Check out our April newsletter!
LYN’S LEDGER
Lyndon Thomas Insurance
April 2023
We Help You With Medicare.
SAME DAY OR NEXT DAY: All’s Well That Ends Well
Last month’s Ledger cover article was written just before I went in for left knee replacement surgery. My right knee replacement last year was a same day procedure. I was pretty happy with the fact that I went home immediately after surgery, so I was expecting the same outcome. This year’s knee replacement at Community Memorial Hospital in Ventura was a great success, although my stay was extended overnight because the post-op dose of Dilaudid was a little too much of a good thing. You see, last year’s right knee surgery included an injured nerve and excruciating pain, so my medical records include a history of nerve pain. Fast forward to the present. Apparently as I was coming out from anesthesia, I may have complained of some pain, so they went straight to the heavy hitter — Dilaudid. Hey! Hey! Hey! Not only was I feeling no pain, but I have almost no memory of the next several hours in post-op recovery. I was told later that when they got me up to walk, I was falling asleep on my feet and running into things with the walker. Kathy was there to take me home but told me later I wasn’t making much sense and my breathing was such that I needed the canula to keep my oxygen level up. It took a while for the nurses to convince me to stay the night and sleep off the Dilaudid. In the end, it didn’t matter because Kathy left me there saying she wasn’t taking me home in that condition. By 7 p.m., when I was wheeled into room 5110, I had pretty well metabolized the painkiller and was seeing and thinking clearly and really hungry. Meals are not served in post-op, and having missed dinner on fifth floor, I called our son Chandler, who lives a few blocks away from the hospital. He brought in Wood Ranch BBQ about 8:30 p.m. We had superb carryout and a great visit. The next morning about 9 a.m., the physical therapist breezed in talking like she knew me, saying things about yesterday afternoon of which I had no memory whatsoever. Thinking this
was the first time I had met her, the point came where I asked her, “Were you and I doing something together yesterday?” “Oh, yes!” she said. “I was the one who kept you from running into things and falling down in post-op yesterday.” It’s been a while since I’ve been at such a disadvantage in a conversation. So what if my hope for same day surgery turned into an overnight stay? I was discharged the next morning and Kathy did come back to get me. Writing now, one month after surgery, I am nearly walking normally and taking the stairs at the office. Physical therapy at Balance Wellness in Ojai is challenging and productive. I believe my matched set of titanium and polyurethane knees will serve me well. The picture is Kathy and me at Yosemite National Park in 2000 atop Half Dome. I believe it’s a reasonable goal to do something like that again. I hope to get back to hiking the backcountry again soon. Motivational speakers say that everyone should have a Big Hairy Audacious Goal in front of them to keep focused and motivated. My BHAG for the winter of 2024 is to go snowboarding with my sons. As I reflect on my knee replacement surgeries in the past year, I am filled with gratitude for the many people who have contributed in ways small and great to the immense improvement in quality of life I am and will be experiencing. Going from hobbling in pain just walking across the room to pain-free distance walking and hiking is incredible. Thank you to the medical and support staff at two hospitals and three offices. I express undying gratitude for my family at home, friends, and clients who have lent support and prayers. And “THANK YOU!” to Susan, Beth and Rod at the office who keep things running smoothly while I’m out. I am blessed!
–Lyn Thomas
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www.LT-ins.com
Published by The Newsletter Pro • www.NewsletterPro.com
Published by The NewsletterPro • www.NewsletterPro.com
Lyndon Thomas Insurance
INCREASE YOUR LIFESPAN WITH THE VILPA METHOD
It Only Takes 6 Minutes Each Day!
Picture this: You’re sitting in your doctor’s office at the end of a checkup, waiting for her final words of wisdom on your health. “Things are looking good,” she says, nodding thoughtfully. “But you could do better. I know a way to increase your lifespan by doing a simple task for just six minutes each day. Do you want to try it?” That scenario might sound like science fiction — after all, we don’t have a pill for longevity yet — but according to the latest research, it could very well happen on your next doctor’s visit! This January, the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) reported that by practicing a method called VILPA, it might be possible to lower your risk of death from any cause, including cancer, by 38%–40%. The method may also decrease your risk of death from heart disease specifically by 48%-49%. Both of these effects essentially increase your lifespan! What is VILPA? VILPA stands for “vigorous intermittent lifestyle physical activity.” In other words: exercise. Specifically, VILPA involves doing short, intense bursts of challenging exercises like climbing stairs or jogging down a hallway — anything that gets your heart pumping. According to the study, you only need to practice VILPA for 1–2 minutes three or more times per day to get the protective effects!
Do you need to be in shape to try VILPA? Nope! The VILPA study JAMA reported involved more than 25,000 people ages 40–69 who identified as “non-exercisers.” They never hit the gym; the most strenuous exercise routine they reported was a leisurely walk once a week. How should you start? It’s easy to try out the VILPA method: Simply take the stairs instead of the elevator and carry your groceries to the car instead of pushing them in the shopping cart. That said, we recommend visiting a physical therapist before you jump in. Many PTs offer free or low-cost health screenings that can identify problem spots and weak areas of your body. Scheduling a screening before you push yourself with VILPA can save you from injuries down the road.
AN OUNCE OF PREVENTION …
Spring is a great time to renew your commitment to better health and practice preventative care — and Medicare can help. Medicare gives you access to a variety of preventative tests and screenings at no cost to you. In addition to the yearly wellness visit, screenings for diabetes, colon cancer, breast cancer, osteoporosis, heart disease, and obesity management — to name a few — are available free of charge. Medicare provides for one free colonoscopy (oh, what fun!) every 10 years. While some immunizations were provided by Medicare without charge, others have been added. Shingles vaccines Zostavax and Shingrix are now available at no cost. Check out Medicare.gov/coverage/preventive-screening-services or your 2023 Medicare and You book personally mailed each fall for a complete list of Medicare covered preventative services. Whether you receive your Medicare benefit through Original Medicare or through a Medicare Advantage Plan, all Medicare covered preventative screenings and services are available at no cost. Advantage plan member must visit a primary care physician for authorizing these services. Advantage Plan members are helping their PCP when getting preventatives. Medicare provides incentives for physicians who meet thresholds and penalizes those who do not have enough of their members have their preventatives done. Some Medicare Advantage plans offer incentives such as gift cards worth $50 or more for completing the annual physical and other
preventative screenings. You may call your plan’s member services to inquire. Medicare is also phasing in incentives and penalties for physicians of Original Medicare beneficiaries to encourage wider use of the available preventative screenings. Original Medicare beneficiaries are now being asked to designate a primary care physician. So, for your benefit and your doctor’s, the preventative screenings are helpful.
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CA# 0D96309
1211 Maricopa Hwy, Ste 222, Ojai, CA 93023
www.LT-ins.com
We Help You With Medicare.
PRESCRIPTION DRUG COSTS CAN PUT A HOLE IN YOUR WALLET!
Medicare mandates that every Medicare beneficiary have a Part D Prescription Drug Program (PDP). The two ways to acquire a PDP is either as a stand-alone, or teamed with a Medicare Supplement policy “built in” to a Medicare Advantage plan. If one is eligible for Medicare and does not have a Part D plan, a late enrollment penalty will be growing as the months pass. While Medicare mandates all beneficiaries have a Part D, there is no requirement to use your PDP for receiving prescriptions and no penalty if you don’t purchase your prescription through the Part D! Here at LTI, we encourage you to shop around for better pricing on your prescriptions. We regularly offer GoodRX.com for alternative pricing for generic prescriptions at big name pharmacy chains. We
have been researching and have found a good lower cost alternative source for brand-name drugs as well. If you are on a stand-alone PDP and are taking a brand drug or two, the $500-plus deductible and the 25% cost in the coverage gap are painful realities for your pocketbook. In some instances, purchasing your brand through another source may be a cost saver. Please contact our office at 805-646-6409 for more information on alternative pricing for brand drugs. Here at LTI we consult daily with our clients about their drug costs and are aware that, like so many other things, they cost more than ever. This may help.
SUDOKU
ONE-PAN CHICKEN AND MUSHROOMS WITH EGG NOODLES
Ingredients
• •
3 slices bacon, cut into 1/2-inch pieces 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts, halved
• • • • •
8 oz shallots, peeled and halved
3 cups chicken broth 1/2 cup heavy cream
• • •
Salt and ground pepper 3 tbsp butter, divided
8 oz egg noodles
1/3 cup chopped fresh dill
8 oz button mushrooms, trimmed
1. In a large pan over medium heat, cook bacon until browned, 7–9 minutes. Remove from heat, discard fat, and set aside. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Return pan to medium-high heat and melt 2 tbsp butter. Add chicken, skin-side down. Cook, turning a few times, for 10–12 minutes until browned. Transfer to a plate. 2. Place remaining 1 tbsp butter in pan to melt. Add mushrooms and shallots; cook 8–10 minutes. Add broth and cream; bring to a boil. Stir in noodles. 3. Add chicken (skin-side up), cover pan, reduce heat, and simmer, stirring once halfway through. Cook about 10–12 minutes. 4. Uncover and simmer until thickened. Stir in dill and top with bacon. Serve and enjoy! Directions
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CA# 0D96309
805-646-6409
Inspired by MarthaStewart.com
Lyndon Thomas Insurance
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
PO Box 207 Ojai, CA 93024
INSIDE
CA# 0D96309 | www.LT-ins.com | 805-646-6409
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Lyn’s Surgery Update
The Latest Way to Lengthen Your Lifespan
Take Advantage of No Cost Health Screenings
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Shop Around for Lower Cost Prescriptions
One-Pan Chicken and Mushrooms With Egg Noodles
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3 Ways to Move More During the Day
We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.
GET IN BETTER SHAPE
ADD MORE MOVEMENT TO EACH DAY
Getting the movement our bodies and minds need each day can be challenging. Many of us work on computers for hours, only standing to use the restroom or refill our water bottles. But we need to do more than that to stay healthy. When we add more movement to our daily routines, our muscles grow stronger, which helps improve our balance, stability and coordination. Our bones become more durable and our joints more flexible. It’s no secret that moving helps us live healthier, but going to the gym can be expensive and time-consuming. Thankfully, we can adopt simple daily routines to add more movement to our lives. Here are a few worth trying. Be active on your work breaks. If you work an eight-hour shift, you are entitled to a few breaks throughout your day. Try to use them to be active. Stand up and stretch or walk around once an hour
if you work on a computer. Set reminders on your phone so you don’t forget. You can even utilize a standing desk to avoid sitting for extended periods. If possible, get out during your lunch break and walk instead of sitting down. Being active throughout the day will help prevent stiffness and fatigue while improving focus and productivity. Walk or bike to your destinations. We’re all accustomed to getting in our cars whenever we need to go somewhere, but
maybe it’s time to walk or get the bike out instead. If you travel a short distance for work, consider walking there or riding a bicycle if possible. The same goes for trips to the post office, grocery store or other locations close to your home. You’ll add some extra movement and sunlight to your days. Take the stairs. If you work in an office building, skip the elevator. If you work from home and have stairs in your house or apartment, walk up and down the steps a few times. You can also take the stairs up to buildings instead of using walking ramps. This adjustment is one of the quickest ways to add exercise into your day, and it doesn’t take much! These little changes can go a long way, but remember that doing these activities once is not enough. They need to become a habit. Perform them every day when possible, and you’ll feel better physically in no time.
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1211 Maricopa Hwy, Ste 222, Ojai, CA 93023
Published by The Newsletter Pro • www.NewsletterPro.com
Published by The NewsletterPro •www.NewsletterPro.com
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