CMS Announces 2013 SNF Co-Insurance Amounts

On Friday, CMS released the 2013 co-insurance amounts for skilled nursing care services as well as the new inpatient hospital deductible amount.

For 2013: 

• The inpatient hospital deductible will be $1,184 (up $28 from 2012)
• The daily co-insurance amount will be $286 for days 61-90 of a benefit period
• For the twenty-first through hundredth days of extended care services in a SNF, the co-insurance amount will be $148 
• The standard monthly Part B premium rate for all enrollees will be $104.90 (up $5 from 2012)
• For all Part B beneficiaries, the Part B deductible will be $147 

To learn more, click here. 

Savor the Worldly Flavors of Thanksgiving

Since Thanksgiving was first celebrated in America in 1621, many other cultures have added their own flavorful spin to the celebration, making it into a veritable melting pot of delicious flavors. Here are just a few examples:

• Poland: In addition to turkey, many Polish American families serve kielbasa, meatballs in mushroom gravy, pierogi and other favorites.
• Hawaii: Thanksgiving turkey is frequently cooked in an imu, an in-ground oven, or marinated in the Chinese Char Siu style with red beans, honey and soy sauce.
• Africa: The turkey is typically heavily spiced and couscous might take the place of mashed potatoes. Collard greens with bacon is a popular side dish.
• China: Many Chinese families celebrate Thanksgiving by going out for dim sum and choose bao, soft dough-filled buns, over the traditional pumpkin pie. Roast duck is also a common dish on Chinese Thanksgiving tables.
• France: Roasted guinea hens are a nod to the traditional cuisine of rural France.
• Italy: The turkey stays front and center on many Italian tables, but it might be seasoned with a more traditional seasoning blend, such as juniper berries, rosemary and sage. Sausage stuffing is also popular.
• Mexico: On many tables, a suckling pig replaces the traditional turkey.

Why not ask your residents how their families put their own personal spin on Thanksgiving? You might come up with some great new dishes to try!

Alexian Village Achieves Perfect Survey

Team ProMed congratulates Alexian Village in Milwaukee on achieving their second consecutive perfect survey! We're proud to be your partner in health care.

Study: Diabetics Need to Be Tested Earlier for Hearing Impairment

A new study in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism is recommending that people with diabetes be screened for hearing impairment at a younger age than non-diabetics. The authors note that an earlier diagnosis could lead to a lower incidence of dementia and depression.

"The association of hearing impairment with diabetes is controversial, but it is believed that over time, high blood glucose levels can damage vessels in the stria vascularis and nerves, diminishing the ability to hear," said Chika Horikawa, the study's lead author.

To learn more, click here.

Happy World Diabetes Day!

Today, November 14, is World Diabetes Day! The World Diabetes Day campaign is led by The International Diabetes Foundation and its member associations.

Established in 1991, World Diabetes Day puts diabetes in the public spotlight and draws attention to issues that are important to the diabetes community. The theme of this year's World Diabetes Day is "Diabetes: Protect Our Future."

November 14 was selected as the annual date for World Diabetes Day because it is the birthday of Frederick Banting, who, along with Charles Best, is credited with the discovery of insulin.

To learn more, click here.

Total Hip Replacement Patients More Likely to Have Strokes Post-Surgery

A study out of the Netherlands has found that individuals who undergo total hip replacements are four times more likely to suffer a hemorrhagic stroke and five times more likely to suffer an ischemic stroke in the weeks following surgery.

The rates are highest in the two weeks following surgery and decline quickly thereafter, evening out after six to 12 weeks. The study's authors urge caregivers to conduct stroke risk assessments for total hip replacement patients during the first six to 12 weeks post-surgery.

The authors noted that further studies are needed to better understand the results.

To learn more, click here.

COPD Can Worsen During the Winter

As winter creeps in, people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, are more likely to experience disease flare-ups involving increased coughing and other exacerbated symptoms. This is partially due to the respiratory viruses (such as colds and flu) that make the rounds when weather turns cold.

HealthGrades recommends taking the following steps to avoid wintertime flare-ups:

• Protect yourself from respiratory infections by staying away from sick people, practicing good hand hygiene and getting vaccinated against flu and pneumonia (check with your doctor before receiving the vaccines). 
• Shield yourself from the cold by checking the weather before going outdoors (keep a close eye on wind chill). If you can, stay inside when it gets very cold outside. If you must go out, wear a knit scarf or mask around your face and mouth as well as a hat, mittens and multiple layers of loose-fitting clothing topped with a weatherproof jacket. 
• Stay away from aggravating elements, including secondhand cigarette smoke, smoke from wood-burning stoves, chemical fumes and dust. It's also a good idea to have your furnace checked to make sure it isn't leaking irritating particles. 
• See your doctor regularly throughout the cold months and follow his or her suggestions on caring for yourself. 

To learn more, click here.