In the past, Medicare’s open enrollment period for those who did not enroll when eligible or those who were still employed was January through March. Beginning for the coverage year of 2012 open enrollment is October 15, 2011 through December 7, 2011.

This means that will need to enroll during this time to avoid penalties and rises in premiums. If you are eligible for Medicare and do not enroll the cost of your Part B (medical insurance) will rise 10% for each full 12 month period you were eligible but did not sign up. Only special cases are excused from this rule.

If you choose to switch to a Medicare Advantage Plan, or Part C (HMO or PPO) or incorporate a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (Part D) you may do that at any time during the year. You do not have to wait for open enrollment. However, if you decide to switch from a Medicare Advantage Plan back to standard Medicare Plans you will have to wait until open enrollment is in effect.

Carefully read any and all information provided to you regarding Medicare plans. You will have the option to compare plans and see what will best work for you between October 1-October 15 to help you make the best decision. Your coverage takes effect January 1st and will remain in effect until December 31st unless you cancel or change your plan.

Provigil is a prescription medication used to aid those with sleep disorders by promoting wakefulness.  It is used to treat the excessive sleepiness accompanied with disorders such as sleep apnea or narcolepsy.  Provigil is also given to people who work shifts their body isn’t accustomed to.

Your doctor will need to know prior to taking Provigil if you have any liver, kidney, or heart problems as well as drug addiction history or current blood pressure medication.  Tell your doctor about any medication and/or herbal supplements you may be taking to find out of Provigil is right for you.

If you develop a rash while taking Provigil, no matter how minor, discontinue use and contact your prescribing physician.  Other reactions that can be considered quite dangerous can include vomiting, fever, headache, sore throat, or blistering and peeling of the skin.  Call your doctor if you have any of these side effects while taking Provigil.

TriCor is a prescription medication used in the treatment of high cholesterol.  It works by reducing triglycerides (fatty acids) and bad cholesterol in the blood lowering the risk of atherosclerosis.  TriCor helps the liver to not produce the triglycerides and eliminate existing ones.

In addition to TriCor your treatment plan will include a strict diet and exercise plan.  Monitoring your weight and medication closely will help to keep your cholesterol at healthy levels.  Also avoiding alcohol while on this medication will help by not raising the triglyceride levels and cause extra unnecessary liver damage.

Tell your doctor if you currently have any liver or kidney disease, diabetes, or hypothyroidism.  Some conditions and medications may affect the abilities of TriCor.  Only your doctor can tell you if it’s right for you.

Atripla is a prescription medication used to prevent the reproduction of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus).  This antiviral medication is not a cure for HIV or AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome).

Atripla can interact with many other medications and herbal supplements.  Tell your doctor anything you are taking and let future physicians know you are on an Atripla treatment plan.  If you experience any numbness, nausea, vomiting, trouble breathing, fast heart rate or weakness as this may be caused by a serious side effect known as lactic acidosis and needs emergency medical attention.

Alcohol should not be consumed while taking Atripla as it can already impair your reactions.  Take caution if you drive or so things that require you to be alert.  Atripla does not prevent the spread of HIV so avoid unprotected sex or sharing things that can contain bodily fluids such as razors or toothbrushes.  Never share medications or needles with anyone and take this medication as prescribed.

Viagra is a brand name prescription of sildenafil that increases blood flow to specific areas and relaxes muscles.  This particular type of sildenafil, Viagra, is used to treat erectile dysfunction, or impotence, in men.  Because sildenafil can be used for other purposes make sure your doctor knows if you are currently taking any other form or it before starting Viagra.

Do not use this medication is you are currently taking a nitrate drug for chest or heart problems.  Combining these medications can cause a dangerous drop in blood pressure.  If you notice any numbness, tingling, nausea, or dizziness while being sexually active you need to stop and call your doctor immediately.

Taking Viagra can cause decreased blood flow to the optic nerve leading to sudden vision loss.  If this happens to you seek emergency help.  Most people who have experienced sudden vision loss already had a heart condition, high blood pressure or certain pre-existing problems.  Those more susceptible are also those over 50 or currently smokers.

Novolog is a prescription medication used in the treatment of type 1 insulin dependent diabetes.  While standard insulin works to regulate blood sugar levels over time, NovoLog is a fast acting insulin that should be taken 5-10 minutes before eating.  Use NovoLog with your long acting insulin.

Do not use if you know of an allergy to insulin or if you are hypoglycemic (have low blood sugar).  NovoLog is just a step of a treatment program.  Other parts will include monitoring blood sugar, following a strict diet and exercise plan, and taking care of your feet, eyes, and teeth.  Changes in these can affect your blood sugar.

Make sure you keep your blood sugar from rising too high or too low.  Watch for symptoms of each.  If your blood sugar gets too low you need to drink some juice or suck on a piece of hard candy to bring it back up.  If it gets too high (hyperglycemia) contact your doctor to see if a change in dosage needs to be altered.

Suboxone is a combination prescription medication used to treat opiate addiction.  The buprenorphine is an opiate similar to that of morphine or heroin but when combined with naloxene the harmful effects are blocked thus making it easier to stop taking without the withdrawal symptoms.

This medication can cause severe dependency like other opioids but will help with dependency.  Only take this medication if you are the person for whom it was prescribed.  Do not stop taking it suddenly or you can experience some withdrawal symptoms.

Tell your doctor if you have lung, liver, kidney, brain, gallbladder, adrenal gland, or prostrate problems or any other medical conditions.  Not everyone can take Suboxone but others may need an adjustment to their dosing if they have any of those conditions.

Januvia is a prescription diabetes medication used orally to help control blood sugar.  It is for type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes and regulates the levels of insulin production after you eat.  Much of the time it will be used with other medications for type 2 but is not for those with type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes.

Januvia is not for use if you are allergic to sitagliptin or if you have any kidney disease or pancreatitis.  You should follow any doctor’s orders regarding your diet, exercise and weight control.  If you become nauseous, begin vomiting or develop a fast heart rate tell your doctor immediately.

Take your medication as prescribed, with or without food.  Make sure to have sources of sugar with you to maintain a healthy blood sugar level.  Good sources include juice, hard candies, or glucose tablets.  Know the signs of a drop in blood sugar levels so you can get help before a problem arises.  Also tell people who will be around you how to help you manage your condition in case of emergency.

Back pain is one of those tricky yet very irritating and frustrating ailments.  There’s no way for a doctor to know how much pain you are in and if your pain in a sharp stabbing pain or an achy throbbing pain.  No matter what kind of pain you have it is all, well, a pain in the back!

If you’ve been to doctor after doctor and had test after test run yet no one can seem to find a problem with your back.  I guess we are supposed to just get used to the phrase “Well, it looks like everything is checking out ok” and you get to leave with a prescription for painkillers and a hand shake.

Then there’s those painkillers.  You know, the kind that have so many side effects and limitations on what you actually can or can not do while on them.  This one makes you drowsy, that one may cause liver failure, and the third can cause headaches.  (You really are trading back pain for a headache?)

But what if there was another way to battle the incessant pain that keeps you from enjoying the things you used to?  Recent studies have shown that that one thing we associate with pampered housewives has been known to help.  No I don’t mean chocolate.  I am referring to massages.  In the study, posted by the Annals of Internal Medicine, 400 people with chronic back pain were observed.  Two different types of massages were focused on and the results were quite amazing.  Participants found that they had relief from their pain for up to six months.

The types of massage used on the group were relaxation and structured massage.  The relaxation massage is to help alleviate tension in the body while the structured massage is more to pinpoint musculosketetal issues that lead to back pain.  After both types of massage, participants noted they had a decrease in their pain and loss of mobility even after 10 weeks of treatment.

If you’re already living with back pain, trying massages couldn’t hurt anything and in all honesty, it would be a great excuse to get a little pampering in!  Aside from alleviating pain, massage has also been said to help with boosting your immune system, reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and improve your mood.  Many have even said it can relieve constipation (now maybe that explains some of the back pain).  My unofficial official input; it couldn’t hurt to give it a try!  So, if you’re living with chronic back pain give this a shot, it honestly couldn’t hurt!

Medicare Part C, also known as a Medicare Advantage Plan, are insurance plans by third parties that Medicare has approved.  These plans will incorporate your Part A (Hospital Insurance), Part B (Medical Insurance), and some include Part D (Prescription Drug Coverage).  In addition to these Parts, you may be able to also get dental, vision, and hearing coverage you may not have otherwise received.  You can join a Medicare Advantage plan with any pre-existing condition except end-stage renal disease.

Because Medicare is strict about these plans, the companies who participate in Medicare Advantage Plans follow strict rules.  These companies get a fixed rate each month for your care, however, they can set their own rules for out of pocket expenses and whether or not you will need to get a referral before seeing a specialist or if it is necessary for you to only see your preferred provider.  Some plans will also give you the option to enroll in a Medical Savings Account, or MSA, that allows you to have a higher deductible and a bank corresponding back account.  Medicare will deposit money into the account and you will be able to use that money for services rendered during the year.

A Medicare Advantage Plan makes sure you are always covered for any emergency services you need and will cover any services your Original Medicare covered except hospice care but if you require hospice care, your Original Medicare will cover that.

If you are an existing Medicare Advantage Plan member you may make changes to your plan the first 6 weeks of the year.  You may also leave your plan at this time and return to Original Medicare coverage.  You may not however do any of the following:

•     Make changes to your Medicare MSA (Medical Savings Account)
•     Change from one Advantage Plan to another
•     Switch your drug plan to another
•     Start up Medicare Advantage from Original Medicare

As with any insurance plan, make sure to check all aspects of the plan before committing to it.  All rules must be followed so knowing ahead of time if you need a referral or prior authorization for procedures is key.  Knowing your out of pocket costs ahead of time can save a lot of turmoil for the future.