WHY OUTDOOR MOVEMENT IS BETTER WHERE YOU EXERCISE MATTERS
We all know exercise is good for our physical and mental health. But whether we’re going on a jog through nature or clocking minutes on a treadmill, it’s all the same — right? A recent study suggests there may be a crucial difference. There is mounting evidence that where you exercise matters. A small study from the University of Victoria recently researched the benefits of “green exercise,” or that performed in nature. The authors of the 2023 paper found that physical activity in natural surroundings had benefits beyond those generally associated with movement. Study participants who went on 15-minute walks outside saw improvements in memory and concentration more significantly than when they performed the same exercise indoors.
Neuroscientists behind the research can only guess why these results occurred. Some experts believe being out in nature helps us relax and quiet our brains. Additional research also demonstrates that people generally find outdoor exercise less physically taxing than indoor varieties — even when the outdoor exercise is quite strenuous. These findings confirm something you may have already expected to be true. You probably feel better after a bike ride through the park than spending the same time on a stationary bike in your basement. Exercise on gym equipment can also be tedious, and many people spend the bulk of their time staring at the clock, counting down the minutes until they’re finished. We’re less likely to have that problem outside.
Unsurprisingly, doctors argue that any physical activity is better than none. Using gym equipment will provide far more benefits than sitting on your couch. But when you have the option to exercise outdoors, you should take it. Just remember that all outdoor exercise is not created equal. The Washington Post reports that outdoor activity in urban areas surrounded by concrete does not appear to have the same benefits as exercise in quieter, greener places. Fortunately, it doesn’t take much to see an impact. From a mental health perspective, 15 minutes of green exercise at a time seems to be ideal. So, get out as much as you can. And when you’re stuck inside due to weather or other circumstances, continue to make the most of it with as much exercise as possible.
GENERAL CHANGES COMING TO MEDICARE: PART 2
DON’T MISS THESE OPPORTUNITIES
We discussed the changes in Medicare for those who need Insulin last month, so this month, we’re discussing more general changes coming to Medicare so you’re prepared to take advantage.
MEDICARE PART D ANNUAL LIMIT IN 2025 The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) mandates that the annual limit of the Medicare Part D prescription drug will be $2,000 for all tiers of drugs starting in 2025 and indexed for inflation yearly after that. Part D expenses are not currently capped. The law also includes a 6% limit on Part D premium increases. SMOOTHING PART D OUT-OF-POCKET COSTS Another challenge with Medicare Part D prescription drug expenses is the costs. One month they may be $1,000 and the next, $100. Most consumers’ incomes are fixed, and spikes in expenses create financial hardship. New IRA laws offer an option for “smoothing” the payments evenly over the year. In 2025, when the medication copays are set at a total out-of-pocket of $2,000 per year, “smoothing” would be a $167 monthly payment for those on medications that reach the cost cap. THE BOTTOM LINE FOR UPCOMING MEDICARE CHANGES The Medicare Part D prescription drug program has evolved since its inception in 2006. The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) introduces significant changes to Medicare from 2023 to 2025. The law addresses the growing senior population dependent upon insulin and the drug’s rising cost. It is essential to be aware of these new laws and benefit from them to get the medications you need to stay happy and healthy.
TRUE OUT-OF-POCKET COSTS CARRY OVER Medicare Part D prescription drug plans track how much
beneficiaries pay and what the plan pays. These amounts determine where the beneficiaries are in the four stages (deductible, initial, the gap (or Donut Hole), and catastrophic) of Medicare Part D. This calculation is called True Out-of-Pocket (TrOOP) costs. Changing Part D plans in the middle of these four stages does not reset what stage you are in. The amounts, totals, and placement within Part D plan phases transfer to the new plan. MEDICARE CHANGES TO THE CATASTROPHIC PHASE When a beneficiary reaches the catastrophic phase, approximately $7,400 in out-of-pocket costs between the beneficiary and the plan, prescription costs are lowered, barring expensive medication. The coinsurance in the catastrophic phase for costly medications is an unlimited 5%. New 2024 legislation will mean beneficiaries will no longer pay the unlimited 5%. The out-of-pocket cost will stop at a hard cap of $3,250 out-of-pocket max for beneficiaries.
2 • OmahaInsuranceSolutions.com
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator