Archive for the ‘Medicare News’ Category
What are the benefits of dental X-rays?
In a prior post, we discussed dental X-rays and their low radiation levels. Knowing the low dose may help put into perspective the importance of dental X-rays and how they help the dentist provide you with the best dental health care. With X-rays, the dentist is about to detect hidden tooth decay, the presence of a cyst or tumor, determine the presence of permanent teeth, see oral cancer problems and root involvement with the sinuses, and help determine whether or not to remove primary teeth
The annual maximum occupational exposure for radiation workers in the United States is 5,000 millirems (measure for radiation). When you spread low doses out over a period of time, it is not as destructive to the body because it has time to recover. To help put this in perspective to dental X-rays, you would need 2,000 dental X-rays to equal the radiation in 1 mammogram. To reach that maximum safety dose, you would need to have to take approximately 10,000 dental X-rays. On average, people receive three dental bite-wings worth of radiation daily from being outside in the sun or around concrete buildings and roads.
How to apply for Medicaid in California: Contact your State Medical Assistance (Medicaid) office: You can Call the Medi-Cal Helpline: at 800-541-5555 or 916-636-1980 or visit these websites for information:
- https://www.dhcs.ca.gov/Pages/dhcs_contact.aspx
- https://www.dhcs.ca.gov/services/medi-cal/eligibility/Pages/Beneficiaries.aspx
- https://www.dhcs.ca.gov/Pages/Keep-Your-Medi-Cal.aspx
For states other than California, you may want to visit: https://www.medicaid.gov/about-us/beneficiary-resources/index.html#statemenu for helpful information
Pediatric dentists specialize in taking care of babies and young kids. After dental school, they do extra years of training to dedicate themselves to working with children. Babies, toddlers, and adolescents all need unique approaches to dental care, and seeing a Pediatric dentist provides them with the added dental care services they may need.
Sippy cups are good training tools to help your child transition from a baby bottle to a cup. However, like with a baby bottle, if your child continues to use a sippy cup throughout the day, fill it with water only (unless at mealtime). Prolonged exposure to liquids containing sugars will promote the cavity-causing bacteria in your child’s mouth.
Baby bottle tooth decay, or BBTD, is a severe condition resulting from prolonged exposure of your infant’s teeth to liquid containing sugar. These liquids include milk, breast milk, formula, juice, and other sweetened drinks. Putting your infant to sleep, whether for a nap or bedtime, with a baby bottle containing anything other than water can result in severe and rapid tooth decay. The sugar pools around the teeth, allowing the plaque to produce acid that attacks their tooth enamel.
Question: What does Medicaid helps pay for?
Reply: If you have Medicare and qualify for full Medicaid coverage:
- Your state will pay monthly premiums for your Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance).
- Depending on the level of Medicaid you are eligible for, your state might pay for your share of Medicare costs, like deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments. Part A (Hospital Insurance) premiums, if you have to pay a premium for that coverage.
- You’ll automatically get Extra Help with your drug costs. Learn more about Extra Help.
- Medicaid may pay for other drugs and services that Medicare doesn’t cover.
When babies are born, they typically have around 20 teeth partly formed inside the gums. The front two, lower first and then upper, are the first to erupt between 6-12 months of age. By age 3, most kids have a set of 20 primary teeth in their mouths. The American Dental Association recommends scheduling your child’s first appointment between the arrival of their first tooth and their first birthday.
Did you know that mothers with poor dental health could be at a higher risk of passing bacteria that causes cavities to their children? However, many things can be done to help decrease this risk, such as:
- Having regular dental visits
- Daily brushing and flossing
- Having a healthy diet that is low in sugars and starches
- Choosing a toothpaste with fluoride
- Rinsing daily with an alcohol-free rinse.
- Do not share eating utensils or things that can transmit bacteria with your children.
- If you chew gum, choose something with xylitol, which can decrease your and your children’s caries rate.
Question: How do you qualify for Medicaid
Reply: Generally, you must meet your state’s rules for your income and resources and other rules (like being a state resident).
You might be able to get Medicaid if you meet your state’s resource limit, but your income is too high to qualify. Some states let you “spend down” the amount of your income above the state’s Medicaid limit. You do this by paying non-covered medical expenses and cost-sharing (like premiums and deductibles) until your income is lowered to a level that qualifies you for Medicaid. For more details, call your State Medical Assistance (Medicaid) office and ask about medical help for people with limited resources.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that all pregnant women obtain dental health care during pregnancy. According to research, it has linked periodontal disease with preterm birth and low birth weight. Speak with your dentist about ways you can prevent or treat periodontal disease during pregnancy.
According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, at 12 months, your baby is old enough to visit the dentist. Cavities are a common concern with children, so it is essential to take your child to the dentist regularly. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than one in four children have tooth decay by the time they enter kindergarten. Yet cavities are preventable with proper infant oral care that continues throughout childhood and the teen years.
Question: What’s the difference between Medicare & Medicaid?
Reply: Medicare is federal health insurance for anyone 65 and older, and some people under 65 have specific disabilities or conditions.
Medicaid is a joint federal and state program that provides health coverage for some people with limited income and resources. Medicaid offers benefits like nursing home care, personal care services, and assistance paying for Medicare premiums and other costs.
You will want to put your baby on your lap, facing away from you. Brush the teeth from behind, supporting your baby’s head. When you brush, focus your efforts between the gums and teeth—the most critical area. Consult with your dentist about frequency and if you should add flossing to your child’s routine.
Once your baby’s teeth start coming in, you may want to transition from the washcloth to a baby toothbrush and toothpaste. If you use toothpaste, ensure it is still safe for babies. One example would be Tom’s of Maine’s new toddler training toothpaste, which is specially formulated for ages 3-24 months, and is safe if swallowed. Once your child reaches the age of two and can spit, you may want to transition to another type of toothpaste. Remember that a small pea size is all you need when it comes to toothpaste.
Original Medicare:
- Original Medicare includes Part A and Part B.
- You can join a different Medicare drug plan to get Medicare drug coverage (Part D).
- You can use any doctor or hospital that takes Medicare anywhere in the U.S.
- To help pay your out-of-pocket costs in Original Medicare (like your 20% coinsurance), you can also buy supplemental coverage, like Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap), or have coverage from a former employer or union, or Medicaid.
Medicare Advantage (also known as Part C):
- Medicare Advantage is a Medicare-approved plan from a private company that offers an alternative to Original Medicare for your health and drug coverage. These “bundled” plans include Part A, Part B, and usually Part D.
- In most cases, you’ll need to use doctors in the plan’s network.
- Plans may have lower out-of-pocket costs than Original Medicare.
- Plans may offer some extra benefits that Original Medicare doesn’t cover — like vision, hearing, and dental services.
Give Cheese As A Tooth Friendly Snack. Instead of a bag of chips, serve cheese with lunch or as a snack, especially cheddar, Monterey Jack, Swiss, and other aged cheeses, which help to trigger the saliva flow. Saliva helps to wash food particles away from teeth