Health Care Articles: Get the Facts Here

You feel an ache and pop a pill. That’s just the normal routine, right? But have you ever thought to consider that for your back pain there might be a better way to find long-lasting relief? By using a back brace instead of opioids for chronic pain you may experience a greater reduction in pain.

Use A Back Brace Instead Of Opioids For Chronic Pain

Amidst the opioid crisis in America, many studies are actually finding that opioid medications actually provide little, short-term relief for lower back pain. For example, the JAMA Study, “Opioids No Better Than Nonopioids 9n Improving Pain Related Function, Intensity for Chronic Back Pain, Hip/Knee OA” studied 240 patients to discover that opioid painkillers had little to no effect.

The participants suffering from chronic pain were split into two groups, the first group received opioid medication and the second group received nonopioid medications. After 12 months improvement function and improvement in pain intensity were slightly better in the nonopioid group. The group that received opioids were also at a higher risk for adverse effects.

Why Don’t Opioids Provide More Relief?

The opioid definition states that it’ an opium-like compound that binds to one or more of the three opioid receptors of the body. They’re mainly used to treat severe pain because once they bind to opioid receptors in the brain, spinal cord and organs they block pain signals and release dopamine. Many users experience a relaxing high as well as serious side effects as well as opioid addiction.

Opioid Side Effects:

Nausea and vomiting
Constipation
Drowsiness
Insomnia
Dizziness
Physical dependence
Tolerance
Depression

As your body builds a tolerance to opioids over time the side effects may increase and the amount of pain users experience over time. Your body also builds a tolerance to opioids making them less effective, requiring a larger dose to remain effective. This increased resistance can cause anxiety and sleep issues, causing your body to become stressed as sleep and relaxation are necessary for physical and mental healing.

How Back Braces Can Help

Instead of taking risks with dangerous opioid medications, you may find relief with back brace support. By wearing a device made of soft, supportive materials you should be able to regain mobility without the use of mind-altering pain pills.

Whether you need a back brace for posture for lower back pain, you’ll be able to find the perfect fit for your individual needs, including back braces for work. In a professional setting, the use of a brace may be safer than opioids that could cause you to become dizzy and unresponsive on the job.

By providing lower back support back braces are able to improve functionality and reduce pain, allowing users to move around. They work by being placed on your waist with velcro straps that attach to your sides to apply compression to the abdomen and lumbar support. As a result, less pressure is placed on your lower back, spine, ligaments, muscles, and discs to allow healing to occur and offer more stabilization.

The reasons for needing a lower back brace may vary, from having a herniated disc from an injury to spinal disc degeneration with age. Whatever the reason, consider getting a brace at the first sign of pain to stay active.

How To Properly Use Your Back Brace:

1. Visit Your Doctor

Go to your doctor for any tweaks and pain to receive a proper diagnosis. With the right tests and procedures, your doctor will be able to determine the cause of the pain, rule out serious conditions, and to create a treatment plan. Your doctor will tell you if a back brace will be an effective option or not.

2. Don’t Rely On Your Brace Alone

Realize that for lower back pain wearing a brace is only one of the steps necessary for strengthening your core muscles to support your spine. Physical therapy, stretching, yoga, and light exercise may provide relief.

3. Get The Correct Size

Finding a back brace that properly fits is crucial for comfort and support. While most braces are adjustable to contour to a variety of shapes and sizes, make sure yours fits before purchasing it. Refer to sizing charts online or try one on in the store.

4. Get Your Back Brace Through Insurance

Back braces and other medical equipment may be covered through insurance!

5. Don’t Overuse Your Brace

If you wear your back brace for more than a few hours a day or continuously for more than two weeks your back muscles weaken as your back begins to rely on the brace. Strengthening your core muscles is crucial for healing to avoid becoming dependent on your back brace. Follow your doctor’s instructions for use and daily exercise.

6. Take Your Time

Don’t try to speed up your recovery process by biting off more than you can chew. Your brace will not allow you to exceed your physical limitations. Lifting a heavy box or repeated motions such as pulling weeds could re-injure your back if you aren’t strong enough to return to these types of activities. Take your time and work with your physical therapist to determine your strength and limits as you rebuild your core.

For adult and pediatric patients alike with certain medical conditions such as asthma, emphysema, and bronchitis, a nebulizer can be one of the essential pieces of medical equipment in day-to-day life. When these machines experience technical difficulties or do not operate properly, patients can experience dramatic drop-offs in quality of life, and sometimes even life-threatening complications. Because of this fact, it is essential that all patients and caregivers who deal with nebulizers be familiar with basic procedures for troubleshooting nebulizers.

Getting to Know Your Nebulizer

Issues are rarely due to the compressor itself. While these do sometimes break or malfunction, it can take years of use, or trauma such as dropping, to make this happen. In most cases, issues with nebulizers are a result of poor maintenance because the atomized medicine can clog tubing and mouthpieces.

Four Easy Ways to Maintain a Nebulizer

After every use, thoroughly rinse the nebulizer cup, shake out any excess water and let it air dry. Once a day, the nebulizer cup and tubing should be washed with mild soap and warm water and also dried by air.
Make sure to change the filter in the compressor of the machine every 3-6 months to ensure a fine mist is achieved with every use and the motor runs properly.
Replace nebulizer parts by following the manufacturer’s replacement schedule. A generalized schedule can be found on the Aeroflow website.
Keep your nebulizer free from dust that can clog the compressor. This can be done by wiping the machine down daily with a damp cloth or keeping it in a dust free environment like a drawer or cloth bag.

If mouthpieces and tubing are not properly and vigorously cleaned after each use, the medicine can crystallize and clog the machine. A nebulizer won’t mist properly if there is a clog. Additionally, filters should be changed out periodically since they will eventually clog by normal use, leading to the same kind of mist-preventing issues.

Nebulizers can sometimes have bacterial buildup from normal use, particularly if during bouts of bronchitis or other possible bacterial conditions. Because of this, masks and tubing should be frequently sterilized and changed out for more than just preventing clogs.

Sterilizing Your Nebulizer Parts and Equipment

Following the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions after each use will prevent any remaining medication in the cup from drying out, which can result in the device not nebulizing effectively. Once a week, your nebulizer will need to be more thoroughly sterilized.

After each treatment:

Wash your hands thoroughly.
Disassemble the nebulizer.
Rinse the mask or mouthpiece with warm water for at least half a minute.
Do not wash nebulizer tubing or compressor.
Shake off excess water and place parts on a clean towel for air-drying.
Reassemble the system and turn on the compressor for a few seconds for drying.

Once a week:

Consult your owner’s manual for specific instructions. You may be instructed to soak all nebulizer parts (except mask, tubing, and compressor) in one part distilled white vinegar/three parts hot water for one hour (do not reuse cleaning solution).
Rinse, shake off excess water, and allow to air-dry on a clean towel.
Reassemble the pieces and tubing and turn on the compressor briefly for drying.

Nebulizer Replacement and Resupply

Often, the ideal scenario in place of troubleshooting nebulizers is to prevent problems from ever arising by making sure that the nebulizer’s interchangeable and disposable parts are frequently replaced. The medicine cup, tubing, filter, and mask are all parts of the nebulizer which should not be used permanently.

Most insurances, such as Medicare, Medicaid, and Blue Cross and other private insurance, will provide to replace the plastic parts such as tubing and medicine cup, at least once every 6 months. Many insurances will pay for filters and masks monthly.

Will My Insurance Replace a Nebulizer?

Yes! Most private insurance companies will cover a replacement nebulizer every five years. Additionally, you can get insurance covered replacement parts for your nebulizer.

Working with an experienced durable medical equipment supplier like Aeroflow Healthcare can be a great benefit to preventing needing to troubleshoot nebulizers yourself. Our trained supply representatives will contact you at intervals when your insurance will cover new nebulizer supplies, helping you get the equipment you are entitled to.

Additionally, Aeroflow can also contact you when you are due for a new nebulizer compressor, ensuring that you or your child has the latest and most convenient equipment available.

Finally, if you are having a nebulizer troubleshooting issue that you cannot resolve yourself, our trained phone support staff can help you talk through issues, complete with manufacturer owner’s manuals, in order to get back to using your therapy as intended as quickly as possible.

Qualify through Insurance for Nebulizer

If you, your child, or someone you love is using a nebulizer for a chronic or acute health concern, ensure that they are maximizing the benefit of their insurance, as well as protected from any sudden nebulizer troubleshooting issues. Qualify now with Aeroflow. You might get a new compressor, mouthpiece, medicine cup, filters or mask!

Not only is November diabetes awareness month, but November 14th is World Diabetes Day! So it’s a great time to band together with people around the globe to spread awareness about both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. This event is led by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) in response to the rapid rise of diabetes around the world with the goal of raising awareness for the impact that diabetes can have on friends and family members as it’s the 7th leading cause of death.

More than 100 million Americans are struggling with diabetes and 1.5 million are diagnosed every year. By promoting diabetes management, care, and prevention to educate people about this disease, we can help them live a healthier and happier life.

Celebrate World Diabetes Day By Learning

“Diabetes Mellitus” is an umbrella term to refer to the diseases that affect how your body uses blood sugar or glucose. Your body needs glucose because it’s a source of fuel and for the tissues that make up your muscles and tissues as well as your brain.

There Are 4 Types Of Diabetes:

Type 1 Diabetes – Also known as juvenile diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes, is a chronic condition where the pancreas produces little to no insulin. People can be born with diabetes type 1 and it can develop in children and adults. There is no cure, just treatment that’s focused on managing blood sugar levels with diet, exercise, and insulin to prevent it from becoming worse.

Type 2 Diabetes – The most common type of diabetes that’s often referred to as noninsulin-dependent diabetes or adult-onset diabetes occurs when your body becomes resistant to insulin or fails to produce enough insulin to maintain a normal glucose level. In the beginning, your pancreas creates extra insulin to make up for it, but over time, fails to keep up with the amount of insulin your body needs. Diabetes type 2 can occur in both children and adults as the result of genetics or obesity. There is no cure, but diet, exercise, diabetes medication, and insulin therapy can help prevent it from getting worse.

Gestational Diabetes – This type of diabetes occurs during pregnancy and typically develops around the 24th and 28th week. It doesn’t mean you had diabetes before becoming pregnant but does increase your risk for developing type 2 afterward. The exact cause is unknown but pregnancy hormones such as human placental lactogen (hPL) may increase insulin resistance. If not properly managed, gestational diabetes could affect your health, the health of your baby, and impact its birth. Insulin, dieting, and exercise are used to manage this type of diabetes.

Prediabetes – This is actually the pre-diagnosis of diabetes, which serves as a pretty good warning sign to develop healthier habits before it leads to type 2 diabetes. It’s a condition where your blood sugar is abnormally high, but not high enough to be type 2 diabetes and is caused by being overweight with a sedentary lifestyle. Currently, about 84.1 million Americans have prediabetes and it’s managed with diet and exercise.

Diabetes Symptoms

With every type of diabetes your body either doesn’t make enough insulin, can’t use the insulin it produces or both, meaning your cells can’t absorb glucose and it builds up in your blood. High levels of glucose in your blood can damage the tiny blood vessels in your heart, eyes, kidneys, and nervous system/ That’s why diabetes should not be untreated or it could contribute to blindness, stroke, kidney disease, heart disease, and nerve damage in the feet.

A few symptoms that may indicate diabetes include:

Hunger
Fatigue
Frequent urination
Frequent thirst and dry mouth
Itchy, dry skin
Blurred vision
Nausea and/or vomiting
Pain and numbness in the feet or legs
Sweet breath that smells like nail polish remover
Slow healing cuts and sores
Unexplained weight loss (Type 1 Diabetes)

Testing Your Glucose Levels

Depending on the type of diabetes you have, along with dieting, exercising, the possible use of diabetes medication, and insulin injections for type 2 diabetes, you will need to check your blood sugar. You may need to check it before meals, between 4 to 10 times a day, after an insulin injection, or before bed, depending on your treatment plan.

You will use a glucose meter or glucometer to check your blood sugar level. It works by reading the sugar small amount of blood, usually from your finger, that’s placed on a disposable test strip and you’ll need to record the results. You’ll use a lancet or needle to prick your finger.

It’s easy to assume that getting older naturally involves a loss of independence. As you lose a certain degree of mobility, you also lose the ability to safely live on your own, right?

Not necessarily. Physical therapy can help seniors maintain their independence for much longer than you may expect. Although physical therapy is absolutely useful when recovering from an injury, it can also simply help slow the natural processes of aging. In the words of PT, DPT, OCS Marla Ranieri, “Physical therapy is a vital part of the medical team during the aging process.” The following physical therapy facts and information illustrate how.

Preventing Falls

Falls represent the leading cause of injury among seniors in the United States. As a person gets older, they may struggle to maintain their balance. “Exercises that strengthen lower extremity and challenge balance are important to incorporate to reduce risks of falls,” says Ranieri.

Physical therapy helps by safely simulating what an elderly person would experience if they began to lose their balance. This allows patients to develop ways to stay on their feet before a fall occurs.

Managing Pain

Seniors with chronic pain often need daily help from caregivers. However, physical therapy can be very effective at reducing chronic pain. It can even take the place of medication in some circumstances. Thus, working with a physical therapist may replace daily care and monitoring.

Improving Cognitive Abilities

Some degree of cognitive decline is natural as a person ages. That said, evidence indicates that staying physically active can help to slow the progress of cognitive decline.

This is very important for seniors to know. Physical therapists can help design fitness programs that are ideal for their needs and abilities, letting them remain active (and reap the cognitive rewards) for years.

Adjusting the Living Environment

Physical therapists are often particularly well-qualified to identify potential risk factors in a senior’s home. They can make adjustments to their living environment to reduce the risk of injury. If a senior’s mobility is declining, the physical therapist can also recommend changes that will make performing certain daily tasks much easier.

Boosting Recovery Speed

If a senior does experience an injury, they’ll likely need some degree of supervision during the recovery period. This naturally limits their independence. However, a physical therapist will help them recover more quickly than they otherwise might, allowing them to return to an independent lifestyle in a shorter period of time.

Promoting an Active Lifestyle

Studies indicate that maintaining an active social life is key to slowing the progression of cognitive decline in seniors. Physical therapy can help in this regard by allowing elderly people to stay fit enough to engage in social activities more confidently. As a result, they’ll be less likely to develop the cognitive issues that might otherwise prevent them from living independently.

Remember, you don’t need to be recovering from an injury to benefit from physical therapy. Contacting a physical therapist early allows a senior to adjust to the natural aging process before it has a negative impact on their independence. These examples illustrate just some of the ways taking this step helps.

Are you one of the many people that suffer from back pain? You may actually be suffering from sciatica. If you suffer from sciatica, then you need to talk to your doctor to see if a back brace is right for you! Aeroflow Healthcare can provide a back brace for sciatica and your health insurance may cover the cost!

What is Sciatica?

Sciatica is a term used to describe pain, weakness, numbness, tingling or other symptoms down the leg, following the path of the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve of the leg formed by nerve roots from the low back converging at the buttock then splits into nerve branches past the knee.

Sciatica Symptoms

Sometimes Sciatica symptoms present as a straight line from the back all the way down to the toes, and other times it can skip spots where you may only feel it in the buttock, thigh, knee, calf, and/or foot and ankle. Sciatica can be constant or intermittent, meaning you can have the symptoms 100% of the time or 1-99% of the time. More common than not Sciatica symptoms will fluctuate depending on how you use your body – affected by various postures, movement, or positions.

Sciatic Nerve Pain

The problem with the term, “Sciatica” is it describes symptoms without identifying the cause. There are many causes of pain down the leg which can be misinterpreted or misdiagnosed as Sciatica. Most commonly, Sciatica is caused by irritated or “pinched” nerves exiting the spine. When irritated, low back nerves can radiate subtle-to-severe pain down the sciatic nerve and as far as into the toes.

Knowing this, it is especially important to pay attention to aches and pains in your back. However, you can have sciatic nerve pain caused by the lower back without ever having any lower back pain! The pain of sciatica is has a variety of causes including herniated discs, muscle strain, slippage of vertebrae so that it is out of line with the bone above or below it, or even spinal stenosis, a condition where the spinal canal narrows and adds pressure to the nerves that populate it.

Treating Sciatica

So what can be done? Several things, such as X-rays, MRI’s and CT scans, can be done to see exactly what the structures look like; however, be careful – imaging will show you everything going on inside, but doesn’t tell you what’s relevant! As we age, we get wrinkles and gray hair on the outside. The same thing happens on the inside but it’s called “arthritis” and “degeneration.” Further, you can have Sciatica symptoms as a 20-year-old without any signs of age changes on the inside!

A simple physical exam can be done where the doctor will have the patient lie on their back. The doctor will lift the patient’s legs, one at a time until the patient reports the pain. This test is very simple, but it can determine if the nerves are agitated and whether this pain is caused by an injured disc.

Why You Need a Back Brace instead of Opioids

You can test yourself by doing a simple “slump test.” Take a seat and start by kicking your unaffected leg forward with toes pulled toward your nose. Now, bring your chin to your chest and slouch forward. Next, take the same steps on with the affected leg. Caution – go slowly! Your symptoms may literally zap you down the leg. If so, the pain and tension you feel is likely due to agitated nerves from an injured disc.

Good news: injured discs can heal and nerves can relax! There are a variety of treatment options for sciatica, though the severity and cause are taken into account when treatments are offered.

So can a back brace help treat sciatica pain?

Yes. A back brace can provide enough compression and support to prevent further injury and encourage healing.

Pregnancy-Related Sciatica

Can a pregnancy band help with pregnancy-related sciatica?

A back brace can be essential for those suffering from Sciatica symptoms due to low back sensitivity. When your low back is sensitive previously normal movements can become much more tiresome and labored. A back brace works like a crutch to assist your core muscles to the absorb forces endured from activities of daily living, e.g., getting up/down, walking, bending, turning. Similar to how we shouldn’t rely on crutches for walking, a back brace shouldn’t be used as a long-term strategy pain management strategy.

However, back pain with associated pain medication (opioid) abuse is currently an overwhelming problem, so a back brace is a crucial device to have on hand, especially when you’ve had previous episodes of Sciatica. Yes, a back brace can help you avoid opioids! When used in conjunction with a rehabilitation exercise program, a back brace can help you recover faster from the source of your Sciatica symptoms.

Dr. RJ Burr, DC, Cert. MDT, CSC

Dr. Burr is a chiropractor in Plymouth, Michigan. He utilizes The McKenzie Method to help patients to pain-free living by providing strategies to empower them to take ownership of their recovery. He pursued his Doctor of Chiropractic from the National University of Health Sciences (NUHS) and earned certifications in Active Release Techniques, Titleist Performance Institue.

Because October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month (BCAM) also known as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM) groups across the nation are doing their best to raise awareness and funds for further research. One topic that doesn’t seem to receive as much awareness as it should is the link between breast cancer and lymphedema.

Breast Cancer And Lymphedema

Lymphedema can occur as a result of breast cancer treatment, mainly after surgeries where the lymph nodes are damaged and removed. About 15 to 25 percent of breast cancer survivors develop this condition. Lymphedema can also occur as a result of radiation therapy to your armpit, infection after surgery, injury to the surgical area, tumor growth, or being overweight or gaining weight after treatment.

But What Is Lymphedema?

Your lymphatic system runs throughout your entire body, through a network of lymph nodes and vessels. It cycles lymph, a protein-rich fluid throughout your body to catch bacteria, viruses, wastes, and more and carries them to your lymph nodes to be filtered out.

If something happens to the lymph nodes or vessels, such as damaged caused by surgery, the lymph may become blocks. As a result, it could pull and collect, causing part of your body to swell. While swelling is most common in the legs and arms, it can occur anywhere in the body.

The type of lymphedema caused by damage to the lymph nodes is known as secondary lymphedema.

Primary lymphedema occurs much less often. It’s a genetic condition that occurs when your lymph nodes or vessels do not properly develop or are missing.

While lymphedema can develop quickly after cancer treatment, generally it slowly worsens over time. Sometimes symptoms appear 16 to 24 months after treatment, but lymphedema can occur after as much as five years later.

Lymphedema Symptoms

There are a few lymphedema symptoms that shouldn’t be ignored after breast cancer treatment. The most common one is swelling of the arm on the side where lymph nodes were removed or damaged. The amount of swelling from person to person varies from mild swelling that causes the arm to be slightly larger than normal to a disfiguring amount.

Other symptoms include:

Swelling in the hands or edema with tighter than normal jewelry
Aching pain in the arm
Thickening skin that may dimple when touched
Weakness in the arm or trouble bending your joints
Your clothes don’t fit as normal
Feeling full, heavy, or tight in the chest, armpit, or arm
If you notice any of these symptoms see your doctor right away to prevent the condition from getting any worse.

Lymphedema Prevention

While there is no way to tell who will develop lymphedema, there are a few ways to potentially lower your risk.

Adopt a healthier lifestyle by moderately exercising and incorporating a healthy diet to maintain your body weight or lose weight. Be sure to stretch daily.
If you get a scratch or burn on the affected area keep it clean with soap and water, then bandage it up.
Avoid having shots or blood drawn from your at-risk arm.
Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothes. Avoid tight-fitting jewelry.
Protect your arm from bug bites, stings, and cuts. Also, be very careful saving the armpit of the affected arm.
Prevent getting sunburned. Use sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher and frequently reapply it.

Lymphedema Treatment

Early stage lymphedema can be potentially reversed if your skin and tissues haven’t been permanently damaged yet. In some cases, lymphedema surgery is used to remove damage from the lymph nodes. However, generally lymphedema can’t be cured and treatment consists of managing the swelling and preventing it from becoming worse by:

Using a Lymphedema pump to move excess fluid from the affected limb back into the cardiovascular system is a very popular option as the pump can be used at home.
Some patients use compression stockings, bandages, and other compression garments to prevent fluid from collecting.
Exercise is an effective part of treatment as it helps stimulate your lymph vessels. Only begin exercising after you’re cleared to after surgery or treatment. Start off slowly and increase the amount you exercise over time as you get used to it.
Manual lymphatic drainage is a gentle lymphedema massage to drain fluid. You can learn at home massage techniques or have them performed by a physician. Avoid vigorous massages because they can cause more fluid to collect.

Receive Your Lymphedema Pump Through Insurance

You may qualify to receive your lymphedema pump through insurance and best of all, the process is incredibly easy.

Fill out our quick qualification form.
Our representatives will contact you with your options.
We will submit all of the necessary paperwork to your insurance provider and doctor to make sure your lymphedema pump is shipped directly to your front door.

Medicare open enrollment 2019 is here! The annual Medicare enrollment period is October 15 – December 7 and includes Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Part D plans, and Medigap (Medicare Supplement).

Medicare Open Enrollment 2019

This is important because it allows people with Medicare coverage to make changes to their medical and prescription drug plans for 2019, which will go into effect on January 1, 2019.

This is your chance to make changes to your medical and prescription plans to improve coverage and save money. After December 7th you’ll have to wait until the following year to make changes.

You may want to make changes because Medicare health and prescription plans change on an annual basis. Coverage, costs, service areas, and which providers and pharmacies are in the network are subject to change.

These changes could cause healthcare costs to increase, but switching plans could get you the coverage you need without having your premium or out of pocket costs go up. Plus, a lower premium could provide what you need.

Look For Your Annual Notice of Change (ANOC)

Every year at the beginning of October you will receive some important Medicare documents to review, including the Annual Notice of Change (ANOC). It will most likely be in the same packet as the Evidence of Coverage (EOC) for the upcoming benefit year. It will highlight all of the changes that have been made along with descriptions of all benefits (not only the ones that were changed).

This information may arrive in the mail on its own or with the Summary of Benefits, Low Income Subsidy (LIS) rider if you’re eligible, and provider and pharmacy directories.

What Should I Do With My ANOC?

Carefully review it and compare your plan to others. You want to compare 3 key areas:

Costs

Is your premium going up? Is a plan with a lower cost and similar coverage available?

Look at your current deductibles and copays. Are they increasing next year?

Prescription Drug Coverage

Medication is expensive, especially when it’s not covered. Checking drug tiers and premiums could save tons of money. Look up each of your prescription medicines to see if they’re covered and remember to see if your preferred pharmacy is in your network.

Care

With Medicare part C, Medicare, or Managed Care contact your current doctors, specialists, and any other providers are still in your network.

What Exactly Can I Change?

You can enroll in Medicare Advantage from Original Medicare and vice versa.
You can switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another.
You can switch from one Medicare Part D plan (prescription drug) to another.
You can enroll in a Medicare Part D plan if you didn’t when you were first eligible.

If you don’t want to make any changes to your plan it will automatically renew as long as it’s still available. Receiving a nonrenewal notice in the mail means that your plan has been discontinued and you’ll need to choose a new one. If you don’t receive a nonrenewal notice, your plan has not be discontinued and you don’t have to make a change.

How Do I Enroll In Medicare?

The open enrollment period is only for people already enrolled in Medicare. If you are turning 65, open enrollment is not the time to apply for Medicare. Each enrollment period has certain rules that determine when coverage will begin, so it’s crucial to pay attention to the dates.

Your Initial Enrollment Period

Your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) is when you can sign up for Medicare the first time. You can enroll in Medicare Plans A, B, C, and D during this period:

3 months before your 65th birthday
The month of your 65th birthday
3 months after your 65th birthday

Part B coverage begins based on your sign up date:

If you sign up during the 3 months before your birthday coverage begins on the first day of your birthday month.
When you sign up during your birthday month your coverage will begin the first day after your birthday month.
If you sign up the month after your birthday month coverage will begin 3 months after your birthday month.
Signing up the 2nd month after your birthday month results in coverage beginning 5 months after your birthday month.
Signing up the 3rd month after your birthday month results in coverage beginning 6 months after your birthday month.

Part D coverage also begins based on when you sign up during your IEP:

If you sign up during the 3 months before your birthday coverage will begin the 1st day of your birthday month.
Signing up during your birthday month results in coverage beginning the 1st day after your birthday month.
If you sign up during the 2nd or 3rd month after your birthday month coverage will begin the 1st day of the month following enrollment.

NOTE: If you miss your initial enrollment period, you will get another chance to apply, but you may face late penalties:

Special Enrollment Period (SEP) – Special enrollment periods that apply when you’re able to delay enrolling in plans A, B, C, and D due to special circumstances such as:

While you have coverage from an employer
The 8 months your coverage ends for parts A & B
The 63 days after your coverage ends for parts C & D

General Enrollment Period – This is your chance to enroll if you miss your initial enrollment period and special enrollment period. The general enrollment period is from January 1st until March 31st and if you enroll during this period coverage will begin July 1st.

Medigap Open Enrollment – During your 6 month Medigap enrollment period you can purchase any Medigap policy sold in your state. These are extra insurance policies to help cover costs not covered by original Medicare. You must meet specific medical underwriting requirements to be approved for a Medigap policy. There is no guarantee that you’ll be accepted. The Medigap open enrollment period is 6 months after your Part B becomes effective.

DME Supply Coverage And Possible Laspes

If you’re wondering if your Medicare coverage would cover supplies from your durable medical equipment (DME) supplier, Lindsay Engle, Medicare Specliast at Medicare FAQ, explained, “The only concern would be cost. Generally, you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount after you pay your Medicare Part B deductible for the year, which is $183 as of 2018 but could change for 2019. Medicare pays the other 80%.

To get the remaining 20% and other out of pocket expenses covered, the beneficiary would need to enroll in a Medicare Supplement plan. With that said, the amount you pay may vary because Medicare pays for different kinds of DME in different ways. So they might cover a steady supply of replacement stuff 100%, it just depends on the DME. Their best bet is to contact their Medicare agent or Medicare directly to make sure their supplies is coved by that DME supplier.”

Lindsey also covered reasons why you may experience a lapse in coverage, “That would depend on their current healthcare coverage. If they have coverage and are still paying their premiums, there shouldn’t be any lapse in coverage. They should be aware of the Part B late enrollment penalty when you don’t enroll as soon as your eligible at 65. There are Special Enrollment Periods for Part B too.

If their company offers COBRA, they will have 18-36 months to enroll without any lapse in coverage. If they’re on group health insurance through their employer and still working, they can have both insurances. One will be primary and one will be secondary, depending on the size of the company.”

When it comes to lapses in coverage, it depends on your individual policy and situation. However, an Aeroflow representative can help you qualify to receive medical equipment through insurance. Simply fill out our quick qualification form and we will contact you with your options. We will also take the hassle out of the process by contacting your doctor and Medicare for you to make sure your items are shipped directly to your home.

If You Need Assistance…

Medicare can be a little confusing to navigate, but you’re not on your own. Contact the Medicare office at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) to ask questions. Contacting your local Agency on Aging may provide you with faster results. Also, you can view available plans here.

October National Cyber Security Alliance Month (NCSAM) in order to spread online safety awareness. We as a durable medical equipment provider want to help you and your parents stay safe online.

As healthcare evolves to have more of an online presence and you or your parents receive medical equipment such as incontinence supplies, CPAP machines, back braces, and more, it’s important that their information remains safe and secure. It’s crucial to choose a reputable supplier and avoid DME scams to prevent identity theft and fraudulent charges.

Choosing The Right DME

While it’s easy to just search for the equipment you need and pick an item on the list, be sure to research the company first. Refer to the online reviews to see if other customers had a good and honest experience. They will generally note how long it took for them to receive their items and it’s quality. Simply picking the lowest price, even if your medical equipment will be covered through insurance isn’t always the best option.

A quality medical supplier will also have an informative and helpful customer service team. Their goal will never be to sell a product and rush you off the phone. Instead, they will help you find the perfect item to suit your individual needs. They will also help you find properly fitting items and will help with troubleshooting.

A reliable durable medical equipment supplier will also navigate your insurance policy for you. Who has the time to call insurance companies to see if your item will be covered or not? And then on top of that, bill and be reimbursed for that item? A good DME does. Once they receive your information they will contact your doctor and insurance company for you.

Avoiding DME Scams

Part of internet safety involves protecting your personal information from hackers and scammers. Unfortunately, not all DME providers are legitimate. Some misuse beneficiary information to promote more sells. That’s why we have a few safety tips to prevent you and your elderly parents from being taken advantage of:

You will never be billed for medical equipment that your doctor did not prescribe for you. Your own doctor will let you know if you need something. Never use a doctor from the DME’s team, stick with your own.
If you are suddenly billed for an item that never came or an item that you can’t return it’s most likely a scam. Plus, legitimate DME providers will not bill people who have passed away.
DME providers also can’t cold call you or knock on your door to solicit sales. They can only contact you after you’ve given them permission to call you, which can be written or provided online. DMEs can also contact you to discuss equipment that has been delivered to you during the past 15 months or for a new item if you’re aware that your doctor is contacting the supplier for you.
Never give out your Medicare number for a sales call, pitch, or exchange for money, gifts, and equipment you don’t need.
A legitimate supplier will never provide equipment and then bill Medicare for items that are more expensive. They also won’t provide you with used equipment and bill for brand new items.
Do not sign a blank form from your healthcare provider or equipment provider.

Report DME Fraud

If you receive an unsolicited knock on the door, phone call, or believe you are facing a DME scam for any other reason speak up. Report DME fraud at Medicare.gov or by calling 800-633-4227. You can also report fraud to your state insurance department.

Stay Safe Online

Along with protecting yourself from DME fraud, online safety involves protecting your personal and financial information on the web. Take a moment during NCSAM to learn how to protect yourself, family, and devices.

Stay safe online by protecting yourself and reporting theft, fraud, and cybercrime to create a safer, more trusted internet.

Attention, if you are enrolled in Medicare then you can expect a new Medicare card in the mail soon. In fact, over 60 million Medicare cards are being sent out as a result of the new Medicare number change.

UPDATE: All replacement cards have been shipped. If you need to replace a Medicare card, call 1-800-MEDICARE or online at My Social Security.

The new cards will be placed in the mail by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) beginning in April, but outreach for this campaign has already started to ensure a smooth transition for everyone involved. As a Medicare-dependent, you do not have to worry, about this change. Everything is being taken care of for you.

The Most Important New Medicare Card Information

Why is My Card Changing?

Your Medicare card number is changing as a result of Congressional legislation passed in 2015 requiring CMS to remove all participants’ Social Security Numbers (SSN). This is to help prevent Medicare fraud and financial identity theft by not making this information readily available on Medicare cards that could be lost or stolen.

Basically, your current SSN-based Health Insurance Claim Number (HICN) will be replaced by a new Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI). Your MBI will be used for Medicare transactions such as billing, eligibility status, and claim status.

What Will My MBI Look Like?

Your MBI will be a randomly generated 11 character alphanumeric number, meaning it will contain both letters and numbers. This is to make sure it’s completely different from your SNN. However, it will still fit in all HICN fields as both numbers are the same length.

The new Medicare card format is actually designed to cut down on confusion, which is why your MBI will not include the letters S, L, O, I, B, or Z, as they can easy to be confused with numbers 5, 1, 0, 1, 8, and 2.

What NOT to Do

Do not give out any of your Medicare insurance information out over the phone, via text, or email. Your new card is being sent to you. If anyone contacts you for your information then it is a scam. No one from Medicare will ask an older adult to give personal or private information to get their Medicare number and card.

You can quickly and easily report a suspected Medicare fraud case here.

What to Do

You do not have to do anything for your new Medicare card. Simply wait for your card to arrive in the mail. Be sure to begin carrying it with you as soon as it arrives so your doctor and other health care providers can begin using it. If you need to make a change (like updating your address), contact Medicare at https://www.mymedicare.gov/ or by calling 800-633-4227.

Once you get your card, guard your card. Treat your new Medicare card like a credit card. Only share your Medicare number and card with people that you trust and should have it.

When Will You Get Your New Medicare Card?

New Medicare cards 2018 will be mailed out on a staggered scheduled in seven waves based on geographical regions. The first mailing group for April and June includes Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia.

The second wave includes the Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon, and U.S. territories. The other five groups will be mailed out in June. If you do not have your new card, don’t worry. The transition period lasts from April 2018 until December 2019, so you don’t need your MIB until then.

You can use your old card until then but should start using your new one as soon as you receive it, as businesses are required to accept your new Medicare number on April 1, 2018.

New Medicare Card Mailing Schedule

Wave	States	Cards Mailing
Newly Eligible	Nationwide	Ongoing
1	Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia	Beginning May 2018 \| Finished
2	Alaska, American Samoa, California, Guam, Hawaii, Northern Mariana Islands, Oregon	Beginning May 2018 \| Finished
3	Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Wisconsin	Beginning June 2018 \| Finished
4	Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont	Beginning July 2018 \| Finished
5	Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina	Beginning August 2018 \| Finished
6	Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wyoming	Beginning September 2018 \| Finished
7	Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Puerto Rico, Tennessee, the Virgin Islands	Beginning October 2018 \| Finished

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COPD or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease can be a tough diagnosis to swallow. From remembering the acronym to simply trying to catch your breath, it can be overwhelming at first. What started as a simple cough now makes it difficult to breathe. Many questions will arise, such as what exactly does having this disease mean for your health?

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

The COPD definition states that it’s a chronic inflammatory lung disease that causes obstructed airflow from the lungs. COPD is actually more of an encompassing term for a number of progressive diseases relating to the lungs, including emphysema, chronic bronchitis, non-reversible asthma, and certain types of bronchiectasis.

In addition, all sufferers experience some type of blockages in their lungs, making it more difficult to breathe. The cause of the blockage may vary depending on which type of COPD you have (e.g., emphysema or bronchitis). However, with proper understanding and management, all you’ll need is a bit more attention and preparation to maintain your quality of life and breathe easier when it comes to daily tasks.

What Are COPD Causes?

The truth is that most sufferers who have the disease were smokers. While not everyone who smokes develops COPD about 90% of sufferers were smokers or are still smoking. People with asthma who smoke increases the risk even more (Trying to quit? Get help).

Other causes include exposure to fumes, dust, chemicals, and other irritants that can be found in certain work environments (e.g., being a firefighter). Genetics also play a role in some cases of COPD, especially when combined with other factors such as smoking.

What Are COPD Symptoms?

Difficulty breathing is the most common symptom, however, there are some other symptoms that develop over time that can be early warning signs. If you experience any of the following COPD symptoms book an appointment with your doctor to rule out this disease and to get on track to finding treatment:

Frequent Coughing
Wheezing
Chest Tightness
Feeling Breathless
Blueness in Lips (Cyanosis)
Frequent Respiratory Infections
Swelling in Ankles, Feet, or Legs
Lack of Energy
Unintentional Weight Loss (In later stages)

If you don’t have COPD but wonder what living with the disease feels likes, try the following exercise. Take a deep breath, then only exhale halfway. Then take another full breath but only exhale halfway again. Continue repeating this pattern and soon you’ll feel breathless as breathing becomes extremely comfortable. Unfortunately, this is what sufferers deal with.

COPD Stages

COPD is a progressive condition that worsens with age over time. In general, there are four stages running from mild to very severe. It may begin with mild breathing discomfort and a chronic cough with phlegm in the beginning, it will become more difficult to breathe as the condition progresses.

Stage 1 COPD: Mild stage COPD can be difficult to notice. People may be unaware that they have any issues and continue their daily activities with slight breathing limitations. It’s common to experience a cough with phlegm.

Stage 2 COPD: Moderate stage COPD is when people notice more coughing and more mucus production. This is when people generally seek medical attention for breathing limitations.

Stage 3 COPD: The severe stage COPD when lung function continues to decline and breathing becomes increasingly difficult. By this point, COPD symptoms typically interfere with favorite activities and daily tasks. During this stage, people experience more fatigue and difficulty exercising.

Stage 4 COPD: End-stage COPD is very severe and heavily impacts people’s quality of life. Breathing issues may become life-threatening as sufferers have trouble receiving enough oxygen. This can lead to serious health conditions including hypoxia, cyanosis, and more. Oxygen therapy may be prescribed to help you receive the oxygen your body needs.

Some patients may need additional oxygen all the time, and others may only need it during certain times, like when performing more strenuous activities. Using an oxygen concentrator or portable oxygen concentrator can be essential for treatment and may even help you get your quality of life back. You might actually get back to doing the things you love instead of having to miss out.

COPD Treatment

By properly treating COPD or progressive lung conditions that result in difficulty breathing you can live a full, active life. There are various treatment options depending on which stage you’re diagnosed with. The first step involves quitting smoking as it can cause COPD to get much worse.

You may be prescribed medication to take on a regular basis or as needed. These medications or bronchodilators often come with an inhaler or nebulizer and work by relaxing the tissues around your airways to make breathing easier. While inhalers are generally preferred, home nebulizers can be the most effective way to treat flare-ups. However, both options provide patients with rapid relief from dramatic COPD symptom on sets.

Also, you may be prescribed inhalable or oral steroid medications to reduce inflammation.

A high-frequency chest wall oscillation vest will help ease your body’s task of discharging harmful excess secretions from the lungs. The Afflovest is a lightweight, portable option that mimics natural chest physiotherapy and doesn’t require a caregiver or respiratory therapist.

If there isn’t enough oxygen in your blood then you may need supplemental oxygen. There are various oxygen options from home oxygen concentrators, portable concentrators, and various sizes and levels of portability of oxygen cylinders.

Deep Breathing

Another helpful exercise for those living with COPD is to practice deep breathing. A respiratory therapist, Mardi Hayden, recommends finding one of these deep breathing exercises that you really like and practice it daily at the same times each day. As your exercises progress, you can gradually lengthen the amount of time that you do the exercise. Hayden recommends this deep breathing technique for those new to breathing exercises:

Pull your elbows back firmly while standing or sitting
Take a deep breath
Hold the breath for the count of five
Exhale slowly and completely
Repeat as needed

As with any exercise regimen, it is recommended that you speak with your respiratory therapist or physician before beginning.

COPD Management

COPD is unquestionably a difficult, and life-changing condition, but with proper management and proactive measures, it doesn’t have to rob you or someone you love their life. If someone you know is suffering from COPD, or if you believe you’re at risk, contact your doctor today. You may qualify for your nebulizer at little to no cost to you through insurance.

To find out if you qualify for your equipment through insurance, simply complete Aeroflow Healthcare’s Qualify Through Insurance form. Once submitted, our Patient Care Representative will work closely with your healthcare provider and insurance company to have your treatment options delivered to your home.

By partnering with an experienced provider like Aeroflow Healthcare, you can be fully assured of access to all of the latest COPD treatment options, as well as easy delivery, exceptional service, and 24-hour support.

It’s important that as a nebulizer owner and user you perform some basic maintenance and cleaning to keep the medical device in working order. But often times the replacement of nebulizer parts is needed to provide optimum functionality, and therefore the best possible treatment.

Here are a few tips for best equipment upkeep and sanitation, and information on how often to replace nebulizer parts.

Insurance Covered Nebulizer Replacement and Resupply

For insured patients with durable medical equipment (DME) benefits, most plans consider the replacement of nebulizers medically necessary on an individual basis if both of the following criteria are met:

The primary care physician and/or specialist confirm that the member has been compliant with the nebulizer and anticipate the need for continued use to prevent a hospital admission or emergency room visits; AND
The warranty has expired.

Generally, if it has been five years and you still need a nebulizer, your insurance will cover it. Contact us and we’ll help make sense of your insurance benefits.

Nebulizer Mask Replacement

Disposable masks are meant to be thrown away after 5 to 7 uses, while regular child and adult nebulizer masks are meant to be used for up to 6 months. You can confirm your replacement schedule with your insurance plan, or call Aeroflow Healthcare at 888-345-1780 and we’ll verify your insurance benefits for you.

Nebulizer Parts to Replace Every Month
Disposable filters in aerosol compressor
Small volume non-filtered pneumatic nebulizer
Water collection device in large volume nebulizer
Tracheostomy mask or collar
Face tent
Aerosol mask
Administration set, small volume both filtered and non-filtered

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Parts to Replace Less Often

Nebulizer Replacement	Replacement Schedule
Disposable Nebulizer Tubing	Bimonthly
Non-Disposable Nebulizer Filter	Once a Quarter
Non-Disposable Administration Kit	Twice a Year
Non-Disposable Corrugated Tubing	Once a Year
Ultrasonic Nebulizer Mouthpiece & Dome	Once a Year
Nebulizer	Every Three Years

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Maintaining Your Nebulizer Parts and Accessories

Compressor filters eventually become dirty and channels get clogged. Also, the tubing, masks, and mouthpieces will degrade over time. Never use nebulizer equipment longer than recommended, even if they seem fine. Always refer to the manufacturer’s instructions for maintaining your nebulizer, parts, and accessories.

Failure to change parts will make your compressor unit work harder than it should and will eventually cause the unit to fail. Be sure to keep extra tubing, mouthpieces, and masks on-hand in case they become damaged or worn in between replacement cycles.

Sterilizing Your Nebulizer Parts and Equipment

After each treatment:

Wash your hands thoroughly.
Disassemble the nebulizer.
Rinse the mask or mouthpiece with warm water for at least half a minute.
Do not wash nebulizer tubing or compressor.
Shake off excess water and place parts on a clean towel for air-drying.
Reassemble the system and turn on the compressor for a few seconds for drying.

Once a week:

Consult your owner’s manual for specific instructions.
You may be instructed to soak all nebulizer parts (except mask, tubing, and compressor) in one part distilled white vinegar/three parts hot water for one hour (do not reuse cleaning solution).
Rinse, shake off excess water, and allow to air-dry on a clean towel.
Reassemble the pieces and tubing and turn on the compressor briefly for drying.

Some nebulizer parts may be top-rack dishwasher safe; however, a nebulizer mask should never go through the dishwasher. Always refer to the manufacturer’s notes when cleaning your equipment. And when you’re finished performing daily or weekly maintenance on your nebulizer system, cover it and store it in a clean, safe place.

As your baby grows you will notice your tummy not only expanding but getting heavier too. You might feel a twinge of discomfort as your little bundle of joy causes your belly to swell, but you don’t have to wait until their due date for relief. You can get the extra support you need with the help of a belly band.

What’s A Belly Band?

A belly band or maternity support brace is a circular piece of fabric that wraps under the pregnant belly and connects with velcro. They are made out of soft, stretchable fabrics like cotton and spandex to have the ability to stretch and grow with your belly. Most belly bands are adjustable to fit your individual shape and size as an expecting mother.

Some options such as belly wraps are more like tube tops. They’re circular strips of fabrics that are knitted and seamless.

Belly Band Benefits

1. Pregnancy Pain Relief

Maternity support bands are generally recommended to help support the weight growing babies in the womb and to relieve pain due to having a heavier uterus.

This is because during the second trimester your round ligament that connects the groin to the front of the uterus changes to support your growing embryo. As a result, it changes positions and gets placed under additional pressure and may cause dull achy pain in the hip, groin, or abdomen.

During the third trimester, you may have to waddle instead of walk to balance with your baby’s excess weight which puts pressure on your lower back, ligaments, joints, and muscles. In some cases, this pressure can be painful.

The sacroiliac joint (SIJ) is a pair of joints on the sides of your pelvic area responsible for stabilization during physical activities and for absorbing shock to the lower body. During the third trimester, certain pregnancy hormones loosen and stretch the joints to prepare your body for birth resulting in patient pain and possible instability.

2. Comfort During Physical Activities

You wouldn’t hit the gym without your trusty sports bra to keep your ladies in place, right? Well during pregnancy, those who are on their feet a lot can see their normal routine as an exercise. From walking back and forth all over the office to chase meetings to having a physically demanding position such as a cop or nurse, a belly belt or band can help.

By providing comfort with a little compression physical discomfort can be reduced from the uterus and the belly. This will help you get through your work out and help take your mind off discomfort to better concentrate at work.

3. Outfit Hacks

Being pregnant is full of adventures and surprises. For example, one day your favorite pair of comfy jeans fit and the next day they don’t. However, you don’t have to panic and throw them out. You can use your belly band to bridge the gap between your shirt and pants.

It will provide a fashionable layered look with the privacy of covering your stomach. Many women can comfortably cover their unbuttoned pants and relax instead of squeezing into them and dealing with the discomfort of button imprints.

4. Posture Enhancing

Your maternity belt will also help you maintain proper posture, especially during the third trimester when your lower back and spine fall under increased weight. As your core muscles that support the spine weaken you’ll be more prone to extending your lower back. This can occur during your normal daily routine with activities such as walking or even sitting. However, your pregnancy belly band will give you the necessary support to stabilize your lower back and torso.

5. Postpartum Healing

Don’t put your belly band away after giving birth. It can help with postpartum healing as your muscles and ligaments that stretch during birth need time to heal. Strains and weakness can make it difficult to care for your newborn. The support provided by your belly band can decrease comfort.

How To Use A Belly Band

First, check with your doctor to discuss using a belly band. They aren’t suited for women with hypertension or poor circulation.
Then choose the right size based on your pre-pregnancy size. Many brands have sizing charts that correlate with pant sizes to help you choose the properly fitting option.
If you have a tube belly band slide it over your head and position it over your stomach. Slide it down until it covers your pants line.
For belly bands that have velcro snaps, place the widest point under your stomach to support it and fasten the velcro straps behind your back. Some options attach in the front or on the sides, so refer to the instructions included with your band.
You want to feel gentle compression. If your belly band is too tight it can cause indigestion, heartburn, and impact your circulation and blood pressure.
Only wear your maternity support band for 2 to 3 hours at a time. Becoming over dependent on them can weaken your lower muscles due to too much stretching. Take a break and give your body time to strengthen and prepare for giving birth.
Belly bands should be paired with daily exercise to shed extra pounds and build up strength.
If your maternity support band doesn’t relieve pain or you find daily activities to be painful speak with your doctor to address any underlying conditions. You may be recommended to a physical therapist.