(NewsUSA) - Choosing a Medicare plan is a big decision for eligible individuals, including those who are 65 or older or are living with a disability, because the plan you select during the Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Plan annual enrollment period is the plan you'll have for the coming year, with a few exceptions.

Eligible individuals should take time to research plans and compare available benefits during the enrollment period -- which runs from October 15 to December 7 -- as there are key factors to consider based on your health needs, such as pharmacy coverage offered through a Medicare Advantage plan or stand-alone Prescription Drug Plan (PDP).

For some people, stopping at a local pharmacy is a convenient option to pick up their prescriptions. However, there may be other ways to get prescriptions if you have a Medicare Advantage plan with prescription-drug coverage or a PDP that includes access to prescription drug home delivery pharmacies in the plan's network. The advantages of home delivery via mail can include the comfort of knowing you'll never run out of your prescriptions, and the convenience of having your medications mail-delivered to your doorstep.

Whether you choose a Medicare Advantage plan that offers prescription drug coverage, such as Humana Medicare Advantage plans, or a PDP, check to see whether the plan includes prescription-drug home delivery pharmacies in the network and consider the following tips to help you get the most from home delivery pharmacies:

• Go Online or Download the Mobile App: By utilizing your pharmacy's app or website to manage your prescriptions, you may be able to submit requests for new prescriptions and medication transfers, establish delivery times for eligible medication orders, track your medications and deliveries, and have a live chat with a pharmacy specialist --all from the convenience of your home.
• Get a 90-Day Supply: Many medications will allow for a 90-day supply, resulting in fewer refills and may result in cost savings for you.
• Sign-up for Auto Refills: Spend less time worrying about running out of your medications: the auto refill option, if a pharmacy offers it, will automatically deliver your next order right to your door! If auto refill is not for you, be sure to set your communication preference for refills and you may be able to receive a reminder notification.
• Compare the Costs: Many plans, such as Humana, have a "switch and save" option for some medications, which provides suggestions for generic options at lower costs.
• Build a Personalized Medication List: Seeing multiple doctors usually means having several medications. Use your plan's app or website to maintain a single, complete list of all your prescriptions to avoid adverse reactions.

For more information about prescription drug home delivery pharmacies, you can call 1-800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227) or go to Medicare.gov. To learn about Humana's Medicare Advantage plans, visit www.Humana.com/Medicare or call 1-800-213-5286 (TTY: 711) to speak with a licensed sales agent from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time, seven days a week.

Additional Information:

Humana is a Medicare Advantage HMO, HMO SNP, PPO, PPO SNP and PFFS organization and a stand-alone PDP prescription drug plan with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in any Humana plan depends on contract renewal.

Scott Greenwell, PharmD., is President of Humana Pharmacy Solutions, where he oversees the health plan's pharmacy solutions. He is based in Louisville, KY.

(NewsUSA) - Nationally, the average retirement age is 64, though in some states, the average retirement age is 66. The decision to retire later can impact several important life choices. When it comes to healthcare, it's important to plan ahead, whether you're retiring now or in ten years. Fortunately, there are many resources available to you regarding your decisions on benefits. For additional information visit AARP.org/benefits-discounts/healthcare and learn more about your healthcare options.

(NewsUSA) -Atrial fibrillation (also called AFib or AF) is a quivering or irregular heartbeat that can lead to blood clots, stroke, heart failure and other heart-related complications.

In fact, having AFib makes you up to five times more likely to have a stroke, according to the American Stroke Association, a division of the American Heart Association, a global force for healthier lives for all.

Most strokes caused by AFib could be prevented with effective treatment, but only about half of AFib patients receive proper therapy.

Approximately 5.2 million people in the United States experience AFib, and that number is expected to more than double in the next ten years, according to the American Heart Association.

Although anyone can develop AFib at any age, the risk is greatest for individuals older than 50 years, those with a family history of AFib, smokers and those with high blood pressure or other forms of heart disease.

Although AFib is less prevalent in Black and Latino individuals compared with white individuals, Black and Latino people living with AFib have a higher risk of AFib-related death when they also have conditions such as high blood pressure and heart failure, according to the American Stroke Association.

The best-known symptom of AFib is a fluttering heartbeat, but not all individuals with AFib experience this, and many people with AFib report no symptoms prior to diagnosis.

"Because of this, it's important that people at risk for AFib continuously speak to their doctors about any unusual sensations involving their heartbeat," says Mark Estes, M.D., FACC, FHRS, American Heart Association volunteer medical expert and professor of Medicine and Program Director of the Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology Fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.

Other symptoms of AFib include shortness of breath, fatigue, dizziness, faintness, sweating and chest pressure.

Up to 84% of strokes caused by AFib are preventable if patients receive early, effective treatment. That means it is important to talk to your doctor if you are at increased risk for AFib. The American Stroke Association offers a downloadable symptom tracker that can serve as an important tool for conversations with your doctor about how to stay healthy.

To learn ways to manage AFib, the American Stroke Association has created an online portal, MyAFibExperience.org, where individuals with AFib can share their stories and learn from the experiences of others.

(NewsUSA)

"A Queen from the North: A Royal Roses Book"
by Erin McRae and Racheline Maltese

"Rich, diverse worldbuilding sets this story of contemporary royalty apart … a perfect cocktail of political intrigue and slow-burn romance," says Publisher's Weekly (BookLife). Named Library Journal's Best Indie Ebook 2017.

Lady Amelia Brockett, known to her family as Meels, is having the Worst. Christmas. Ever. Dumped by her boyfriend and rejected from graduate school, her parents deem her the failure of the family.

But when her older brother tries to cheer her with a trip to the races, a chance meeting with Arthur, the widowed, playboy Prince of Wales, offers Amelia the opportunity to change her life -- and Britain's fortune -- forever. Purchase at https://amzn.to/3kVAGee.

"Sissies Adventures: Three-Book Set"
by Marisa Howard

The bonds of sisterhood shine through these short stories for young children and illuminate how having a sister is one of life's most precious gifts. Pack your bags -- the Sissies are going on vacation! And big sissy can't wait to show little sissy all the fun things to do, from swimming and building sandcastles to hiking and dancing. Join the Sissies as they visit the sea, the mountains, and Mexico.

"The Sissies Adventure Series," a three-book bundle, is presented by Weeva Kids, a new line of books committed to creating art for children. With every book, young readers are invited to explore the infinite possibilities of their own imaginations and are encouraged to make the world a better, more vibrant place. Purchase at https://bit.ly/2YxRoJj.

"Introspective Journal: Therapy Notebook"
by Nilaja Green, PhD

This journal is designed specifically for therapy patients to capture their before-session, in-session and after-session thoughts, ideas and homework. The "between session" pages are to keep track of experiences that occur when you are not in therapy. Life happens and we don't always hold onto those important moments.

The book also provides information sheets about the varying mental health professions to give you direction when seeking therapy, psychoeducational resources and general information about emotions and self-assessment and information about preparing for therapy. It includes national emergency numbers, a self-assessment, values exercise, information about sleep hygiene, managing distressing emotions, creating joy and meaning and much more. A companion journal for therapists is also available. Purchase at https://bit.ly/3hkBQyM

"Red Deception"
by Ed Fuller and Gary Grossman

What would happen if all the major bridges in the U.S. were bombed, all commerce came to a dead stop, and the nation's natural resources, such as our water supply, were cut off? The importance of protecting America's critical infrastructure has rarely been depicted so powerfully as in Ed Fuller and Gary Grossman's fast-paced thriller, "Red Deception," the follow-up to 2019's "Red Hotel."

The novel posits a scenario that could potentially destroy much of the nation's infrastructure.

Blending career insight with first-hand knowledge of global politics, Fuller, a global executive and crisis management expert, and Grossman, a TV producer and author, have once again drawn a chilling portrait of the fragile fault lines in Europe and the players poised to seize power. Purchase at https://amzn.to/3gwMm4J. Now also available as an audiobook at https://adbl.co/3hRvdnM.

NOTE: BookBites is presented by BookTrib.com.

(NewsUSA)

"Final Table"
by Dan Schorr

A political thriller about sexual misconduct in the #MeToo era, one victim's battle to survive and overcome trauma and the cable news machine that feeds off the titillating scandal coverage and inflammatory confrontation. The author brings firsthand experience as a New York City sex crimes prosecutor and sexual misconduct investigator to tackle the world of political and media dysfunction.

Former White House staffer Maggie Raster's chaotic attempt to promote her new business as a television political analyst brings her to the broke poker champion Kyler Dawson's attention and convinces him that she can provide the help he needs to enter a controversial poker tournament. To succeed, she will have to confront numerous challenges including pressure to publicly address the sexual misconduct of her former boss. Kyler also has his own obstacles. Purchase at https://amzn.to/3uPVuYU.

"Trump You: Promises, Lies, and Corruption: My Battle with Donald Trump's Fake University"
by Art Cohen

Trump University was the most expensive legal defeat of Donald Trump's career, but even though he settled for $25 million, he still got off too easy. Years before his White House run, he launched a for-profit education initiative called Trump University in which he promised to share his real estate secrets at seminars held in hotel ballrooms. As it turned out, Trump University wasn't an actual university and didn't feature Trump's secrets. The scam suckered thousands of unsuspecting victims.

This book recounts the inside story of the TrumpU legal saga through the eyes of Art Cohen, a student/victim who personally sued Donald Trump in federal court in 2013 an had a private view of Trump during the height of his presidential campaign. Purchase at https://amzn.to/3ywAdnr.

"The 180"
by George Calisto and Kate Calisto

An unexpected and provocative question drives a 180-minute argument that prompts a central question: Would the term "meritocracy" ever have been invented if society had gleaned the fact that variables beyond our control forge our personhood, paths and outcomes? The 180 tells the fictional story of a three-hour meeting where eight college administrators and two researchers engage in a philosophical and academic debate over the matter of luck in our lives.

The administrators and faculty members are unexpectedly thrown into a cauldron of psychological, neurophysiological and metaphysical speculations over what choreographs or drives our ambitions and achievements throughout the lifespan. Learn more and read a free sample at https://bit.ly/3jnAhS5.

"The Frugal Real Estate Investor: Buy Your First Rental Property"
by Aki Suzuki

A modern, practical guide to buying your first rental property without losing your shirt! If you are looking for a comprehensive and trustworthy resource for investing in rental properties, start with this book.

The book shares important lessons learned from a real estate investor's true experience of buying a rental income property for the first time and being successfully profitable from day one. It is full of practical advice from an active real estate investor with his own skin in the game, minus the unnecessary real estate hype or sales talk. Regardless of your vantage point, this book will help build more stability, resilience and peace of mind into your personal and professional finances. Purchase at https://amzn.to/38sOFC9.

NOTE: BookBites is presented by BookTrib.com.

(NewsUSA) - Data and analytics touch our lives every day. Sometimes, it is in ways you see, such as when you log on to a video call, pay for your bus ticket or order your latte using your phone. Or view spending trends on your bank account using an app or website. Data analytics are also at work in ways you don't see -- ways that make your life easier, safer, more convenient, and more fun -- especially when it comes to getting where you want to go. Indeed, data analytics are working tirelessly behind the scenes to help you reduce your travel time, make getting from point A to point B easier, manage traffic congestion, and create safer and more accessible ways to use public transit.

When you're waiting to catch the bus to work, your phone app may tell you whether your ride is on schedule -- and exactly how many minutes until the next buses arrive at your stop. Did you ever wonder how the apps know all this? When you visit a new city, do you use apps to figure out how to get from one landmark to the next -- or your lunch stop along the way? Data analytics and smart apps make all this possible. Similarly, when winter weather hits and roads need to be cleared, data and analytics can help cities send extra drivers to harder hit areas needing to be cleared using real-time data, so you know when your street will be plowed.

And it's not all about logistics. Smart technology helps improve many aspects of your daily life: your job, school, community center, parks, and all kinds of entertainment. Check out these examples of the hidden technology from EastBanc Technologies that facilitates daily tasks and activities -- making your life just a bit easier.

TRANSITiQ: People want to have a clear view of all available travel options and predicted travel time, and cities want to increase accessibility and use of public transit. With TRANSITiQ and the power of data, users can see stations, routes, service alerts and even enable location-based push notifications. Notably, TRANSITiQ technology enables accurate prediction of arrival times to stops along transit routes. And by integrating Bluetooth Beacons, cities can help visually impaired users to safely navigate the transportation system. TRANSITiQ also gathers crucial business intelligence for municipalities, including performance reports and other relevant statistics.

CABiQ: Trying to hail a cab during rush hour, or after that night out, can be really frustrating. But with phone apps and other new smart tools at their disposal, operators and drivers can pinpoint hotspots and easily determine where and when to place their cars -- thus optimizing services and helping passengers find their rides quicker. These tools leverage CABiQ technology to analyze historical and near-real-time data about vehicle locations and ride demand, enabling them to map underserved areas as well as popular destinations and pickup points. CABiQ not only benefits cab drivers and their customers; it also provides crucial information to cities to help them with regulation of local taxi services: A central feature of CABiQ is the ability to gather and report timely and accurate information about every trip to the municipality for analysis and enforcement.

SNOWiQ: Today's unpredictable, and often extreme, winter weather demands a rapid response from busy cities whose residents expect roads to be plowed quickly and efficiently. Simply put, cities need to minimize the impact of inclement weather on daily commutes and doings. We've seen how Uber and Lyft have changed ride sharing. What if it were possible for cities to also be responsive to peak times and use contractors to shore up their fleet? With SNOWiQ, cities can optimize snow removal to reduce truck idling time and save money -- and residents can know which routes have been cleared, which ones are next on the schedule, and when it's safe to travel again.

FoodTruckIQ: Food trucks are all the rage. And for good reason. Many of the morsels concocted by these mobile eateries are innovative and positively delectable. So, when you hanker for your favorite food truck fare, how do you find it when its location moves? An app, of course. Behind the scenes, tech is working hard to help you make it easy to find your next lunch -- whether it's trekking cross-town to devour your favorite burrito or seeing what new trucks are parked by your work today. Tech can even help cities avoid turf wars that can happen over prime locations. How do such food truck apps come to be?

Food truck vendors submit logistical information to data scientists, who analyze the information and then share the processed data with developers who build and manage the apps. FoodTruckIQ is the brains behind your next mobile meal.

So the next time you head out to meet a friend at your favorite food truck, need to hail a cab or jump on a city bus, or need a plow to clear your snow-blanketed street, rest assured that data analytics will help make it happen. Smart technology is already everywhere, making daily life just a little bit more enjoyable.

(NewsUSA) - Selecting the Medicare plan best suited for your individual health needs is important for all eligible beneficiaries to consider at this time of year as the Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Plan Annual Election Period (AEP) runs from October 15 through December 7.

However, for Veterans who have the option to select a Medicare Advantage plan that can complement their Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits, it's critical to keep some key factors top of mind as you research plan options, including:

• Understand how Medicare Advantage works with VA benefits: A Medicare Advantage plan may complement your existing VA benefits and help reduce gaps in your healthcare coverage. Additionally, enrolling in a Medicare Advantage plan may provide access to additional services and benefits, such as urgent care and dental coverage -- which may not be covered by VA health care. For example, Humana Honor Medicare Advantage plans are available to anyone eligible for Medicare, may complement VA benefits and may provide beneficiaries with additional benefits, such as robust dental care and $0 monthly plan premiums. Although Humana Honor plans are designed with veterans in mind, Medicare-eligible veterans can select from any Medicare Advantage plan in their area.
• Understand how Medicare Advantage works with TRICARE and/or CHAMPVA: Benefits with TRICARE for Life are generally "richer" than most other types of coverage available, so veterans with this type of coverage should carefully consider how their coverage would be impacted by enrollment in Medicare Advantage. If you have TRICARE for Life or CHAMPVA, and decide to enroll in a MA plan, the MA plan will become your primary coverage, and you would only be able to see providers that are in-network for that MA plan. TRICARE for Life or CHAMPVA beneficiaries may only want to consider enrolling in a MA or MAPD plan if they can coordinate billing and do not mind being limited to a network of providers.
• Know the process for prescription drug coverage: When you add a Medicare Advantage plan, your VA prescription drug coverage would continue to cover prescriptions written or approved by a VA doctor. However, a Medicare Advantage plan would cover certain Part B medications, such as injectable drugs and infusions, which could be beneficial based on your health needs. If you sign up for a plan with Medicare prescription drug coverage, certain medicines from non-VA doctors would be covered and it would allow you to fill your prescriptions at local network pharmacies instead of through the VA.

As you research health plan options, it's important to turn to credible sources, such as Medicare.gov, which will allow you to easily compare plans and estimate costs based on what a typical enrollee experiences. You can also enroll in online educational events or coordinate one-on-one meetings with licensed sales agents who can answer your questions and review 2022 Medicare Advantage plan options -- from the convenience of your home. Additionally, you can learn about the reputable organizations that stand behind Medicare plans. For example, Humana Medicare Advantage plans -- such as its Honor plan that's designed with veterans in mind -- are recommended by USAA, a company known for its customer satisfaction and commitment to the financial security of current and former members of the U.S. military.

For more information, Medicare eligible individuals can visit www.Medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227), 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Additionally, you can learn about Humana plans by going to www.Humana.com/Medicare or calling 1-800-213-5286 (TTY: 711) to speak with a licensed sales agent from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time, seven days a week.

Humana is a Medicare Advantage HMO, PPO, and PFFS organization and stand-alone prescription drug plan with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in any Humana Medicare plan depends on contract renewal.

(NewsUSA) - As the holiday season approaches, so does the dilemma of holiday and year-end gift-giving. Whether you are seeking something for a friend, family member, or long-absent colleague, edible gifts are a can't-miss choice, and the range of tasty treats goes far beyond a prepacked gift basket.

Like many big ideas, Hahn's Old Fashioned Cake Company started small.

"All our cakes are baked fresh daily, and feature extra-large handmade crumbs," says owner Andrew Hahn, whose mother and father started Hahn's Old-Fashioned Cake Company in her kitchen.

The current selection of crumb cakes was inspired by an old family recipe that Mr. and Mrs. Hahn often made for friends and neighbors.

Word got out, and an expanding circle of crumb-cake fans began requesting cakes. A business was born, and it has been family-owned and operated for more than 35 years.

Key features that set Hahn's crumb cakes apart include:

• Quality. Hahn's crumb cakes are made fresh daily, with fresh eggs to create a moist base with optimum texture. They are popular not only as individual sales, but sell well in delis, coffee shops, and gourmet food markets.
• Convenience. Hahn's cakes are packed to ship or enjoy right away. For those lucky enough to live locally, curbside pickup and delivery are available in a limited radius through DoorDash and GrubHub.
• Crumbs. Crumbs and more crumbs. For those who can't resist picking the crumbs off a crumb cake, Hahn's has you covered.

The company recognizes the crumb-obsessed, and fills that niche with a Can of Crumbs or a Bucket of Crumbs. These ready-to-eat crumb treats are considered by many to be the best part of a crumb cake, and the bucket lends itself to easy shipping and gift-giving as well.

Crumb cake flavors include the original plain crumb cake (with plenty of crumbs), raspberry walnut, apple, and chocolate. There's something for brownie lovers, too; the company bakes a classic, fudgy chocolate brownie of the same caliber as its cakes.

Hahn's Old-Fashioned Cakes also offers fundraising opportunities for schools, churches, and non-profit organizations.

Visit crumbcake.com for more information.

(NewsUSA) - COVID-19 has changed the way Americans approach elective surgery, sometimes in unexpected ways.

For example, a 16-year-old, dedicated sousaphone player, had two flat feet that made marching painful. But a hectic high school schedule didn't leave time for the corrective orthopedic surgery needed since birth.

"Both of our children love being musicians, but my child's feet created a real struggle," says the 16-year-old's father.

"When COVID-19 created flexible time, we knew it was a blessing in disguise."

"COVID-19 has increased my practice significantly, because people have time and flexibility to take care of non-critical health issues," says Dr. Elizabeth Hewitt, the orthopedic surgeon who performed the procedure.

However, the pandemic has shifted many elective surgeries from hospitals to smaller surgery centers that are perfect for patients such the high school muscian.

"Many of my patients are also concerned about being exposed to the virus in crowded hospitals," says Dr. Hewitt.

To keep patients safe and keep their practices efficient, smaller surgery centers have begun to outsource sterility and supply management to external suppliers. This strategy lets surgeons stay focused on providing specific procedures and the positive outcomes that all patients deserve.

For many of her patients, Dr. Hewitt has relied on Gramercy Extremity Orthopedics (GEO) to provide sterile instruments that were precisely what she needed.

Companies such as GEO are enabling hospitals and surgery centers to maintain high standards and control costs with outsourced surgical support such as the GEO CART®.

The GEO cart is a self-contained system that provides orthopedic surgeons with pre-sterilized packs of single-use instruments and implantable devices custom-ordered for each patient and procedure. The system is ready to use and designed for surgeons' needs, reducing or eliminating the need for company representatives in the operating room. The GEO cart also tracks supplies with an exclusive computerized radio frequency identification system, so the surgeons are never scrambling for substitute items.

"GEO works very closely with surgeons who understand how to provide their patients with the care and safety they deserve," says Scott Day, Chief Operating Officer at GEO.

"We offer the latest technology and can help eliminate many steps in the complicated surgical process where human error or inefficiencies can sneak in," he explains.

"Staff at hospitals and surgery centers are working to maintain the highest safety and efficiency standards at all times; they deserve the latest technology and process support to streamline surgery so they can focus on what really matters -- patients."

The high schooler's parents agree.

"Dr. Hewitt and the surgery center made my son's first surgery a terrific experience. We got phone updates every step of the way and never worried about safety," says the father.

Visit gramercyortho.com for more information.