* . *
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy & Policy
  • Contact
Thursday, September 18, 2025
Earth-News
  • Home
  • Business
  • Entertainment
    Massive Attack Say They’ll Remove Music From Spotify – yahoo.com

    Massive Attack Announces Plans to Pull Their Music from Spotify

    REO to return for UI homecoming – The News-Gazette

    REO Gears Up to Ignite the Stage at UI Homecoming Celebration!

    Gen V Season 2: What is The Odessa Project? – yahoo.com

    Gen V Season 2: Unlocking the Secrets of The Odessa Project

    PENN Entertainment stock rating reiterated at Market Outperform by JMP – Investing.com

    PENN Entertainment Stock Rated a Market Outperformer by Experts

    Here’s how NJ’s once-vibrant nightclub scene was born and why it died – Bergen Record

    The Rise and Fall of New Jersey’s Once-Vibrant Nightclub Scene: What Happened?

    The Emmys are back: Viewership soars to highest numbers in 4 years – yahoo.com

    The Emmys Return with a Bang: Viewership Hits a 4-Year High

  • General
  • Health
  • News

    Cracking the Code: Why China’s Economic Challenges Aren’t Shaking Markets, Unlike America’s” – Bloomberg

    Trump’s Narrow Window to Spread the Truth About Harris

    Trump’s Narrow Window to Spread the Truth About Harris

    Israel-Gaza war live updates: Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh assassinated in Iran, group says

    Israel-Gaza war live updates: Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh assassinated in Iran, group says

    PAP Boss to Niger Delta Youths, Stay Away from the Protest

    PAP Boss to Niger Delta Youths, Stay Away from the Protest

    Court Restricts Protests In Lagos To Freedom, Peace Park

    Court Restricts Protests In Lagos To Freedom, Peace Park

    Fans React to Jazz Jennings’ Inspiring Weight Loss Journey

    Fans React to Jazz Jennings’ Inspiring Weight Loss Journey

    Trending Tags

    • Trump Inauguration
    • United Stated
    • White House
    • Market Stories
    • Election Results
  • Science
  • Sports
  • Technology
    China says US TikTok deal a ‘win-win’, will review app’s technology and IP transfers – Reuters

    China Hails US TikTok Deal as a ‘Win-Win’ While Launching Review of App’s Technology and IP Transfers

    Bucking the Odds: Why Technology Companies Should Embrace Software Patents Today – Crowell & Moring LLP

    Bucking the Odds: Why Technology Companies Should Embrace Software Patents Today – Crowell & Moring LLP

    City IT presented Best of North Carolina Technology Award – RaleighNC.gov

    City IT Honored with Best of North Carolina Technology Award

    LELO Releases 2025 Futurist Report: Intergenerational Views on Relationships, Sex, and Technology – PR Newswire

    Exploring the Future: How Different Generations View Relationships, Sex, and Technology in 2025

    Will New Big Technology Engagements Reshape Innodata’s Growth Path? – Yahoo Finance

    Could New Major Tech Partnerships Propel Innodata to Unprecedented Growth?

    Unlocking AI Success: How People, Process, and Technology Form the Ultimate Triangle

    Trending Tags

    • Nintendo Switch
    • CES 2017
    • Playstation 4 Pro
    • Mark Zuckerberg
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Business
  • Entertainment
    Massive Attack Say They’ll Remove Music From Spotify – yahoo.com

    Massive Attack Announces Plans to Pull Their Music from Spotify

    REO to return for UI homecoming – The News-Gazette

    REO Gears Up to Ignite the Stage at UI Homecoming Celebration!

    Gen V Season 2: What is The Odessa Project? – yahoo.com

    Gen V Season 2: Unlocking the Secrets of The Odessa Project

    PENN Entertainment stock rating reiterated at Market Outperform by JMP – Investing.com

    PENN Entertainment Stock Rated a Market Outperformer by Experts

    Here’s how NJ’s once-vibrant nightclub scene was born and why it died – Bergen Record

    The Rise and Fall of New Jersey’s Once-Vibrant Nightclub Scene: What Happened?

    The Emmys are back: Viewership soars to highest numbers in 4 years – yahoo.com

    The Emmys Return with a Bang: Viewership Hits a 4-Year High

  • General
  • Health
  • News

    Cracking the Code: Why China’s Economic Challenges Aren’t Shaking Markets, Unlike America’s” – Bloomberg

    Trump’s Narrow Window to Spread the Truth About Harris

    Trump’s Narrow Window to Spread the Truth About Harris

    Israel-Gaza war live updates: Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh assassinated in Iran, group says

    Israel-Gaza war live updates: Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh assassinated in Iran, group says

    PAP Boss to Niger Delta Youths, Stay Away from the Protest

    PAP Boss to Niger Delta Youths, Stay Away from the Protest

    Court Restricts Protests In Lagos To Freedom, Peace Park

    Court Restricts Protests In Lagos To Freedom, Peace Park

    Fans React to Jazz Jennings’ Inspiring Weight Loss Journey

    Fans React to Jazz Jennings’ Inspiring Weight Loss Journey

    Trending Tags

    • Trump Inauguration
    • United Stated
    • White House
    • Market Stories
    • Election Results
  • Science
  • Sports
  • Technology
    China says US TikTok deal a ‘win-win’, will review app’s technology and IP transfers – Reuters

    China Hails US TikTok Deal as a ‘Win-Win’ While Launching Review of App’s Technology and IP Transfers

    Bucking the Odds: Why Technology Companies Should Embrace Software Patents Today – Crowell & Moring LLP

    Bucking the Odds: Why Technology Companies Should Embrace Software Patents Today – Crowell & Moring LLP

    City IT presented Best of North Carolina Technology Award – RaleighNC.gov

    City IT Honored with Best of North Carolina Technology Award

    LELO Releases 2025 Futurist Report: Intergenerational Views on Relationships, Sex, and Technology – PR Newswire

    Exploring the Future: How Different Generations View Relationships, Sex, and Technology in 2025

    Will New Big Technology Engagements Reshape Innodata’s Growth Path? – Yahoo Finance

    Could New Major Tech Partnerships Propel Innodata to Unprecedented Growth?

    Unlocking AI Success: How People, Process, and Technology Form the Ultimate Triangle

    Trending Tags

    • Nintendo Switch
    • CES 2017
    • Playstation 4 Pro
    • Mark Zuckerberg
No Result
View All Result
Earth-News
No Result
View All Result
Home Health

Advocate for Yourself as a Person of Color on Medicare

October 3, 2023
in Health
Advocate for Yourself as a Person of Color on Medicare
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Medicare gives people 65 and older greater access to doctors and health insurance. But this state-run program didn’t wipe out racial and ethnic disparities in medical care. Members of marginalized communities still bear a greater burden when it comes to illnesses and economic challenges. 

“Medicare has helped tremendously to level the playing field, but there are still some holes,” says Muriel Jean-Jacques, MD, associate vice chair for diversity, equity, and inclusion in the Department of Medicine at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. “And that stems beyond insurance coverage or cost.” 

But there are steps you can take to get good medical care. Here’s how to advocate for yourself if you’re a person of color on Medicare. 

Ask for Help Paying for Medical Care

Many older people of color live with long-term or serious medical conditions. But compared to some other races and ethnicities, Black or Hispanic people are less likely to have savings or supplemental insurance coverage to pay out-of-pocket costs to treat those health problems. 

And while many older people live on fixed budgets, people of color often face greater economic challenges and other barriers due to racism.

But if you have financial problems, Jean-Jacques says, there’s no reason to hide that from your doctor. Your care team can help you find ways to cover your costs without interrupting your health care. 

“This is important because many people go years skimping on their medication and not taking it for several months or taking half-doses,” she says, “when actually they’re eligible for some support programs that would allow them to continue access to their medication and to do so more affordably.”

Ask to speak with a social worker or health advocate at your hospital or doctor’s office. They may be able to point you toward national or local programs that can help. 

Here are some things they might suggest: 

Prescription assistance. Many older people buy Medicare Part D to pay for their medication. But that’s not your only option, and sometimes it’s not the most affordable one. That’s why Jean-Jacques urges older people to ask their health care team about drug assistance programs. 

You might be able to get help paying for your medications through: 

Medicare’s Part D “Extra Help” low-income subsidyState assistance programsDrugmakersDrug discount cards 

But Medicare recipients are not eligible for some of these programs, so be sure to ask questions.

Ask about extra health coverage. Many people choose to add on a private health insurance plan to lower out-of-pocket costs that aren’t covered by Medicare. But people of color are less likely to have certain types of backup insurance, including supplemental coverage (Medigap). 

Tonya Moody, a Medicare and Medicaid expert with the managed care health plan AmeriHealth Caritas Pennsylvania, says people sometimes think traditional Medicare covers everything. “But they may have to add on a supplemental plan to help support the health care that they need,” she says.

Look into Medicaid. Some people are “dual eligible,” Moody says. That means you can get health care coverage through both Medicare and Medicaid. But this depends on how much money you bring in every month. Find out whether you qualify for low-income health coverage through HealthCare.gov or Medicaid.gov. 

Learn More About How to Make Medicare Work for You

You might find it easier to advocate for yourself if you know more about your Medicare benefits. Your doctor may be able to answer some of your basic questions, “but I usually send them to our social work team first,” Jean-Jacques says. 

If you don’t have a social worker on your medical team, contact your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) to talk about your health needs. A licensed Medicare broker approved by the National Council on Aging could be another resource. 

Here are some questions to get you started: 

Is my cane or wheelchair covered?How can I get meals paid for?Who can help me pay my rent and utilities?Can I get low- or no-cost transportation services? What kind of medical benefits does Medicare pay for?What are out-of-pocket costs? And how much might I have to pay each year?What supportive equipment can I get with my benefits?

You can also ask something like: What I really need is to get down a long hallway in order to fix meals and there’s no room for a motorized wheelchair. I think a walker would be better. Is that something I can get covered under Medicare?

But you don’t need to have every possible question in mind when you talk to a social worker or another type of benefits adviser. Your health care team should work with you to navigate “this way-too-complicated system,” Jean-Jacques says. 

Find a Doctor You Trust

Many people feel more comfortable when they see a doctor of the same race or ethnicity, but that’s not always possible if you’re a person of color. “We still have a ways to go in terms of diversifying our workforce,” Jean-Jacques says. 

There are ways to spot a compassionate provider, though. According to Jean-Jacques, the doctor or nurse should:

Say hello when they walk in.Call you by name and look you in the eye.Make you feel like a partner in your medical care.Give you clear advice about all your treatment options. Validate your symptoms.

Your doctor should fully grasp how your symptoms affect your daily life. “That’s one area where self-advocacy is very important,” Jean-Jacques says. 

How to Advocate for Yourself

According to Abbe Udochi, a certified senior adviser and board member of the Aging Life Care Association, older people of color often feel dismissed and demeaned when they go to the doctor, especially Black women.

“They often feel as though they are not seen and are not heard,” she says, “as if society sees you as someone who has receded into the background.” 

But there are ways to make the most of your medical appointments. Finding someone to go with you is a good first step. 

A family member, friend, church member, or professional advocate like a geriatric care manager can provide another set of eyes and ears at your appointment, Udochi says. This can be a big help if you’re nervous, don’t feel well, or have more than one medical issue. 

“As we age, it can be more challenging to speak up and to defend yourself,” she says. “And if you have vision problems, hearing problems, or mild cognitive decline, it can be hard to perceive all of the things that are happening around you. That’s when having support is a necessity.” 

Also, pay attention to how well your provider pays attention to you, Udochi says. Is the doctor or nurse answering the question you asked or explaining things in a way you understand? Are they responding to your complaints of pain or other health issues adequately? If not, speak up. 

Bias exists in many institutions. That’s why Udochi urges older people of color to speak up when they feel their provider isn’t taking their health concerns seriously. Your support person can also watch out for you and advocate on your behalf.

“Those preconceived notions about you or your condition should be corrected in the space with the physician,” she says. “But sometimes you need someone next to you to cue you or ask that extra question.” 

Photo Credit: shapecharge / Getty Images

SOURCES:

Muriel Jean-Jacques, MD, associate vice chair for diversity, equity, and inclusion, Department of Medicine, and associate professor of medicine (general internal medicine), Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Evanston, IL. 

Tonya Moody, vice president, AmeriHealth Caritas Pennsylvania Medicare VIP plans, Harrisburg, PA. 

Abbe Udochi, certified senior adviser and CEO, Concierge Healthcare Consulting; board member, New York Aging Life Care Association, Rochelle, NY.

JAMA Internal Medicine: “Changes in Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Access to Care and Health Among US Adults at Age 65 Years.” 

Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF): “Medicare and Minority Americans,” “Racial and Ethnic Health Inequities and Medicare.”

National Council on Aging: “Prescription Assistance for Older Adults,” “Medicare Part D: How to Get ‘Extra Help’ Paying for Prescriptions,” “What is a Medicare Broker and Why Should You Consider Talking to One?” “Get expert help understanding your Medicare Plan options.”

State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP): “Local Medicare Help.” 

HealthCare.gov: “Saving money on health insurance: Income levels & savings.” 

Medicaid.gov: “Select Your State for Medicaid Eligibility or to Apply for Coverage.” 

UW Medicine: “Blocking Bias: How to Speak Up For Your Health.”

>>> Read full article>>>
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source : WebMD – https://www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/features/poc-advocate-medicare?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Tags: advocatehealthyourself
Previous Post

The Emotional Shock of Retirement

Next Post

Creative Ways to Keep Your Retirement Budget in Check

Historic chills fit in nicely at Old World Wisconsin’s Halloween special program – Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Historic chills fit in nicely at Old World Wisconsin’s Halloween special program – Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

September 18, 2025
The Economy Is Turning Into a Black Box – The Atlantic

The Economy Is Turning Into a Black Box – The Atlantic

September 18, 2025
Massive Attack Say They’ll Remove Music From Spotify – yahoo.com

Massive Attack Announces Plans to Pull Their Music from Spotify

September 18, 2025
Ex-UC Health doctor who performed genital ultrasounds in his apartment sentenced to jail – Cincinnati Enquirer

Former UC Health Doctor Sentenced to Jail for Performing Genital Ultrasounds in His Apartment

September 18, 2025
Readers respond: Politics should avoid zero-sum game – OregonLive.com

Readers Respond: Why Politics Must Move Beyond the Zero-Sum Game

September 18, 2025
New approach improves right whale distribution models – EurekAlert!

Breakthrough Technique Boosts Precision in Mapping Right Whale Populations

September 18, 2025

Are Six-Figure Tech Careers Disappearing? Why Computer Science Graduates Are Struggling to Find Even Minimum Wage Jobs

September 18, 2025
Scientists reverse stroke damage with stem cells – ScienceDaily

Breakthrough Discovery: Scientists Successfully Reverse Stroke Damage with Stem Cells

September 18, 2025
New statewide SC lifestyle show ‘Palmetto Life Weekend’ to air on WMBF News – WMBF

Discover South Carolina’s Charm: New Lifestyle Show ‘Palmetto Life Weekend’ Premieres Statewide

September 18, 2025
China says US TikTok deal a ‘win-win’, will review app’s technology and IP transfers – Reuters

China Hails US TikTok Deal as a ‘Win-Win’ While Launching Review of App’s Technology and IP Transfers

September 18, 2025

Categories

Archives

September 2025
MTWTFSS
1234567
891011121314
15161718192021
22232425262728
2930 
« Aug    
Earth-News.info

The Earth News is an independent English-language daily published Website from all around the World News

Browse by Category

  • Business (20,132)
  • Ecology (825)
  • Economy (845)
  • Entertainment (21,724)
  • General (17,108)
  • Health (9,890)
  • Lifestyle (859)
  • News (22,149)
  • People (849)
  • Politics (855)
  • Science (16,056)
  • Sports (21,344)
  • Technology (15,827)
  • World (829)

Recent News

Historic chills fit in nicely at Old World Wisconsin’s Halloween special program – Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Historic chills fit in nicely at Old World Wisconsin’s Halloween special program – Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

September 18, 2025
The Economy Is Turning Into a Black Box – The Atlantic

The Economy Is Turning Into a Black Box – The Atlantic

September 18, 2025
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy & Policy
  • Contact

© 2023 earth-news.info

No Result
View All Result

© 2023 earth-news.info

No Result
View All Result

© 2023 earth-news.info

Go to mobile version