6A — THE OBSERVER
TuESday, OcTOBER 27, 2020
PAID ADVERTISEMENT
Medicare Advantage plans
help seniors stay healthy
Summit Health has introduced four new plans to help Eastern Oregonians
Seniors in Eastern Oregon will have
a new option to choose from for 2021
with the arrival of Summit Health
Medicare Advantage plans.
Created by a group of regional providers who have
been meeting the health care needs of Eastern
Oregonians for decades, Summit specializes in
Medicare Advantage plans for residents in 12
counties. The company is offering four plans,
each with a range of benefits to help seniors (and
other Medicare-eligible individuals) live healthy
lives.
“We’re excited to be serving seniors in Eastern
Oregon,” said Emily Camp, senior Medicare
product manager for Moda, one of the partners
behind Summit. “All of our Medicare Advantage
plans have been designed to offer the kinds of
benefits that help people stay active and healthy.”
cost, plus a $500 allowance for any other dental
services they may need.
Partly as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic,
the use of telehealth has increased greatly, and
Summit has made it part of its Medicare Advantage
coverage. The company has partnered with
CirrusMD, a virtual care platform that lets people
connect with real doctors for non-emergency
medical issues. Patients can text doctors, share
images or video chat 24 hours a day, seven days
a week.
“We think that’s going to be really valuable service
for people,” Camp said. “In many cases, they’ll be
able to avoid having to drive to see a doctor while
still giving them helpful medical information and
peace of mind.”
Summit’s Medicare Advantage plans offer care
management programs for specific conditions,
as well. For example, a diabetes management
program provides patients with a connected
Many vaccines, such as yearly flu shots, are
blood glucose meter and unlimited supplies at
covered by Summit’s plans. Three of their plans
no cost. Health professionals will
include prescription drug coverage
be able to remotely track patients’
that waives deductibles and copays
“Seniors in Eastern
blood glucose levels, and diabetes
for additional vaccines, including
Oregon deserve the
response specialists will offer
the shingles vaccine, and certain
best kind of care that coaching and support.
generic drugs.
fits their life.”
Summit has also included a free
“It’s important for seniors to know
- Emily Camp,
fitness benefit in its Medicare
that while vaccines for the flu
senior Medicare product
Advantage plans. Called the
manager,
Moda
and even COVID-19, once that’s
Silver&Fit® Healthy Aging and
available, are covered at no cost on
Exercise program, it includes more than 1,500
all of our plans, we also cover vaccines for things
digital workout videos, free gym memberships
like shingles and hepatitis at no cost on our plans
and coaching from fitness and nutrition experts.
that have drug coverage,” Camp said.
Seniors can also pick a yoga kit or a wearable
Summit’s Medicare Advantage plans also cover
fitness tracker, and each year they can choose two
routine vision and hearing. Many plans charge a
home fitness kits to practice routines like Tai Chi
copay for routine vision and hearing exams, but
or chair-based exercise.
Summit does not. The company’s plans also cover
“We’ve really tried to make our Medicare
up to two-thirds of the cost of hearing aids.
Advantage plans as comprehensive, beneficial
“Hearing aids can be expensive, but our plans
and valuable as possible,” Camp said. “Seniors in
help seniors cover a significant portion of that
Eastern Oregon deserve the best kind of care that
price,” Camp said.
fits their life.”
Additionally, Summit’s plans all include preventive
and comprehensive dental care. Seniors get two
cleanings and exams per year at no additional
Open enrollment for Medicare is now through
December 7.
Healthy smile, healthy life
Dr. Teri Barichello on the importance of oral health for seniors
and simply because we use
our teeth to chew and speak.
The biggest risk is the impact
chronic gum inflammation
can have on other conditions,
but there is also the risk of oral
cancer. There’s a risk to your
social health, too. If you don’t
have teeth or a healthy mouth,
you’re less likely to engage
socially. Your nutrition can
suffer, as well.
Why is oral health so
important to overall health?
I think, especially for seniors,
this is an area where we see
the intersection of one thing
Dr. Teri Barichello (left) tells a patient about the importance of oral health as you age.
impacting another quite a bit.
There are a lot of chronic health conditions that
The phrase “long in the tooth” might be a not-so-
are linked to the health of your mouth. Heart
kind way of telling someone that they’re getting old.
attacks have been the No. 1 killer since 1990 and
But it’s also one that illuminates the importance of
stroke is the No. 1 cause of disability. A leading
good oral health in the lives of seniors.
contributor to those is arterial diseases, and the
American Heart Association says gum disease is
“Long in the tooth refers to the fact that, as we
independently associated with those. There’s also
age, our gums recede and the roots of our teeth
growing evidence of a link between gum disease
become more exposed,” said Dr. Teri Barichello,
and Alzheimer’s.
Vice President and Chief Dental Officer for Moda.
”The root surfaces of our teeth are not covered by
Are there other conditions connected to good
enamel, so cavities can get started and progress
oral health?
quickly. That can be catastrophic.”
There are many other connections to gum disease,
Catastrophic, because poor oral health in seniors
including cancer, arthritis and respiratory
has been linked to a host of other serious medical
diseases. There’s even a link between gum disease
conditions, including diabetes, cardiovascular
and erectile disfunction.
disease and even Alzheimer’s. Barichello shared
What about seniors who may be missing teeth
some insights into the correlation between good
oral health and overall health in a recent interview.
or who wear full or partial dentures?
Some people think, ‘I don’t have teeth, so I don’t
How important is good oral health for seniors?
need a dentist.’ That’s just not true. Even if you
It’s an imperative for seniors – for quality of life,
have no teeth or wear dentures, you still need to
for the health correlations with gum disease
go to the dentist. We can help prevent problems,
Having good
pharmacy benefits is
key to better health
The right Medicare Advantage plan and a
good pharmacist make a world of difference
Think all of your prescription drugs are covered
under your Medicare Advantage plan?
Think again.
“The most important part for seniors is ensuring
that the medical plan they choose includes
pharmacy coverage, especially for those who
may be on a lot of medications,” said Dr. Carly
Rodriguez, Pharmacy Director at Moda. “I think
people sometimes just assume there’s coverage,
and while there may be, it might not be the kind
of coverage they need.”
Having good drug benefits is an important
component to any Medicare Advantage plan. That
coverage, known as Medicare Part D, helps cover
many of the prescription drug costs for seniors,
often reducing the copays to just a few dollars
depending on the medication. Without coverage,
costs can escalate quickly.
“The first thing to check is whether or not your
current medications are covered by a plan
and how much they will cost,” said Rodriguez.
“Different plans will also vary on coverage of
generic versus brand medications.”
An additional consideration is coverage for
vaccines. While most plans provide flu shots for
free, other vaccines may not be included. Some
Medicare Advantage plans, like those offered by
Summit Health, offer additional vaccines at no
cost, including shingles, pneumococcal disease
and even typhoid fever vaccines for seniors who
may be traveling. Rodriguez noted that for people
who are traveling, it’s important to make sure
your plan covers the required vaccines.
And speaking of pharmacy, Rodriguez said
seniors should be sure to take advantage of one of
the most helpful health care resources available
to them: pharmacists.
“Pharmacists are one of the most accessible
health care providers,” she said. “They are the
drug experts. They understand all the medications
a person may be taking and how they interact.
They can also help find lower-cost alternatives
and make recommendations on over-the-counter
medicines, vitamins and supplements.”
we can help with the fit of your dentures, which
changes over time. And in an annual oral exam,
we’re also screening for cancer, so it’s still
important.
Is there anything else you’d share?
I just think it’s important to highlight how critical
good oral health is for seniors. You only get one
set of adult teeth, and your gums can provide
a pathway for bacteria to your bloodstream.
Maintaining the health of your mouth is one of
the best things you can do to help live a healthier,
happier life.
Summit Health Plan, Inc. is an HMO with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in Summit Health Plan, Inc. depends on contract renewal.
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