The Press-Dispatch
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/102523
C-10 C-8 The Press-Dispatch Health and WellnessPress-Dispatch y 9, 2013 Wednesday, Januar Wednesday, January 9, 2013 The Get healthcare savvy to protect your family Is it important to feed kids organic food? The jury is still out on the long-term health benefits of organic produce (StatePoint) The nutritional choices you make for your children are crucial, setting the stage for good health and good habits for years to come. So if you've heard about the benefits of organic food, you may be wondering if it's worth the extra expense, especially if you're on a budget. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, which recently weighed in on the subject of organic food for the first time, what's most important is that children eat a variety of fruits, vegetables, lean meats, whole grains and low-fat or fat-free dairy products, whether those are conventionally or organically grown. Organic foods do have lower levels of pesticides and drug-resistant bacteria, says Dr. Thomas K. McInerny, president of the AAP. "That may be important for kids because young children are more vulnerable to chemicals, but we simply don't have the scientific evidence to know if the difference will affect a person's health over a lifetime," says McInerny. Both organic and conventionally grown foods have the same vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, proteins, lipids and other nutrients that are important for children's health. "If you're on a budget, don't buy the more expensive organic option if it's going to reduce your family's overall intake of healthy foods like fresh produce," advises McInerny. "It's better for kids to eat five servings of conventionally grown produce a day than for them to eat one serving of organic vegetables." Families can also be selective in choosing particular organic foods to stretch their budget. The Environmental Working Group has created a Shopper's Guide that rates the level of pesticides in produce. Their guide indicates that conventionally grown onions, sweet corn and pineapples have relatively low pesticide rates, making them safer to purchase. If you can budget a few extra dollars to spend on groceries, opt for organic apples and celery, which are among the most pesticide-laden crops. According to the AAP, organic milk is not healthier for kids than conventional milk, but parents should make sure all milk they purchase is pasteurized. The jury is still out on the long-term health benefits of organic produce, but in the meantime keep your eyes and ears open for new information as it becomes available – – so you can make the best possible choices in the future. You can find nutrition tips for kids on the AAP website for parents, www.healthychildren.org. No matter the size of your budget, you can do your kids a world of good by ensuring they get at least five servings of fruits and vegetables daily. Ask SHIP: Advantage Plan Disenrollment Q: I think Open Enrollment is over, but I'm not happy with my Medicare Advantage Plan. Is there anything else I can do? A: You're correct that the Annual Enrollment Period (also known as Open Enrollment) has ended. You do still have the Medicare Advantage Disenrollment Period available to you, which takes place January 1-February 14. The Disenrollment Period is different from the Annual Enrollment Period in that you can't switch to another Advantage Plan, but there are a few other changes you can make that may help you. What you can do during the Disenrollment Pe- riod: • If you're already in a Medicare Advantage Plan, you can leave your plan and switch to Original Medicare. • If you switch to Original Medicare during this period, you'll have until February 14 to add Medicare Prescription Drug Plan. Your coverage would begin the first day of the month after the plan gets your enrollment form. If you have original Medicare, you may want to consider getting a Medicare supplement insurance policy. These insurance plans help pay the deductibles and co-pays of Medicare Parts A and B. However, you would not have a guarantee of a policy unless you are 65 or older and recently enrolled in Part B or losing other health insurance coverage by no fault of your own. What you can't do during the Disenrollment Period: • You cannot switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan. • You cannot switch from one Medicare Advantage Plan to another. • You cannot switch from one Medicare Prescription Drug Plan to another. • You cannot join, switch, or drop a Medicare Medical Savings Account (MSA) Plan. If you do choose to disenroll in your Medicare Advantage Plan, your changes become effective the first of the month following the receipt of your disenrollment. Any requests made in January will be effective February 1 and any requests made in February will be effective March 1. If you have questions about Medicare Enrollment Periods, Medicare Advantage Plans, or anything else related to Medicare, contact SHIP for help. Call 1-800-452-4800, or visit www.medicare.in.gov. (StatePoint) Health care costs are on the rise. Between a maturing baby boom population and an explosion of available tests, treatments and devices, Americans spend about twice as much per capita for healthcare compared to other western countries. Some experts warn that despite legislation like the Affordable Care Act that promises to expand quality coverage to everyone, there are still a lot of unknowns about the future of healthcare in this country. "Getting savvy about your health and the future of healthcare politics can help protect you and your family, no matter what trends we see in the years to come," says Virgil Simons, Founder and President of The Prostate Net, a non-profit patient education and advocacy organization. Here are some important steps to consider: • Know your health risks. Some populations are more susceptible to certain diseases than others, and if you have a family history of a particular disease, you may be genetically predisposed for a certain condition. Take advantage of free screenings where possible and make realistic and appropriate decisions about what diagnostic exams are important for you to receive. Testing for the sake of testing can add enormous costs to your health care bills and may not be worth the price tag. • Disparity in quality of care is often due to lack of knowledge. Empower yourself to get better care with free resources. For example, The Prostate Net's bimonthly "In the Know" newsletters serve as a thor- ough review of information and developments in healthcare of critical importance to men. You can access the free newsletters online or order a print edition at www.ProstateNet.com/ intheknow_a.htm. • A recent study conducted by the Commonwealth Fund found that uninsured and underinsured U.S. women are more likely to skip care because of costs than women in 10 other industrialized nations. Be an advocate for affordable care by becoming an active voter and engaging your elected officials. • Seek alternate sources of information. Health symposiums and conventions, for example, bring together patients and doctors for a healthy exchange of information not normally available. The Prostate Cancer Educational Symposium is a series of events that are free to attend and will address risk awareness, treatment options, and disease management. To register, visit www.TheProstateNet.org/ Symposium.html. • Take steps to reduce your chance of being diagnosed with a life-threatening disease. You can start by eliminating risky habits like smoking, reducing your intake of alcohol and highly processed foods, and eating a diet rich in vegetables, lean meats and whole grains. Obesity increases your risk for diseases like cancer, heart disease and diabetes. Incorporate exercise into your day to help maintain a healthy weight. No matter what the future holds politically for healthcare reform, Americans can become their own health advocates by getting informed. Social Security planning classes set for Jan. 22 On Tuesday, Jan. 22 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the University Center East on the USI Campus. There will be a class on what Baby Boomers need to know to Maximize Retirement Income. The cost is $19 individual or $24 per couple. Registration deadline is the day before the class. For more information and to pay the enrollment fee, call USI Division of Outreach and Engagement (812) 464-1989 or (800) 467-8600. Want Convenient & Compassionate Care? Meet some of your neighbors. Just like a neighbor, the healthcare providers at Gibson General Hospital are close and here to help! They know that you want to be treated with support and compassion, welcomed by warm and friendly faces, and be able to visit when you need access to timely healthcare. If you are looking for a convenient and compassionate healthcare provider, talk to your neighbors at Gibson General Hospital. R. Michael Clark, DO Family Medicine 510 N. Main Street Princeton, Indiana 7898 S. Professional Drive Fort Branch, Indiana 812-386-7001 William Wells, MD Family Medicine 510 N. Main Street Princeton, Indiana 812-386-7001 Michelle Snyder, DO Family Medicine 1808 Sherman Drive, Suite 2209 Princeton, Indiana 812-385-9420 Kwabena Owusu-Dekyi, MD Family Medicine 1808 Sherman Drive, Suite 2209 Princeton, Indiana 812-385-9420 Wendy Tuley, RN, FNP-C Family Nurse Practitioner 1808 Sherman Drive, Suite 2209 Princeton, Indiana 812-385-9254 Mark Carpenter, MD, FACS General Surgery 1808 Sherman Drive, Suite 2209 Princeton, Indiana 812-385-9392 Centered Around You. www.gibsongeneral.com