Medicare Choices: How to Decide

Speaker: Dianne Savastano -

The NAHAC Education Committee proudly presents Dianne Savastano, BSN, MBA, the Founder and President of Healthassist, a personal healthcare consultancy established in 2004 and based in Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA. Healthassist offers expert help in demystifying healthcare and medical insurance and offers services that help people of all ages navigate today's increasingly complex healthcare system. Dianne has over 30 years of healthcare experience and understands both the clinical and insurance perspectives. Before launching Healthassist, she worked as a nurse providing direct patient care, in hospital management, and in high-level positions in managed care, insurance, employee benefits and business consulting. Dianne was one of the founding members of NAHAC and currently serves on the board of directors as Treasurer.

As individuals approach the age of 65 and sign up for Medicare, they are often surprised and overwhelmed by the 20-40 choices available to them. Comparing one to another is a challenge.

The objectives for the teleconference session on "Medicare Choices" are:

1. Gain a deeper understanding of how the options in Medicare evolved
2. Understand what traditional Medicare covers and does not cover
3. Learn the differences between Medicare Part A, B, C, D and Medicare supplemental/medigap insurance plans
4. Identify preferences
5. Make decisions if you remain employed after age 65
6. Review your choices on an annual basis

Additional Resources:

• Medicare Choices: How to Decide

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Medicare and Healthcare Reform

Speaker: Kevin Knauss -

Kevin Knauss is an independent Health and Life Agent in California representing several carriers for Medicare plans, individual and small group insurance. He does not believe an agent should represent only one company because "one size does not fit all" when it comes to health insurance. Kevin has blogged extensively about healthcare reform, Medicare topics and his occasional travels through California.

You can read his blog access additional information as follows: Kevin@insuremekevin.com, www.insuremekevin.com, Facebook: Insure Me Kevin, Twitter: @insuremekevin

During this teleconference session our speaker addressed the following topics:

Healthcare Reform Affordable Care Act and its effects on:

1. Individuals/families
2. Business/ employees
3. Medicare beneficiaries

Additional Resources:

• Healthcare Reform Simplified

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Effective Teamwork with Psychiatric Patients

Speaker: Richard Heasley -

Richard Heasley is the Executive Director of Conard House, Inc., an organization which encompasses a spectrum of programs and services designed to support, rather than direct, recovery from mental illness. He has been Executive Director of Conard House for over 16 years, and has worked in the nonprofit human services sector for more than 35 years, providing executive leadership and financial management. Richard is a member and past President of the San Francisco Mental Health Contractors Association, the Steering Committee of the San Francisco Human Services Network, and the Executive Committee of the Supported Housing Employment Collaborative. He holds a BA in Philosophy, Wittenberg University, Springfield, Ohio; Master's in Public Administration, California State University, Hayward, California.

This discussion covers important aspects of healthcare advocacy for individuals with mental illness including resources and tools, roles for advocates and what the future holds.

Additional Resources

• Motivational Interviewing Techniques (currently unavailable)
• UCSF Chronic Disease Management: Mini-Medical School
• The work of Tom Bodenheimer and his efforts to promote self-management of chronic disease

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Doctor's Visit Planning and Communication Tools

Speaker: Beth van Bladel - 

Beth van Bladel founded Capital Region Patient Advocacy in Albany, New York in 2008 with a grassroots mission of teaching healthcare advocacy and navigation skills to her community.  She developed a collaborative resource network of over 100 capital region healthcare experts to create healthcare navigation tools.  The tools discussed in this podcast can be found in the Resources section of her website www.capitalregionpatientadvocacy.com and may be used by obtaining permission from Beth.

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Alzheimer's and Dementia

Speaker: Ms. Pat Felice - 

Ms. Pat Felice has been an educator and advocate for persons with dementia and their family care providers for over 10 years. As the former Family Services Director at the Alzheimer's Association of Colorado, Pat helped raise awareness about Alzheimer's disease and provided education, support and services to family caregivers, professionals and the general public. Pat has a B.A. in Communications and currently lives in Salt Lake City.

In her own words:
"The challenges of caring for a person with Alzheimer's disease are greatly misunderstood and underestimated by our society. Unless one has been personally impacted by the disease it is difficult for them to comprehend the physical, emotional and financial turmoil Alzheimer's can have on a family. With the benefit of easy access to information and services the burden can be lightened. Unfortunately, many people do not seek assistance and struggle alone due to the persistent stigma and ignorance about the disease that continues to prevail. Education and advocacy are imperative if we are to offer help to those currently diagnosed and hope for a cure in the future."

Documents

• Getting a Diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease (pdf 118 kB)
• 10 Warning Signs Of Alzheimer's Disease (pdf 43 kB)
• Alzheimers Disease and Other Dementias (pdf 81 kB)

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