Fresno Geriatric Medical Group

12/05/2023

It's the holiday season so take advantage of Medicare's Chronic Care Management (CCM) services and spend more time with your family instead of at the hospital. This medical service was created to help patients work with healthcare professionals to create a personally tailored care plan. If you are a Medicare beneficiary, make sure to talk to your doctor about this service.

If you don't have a primary doctor, schedule an appointment with us at: https://www.fresnomd.com/contact/

For more information, visit: go.cms.gov/ccm

10/26/2023

Here are some resources that the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services provides. If you are struggling living with diabetes, then these infographics can help you.
All plans in Marketplace and many other plans must cover preventive services without charging you a copay or coinsurance. Covered services include, but are not limited to:
• Blood pressure screenings
• Cholesterol screenings
• Diabetes (type 2) screenings

Visit: https://www.healthcare.gov/coverage/what-marketplace-plans-cover/ to learn more about what your plan covers.

10/25/2023

It's almost the end of the year. Make sure to take advantage of your Annual Wellness Visit and schedule an appointment with your primary care physician!
If you are looking for a new physician, contact us at: https://www.fresnomd.com/contact/

09/20/2023

National Su***de Prevention Awareness Month

In 2021, 48,183 people died from su***de. That translate to about 1 death every 11 minutes. This number completely disregards the amount of people that think about or attempt it. According to the CDC, it is estimated that “12.3 million American adults seriously thought about su***de, 3.5 million planned a su***de attempt, and 1.7 million attempted su***de.” Thoughts of su***de can affect people of all ages. It can be a totally debilitating disease or something that is secretly carried around. That's why it is important to seek professional help if you are experiencing these types of negative thoughts. Su***de doesn’t only affect you, but also your loved ones. The shock of losing you can make your loved ones have negative thoughts and create a cycle of depression. You are important and by actively seeking help for yourself, you will be helping those around you.

If you or a loved one is experiencing mental distress, call or text 988. Don’t be afraid to bring this up with your doctor. They may have a couple mental health professionals to recommend for you.

Learn more about the stats at: https://www.cdc.gov/su***de/facts/index.html

05/09/2023

On May 11, 2023, the Public Health Emergency for COVID-19 is ending. For people with Medicare, only a couple of things will change:
- Medicare will continue to cover COVID-19 vaccines for no cost.
- Medicare will not cover over-the-counter (OTC) tests.hen ordered by a doctor.
-Medicare will not cover over-the-counter (OTC) tests.
- Telehealth services will continue through December 31, 2024.

For people not enrolled in Medicare, there will be similar changes:
- COVID-19 vaccines will be free for now.
- COVID-19 tests may not be covered by insurance. You will have to consult with your insurance provider about this.
- COVID-19 treatments will remain free until current supplies run out. Once they run out, the price of the medication will be determined by the manufacturer and you insurance coverage.

Even though the Public Health Emergency is ending, it is still important to exercise caution. COVID-19 is still active, and thousands of new cases pop up each week. The difference now is that you may have to pay more money for treatment.
Stay up-to-date on your vaccines to decrease your chances of getting COVID and increase your chances of staying healthy.

Sources:
- https://www.medicare.gov/medicare-coronavirus
- https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/end-of-phe.html #:~:text=May%2011%2C%202023%2C%20marks%20the,public%20health%20data%20will%20expire.

Learn how Medicare is addressing 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) & what precautionary steps you can take to stay safe & healthy. Official Medicare site."

03/02/2023

Make sure that you have the care that you need. For more information, visit:
https://www.cms.gov/about-cms/agency-information/omh/health-equity-programs/c2c/ccm

02/23/2023

Today is National Heart Valve Disease Awareness Day, a day dedicated to increasing awareness about the importance of maintaining heart valve health. Heart valve disease affects about 2.5% of the US population, with it being more common in older adults. According to the CDC, about 13% of people born before 1943 have valvular heart disease.
Fortunately, there are ways to prevent heart valve disease from developing or worsening. Much like other illnesses, heart valve disease can be prevented with an active, healthy lifestyle. By staying active, we can improve our blood circulation and strengthen our hearts. Additionally, managing other health conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes can also decrease the risk of developing heart valve disease.
Early detection is crucial in treating heart valve disease. Common ways to detect it include routine physical exams, echocardiograms, and electrocardiograms. If you have a family history of heart valve disease or are experiencing any symptoms, such as shortness of breath, chest pain, or fatigue, it's important to speak with your healthcare provider. If you don’t have any symptoms, but still want to clear up your concerns, talk to your doctor at your next routine visit.
To make an appointment, visit: https://www.fresnomd.com/contact/

If you have any questions or need clarification on our specialized geriatric care plans, feel free to contact us through email or call. Accepting new patients.

02/15/2023

February is also National Cancer Prevention Month. It's a time to focus on how we can take steps to reduce our risk of developing cancer.
By taking proactive steps to prevent cancer, we can reduce our risk and help to lower the overall incidence of this disease. According to the CDC, a few ways to do this include maintaining a healthy lifestyle through regular exercise and a balanced diet, avoiding harmful habits like smoking and excessive drinking, staying up to date on vaccines, and getting regular checkups and screenings to catch any potential issues early.
Pre-emptive actions are key in the fight against cancer. Getting vaccines like the HPV vaccine helps prevent most cervical cancers and several other kinds of cancer, while the hepatitis B vaccine can help lower liver cancer risk. When you get your vaccines, make sure to schedule regular appointments with your doctor and get any recommended screenings, such as mammograms or colonoscopies.
It's important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of cancer, and to seek medical attention if you notice any unusual changes in your body. If you feel any lumps or bumps on your body, make sure to bring that up with your doctor and they can clear up any concerns.
Visit https://www.fresnomd.com/contact/ and schedule an appointment with us. Let’s do our best to stay healthy.

If you have any questions or need clarification on our specialized geriatric care plans, feel free to contact us through email or call. Accepting new patients.

02/10/2023

The beginning of February marks National Heart Health Month. Heart disease continues to be a major health concern in our country, and it's time for us to take it seriously. According to the CDC, millions of people die from heart disease every year. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) and CVD mortality are increasing in working-age adults. Among these people, Black adults die from heart disease twice as much as White adults. Many of these deaths could have been prevented with proper education, prevention, and early detection.
The risk factors for heart disease are well known: poor diet, lack of exercise, smoking, high blood pressure, and genetics. But despite this knowledge, many people ignore warning signs and continue to lead unhealthy lifestyles.
It's time for us to take our heart health seriously. This month let's educate ourselves and others on the warning signs and risk factors of heart disease and make a commitment to living a healthier lifestyle. Let's get active, eat a balanced diet, quit smoking, manage stress, and make sure to get regular check-ups. Only by taking proactive measures can we reduce the number of preventable deaths from heart disease.
Take your first steps to ensure better health by visiting https://www.fresnomd.com/ and schedule a check-up with us.

With 25+ years of experience with geriatric patients, I am well-equipped to create a personalized care plan for all of my patients. I am accepting new patients.

01/05/2023

January is Mental Wellness Month, so now is a great time to prioritize our mental health and well-being. During the winter months, gloomy weather can make us more recluse and depressed, but don’t think that your mood will immediately change with the seasons. Make sure to take some time out of your day and do an activity that you enjoy. Small rests can help break the monotony that many people see daily. In the extreme case of a mental health illness, we recommend going to your primary physician and discussing a solution.

If you are eligible, one way to take care of your mental health is by utilizing the mental health services covered by Medicare. Medicare covers a range of mental health services, including therapy and counseling, as well as medication for mental health conditions. If you're not sure what's covered, your primary care physician can help you understand your options.

Mental health is something we all have to work on throughout our lives. It's not always easy, but it's worth it. In this new year, let's try to prioritize our mental health and well-being.

Learn more about how Medicare can help with mental wellness at: https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/mental-health-care-outpatient

Need outpatient mental health coverage? Read cost coverage info on services included, mental health therapy, more. Pick best option for your needs.

01/02/2023

Happy New Years!
For many people, the number 1 resolution is to be healthier, such as working out more or eating better. Once you are older, this can be more challenging since most people aren't sure what to do due to other pre-existing health conditions. If you're a senior citizen this can be especially hard, but this is where we can help.
At Fresno Geriatric, we specialize in geriatric care and performing patient care before any health conditions worsen. This means that we help monitor your health through monthly visits and prescribe treatments before your illnesses get out of hand and make you go to hospitals. Doing so will lower your potential healthcare costs and help you maintain your health. By getting ahead of your illness and providing consistent, quality care, we can help you in living a more independent life with your families and out of hospitals.
Schedule an appointment with us at https://www.fresnomd.com/

With 25+ years of experience with geriatric patients, I am well-equipped to create a personalized care plan for all of my patients. I am accepting new patients.