April 1998
DID YOU KNOW...
...about 9.6 million Americans have
been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes and another 5.4 million have it but remain
undiagnosed. People with Type 2 diabetes usually have adequate insulin - not insulin
deficient - but thier tissues resist its action; in other words, they cannot use the
insulin their body makes. To catch as many cases of Type 2 diabetes as early as possible,
the American Diabetes Association now advises that everyone over age 45 be tested for
diabetes every three years. People with additional risk factors should be tested earlier
and more frequently.
Risk factors include obesity, having
a close relative with diabetes, being African-American, Latino, Native American or Asian,
having high blood pressure and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol level at below
35 mg/dl or a triglyceride level at or above 250 mg/dl.
Type 2 diabetes often goes
undiagnosed for many years because the gradual development of high blood glucose is not
severe enough for the person to notice any of the classic symptoms of diabetes (weight
loss, unusual thirst and increased urination). It is estimated that at the time of
diagnosis, people with Type 2 diabetes have had the disease for an average of 7 to 10
years. By the time the diabetes is diagnosed, diabetic complications have set in.
The earlier detection of diabetes in
many of the 5.4 million Americans currently undiagnosed means a better chance of
preventing complications.
The above information was given to
me by our assistant Kathy who has been diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes for 20 years
Q
& A
Question
Who do I need to notify when there is a change in my
medical insurance?
Answer
First let us know of any changes so that we may
update your file. Second notify ALL you doctors of any changes in your insurance. Filing
to an incorrect insurance carrier only delays claim processing and payment of benefits.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
The Alvin A. Dubin
Alzheimer’s Resource Center is hosting "A Health Fair to Remember" on Friday,
April 24th and Saturday, April 25th at Edison Mall in
Fort Myers.
This two-day event will have
representatives from assisted living facilities, nursing homes, pharmaceutical companies,
home health and mental agencies, banks, senior service organizations, companion services
and a host of other providers offering valuable services to seniors.
On Friday, April 24th,
the event will feature guest speaker presentations regarding pertinent senior issues.
So mark these dates on your calendar
so you don’t miss this great informative event-we hope to see you there.
Note: The dates have been pushed
ahead one week.
AMBULANCE SERVICES
I have been noticing
Medicare has been more strict on covering ambulance services lately. Remember that there
are two types of ambulance services- emergency and non-emergency. Medicare defines
emergency transport as life threatening and that transportation by any other means could
endanger your health. Medicare will cover this type of transportation as long as the
service meets Medicare requirements and the transport is to a hospital of nursing
facility. Medicare will not pay for non-emergency transports-for example a
transportation service that takes you from your residence to a doctor’s office. Even
though you may be unable to transport yourself, Medicare does not deem this to be life
threatening.
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