameda County Social Security Office Locations Contra Costa County Social Security Office Locations Placer County Social Security Office Locations Sacramento County Social Security Office Locations Santa Clara County Social Security Office Locations Yolo County Social Security Office Locations Download the Medicare application you need and mail it in or bring it to your local Social Security office. Conclusion Medicare can be a complex program to understand and Nivano is dedicated to making it easier for you to to navigate in order to make the best decision possible for you. If you have specific questions, feel free to reach out to the Nivano Medicare Hotline at 866-674-3959, we have state licensed agents standing by to answer all your questions. About Nivano Accepted Medicare Plans: Nivano Physicians proudly services Medicare members in Alameda, Contra Costa, Placer, Sacramento, Santa Clara and Yolo Counties through Anthem Blue Cross and Imperial Health Plan. Here is a link to more information on Nivano accepted Medicare plans .

There are 4 parts of Medicare you should know about before becoming eligible for Medicare and choosing a plan.

Give the Gift of Life and Donate Blood With winter storms picking up and COVID cases rising, it is more important now than ever to donate blood during national blood donor month. According to the American Red Cross, winter is “one of the most difficult times of year to collect enough blood products to meet patient needs.” Donating blood saves many lives and improves health for many people. According to the World Health Organization, “blood is the most precious gift that anyone can give to another person — the gift of life. A decision to donate your blood can save a life.”1 Blood Donor Month was created with the goal of increasing blood and platelet donations during winter. During the winter months, inclement weather often results in cancelled blood drives, and seasonal illnesses like the flu may cause some donors to become temporarily unable to donate. How to donate blood Blood donation appointments can be made by downloading the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood .org to make an appointment or to receive more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. Why is National Blood Donation Month So Important? Donating blood save lives Someone needs blood every few seconds in the United States. And more than 4.5 million Americans would die every year without lifesaving blood transfusions. National Blood Donor Month helps us remember these vital statistics. It's the gift that keeps on giving The American Red Cross needs 13,000 blood donations every single day to maintain an appropriate blood supply. Fortunately, eligible blood donors can donate blood every eight weeks. It's good for donors, too The American Journal of Epidemiology reports that blood donors are 88 percent less likely to have a heart attack.2 https://nationaltoday.com/national-blood-donor-month/ https://www.redcross.org/about-us/news-and-events/news/Resolve-to-Give-during-National-Blood-Donor-Month.html

Don't See the World in the Dark Glaucoma is commonly known as the sneak thief of sight as it causes irreversible blindness. With over 60 million people worldwide suffering from the same disease, it is very important to take necessary precautions before the disease gets out of hand. It is the leading cause of irreversible illness in the United States. Usually there are no symptoms that are noticeable in early stages. Most people are unaware of their diagnosis until it is too late. This month we would like to shed some light on Glaucoma Awareness. What is Glaucoma? Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that cause blindness. It usually affects the middle-aged and the elderly. The vision loss is caused by damage to the optic nerve which is responsible for carrying images to the brain for you to see. At the moment, there is no cure for glaucoma. Once it is diagnosed, surgery and medication can help low or prevent further vision loss. Early detection is vital to stopping the progress of the disease. Types of Glaucoma Primary Open Angle Glaucoma Open-angle glaucoma, the most common form of glaucoma, accounting for at least 90% of all glaucoma cases: Is caused by the slow clogging of the drainage canals, resulting in increased eye pressure Has a wide and open angle between the iris and cornea Develops slowly and is a lifelong condition Has symptoms and damage that are not noticed. “Open-angle” means that the angle where the iris meets the cornea is as wide and open as it should be. Open-angle glaucoma is also called primary or chronic glaucoma. It is the most common type of glaucoma, affecting about three million Americans. Angle Closure Glaucoma Angle-closure glaucoma, a less common form of glaucoma: Is caused by blocked drainage canals, resulting in a sudden rise in intraocular pressure Has a closed or narrow angle between the iris and cornea Develops very quickly Has symptoms and damage that are usually very noticeable Demands immediate medical attention. It is also called acute glaucoma or narrow-angle glaucoma. Unlike open-angle glaucoma, angle-closure glaucoma is a result of the angle between the iris and cornea closing. Prevention Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in the world. Usually there are virtually no symptoms. Vision loss begins with peripheral or side vision, so if you have glaucoma, you may not notice anything until significant vision is lost. The best way to protect your sight from glaucoma is to get a comprehensive eye examination. Then, if you have glaucoma, treatment can begin immediately. Remember to visit your eye doctor on a yearly basis to help prevent eye disease.