Releases from May 19, 2009

H1N1 influenza update

By Kansas Senior Press Service

Public attention to H1N1 influenza may diminish, but it is still important to be attentive to any possible occurrence of this virus in the aging population. Public health officials are voicing concerns that spread of the disease to the elderly is a strong possibility because more persons with the virus are exposing greater numbers of older adults — who are especially vulnerable because they have a high rate of chronic health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, asthma or emphysema.

The current wave of illness may subside, but it is probable that this influenza, or another version of the virus, may return soon. Public health officials are watching developments closely.

Persons who work in health and social services fields serving older adults will continue to be especially attentive to older persons who have symptoms similar to seasonal flu. Workers in contact with the elderly, and volunteers who have flu-like illnesses, should not risk infecting older persons. Persons with symptoms should contact their health care provider for guidance and treatment.

Good hygiene is a must. This airborne virus is easily transmitted by upper respiratory and gastro-intestinal body fluids. Infected persons should avoid close contact with others and stay at home until they are symptom free, generally about seven days. Those with mild symptoms are advised to drink clear fluids such as water, broth and sport drinks (which help the body maintain good electrolyte balance) and get plenty of rest.

Health care providers are reserving anti-viral drugs such as Tamiflu for those with confirmed H1N1 influenza who are seriously ill or hospitalized. The seriously ill may also receive antibiotics.

For more information about the latest developments and public health advisories, visit www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu.

Source: Administration on Aging

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Busting cancer myths: Acidic foods and cancer risks

By Kansas Senior Press Service

The claim: Acidic foods can alter the body’s pH balance and promote cancer.

The facts: That unsubstantiated theory is based on lab studies suggesting that cancer cells thrive in an acidic (low-pH) environment but cannot survive in alkaline (high-pH) surroundings. While these findings are accurate, they apply only to cells in an isolated lab setting. Altering the cell environment of the human body to create a less-acidic environment is virtually impossible.

While proponents of this myth argue that avoiding certain foods and eating others can change the body’s pH level, these claims stand in stark contrast to everything we know about the chemistry of the human body. Acid/base balance is tightly regulated by several mechanisms, among them kidney and respiratory functions. Even slight changes to the body’s pH are life-threatening. Patients with kidney disease and pulmonary dysfunction, for example, often rely on dialysis machines and mechanical ventilators to avoid even the smallest disruption of the acid/base balance.

In addition, home test kits that measure the pH of urine do not relay information about the body’s pH level. It’s true that foods, drinks and supplements will affect the acidity or alkalinity of urine, but only the urine is affected. In fact, excess acid or base is excreted in the urine to help maintain proper pH balance in the body.

In summary: What you eat can have a profound effect on your cancer risk, but the acidity or alkalinity of foods is not important. Instead, focus on making dietary choices that can truly affect your risk. Eat a wide variety of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and beans; limit consumption of red and processed meats; and enjoy alcohol in moderation, if at all.

With the ease and availability of the Internet, many myths regarding cancer are easily spread to consumers and it can be difficult to expose fact from fiction. A brochure by the  American Institute for Cancer Research, titled “Everything Doesn’t Cause Cancer,” is a great way to dispel some myths or concerns about your own risk of cancer.

Source: American Institute for Cancer Research

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Medicare Q&A: Drug formularies

By Kansas Senior Press Service

Q: What can I do if my drug plan will not pay for a drug on its formulary?

A: You should make a formal, written request to your plan, asking it to pay for the drug you need. This is called “asking for an exception.” You may ask your plan for an exception to:

• Cover a drug that is not on its formulary.
• Override plan restrictions (such as prior authorization, step therapy or quantity limits) so your drug will be covered for the rest of the year without need for you or your doctor to make monthly requests.
• Put your drug on a lower cost tier for you so it will cost less.

You may not ask for a tier exception when the drug you need is in a “specialty tier” (often the most expensive drugs) or you want to access a brand-name drug at the same co-pay tier as a generic drug. The process is the same whether you are in a Medicare private health plan with drug coverage (MA-PD) or a stand-alone private drug plan (PDP).

You are unlikely to be granted an exception if your drug is excluded from Medicare coverage by law.

Most of the time, you will find out that your drug is not covered or has restrictions when you try to fill your prescription at the pharmacy. Do not give up at this point! To ask for an exception:

• Obtain a written supporting statement from your prescribing doctor. You or your doctor may request an exception. However, you will need a letter from your doctor certifying that the drug prescribed is medically necessary and other drugs or quantities on your plan’s formulary are not as effective or are harmful for you, or other drugs or quantities on your plan’s formulary are likely to be ineffective or harmful to you. In an emergency, your doctor may ask the plan to make a faster decision. Your doctor should explicitly state in the supporting letter that you need an “expedited decision” because your “life, health, or ability to regain maximum function” is at risk.
• Find out where to file for an exception. Call your plan or look at your plan’s Web site or “Evidence of Coverage” booklet to learn where to fax or mail your request and your doctor’s supporting letter and whether you need to submit any other forms. Keep proof (such as fax transmission reports or certified return receipts) of when you submitted your exception request. You will need this proof if your plan does not respond to your request on time.
• Make sure your plan responds when it should. Plans must respond within 72 hours of receiving your doctor’s written statement explaining why the drug is medically necessary for you. In an emergency, plans must respond to expedited requests within 24 hours. These are clock hours, not business hours. Your plan should contact you with a decision — but if you do not hear in the proper time frame, call and ask for the plan’s decision.
• If the plan does not respond within the required timeframe, then the lack of a decision is considered a denial and you may submit your appeal to the Independent Review Entity yourself. You may also want to file a complaint with your plan.
• Make sure the plan authorizes coverage for the remainder of the plan year. When a drug is covered by your Medicare private drug plan but is subject to prior authorization, your plan may grant coverage for as little as one month at a time. In some cases, you may have to get authorization from your plan each month that you need the medication. To get authorization for a restricted drug for the remainder of the plan year, you or your doctor will need to request an override to the restriction by following the same procedure as you would to request an exception.
• If the plan denies your exception request, you may appeal the plan’s decision. Your plan should respond to you in writing with a letter titled “Notice of Denial of Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage.” The letter will tell you how to appeal.

For more information, contact Senior Health Insurance Counseling for Kansas (SHICK) at 1-800-860-5260 to schedule a free, confidential counseling session with a trained, unbiased counselor in your area.

Source: Medicare Rights Center

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Wonders of the wild: Bobber fishing

By Dan Lekie
Kansas Senior Press Service

Twitch, twitch, twitch…

After each tug at the worm hooked below the bright red-and-white bobber, concentric ripples of water slowly move away. Anticipation builds as an unseen fish begins to tug harder at the worm and the bobber almost goes under.

Then, blip! Suddenly the bobber disappears under the surface and the line moves sharply to the right. Raising the rod tip sharply sets the hook, and the battle is on. The fish heads to deep water and bends the fishing pole in an attempt to escape. Control is slowly gained and the fish is brought to the bank. It’s a beautiful bluegill with a brilliant red breast. The fish is quickly released back into the water and a new worm is cast out to tempt another unsuspecting fish.

Bobber fishing is one of the most enjoyable and relaxing styles of fishing. Simply put, a hook is baited with a worm or night crawler and a bobber is clipped to the fishing line above the hook. The bait is then cast toward some form of cover or structure, usually submerged trees or weedy areas. In theory, the structure serves as a hiding place or safe area for your quarry. When the fish grabs the bait and pulls the bobber under, the hook is set and the fish is caught.

This style of fishing requires just a modest investment to get started. Any fishing pole with an ultra-light to medium action and an inexpensive reel will suffice. No reel? No problem. Remember Grandpa’s cane pole? That long, wooden “bamboo” pole with a piece of fishing line tied to one end was made for bobber fishing. Since bobber fishers often fish from the bank, it’s a simple matter to reach out with the cane pole and drop the bobber exactly where the structure is located. The fish bites and presto! Lift the pole and swing the fish to the bank.

Many styles of bobbers and floats are available, ranging from the traditional round red-and-white bobber to egg-shaped orange-and-yellow bobbers to stick or “pencil” bobbers in pink and white. Bobbers come in many shapes and colors, including high-visibility neons.

Despite the numerous options available, all bobbers do the same thing: hold the bait at a given distance from the water surface. Pick a favorite style and color, and you’re ready to go fishing.

Bobber fishing is a great way to get people from 5 to 65 hooked on fishing. Fishing with bobbers is often a fast-and-furious affair, as hungry fish attack the bait as soon as it hits the water. Most area lakes and ponds, both public and private, have fish that will readily consume worms or night crawlers. Bluegill, bass and catfish are often targeted, and all enjoy such a meal.

These fish are also excellent table fare. Whether you want them pan-fried, deep-fried, baked, pickled or grilled, numerous recipes can be found to satisfy your taste.

Fishing in the ponds and lakes of the metro area usually requires a state fishing license and often a local park or county permit. Please check with authorities to learn the requirements for specific areas.

If you are looking to find a hobby to have fun, reduce stress and get yourself outdoors, give bobber fishing a try.

Dan Lekie is an extension agent specializing in agriculture and natural resources with Johnson County K-State Research and Extension. If you have topics you’d like Dan to address, call 913-715-8930 or e-mail www.TheBestTimes@jocogov.org.

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These articles are also available electronically at the Center on Aging Website: http://www2.kumc.edu/coa/Senior_Press_Article/Topic_Index.htm