Beatitudes Community

State of the Campus – August 22nd

We continue testing all staff weekly and unvaccinated staff twice a week. So far, since the beginning of the pandemic, we have administered over 16,000 tests for COVID-19. That’s a lot of nose-swabbing! This week, we have three Independent Living staff who tested positive for COVID-19 and are still in quarantine. We have no residents who have notified us that they are positive. Gratefully, all the staff and residents who have tested positive during this latest surge of COVID-19 infections have or are recovering.

State of the Campus – July 24

346 staff tested negative and nine tested positive. Eight of those nine staff remain asymptomatic and show no symptoms of COVID-19; however, because they carried the disease, they could spread it. These staff are currently in quarantine at their homes and monitored daily. Yesterday, July 23, we continued our weekly testing of approximately 245 direct care staff and support personnel, and plan to do that weekly at least for the next few weeks. We will continue to do biweekly mass testing for all campus staff and the next testing date is next Thursday, July 30.

Arizona State Retirement System Changes

Are you an Arizona State Retiree who gets health insurance through your retirement plan? This year the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) announced a change in one segment of its retiree health insurance.

ASRS has traditionally had two plans to choose from: they offered both an HMO Plan (Medicare Part C) and a Medicare Senior Supplement (Original Medicare with Part B Supplement, also called a Medigap plan). If you previously had Medicare coverage through the ASRS HMO Plan, these new changes do not affect you. If, however, you had Original Medicare with a Senior Supplement through ASRS, the 2019 changes will affect your coverage.

Both ASRS plans rely on “passive enrollment,” which is a convenient way for people to keep their current plan from year to year. This year, however, retirees who had the Senior Supplement Plan (not the HMO) were passively enrolled out of Original Medicare and into a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) through UnitedHealthcare (the same insurer who provides coverage for the HMO beneficiaries).

The “behind the scenes” problem with this change is that retirees were not informed that by enrolling in a Medicare Advantage Plan, they would lose “guaranteed issue” to future Supplement / Medigap policies. Guaranteed issue means that you have the right to buy a policy without medical underwriting, which can lead to denials of coverage or inflated prices based on age and health conditions. Another concern is that the new lower premiums, while attractive, are due to a temporary rate adjustment, and future costs may not remain low.

How might this affect you? Both our contracted outpatient services through OASIS and our Campus Home Health program accept Original Medicare but not Advantage Plans (HMOs or PPOs), with the exception of Home Health accepting UHC Community and UHC Dual Complete (AHCCCS). For example, if you are a retired teacher previously on the ASRS Senior Supplement Plan, you are now on a PPO Plan. You may have had physical therapy on campus as an outpatient, or through the campus Home Health service. Now, however, you will not be covered and will need to seek outpatient services off campus, and Home Health from an outside agency.

SHIP Medicare Counselors believe individuals can get better coverage at a better price by remaining on Original Medicare with a Supplement and Part D coverage. The new deadline to change your Medicare coverage from the new PPO to Original Medicare with a supplement is March 3rd, 2019.

If you are affected by this change, and wish to speak to a Medicare counselor about making a change, please let Josephine know no later than February 15th at x16117.

New Medicare Cards

Medicare has recently changed their health insurance cards.  If you have traditional Medicare, you will notice that previously your Social Security number was used as your medical identification number as well as your Medicare Number.  As we know, over the past several years there has been nationwide concerns with identity theft and this is one way Medicare is addressing the concerns to minimize the risk of future identity theft.

Most of you should have already received your new Medicare card in the mail.  If you have not, please contact the Social Security Administration to ensure your address is correct.  You may contact them at ssa.gov/myaccount or by calling 800-772-1213.

It is important that when you receive your new card that you destroy your old card and replace with the new one which has a unique combination of letters and numbers and provide a copy to all of your health care providers. Please see the example below.

In addition to replacing your card, we are requesting all residents/responsible parties to provide accounting with a copy of your new card.  You may take it personally to their office in Agelink or it can be sent in with your monthly payment so that the new information can be updated in your Electronic Record here on campus.  Accounting’s office is open from 7:30AM to 4:30PM Monday through Friday.

Having the most up-to-date information will assist with transition so that if you are sent to the hospital we can provide them with the most current and up to date information.  Additionally, it allows a smooth billing of Medicare if you are admitted to the Health Care Center for a short stay or need to utilize Home Health or Outpatient Therapy services on campus.

Please be advised that only health care professionals should be requesting your Medicare card.  The Centers for Medicare/Medicaid Services (CMS) also wants beneficiaries to beware of anyone who contacts you about your replacement Medicare card, as scammers have already targeted recipients with new ploys. CMS officials say they will never ask a beneficiary for personal or private information or for any money as a condition of getting a new Medicare number and card.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at x16111. *

Beware; You Need to Be Aware

For those of you with Medicare Part A and Part B insurance, the following may come as a surprise to you.  What I am referring to is, over the last few years, there had been an increase in the hospital admission practice of admitting patients under an outpatient “observation” status versus an “inpatient” status.  While we don’t see this happening as often, it is still something to be aware of and keep fresh in your mind.

Some Medicare patients have found that after being admitted into the hospital for a few nights, they were then discharged to a skilled nursing facility and that their stay was not going to be covered under their Medicare Part A benefits because when they were admitted to the hospital, they were admitted under an outpatient “observation” status.

The difference between an outpatient “observation” status and “inpatient” status according to Medicare.gov, is that an “inpatient” status means you are formally admitted to the hospital per a doctor’s order.  An “observation” status means a doctor has not written an order to admit you to the hospital.  This may be the case if you are getting emergency care, observation services, outpatient surgery, lab test, x-rays, etc. Medicare.gov also states, “The decision for inpatient hospital admission is a complex medical decision based on your doctor’s judgment and your need for medically necessary hospital care. An inpatient admission is generally appropriate when you’re expected to need two or more midnights of medically necessary hospital care, but your doctor must order such admission and the hospital must formally admit you in order for you to become an inpatient.”

What does all of this mean? If you have been admitted as an “inpatient”, Medicare Part A will cover your hospital services after you have met your deductible as well as will cover eligible drugs administered as part of your inpatient treatment during a covered stay.  Medicare Part A will also cover 100% for the first 20 days in an approved skilled nursing facility or rehab if the patient had spent at least three midnights in the hospital admitted as an “inpatient”.  If you were classified as “observation”, Part A will not cover the services.  Medicare Part B can cover your hospital services; however, a copay is required and varies depending on the service.   Additionally, prescription drug coverage during an outpatient “observation” stay is not covered by Part A or Part B potentially leading to more out of pocket expenses.   Medicare Part B may be used in skilled nursing facilities to cover the physician visits as well as the rehabilitative therapies prescribed.

What can you do to avoid this type of situation?  AARP offers the following tips:

  1. Ask about your admission status each day you are in the hospital as it may change.
  2. Ask the hospital doctor to reconsider your case if you were admitted under an “observation” status.
  3. Ask your own doctor whether “observation” status is justified. If not, ask him/her to call the hospital to speak with the hospital doctor for an explanation.

For more detailed information on how Medicare covers hospital services, including premiums, deductibles, copayments, or any other questions you have about Medicare, you may reach out to Josephine Levy, our Success Matters Resource Navigator who is also a Medicare State Health Insurance Program Counselor, at x16117.  You may also visit Medicare.gov/publications to view the “Medicare & You” handbook or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048.*

Shingles Shot Clinic Update

There is a new formulation of the shingles shot, called Shingrix, and you’ve inquired about it. It is believed to be much more effective than the previous Zostavax shot. Even if previously vaccinated with Zostavax, the new shot, Shingrix, is recommended. You should wait at least two months before being vaccinated again. Not sure if it’s been long enough? No one should have received Zostavax within the last two months as it has almost entirely been removed from the market. The new shot is administered in a two-dose series, with the second dose being administered 2-6 months after the first. We are preparing to facilitate a shingles clinic with Fry’s Pharmacy in the very near future. In the Fall, Fry’s will return to give the follow-up dose and at the same time hold another flu clinic.

Cost

According to Mike, the Pharmacist, he is seeing what he calls a “mixed bag” in terms of coverage from Medicare and other plans. Given that it is a two-part shot, the cost may be a factor since the patient must pay twice! Out of pocket, the shot costs around $160.00 per dose. However, Mike has seen $0 co-pays with Medicare and $60+ with others. Bottom line: it depends on your personal insurance coverage. Mike is willing to pre-bill ahead of time and contact you with a price via phone. To do so, he must have a completed Administration Record form on file along with a copy of your insurance cards, front and back, Medicare and Supplemental if applicable. Be sure to include a good phone number to contact you at.

To sign up, simply go to the front administration receptionist and ask for a Shingles form. They can also make copies of your insurance cards for you. Once you have the form completed, return it along with the copies of insurance cards to the receptionist. She will hold them in a safety box until I pick them up and fax them to Mike. He will take care of the rest. Last day to turn in your forms is Sunday, July 8th. For more information, call Gabi Holberg at x18490.

If you want to learn more about the vaccine, type the link below in your web browser: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/vis/vis-statements/shingles-recombinant.html

Aquatic Therapy

With the onset of summer and warmer weather and water, Beatitudes wants to remind all residents that we offer aquatic therapy as part of our outpatient therapy clinic services for our residents. Nancy Reyes, one of our contracted Occupational Therapists began working with residents for a couple of years now and the residents seem to enjoy it.

Aquatic therapy takes place in a warm water pool with a temperature ranging between 84 to 90 degrees.   The principles of aquatic therapy which provide rehabilitative benefits are: hydrostatic pressure, buoyancy and viscosity.

Hydrostatic pressure is the pressure exerted equally on all surface areas of an immersed body resting at a given depth. As pool depth increases, fluid density increases causing an increase in pressure. This principle is beneficial to individuals who may suffer from lower extremity edema. The increase in pressure can help reverse these inflammatory effects which may then cause a decrease in swelling. Hydrostatic pressure can also benefit those with unstable joints. In this case, increased pressure coupled with underwater exercise helps improve joint stability.

Buoyancy is the upward force a fluid exerts on an object of less density.  It works in the opposite direction of gravity. For example, someone who is neck deep in water experiences about 10% weight bearing, at chest deep water level this increases to 25 to 30%, etc. This principle may be beneficial for individuals who present with weak muscles, difficulty with weight bearing or restrictions in their range of motion. In these examples, buoyancy can assist by providing weightless movements which allow spastic muscles to relax and allow for an overall increase in movement. The ability to perform movements which were not attainable on land can have a profound positive psychological effect.

Viscosity of water is referred to as, “the stickiness of a fluid”, thusly, resistance can be increased by speed of movement. By creating a more viscous environment, the force of resistance increases. This increase in resistance allows the opportunity for muscle strengthening which can benefit individuals who need to build strength but have difficulty coordinating their movements on land. Individuals suffering from illnesses such as Parkinson’s disease have had positive results in muscle strengthening thanks to therapeutic aquatic exercise. Viscosity allows them to perform strengthening exercises without the challenges of loss of balances they may experience exercising on land.

While aquatic exercise has been shown to have great benefits; there are some reasons aquatic exercise may not be for you, such as: skin infection, open wounds, recent deep x-ray therapy, inability to adjust to fluid loss due to kidney disease, perforated eardrum, incontinence, hyper or hypo tension with short periods of exercises; frequent rest breaks.

Residents that would be good candidates for hydrotherapy include those who may have or had the following: orthopedic surgeries/injuries arm, wrist, hand fractures, total knee replacements, hip replacements and hip pinning, stroke, spinal cord injury, and cardiopulmonary issues like COPD.

Medicare Part B benefits can cover the cost but a physician’s order will need to be obtained. The hours available for aquatic therapy are 11:30A.M to 2:00P.M Monday through Friday by appointment. Please feel free to contact the therapy department for further information or to schedule an appointment with Nancy by calling (602) 433-6153. Nancy is certified in PNF (Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation), and has been practicing aquatic therapy for 20 years. She previously ran the aquatic rehab program for 4 years at Chris Ridge Village and taught post therapy aquatic programs at Maryvale’s Women’s Center for the fibromyalgia and arthritis aquatic exercise programs.  Please note that all necessary equipment needed will be at the Beatitudes pool and there is a lift for individuals who may have ambulatory difficulties. Nancy and the therapy team look forward to introducing you to the benefits that therapeutic aquatic exercise can provide.*

Success Matters: 2017 Year In Review

More than once the Success Matters team has been asked, “What is it you do exactly?”  Since this has been a great year for our Success Matters program, we thought we’d share some highlights.

A big part of our work is educational outreach. Our Lifelong Learner classes include: “Family Ties”; TED Talks “Life Lived Well”;  “Healthy Aging”; and “Maintain your Brain”.  We held information sessions on urinary incontinence, Life Planning documents, GoGoGrandparent, and Medicare.

Our SimulAge staff training helps employees continue to do their best work in interacting with residents. We have worked with approximately 150 staff from across Campus.

Jessica and Josephine teamed up to present at the Beatitudes at Home Spring Education Conference. Jessica also presented on the topic of “Assessing and Addressing Frailty” for the AZ Geriatrics Society; Josephine served on a discussion panel about transportation issues, and completed the Area Agency on Aging Medicare Counselor Volunteer Training.

October was Driver Safety Awareness Month, with OT students from NAU conducting Driver Check-Ups, and featuring AARP for the Smart Driver Course. We held A.T. Still University’s “Listen Up” program, which helps couples resolve communication issues stemming from hearing loss. We hosted the A.T. Still course “A Matter of Balance,” and held our own 6-week Safer Stepping series.

Jessica mentored three OT students from A.T. Still University, Mitch Sopko and Rich Fauci, and Maddie Thueson. Having Maddie, Rich, and Mitch in our department was a definite highlight.

Guest speaker Betty Delano from the AZ Attorney General’s Office spoke about scams, and Tony Motley from the AZ Department of Veteran Services presented on VA benefits.

We started an email newsletter and just published our 4th edition. Contact Josephine at x16117 if you want to be added to the email list.

Our daily focus is working directly to help residents maintain independence and a good quality of life. This might include answering questions about Life Planning documents or benefits, facilitating communication, transportation issues, apartment safety, support groups, and more.

Our little garden just outside the back of Agelink continues to grow. Please feel free to come visit. We aren’t growing anything edible but we do have a nice grouping of ferns, succulents, flowers, and cacti. They love to be admired and fussed over. We have seen two hummingbirds at our feeder, and a few lizards taking it easy out back. There is a bench where you can sit and contemplate on the east end of Agelink. Welcome!

Success Matters at Beatitudes Campus was awarded the 2017 Arizona Leading Age Award for Innovative Health and Wellness Programs.

Advocacy Action Alert: Save Medicaid

It is critical that Senators Flake and McCain hear from all of us! I ask that you share the information above and encourage them to oppose changing Medicaid to block grants or per capita caps when our senior population across the nation is rapidly growing. It is the wrong policy at the wrong time.

Hospice is About Living, Not Dying

Hospice is a word many people fear and think of in a negative manner. I have often heard that people fear Hospice because they believe it will hasten one’s death. When you learn about it, you realize that Hospice doesn’t shorten someone’s life, nor does it prolong someone’s life. Hospice of the Valley shares that “Hospice care is for people with a life-limiting illness who want to be cared for in the comfort of their home environment-surrounded by the people and things they know and love.” Hospice is a program that not only provides care from physicians, nurses and nursing aides, but also services including social workers, chaplains, volunteers and bereavement counselors if needed.

On Tuesday, March 21st, please join representatives from Hospice of the Valley at 3PM in the Life Center to hear how Hospice supports patients and their families in their homes. You will learn when Hospice care is appropriate and how Medicare and other insurance companies cover the cost of Hospice care.

Please come learn about a valuable program offered, what other services Hospice of the Valley offers and have all of your questions about Hospice answered. On behalf of the Health and Wellness Committee, we hope to see you Tuesday, March 21st at 3PM in the Life Center.

Meeting Your Needs, Whatever They May Be

As you know, living at Beatitudes Campus has many benefits. Did you know that one of the most important is that you have a full continuum of care services available to you should you ever need them? We would like you to be aware of what is available to you prior to you possibly needing the services.

Recently, while taking part in The Design Studio, I was asked if I could explain what is needed or how we determine what level of care or services someone needs. That was the perfect time for me to give a shameless plug for a presentation which will be given on Tuesday, February 14th. I shared that myself and the Directors of these areas on campus will discuss this information and much more and encouraged everyone to attend. I am sure there’s many of you with questions like—how many of you are wondering what services are provided on each floor of the Health Care Center? What is the difference between Independent Living and Assisted Living? What services are offered on campus that may help support you in staying in your apartment longer? Also, have you been curious as to what Medicare services are available on campus? How about the cost of services? You will find out these answers plus a whole lot more if you join us for this informative presentation in the Agelink Great Room on Tuesday, February 14th at 3PM.

During this 90 minute presentation—graciously sponsored by The Health and Wellness Committee and Lifelong Learners—you will hear from not only me, but also Teresa Borton,  Health Care Center Director of Nursing; Elizabeth Kerr, Administrator/Clinical Director of Beatitudes Home Health and Beatitudes at Home; and Ron Ingram, Director of Assisted Living and Early Memory Support.

Please don’t miss out on this great opportunity to learn about what care services the campus offers in what is sure to be a fun and interactive way. Hope to see you on the 14th at 3PM.

Medicare Benefits and YOU

1620218Late each year, beneficiaries are offered the opportunity to review their Medicare plans and make changes accordingly during the Medicare Open Enrollment Period. Understanding how your insurance selection impacts you is more important today than ever before. This is crucial since the Affordable Health Care Plans and Medicare are key Congressional discussion items.

To help educate and inform you on Medicare updates and available options, we have asked a third party insurance consultant, Ellen Dean from Dean and Associates, to come and discuss changes in Medicare on Monday, October 19th at 2:30pm in the Motion Studio at the Nelson Administration Center.  Mrs. Dean, an expert on senior health insurance since 1992, will inform you on the complexities of Medicare Insurance Coverage and Part D Prescription Drug Coverage.  Ellen’s partner, Katie Ponton, will also be available to specifically discuss changes directly related to the 2017 Part D Drug Plans.  Additionally, Ellen has agreed to meet individually with residents and their families to evaluate insurance coverage and re-enroll you into a different insurance plan if you so desire.  Medicare open enrollment is scheduled for October 15-December 7, 2016 with changes effective for a January 1, 2017 start date.  As a Certified© Financial Planner and Health Insurance Broker, Mrs. Dean and Katie work with many insurance companies and are not restricted to a limited few….their expertise is highly valued!

Like many health care providers, we are not contracted with many Medicare Advantage HMO Plans.  This is due, in large part, to the fact that many HMOs do not reimburse our Health Care Center at the rate that covers the cost of care provided.  Offering high-quality skilled nursing care services is important to us because we know these services are important to you and your family.  In addition, to add to our continuum of care, the services offered by Beatitudes Home Health are only reimbursed by Medicare at this time, as well as our outpatient therapy clinics which are contracted with Medicare and very few other insurance companies.

It is essential that you understand your current options and find a plan that works best for you in regards to costs and access to care.   Our experience has shown that residents who have Medicare with a traditional supplement have greater satisfaction with health care services.  These residents have more choices in providers and may see lower out-of-pocket costs in the event of a medical emergency, post-hospital skilled care event, or cancer treatments.

I hope you will join us on October 19th for this special informational session covering the 2017 Traditional Medicare vs. Medicare Advantage plan (HMO) Benefits. Additionally, you may set a private appointment with Mrs. Dean right here on Campus by calling 602-266-9200. *