when should you call kepro?

• If you are not ready to be discharged from the hospital.
• If your Medicare skilled services are ending too soon. Examples of skilled services include things like physical therapy and nursing services.
• If you have a concern about the quality of care you received.
• If you have a concern about your medical care that needs to be taken care of right away.

Click on the link below for the phone number for your state. These services are free for people who have Medicare. 

Kepro Telephone Numbers

april is minority health month

National Minority Health Month is observed the entire month of April, focusing on the health needs of African Americans, Hispanics, Asians, Native Americans, and other minorities. 

Look under the section that says For Everyone for links to helpful websites.

Read more: 
www.keproqio.com/minorityhealthmonth

kepro is becoming acentra health

Same services, but with a new name and look!

Kepro will soon be known as Acentra Health.

During this rebrand, case reviews and all other services will continue without interruption with the same quality and dependability we have always provided.

how to go to the doctor without leaving your home

MEDICARE AND TELEHEALTH

Do you remember watching cartoons that depicted the future and thought how great it would be if you could see your doctor without going to the doctor’s office? Simply turn on a screen, and the doctor is waiting. Virtual visits sound just like science fiction.

But wait … In some situations, you may be able to do just that!

Have you ever heard the terms telehealth or telemedicine? These refer to the technology that could make a virtual visit to your doctor’s office really happen.

Telehealth — also called telemedicine – lets you see your doctor without going to the doctor’s office. You can have a telehealth visit online using your computer, tablet, or smartphone.

A telehealth visit is just like a regular visit, but you are in one place and your healthcare provider is in another. There are many good things about telehealth, such as:

• You can see your healthcare provider anywhere: home, work, or even your car.
• It saves time because you don’t need to travel, take time off, or find someone to watch your children or grandchildren.
• You have more choices. You can have a visit with a healthcare provider who may be farther away.
• It keeps you and others from getting sick by keeping illnesses at a distance.

Sometimes you may not be able to use telehealth. It depends on why you are seeing your doctor. Therefore, always talk to your doctor or doctor’s office staff if you have questions or concerns.

Read more about telehealth:

Telehealth information for patients

How do I pay for telehealth?

Telehealth information from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services

listen to the latest podcast episode: end-stage renal disease

Our guest will share information about end-stage renal disease and how it is diagnosed, why Medicare focuses on ESRD, and information on the ESRD Network.

Episode 23: Learn About End-State Renal Disease (ESRD) and the ESRD Network

in this issue:

learn to manage stress, so it doesn't manage you!

You may have noticed that each month we focus on a national health observance related to older adults and those who have Medicare. This month, we’re looking at minority health, as seen in the article in the column on the right. To shake things up a bit, why not also take this time to talk about another health issue?

Do you think you know what it is?

Here are some hints:

• Everyone feels this at one time or another.
• The holidays can be a major trigger.
• Obligations, competing priorities, work, so much to do!
• Saying “no” can cause it to rear its head if this scenario gives you anxiety.

Have you figured it out? Yes, we’re talking about STRESS. April is also National Stress Awareness Month, which gives us the chance to talk about this important topic.

Stress in small amounts can be expected, but there can also be longer periods when stress settles in to stay. Stress can get quite comfortable resting on your shoulders. It is during those times that stress can cause negative side effects in your body.

We always need to pay attention to how stress is affecting us. Knowing how to handle it when it does can go a long way. Think about how you feel when you actively engage in a healthy lifestyle and improve both your mental and physical well-being. Easing your stress is a big part of that!

When was the last time you had a good night’s sleep? Is your blood pressure too high? Perhaps you have been suffering from headaches. These can oftentimes be linked to high levels of stress.

Have you set aside some time this year to take care of yourself and reduce that stress? We hope so, but just in case you have been too busy to manage your stress, we're happy to share some resources.

The National Institutes of Health website has a great amount of information. Options include Stress Less for a Healthier Heart, Helpful Practices to Manage Stress and Anxiety, and a So Stressed Out Fact Sheet. Take a look at their website: National Stress Awareness Month.

The American Heart Association talks about stress when it comes to heart health. Click the link to get tips and tricks to send your stress packing.

Managing stress can become easier when you take an active role in staying healthy. Let’s peek at other things that you may want to act on to help you make the most of your healthcare options.

Preventive services. Did you know that Medicare pays for preventive services and screenings? Medicare Part B pays for services such as colorectal cancer screenings, diabetes screenings, diabetes self-management training, flu shots, mammograms, and so much more.

Yearly “Wellness Visit”. If you’ve had Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) for longer than 12 months, you can get a yearly wellness visit. This yearly visit isn’t a physical exam. Your wellness visit can help you and your doctor make a plan to help you stay healthy and get the most out of your visit.

These services, along with many others, are covered by Medicare: What Medicare Covers.

home may be where the heart is, but is it the best place after surgery?

What happens when you're leaving the hospital but you're not medically ready to go home?

We know what you may be thinking – “Recovery at home will always be the best choice” or “I’ll never be in a place like a nursing home.” While ideal, there are some situations where it is not preventable.

Peace of mind for you and your family can come with being prepared and well-informed.

Skilled nursing facilities provide skilled care on a temporary basis. If you’re having surgery, you may need a place where you can continue to recover before returning home. A skilled nursing facility and a nursing home may look the same. In fact, some facilities provide both services, usually on different floors or sections of the building. However, skilled nursing facilities provide something called transitional care for those who cannot go home directly from the hospital.

Let’s look at the term nursing.

A nursing home provides care to people who can’t live on their own. This shift is often permanent as individuals move into nursing homes when they can no longer do needed daily activities like getting dressed, taking a bath or shower, and eating. While a hospital stay is not needed (because skilled care isn’t necessary), around-the-clock nurses and aides are available to support the residents. Residents are people who can’t live independently, including older adults and those who have disabilities.

There can be several reasons to look into nursing homes. Oftentimes, the children of older parents are looking to place their loved ones in a nursing home for their safety. High-risk situations, such as falling or confusion, can prevent a parent from living alone.

Check out more useful facts at How do I choose a nursing home? | Medicare.

In comparison, if you’re having surgery – maybe a hip or knee replacement – returning home can come with unwanted risks, like falling, and a new level of dependence. Surgical wounds may be difficult to care for on your own, and you may need short-term additional support for daily activities. In these situations, you would be looking for a skilled nursing facility, not a nursing home. A skilled nursing facility will provide the temporary assistance you need, but it is not a permanent housing change.

Take time to review this resource: The National Library of Medicine. There is an article that includes some things to think about, especially if you’re having a planned surgery.

How do you or your family choose the best option and plan for the future?

To start, your doctor’s office is always a good source of information. Beginning with recommendations from someone who thoroughly knows your medical history will be very beneficial in the long run.

Talk with people you know who have stayed in a skilled nursing facility. There’s nothing like first-hand experiences or a word-of-mouth endorsement!

Then find out what facilities are available in the areas around you and your family. Family support is important, so easy locations to visit will play a large factor in the final decision. Research and reviews about the locations you are considering are needed to make sure you will be comfortable.

Of course, if you can plan in advance, take time to visit. Choosing a site you have already seen can prevent unwanted anxiety.

You may find it useful to look at Medicare’s website: How Medicare covers skilled nursing facility care. Be sure to look at the related resources at the bottom of that page, which includes information such as Your Rights in a Skilled Nursing Facility, Skilled Nursing Facility Checklist, and more.

share with friends

We try to bring you healthcare-related tips each month like these and hope that you find them interesting and useful. If you do, please consider inviting people you know who have Medicare to join us.

Pass along this link so they can read more about the newsletter — On the Healthcare Front — and how to sign up.

Here is the link you can copy and share with friends:

www.keproqio.com.com/OntheHealthcareFront

Publication No. R146810-345-4/2024. This material was prepared by Kepro, a Medicare Quality Improvement Organization under contract with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The contents presented do not necessarily reflect CMS policy.