| By :
Wiley Long
Seniors who saw the Great Depression have insights to share with the rest of us. Look for the "proverbial" silver lining, and make change work to improve your life. Here's a secret - economic prosperity is not of primary importance in protecting your health. Even the Great Depression, along with past recessions, had a silver lining. Unexpectedly, the evidence is clear that mortality rates actually fell during economic recessions. Even during the Great Depression, life expectancy in the U.S. actually increased by 6.2 years, according to a University of Michigan study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Life expectancy rose from 57.1 in 1929 to 63.3 years in 1932. This increase in lifespan occurred for both men and women, and for whites and non-whites. The association between improving health and economic slowdowns was true for all ages, and for every major cause of death except suicide. The researchers analyzed age-specific mortality rates, and the causes of death that composed about two-thirds of total mortality in the 1930s. That included cancer, cardiovascular disease, influenza, motor vehicle traffic injuries, pneumonia, renal disease, suicide, and tuberculosis. Mortality rates actually increased, and life expectancy fell during periods of strong economic growth, such as in 1923, 1926, 1929, and 1936-1937. Why? Economic growth increases atmospheric pollution, and that leads to cardiovascular and respiratory mortality. Excessive alcohol consumption, overeating, and smoking all tend to decline during recessions. This brings dramatic improvements in our health, as well. The real question is why we're blinded by the negative effects of recessions, and fail to recognize the equally real health advantages they spread throughout society. In the present recession, we're about to see real changes in health care, too. It's important to seize the advantages, and use them to improve your health. Medicare Supplement Plans Have New Opportunities Medicare Supplement Plans (also called Medigap Plans) have been primarily the same for the past 17 years. On June 1, 2010, two new plans are being introduced, and there will be other changes to the remaining plans. The new Medicare Supplement Plans M and N will offer a lower-premium alternative to the existing Medicare Supplement plans. These new plans are expected to be very popular, particularly with the upcoming major changes to the Medicare Advantage program. Lower Premiums for Medigap Plans Plan M uses a cost-sharing feature known as co-insurance to keep your monthly premiums lower. That means you are paying part of your bills, in exchange for a lower premium. In exchange for slightly lower monthly premiums, those on Plan M would split the Medicare Part A deductible ($1068 in 2009) with the insurance company 50/50. The insurance company pays half, and you pay the other half. Plan M does not cover the Medicare Part B deductible, but there are no doctors' office co-pays after you meet the Part B deductible. Most analysts project that this plan's premiums will be about 15 percent lower than that of the current Plan F, which is now the most popular plan. Plan N also uses cost-sharing to reduce your monthly premiums. Unlike the deductible-sharing method of Plan M, Plan N uses co-pays to help reduce the premium costs. The system of co-pays is set at $20 for doctors' visits, and $50 for emergency room visits. It is currently projected that this co-pay system will take effect after the Medicare Part B deductible is met. This plan should provide 30-percent-lower premiums than the popular Medigap Plan F premiums. These new Medicare Supplement Plans can be really helpful to people who are leaving the Medicare Advantage program because the Medicare Advantage premiums are expected to increase in the near future. If you're unhappy with the changes in Medicare Advantage Plans, take a look at the new Medicare Supplement Plans. You may find unexpected opportunities to make your life better even where you least expect them.
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