Stay healthy and stress-free during holiday travel. Smart senior travel tips on medications, Medicare coverage, packing, and hydration.
This November, take charge of your health during Diabetes Awareness Month. Learn five actionable steps to prevent, detect, and manage diabetes from getting an A1C test to building healthy daily habits that protect your long-term wellnes
You check your Medicare statement and see a charge for "Chronic Care Management" on a day you weren't in the office. What's that about? Great question—and one we hear often. This charge represents the comprehensive, coordinated care your team at Trinova Medical provides every single month to keep you healthy between appointments. Let us explain how it works. What Is Chronic Care Management? If you're managing two or more chronic conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, or arthritis, Chronic Care Management (CCM) is ongoing support your care team provides between your regular office visits. It's covered by Medicare and happens over the phone, through messages, or behind the scenes as your team coordinates your care. At Trinova Medical, CCM is the foundation of how we deliver quality care to our patients. It's not an add-on service—it's how we ensure you receive comprehensive, coordinated healthcare that addresses all your needs, not just what we can cover during office visits. Why the Charge Shows a Day You Weren't There Here's the key thing to understand: CCM is billed once per month, but the care happens throughout the entire month. The date on your statement is simply when the monthly service was processed—not when the care occurred. Throughout that month, your care team was likely: Reviewing your medications and checking for interactions Coordinating prescription refills Following up on lab results Updating your care plan Taking your calls with questions between appointments Communicating with your specialists Checking in after hospital visits All of this requires at least 20 minutes per month, which is when Medicare allows the practice to bill for CCM services. What You're Actually Receiving Think of CCM as having a healthcare safety net between appointments. Your care team stays connected to your health needs even when you're at home, catching small concerns before they become big problems and making sure all your providers are coordinating effectively. Understanding the Cost Important: There is no copayment or out-of-pocket cost to you for CCM services. Medicare Part B covers these services at 100% when provided by practices like Trinova Medical. The charge you see on your Explanation of Benefits (EOB) is showing what Medicare paid—not what you owe. For more detailed information about how Medicare covers CCM, you can visit: Medicare's CCM Services Overview CMS Chronic Care Management Information Voluntary Participation — With an Important Note Participation in CCM is voluntary and requires your consent. However, because this coordinated, comprehensive approach is fundamental to how we practice medicine at Trinova Medical, we are unable to provide services to patients who choose to opt out of the CCM program. This coordinated care model allows us to provide the highest quality care to our patients with chronic conditions, ensuring nothing falls through the cracks and you have support beyond your scheduled appointments. If you have questions about your specific CCM services or how the program works, please don't hesitate to call Trinova Medical and speak with your care team. We're here to help you understand exactly what you're receiving and how we're supporting your health. Your health needs attention every day, not just on appointment days. CCM ensures your care team is working for you during all those in-between times too.
Healthy aging isn’t about resisting time—it’s about making informed choices that preserve strength, sharpen the mind, and nurture vital connections. A growing body of research confirms that lifestyle, preventive care, and social engagement can dramatically shape the aging experience. Public health agencies, universities, and medical journals all point to four pillars that consistently support independence and quality of life. Pillar 1: Stay Physically Strong Movement is one of the most reliable predictors of longevity and independence. A major meta-analysis in The Lancet found that physical activity reduces the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers, while also lowering overall mortality. Importantly, benefits extend to people starting exercise later in life—improvements are measurable even in the eighth and ninth decades. The CDC recommends 150 minutes of moderate activity per week, such as brisk walking, cycling, or swimming. But strength and balance training are just as critical: they reduce fall risk, maintain bone density, and support daily activities like carrying groceries or climbing stairs. Even small actions—taking stairs instead of elevators, practicing chair stands, or doing simple resistance band routines—help preserve independence. For those with mobility challenges, Medicare may cover physical therapy to rebuild strength or improve balance, which is especially important after an illness or fall. Programs like SilverSneakers , often included with Medicare Advantage, also encourage safe exercise in community settings. Key idea : Building strength is not about athletic performance—it’s about extending the years you can live safely and independently at home. Pillar 2: Prioritize Preventive Care Preventive health services remain one of the most underutilized benefits for older adults. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends regular screenings for blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, certain cancers, and mental health conditions. Medicare covers an annual wellness visit, as well as vaccines for flu, shingles, pneumonia, and COVID-19. Yet data show gaps: a CDC study found that fewer than 8% of adults aged 35+ were fully up to date with high-priority preventive services, and among older adults specifically, only about one-third of women and 40% of men had received all recommended services. The cost of neglecting prevention is high—delayed detection can lead to advanced disease, more hospitalizations, and higher out-of-pocket costs. On the other hand, consistent use of preventive care not only saves lives but reduces healthcare spending. For example, colorectal cancer screenings can detect precancerous polyps before they progress, while blood pressure management reduces stroke risk. Key idea: Prevention is one of the strongest tools for adding healthy years—and most of it is already covered at no additional cost. Pillar 3: Protect Cognitive Sharpness Cognitive health is one of the greatest concerns of older adults. Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) affects 12–18% of people over age 60, and while not all cases progress to dementia, early detection is vital. The National Institute on Aging emphasizes that monitoring cognition allows earlier intervention and planning. Lifestyle plays a measurable role. Studies suggest that regular aerobic activity, combined with blood pressure management and cognitive stimulation (puzzles, learning new skills, reading), can slow cognitive decline. Social engagement also acts as a buffer, lowering dementia risk. Medicare’s annual wellness visit now includes an optional cognitive assessment, which can help identify subtle changes early. Patients and families should feel empowered to ask for this screening, especially if memory concerns arise. Key idea: While there is no cure for Alzheimer’s, maintaining vascular health, staying active, and engaging mentally can significantly influence cognitive resilience. Pillar 4: Stay Socially Connected Loneliness and social isolation are increasingly recognized as medical risk factors. The U.S. Surgeon General’s 2023 advisory warned that lacking social connection raises the risk of premature death as much as smoking 15 cigarettes per day. Research links isolation to a 29% higher risk of heart disease and a 32% higher risk of stroke. A June 2024 analysis went further, showing that chronic loneliness increased stroke risk among adults over 50 by 56%. The health effects are so profound that organizations like the American Heart Association and AMA now include social connection in cardiovascular and brain health strategies. Solutions exist. Community programs, volunteer groups, exercise classes, and even digital tools can build meaningful connection. Medicare may cover counseling for depression or loneliness, and local senior centers often provide free or low-cost social opportunities. Key idea: Social connection is not optional—it is a form of preventive medicine for both body and brain.
