Pam’s Blog

Updated Directives from Sacramento County Public Health – March 17, 2020

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Facts about COVID-19:

  • As we have had more extensive experience with COVID-19, it is clear that a significant majority of those infected have no or only mild symptoms.
  • With additional testing the number of cases of COVID-19 are growing.
  • The vast majority of these cases are now the result of community spread.
  • Public health team efforts have been focused on identifying persons with COVID-19, separating them from others, and tracking down persons who were exposed to the infected person. This containment strategy helped to slow the introduction of the virus, but has to be redirected to address the larger number of cases in the region.
  • Public health staff have shifted their efforts to community mitigation measures to slow the spread of COVID-19 and protect those who are most vulnerable to severe illness.
  • Although community mitigation measures can be disruptive, these recommendations are to protect the public’s health.

In summary, Sacramento County public health officials direct, effectively immediately until further notice, the following:

  • Workplaces: 
    • Workplaces and businesses should implement telecommuting and teleconferencing for their employees, where appropriate and feasible.
    • Only those employees performing essential duties that cannot be performed by telecommuting should physically come to work
  • Vulnerable Populations: This guidance exempts individuals who work in essential services, such as hospital and health care workers, pharmacists, peace officers, firefighters, staff at skilled nursing facilities and residential care facilities for the elderly, and other essential workers​
    • Those aged 65 and older and/or those with chronic health conditions such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, heart disease, or lung diseases such as COPD, as well as those with severely weakened immune systems are at highest risk of complications.
    • People at higher risk should stay home and away from gatherings of un-related individuals
    • Those in the vulnerable populations can go outside (to walk ​the dog, go on walks or go to the park) provided they are at least six feet from others
  • Less Vulnerable Populations:
    • All those at lower risk should stay home to the maximum extent possible except when going to essential sites
  • ​​Essential sites include but are not limited to:
    • Health Care Facilities
    • Grocery stores
    • Pharmacies
    • Hardware stores/plumbers/electricians for emergency services
    • Businesses that provide food, shelter and social services, and other necessities of life for economically disadvantaged or otherwise needy individuals
    • Newspapers, television, radio and other media services
    • Gas Stations and auto supply, auto repair and related facilities
    • Banks and related financial institutions
    • Plumbers, electricians, exterminators and others who provide services that are necessary to maintaining the safety, sanitation and essential operation of residences
    • Airlines, taxis and other private transportation providers
  • Gathering Places:
    • No gatherings in any formal setting
    • All bars, wineries and brew-pubs should be closed
    • All in-dining at restaurants should cease; take out and home delivery (with social distancing) may continue
    • All gyms should be closed
    • All bingo halls and card rooms should be closed
  • Schools:
    • All Sacramento schools are closed
  • Sick Persons: 
    • Everyone should stay home if they are sick until they have had no fever, cough or other respiratory symptoms for at least 72 hours after symptoms resolve, or 7 days from when symptoms began, whichever is longer.
    • Anyone who lives with someone who tests positive for COVID-19 should stay home for 14 days.
    • Those with cold-like symptoms who can manage their symptoms at home with over-the-counter-drugs, should do so, regardless of whether they have a cold, the flu, or COVID-19.
      • If, however, difficulty breathing and lethargy develops, or symptoms were better and then got worse, they should call their healthcare provider, or urgent care center ahead so they can prepare to take care of them.
      • People should only call 911 or go to an emergency department if they believe that they are extremely sick or their life is in imminent danger. Other emergencies are still occurring, and emergency resources must be available to address all of them, not just COVID-19
  • Masks: Follow CDC’s recommendations for using a facemask.
    • CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19.
    • Facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others. The use of facemasks is also crucial for health workers and people who are taking care of someone in close settings (at home or in a healthcare facility).

Matter of Balance Coach Training

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A Matter of Balance is a proven program designed to help people manage concerns about falls and increase physical activity.

This 8-hour training will teach lay facilitators to become coaches for A Matter of Balance (MOB), under the UC Davis Health or dignity Health MOB license. Coach duties include leading group discussions, demonstrating low impact exercises, and maintaining class records.

Please join us in Celebrating Older Americans Month

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  • The 2019 theme is Connect, Create and Contribute.  We encourage older adults to:
  • Connect with friends, family, and services that support participation
  • Create through activities that promote learning, health, and personal enrichment
  • Contribute time, talent, and life experience to benefit others

Each year, more and more older adults are making a positive impact in and around the Sacramento region. As volunteers, employees, employers, educators, mentors, advocates, and more, they offer insight and experience that benefit the entire community. That’s why Older Americans Month (OAM) has been recognizing the contributions of this growing population for 56 years.

In 2018, there were 519,609 adults sixty years and older in our 7 county region.  This number is growing. Many of these older adults continue to contribute in vital ways to the economy, to society, in the workforce, and with family and friends.  The face of aging is changing in a positive way. David Bowie once said, “Aging is an extraordinary process where you become the person you always should have been.”  Be extraordinary!

Medicare Open Enrollment

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It is that time of year for Medicare Open Enrollment!  The Open Enrollment period goes from October 15th ending December 7th.  There are changes this year that you should be aware of when making decisions about your coverage.

The Medicare Advantage Disenrollment Period (January 1 – February 14 every year) will be replaced with a different arrangement. This will be effective starting in 2019, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

The Medicare Advantage Disenrollment Period lets you drop your Medicare Advantage plan and return to Original Medicare (Part A and Part B). It also lets you sign up for a stand-alone Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan.

In 2019, a new Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period will run from January 1 – March 31 every year. If you’re enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, you’ll have a one-time opportunity to:

  • Switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan
  • Drop your Medicare Advantage plan and return to Original Medicare, Part A and Part B
  • Sign up for a stand-alone Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan (if you return to Original Medicare). Most Medicare Advantage plans include prescription drug coverage already. Usually you can’t enroll in a stand-alone Medicare Prescription Drug plan if you already have a Medicare Advantage plan, but there are some situations where you can. Call your Medicare Advantage plan if you have questions.
  • Drop your stand-alone Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan

 

Here are seven improvements to Medicare that that AARP has identified.  They will take effect in 2019. Some of the changes will affect all beneficiaries while others will apply just to individuals who select Medicare Advantage plans.

Donut hole 

An expensive element of the Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit requires enrollees with high prescription costs to pay more for their medicines after they reach a certain level of spending in one year. This creates a coverage gap – also called the “donut hole.” After a beneficiary’s out-of-pocket spending reaches a second threshold, they enter catastrophic coverage and pay substantially less. Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the donut hole was scheduled to close in 2020. But the spending bill Congress passed in March will close the donut hole for brand-name drugs in 2019. The gap will close for generic drugs in 2020.

Therapy cap gone

Beneficiaries of original Medicare won’t have to pay the full cost of outpatient physical, speech or occupational because Congress permanently repealed the cap that has historically limited coverage of those services.

Better information

Medicare is updating the handbook it sends to beneficiaries every fall. It will include checklists and flowcharts to make it easier to decide on coverage. The online Medicare Plan Finder tool will be easier to use and an improved “coverage wizard” will help enrollees compare out-of-pocket costs and coverage options between original Medicare and Medicare Advantage.

More telemedicine

Medicare is steadily broadening the availability of telehealth programs that let patients confer with a doctor or nurse via telephone or the internet. In 2019, it will begin covering telehealth services for people with end-stage renal disease or during treatment for a stroke.

Lifestyle support

Beginning in January, Medicare Advantage plans have the option to cover meals delivered to the home, transportation to the doctor’s office and even safety features in the home such as bathroom grab bars and wheelchair ramps. To be covered, a medical provider will have to recommend benefits such as home-safety improvements and prepared meals.

In-home help

Medicare Advantage plans also will have the option to pay for assistance from home health aides, who can help beneficiaries with their daily activities including dressing, eating and personal care. These benefits represent a revised and broader definition of the traditional requirement that Medicare services must be primarily health related.

Plan test drives

New regulations will let people try an Advantage plan for up to three months and, if they aren’t satisfied, they can switch to another Medicare Advantage plan or choose to enroll in original Medicare. Congress required this flexibility in the 21st Century Cures Act, designed to accelerate innovation in health care.