Improve Brain Health & Memory

As we age, our bodies go through a lot of changes including the brain. Aging often causes us to experience normal changes in memory such as losing our car keys, recalling someone’s name and forgetting an appointment. Although subtle memory changes are normal, if memory loss disrupts your daily life or ability to function this could be a warning sign of a more serious problem such as Alzheimer’s or other dementia.

While there is no surefire way or magic pill to prevent cognitive decline, research suggests certain activities do play a role in improving overall brain function and health.

Simple Tips to Improve Your Memory:

  • Physical Exercise:  Physical activity can lower your risk of memory loss by increasing blood flow throughout your body including your brain. Older adults should get at least 2.5 hours of moderate aerobic exercise every week.
  • Mental Exercise:  Stimulate your brain with challenging activities at least once or twice a week. Learn a new language, play a new instrument, try a new hobby or craft.
  • Diet:  Maintain a healthy diet that includes fruits, leafy green vegetables, whole grains, and Omega-3 fatty acids like fish, walnuts and soy beans.
  • Stress:  Protect yourself from stress which can negatively impair memory and cognitive function in the brain. Focus on ways to relax such as yoga, tai chi, deep breathing, and meditation.
  • Sleep:  Quality sleep is the most important thing you can do to reset your brain and allow it to heal and restore mental health. (7-8 hrs of sleep recommended for people age 65+)

If you are having problems with completing daily tasks, comprehending and/or expressing thoughts, please talk to your doctor. Ask your doctor if therapy could benefit you. Our therapy team can discuss the role of therapy in dementia and benefits of physical, occupational and speech therapy.

Prior-Authorization is Required for Humana Part B Through Optum/OrthoNet

Effective January 1, 2020 prior authorization from Optum/OrthoNet is required for all physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy providers as well as any provider type billing one of the below CPT codes for Humana Commercial, Medicare Advantage, and dual Medicare-Medicaid plan members:

420, 421, 422, 423, 424, 429, 430, 431, 432, 433, 434, 439, 440, 441, 442, 443, 444, 449, 92507, 92508, 92520, 92526, 92606, 92609, 92630, 92633, 97010, 97012, 97014, 97016, 97018, 97022, 97024, 97026, 97028, 97032, 97033, 97034, 97035, 97036, 97039, 97110, 97112, 97113, 97116, 97124, 97127, 97139, 97140, 97150, 97164, 97168, 97530, 97533, 97535, 97537, 97542, 97545, 97546, 97750, 97755, 97760, 97761, 97763, 97799, G0129, G0283, S9152, V5362, V5363, V5364

Physicians who have contracts with Humana to perform office-based physical, occupational or speech therapy and outpatient physical, occupational and speech therapy performed in a hospital will require Optum/OrthoNet prior authorization.

Inpatient rehabilitation, rehabilitation services performed in the home (including but not limited to those provided by a home health agency), services provided by chiropractors, and cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation are excluded from Optum/OrthoNet management.

HTS Partners, see your Regional Director for helpful resources.

A Note from the field:

Many of our communities did not have news or much guidance about this new requirement prior to January 1st. Our Regional Directors report that partner clients were able to successfully fax in the information (per the request of Optum) and gain authorization for claims started after January 1st. If the claim originated in December and continued past January 1, 2020, a pre-auth is not required unless you anticipated the services extending past February 1, 2020.

Anthem Following in March:

Anthem has also merged with Optum/Ortho-Net and the prior-authorizations for Anthem Part B through the Optum site will be required starting March 1, 2020.

 

Please contact your HTS Regional Director for any questions and assistance.