Welcome to Boom!, a look at this area’s popular culture and its lasting effect on our generation. I’m Mike Olszewski, and my wife, Janice, and I have been documenting this part of our history in a series of books aimed at preserving that part of our lives and bringing back plenty of memories.
I’m teaching college now, but before that I spent a long time in radio, most notably at WMMS when it was “The Buzzard.” People often ask me, “Whatever happened to radio?” Well, the programming is there and is growing, but the way it gets to us is changing rapidly.
RADIO DAYS
It wasn’t that long ago that radio was lifestyle. We lived and died with radio, but that was before a lot of other options such as cable TV, video games, computers and the internet. Ah, the internet. Video didn’t kill the radio star. Your laptop and cellphone might be to blame.
Sure, radio is still popular, but mostly for an aging generation.
The internet quickly changed the way we access information and music, and it’s not slowing down. Author Tim Murphy disagrees to a point in a recent article, “Millennials Love Radio. Wait, What?” Portability seems to be the advantage.
“Radio is mobile friendly for the ear bud generation, and it connects with those that want to be part of their community,” Murphy writes.
True, people listen primarily in their cars, and Wi-Fi is now being installed in some upper-end models.
NOW WHAT?
John Gorman has seen both sides of the coin. The well-respected programmer of WMMS and WMJI now heads oWOW Cleveland, a locally focused internet radio station.
A handful of huge corporations today control stations, and they paid big cash to get them. Investors want a return on their money, which has led to major cuts in staff, types of programming promotion and competition.
...QUESTION: “When a muscle or joint problem gets really painful, do I have to go to the ER, or do urgent care centers provide orthopedic care?”
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ANSWER: When pain becomes unmanageable, many believe they need to go to the emergency room. But the ER is primarily designed to serve life-
threatening emergencies. An urgent care center may be able to help you, but you will likely be seen by a generalist — not an orthopedic specialist. In both cases, you will walk out with a referral to have a second appointment with a specialist.
A facility such as GO Ortho is a good option. This office is staffed by orthopedic specialists but accepts walk-ins and same-day appointments. This enables patients to get in with a specialist to take care of their pain much sooner than typical orthopedic offices, which might not have an open appointment for weeks.
A GO Ortho visit is charged as a regular orthopedic office visit and not as an ER/emergency level visit that may come with a high cost to the patient.
GO Ortho is an independent practice housed at Hillcrest Hospital and cares for a wide range of orthopedic conditions from acute pain resulting from breaks or sprains to chronically painful conditions. Because you are seeing an orthopedic specialist, conditions can be quickly and more accurately diagnosed as well as treated properly. GO Ortho staff are trained to provide sophisticated treatments, advanced orthopedic imaging and outfit patients in the latest in slings, braces, casting and other support devices.
While we do advocate going to the ER when you are faced with a severe medical problem, most orthopedic pains and conditions are not life-threatening and are best treated by an orthopedic specialist.
...Trying to figure out the different parts of Medicare can be confusing. That’s because each part (A, B, C and D) provides different benefits. When you’re ready to enroll, it’s important to understand those differences. Here’s the skinny:
MEDICARE PART A
Provided by the federal government at no cost to most people, Medicare Part A covers care you receive in a hospital, in a skilled nursing facility or through home health care and hospice care. You are eligible to begin receiving benefits when you turn 65.
MEDICARE PART B
An optional plan that requires a premium, Medicare Part B covers several medically necessary services that are not covered by Part A. These include outpatient care, ambulance services, durable medical equipment, preventive care and part-time intermittent home health/rehabilitative care. You can enroll in Part B at the same time you enroll in Part A.
MEDICARE PART C/ MEDICARE ADVANTAGE
You can get Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B together in a plan managed by a private insurance company, like Medical Mutual. This is known as Medicare Part C or Medicare Advantage. Offered in contract with the federal government, these plans offer additional benefits, like prescription drug coverage. Medicare Advantage plans may require a monthly premium in addition to the Original Medicare Part B premium. You must live within the plan’s service area.
MEDICARE PART D
Also offered by Medical Mutual and other private insurers, Medicare Part D is an optional prescription drug plan available to anyone enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B. Premiums and out-of-pocket expenses can vary depending on the plan you choose. You must live within the plan’s service area.
I hope this gives you a glimpse of all the parts of Medicare. With a little more research, you can learn more and decide what best fits your needs.
...On Aug. 1, 2016, the Ohio Department of Medicaid drastically changed eligibility rules for Medicaid serving people who are disabled and people who need long-term care.
These changes will affect people at the time they need/want Medicaid coverage and make it even more important for people to think ahead about the time that they will need long-term care.
TOO MUCH INCOME
Those are weird words to write: too much income. However, in the weird world of Medicaid for long-term care, they are real. Anyone with gross income above the Special Income Level (currently, $2,199.00 per month) triggers a new requirement in Ohio’s Medicaid rules on how the so-called “excess income” must be handled each month.
Income above $2,199 must be transferred from the person’s account(s) into a separate account in the name of a Qualified Income Trust (also known as a QIT or Miller Trust).
Money in a Miller Trust must be paid out each month as part of the person’s share in his long-term care costs. The amount of money that the person spends and the amount that the person keeps are the same under the new rules as they were under the old rules.
KEEPING OR SELLING THE HOUSE
Under Ohio Medicaid’s old rules, a single person applying for Medicaid for nursing home or assisted living costs had 13 months after the beginning of eligibility during which to decide whether he couldreturn home. If unable to return home, then the Medicaid recipient had to put his house up for sale by the end of month 13. While the house was for sale, Medicaid eligibility would continue.
Under the new rules, a single person cannot automatically wait for 13 months. The person must either make a written declaration that he intends to return home, or the house must be sold.
...For you pros at Medicare open enrollment, you know that this is when you review your Medicaid Advantage Plan, Supplement and Drug plans to make sure you are set for another year.
For newbies, there are some legal issues regarding Medicare coverage that don’t get much publicity but are very important.
SKILLED NURSING AND WHAT’S COVERED
Many people incorrectly think that Medicare won’t pay much for skilled care such as rehabilitation, therapy, wound dressing and other daily health needs in a skilled facility or at home. Services and Medicare billing are stopped quickly because they think that Medicare will not pay anymore if the patient is not showing “improvement” or he “fails to progress.” This idea has become pervasive in health care, and people simply accept it as the law.
However, “improvement” is not the standard by which Medicare can stop paying for skilled nursing care; it never has been. A 2011 federal class action lawsuit against Medicare was filed to help clarify coverage for millions of seniors. The government settled the case in 2012 by agreeing that under federal law people cannot be denied coverage for skilled care just because they have reached a plateau and are not improving.
Coverage is necessary if the person needs skilled care to maintain his or her condition, prevent complications or to not backslide. This is a maintenance standard, not an improvement standard.
Medicare also was required to educate all seniors receiving Medicare and all Medicare skilled care providers about the corrected policy. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) agreed to do so.
In 2014, they released instructions and updated Program Manuals for Medicare billing and appeals agencies. They issued a fact sheet to inform providers and the public about the change. They were supposed to spot check nursing homes, home health care agencies and other providers to make sure they were using the correct standards.
...You signed up for Medicare when you turned 65. Like most people, you probably breathed a sigh of relief, thankful that your health insurance decisions were settled.
But wait — not so fast. Didn’t any- one tell you about Medicare Open Enrollment?
Confused? So is everyone else.
Never heard about Medicare’s Open Enrollment period? If you are over age 65, you’ll soon find your mailbox jammed with official-looking envelopes from insurance companies competing for your attention. While it might be bewildering, it can also mean good news for you.
Many people find their initial enrollment in Medicare to be overwhelming. They often make mistakes. They may pick a plan that doesn’t cover the doctors or hospitals they prefer. Maybe there is a change in health or they chose a prescription drug plan that doesn’t cover their prescriptions. For whatever reason, they find they are locked into insurance coverage that simply does not fit their needs.
Medicare’s open enrollment is a chance for a do-over. It is an annual opportunity to take a close look at all the other Medicare health insurance options. It’s your chance to make changes that benefit you. Medicare’s open enrollment period begins every year on Oct. 15 and closes Dec. 7. During this period, people who have previously signed up for Medicare can:
• change from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan
• change from a Medicare Advantage plan back to Original Medicare
• switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to a different Medicare Advantage plan
• join a Medicare prescription drug plan
• switch from one Medicare prescription drug plan to a different Medicare prescription drug plan
• drop Medicare prescription drug coverage completely
Any changes made during this open enrollment take effect Jan. 1 of the following year.
WHERE TO BEGIN
Those covered by a Medicare Advantage plan or Prescription Drug plan will receive an Annual Notice of Change from their insurer outlining changes to their plan for the following year.
...Does the registration process require that your pet be vaccinated? If yes, you can trust the organizers know that some diseases might be spread if your dog or other dogs are not vaccinated. This is a great safety consideration. If not, do not enter this charity dog walk. You never know if other dogs are vaccinated. You might risk your dog’s health.
Is your pet current on all vaccinations and parasite control? If yes, then your dog is probably prepared to be around other dogs. If not, make sure you make an appointment with your veterinarian well in advance.
Is your dog comfortable around strange people and strange dogs? If yes, then you reduce the risk that your dog may become scared and bite another dog or a person out of fear. If not, this might not be the right opportunity for an outing.
Can your dog walk for as long as you plan to walk? If yes, then you’re doing a great job keeping your dog exercised well. If not, consider working up to that distance so your dog can enjoy the experience.
Will your dog be walking on pavement? Pavement can be very hot for dog paws, and they might get burned. If the day is sunny, and your dog is walking on pavement, feel the ground with your own hands and make sure it feels comfortable to you. If it’s too hot for your hands, it’s probably too hot for your dog’s paws.
What do you need to bring? Bring a water bowl and some water for you and your dog. Walking is great exercise, and both of you need to be well hydrated. Snacks are optional. Have a well-fitted collar and strong leash. Retractable leashes are not advis- able because they can cause injury o your hand.
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