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Navigating The Medicare MazeEBy Mike Sossoach year seniors are inundated with information about Medicare including phone calls,advertisements, and even an official 130+ page booklet from CMS, Center for Medicare Services. It can be overwhelming, but, if you are new to Medicare, there are three things you need to know that are vitally important.First, you must enroll in Medicare Part A & B and get credible prescription coverage when you first qualify, or you will be penalized for life. This begins three months before and ends three months after your 65th birthday. However, if you have credible coverage through an employer with 20 or more employees, you don’t have to enroll until you drop that coverage. But you mustprescription costs while individuals with higher income pay higher Part B premiums. Finally, it’s important to understand the two primary ways to get Medicare. Original Medicare with Medigap, which typically provides more choices and lower overall cost for care, and Medicare Advantage, which moves you to private insurance and offers lower premiums, fewer choices, and typically higher out of pocket costs for medical care. If you’re either new to or currently on Medicare and want a quick review, we can help! There is no cost orobligation for our services.Mike Sosso, a Helotes resident since1996, has been helping seniors understand and enroll in Medicare since 2005.BTenroll within 63 days of your coverage termination to avoid penalty. Medicare is often a better value, so we recommend comparing employer coverage with Medicare if you have it.Secondly, you can apply for Medicare without drawing Social Security income, but there is a cost for Part B. Your cost for part B in 2024 is based on your 2022 adjusted gross income. It costs $174.70 per month if earnings were below $103,000 and you filed individually or $206,000 if you filed jointly. To avoid penalty once enrolled, it’s important to never let coverage lapse unless you drop Part B for other credible coverage. Individuals with very low income may qualify for help on Part B premiums andMike Sosso“Your confidence and trust is our highest priority!”(210) 972-9035 or visit www.getinsurancesmart.comRoyal Court - continued from page 7 awareness of the history, traditions, and culture of the Mexican sport of charreria, which involves horseback riding combined with various forms of rodeo.Fiesta 2024 has its first Hawaiian Pacific Islander on the court! Alexandria Werthman is La Reina de la Feria de las Flores, sponsored by The Texas Cavaliers. The Cavaliers “encourage, foster, support and conduct activities and programs to benefit Texas children.” Alexandria is a recent graduate of the University of The Incarnate Word.The San Antonio Queen of Soul2024, London Nikol Keiler, is sponsored by the San Antonio Queen of Soul. This organization is dedicated to the “educational aspirations of young African- American women in the San Antonio area” and holds a firm belief that education can transform lives and communities.Ryan Scrimpshire, sponsored by the Woman’s Club of San Antonio, serves as Fiesta Teen Queen. The Club promotes “mutual improvement and cooperation in all charitable and educational undertakings that pertain to the greaterRoyal Court - continued on page 11Get Your Life Back with All NaturalHormonesFocus of Treatment:• Weight Loss• Hot Flashes• Vaginal Dryness• Insomnia• Loss of Libido• Thyroid Issues• Erectile Dysfunction• Weakness• Brain Fog• Vitamin Deficiencies• Bone Loss• Men & Women Anti-AgingEnhancement of Life CenterCall to schedule yourFREE consultation!(210) 545-522414603 Huebner Rd., Ste. 2601 (Huebner & NW Military)Dr. Donna BeckerTreatment Plan Includes:• 3 pages of Blood Work• Detailed Analysis• Individualized Treatments.How Long Should You Take Hormones?he obvious answer:“As long as you want to feel good, look good, and think.”y Dr. Donna BeckerI have heard women say, “I want to get through menopause”. But menopause means that the ovaries are not secreting estrogen, testosterone, or progesterone. This lack of vital hormones may cause women severe symptoms such as mood changes, hot flashes, insomnia, vaginal dryness,andweightgain. Forsomewomen, these symptoms do gradually fade after months or years. However, the silent bone loss, withering of the vagina, and memory loss takes it toll.Achieving hormones levels of a younger woman is possible. Bio-identical hormones are available by prescription. That is what bio-identical means: The metabolites in the urine of a menopausal woman taking bio-identical hormones match the urine metabolites of a young woman. I am constrained to state that the side effect profile of natural versus synthetic estradiol is the same. However, progesterone and progestin do not have the same side effects and despite the cleverly sounding similar names, do not act the same in the body.Getting the dose right is vitally important. What if a doctor said to someone taking insulin, “Now call me if you feel shakey and weak, because that might mean the insulin dose was to much!” Of course not, the patient would have blood drawn to see exactly how much insulin to take. We know the healthy young adult range of all hormones, fasting blood sugar, as well as thyroid, kidney and liver function. Some women need 1/2 mg of estradiol and others need 10 mg, to achieve the 35-75 recommended blood level. But this wide variation in estradiol dosage is seen with thyroid and insulin prescriptions as well. Definitely, the same dose of insulin does not fix all diabetics! Why do we think all women will do just fine on same dose of estrogen derived from a horse? Side effects, risks and benefits of hormone replacement must bediscussed prior to prescriptions. Not all men and women need or could benefit from hormone prescriptions. (Most could & do, however!)Dr. Donna Becker, practicing medicine for over 30 years with focus on hormone replacement for past 15 years. Affiliations include: Institute for Functional Medicine, The American Academy for Anti-Aging Medicine, and Dr. Bredesen, AHNP Precision Health, Certification in Hormone Replacement with World link Medical (not recognized by TX Board of Specialties)Call for free 15 min consult:Dr Donna BeckerSpecializes in anti-aging & health maintenance medicine.(210) 545-5224 www.antiagingsa.comApril 2024www.heloteshighlights.com9