Bee Healthy
Deadline to change

Medicare plan

approaching

The March 31 deadline is swiftly approaching for eligible seniors to switch Medicare Advantage plans if they so desire.

However, there is no need for seniors who are happy with their plans to do anything.

Medicare Advantage plans offer coverage beyond the benefits obtained from Medicare Part A, which provides hospital coverage and Medicare Part B, which offers physician and medical coverage.

Medicare Advantage plans can also include a prescription drug benefit called Medicare Part D.

There is one rule to switching plans. An individual must enroll in a similar plan to the one in which he or she is currently enrolled. That means people cannot add or drop prescription drug coverage.

Seniors who have a Medicare Advantage plan with drug coverage, for example, could move into another Medicare Advantage plan, but only if the new plan also has a drug benefit.

Also, Univera Healthcare's new Medicare offerings in 2008 include a new $650 annual fitness and weight management benefit and a health plan with a $0 monthly premium.

For more information, seniors can contact a Medicare representative at Univera Healthcare by calling 1-800-659-1986. They can also go online to www.univerahealthcare.com or access Medicare's Web site at www.medicare.gov.

Alzheimer's Association

holds dementia

conference

There are more than five million people currently diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia in the United States.

That means the need to be knowledgeable about caring for loved ones with dementia is growing rapidly as family members become the primary caregivers to many of these people.

As the region's dementia care specialist, the Western New York chapter of the Alzheimer's Association will hold its annual Family Caregiver Conference on two days, from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 9 and Wednesday, April 23 at the Leonard Post Jr. Post, 6251 VFW, 2450 Walden Ave., Cheektowaga.

Dr. Laura Wray of the VA Hospital Memory Clinic will be presenting "About You" at the first session April 9. Her presentation will feature information on stress relief and management, dealing with emotions and general caregiver wellness.

On April 23, Laurie L. Menzies and Beverly Kubala of Pfalzgraf, Beinhauser & Menzies LLP will be presenting "What You Need to Know" featuring information on legal issues, financial planning, Medicaid, benefit entitlements and placement issues.

Both sessions will also feature a community resource fair where vendors will provide information on home health services, financial planning, nursing homes and much more.

Companion and Respite Care will be provided at the conference, but individuals must register for the service in advance. The fee for the conference is $10 per person for one session or $15 for both sessions.

Register by April 4 by calling

the Alzheimer's Association at

626-0600 or 1-800-272-3900.

Kidney disease

management class meets

The chronic kidney disease management class, "Take Control of Kidney Disease through Knowledge," will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 5 at the National Kidney Foundation offices, 300 Delaware Ave., Suite 101, Buffalo.

The program is for individuals who have been diagnosed in the early stages of kidney disease.

The class is taught by a registered dietician and offers basic information about kidney function, chronic kidney disease, conditions that accompany chronic kidney disease such as high blood pressure, hypertension and diabetes, slowing the progression of kidney disease, maintaining a healthy attitude and nutrition and diet guidelines.

The cost of the class is $35 and is covered for the majority of Independent Health, Univera and BlueCross BlueShield members.

For more information or to register, call 835-1323.