Mountain Views News          Saturday, June 25, 2016

Mountain Views-News Saturday, June 25, 2016 9THE GOOD LIFE THE GOOD LIFE 
HOW MEDICARE HANDLES SECOND 


MEDICAL OPINIONS 

Dear Savvy Senior,
Does Medicare cover second medical opinions?
The doctor I currently see thinks I need backsurgery, but I would like to get some othertreatment options before I proceed. What canyou tell me?
Searching Senior 

Dear Searching,
Getting a second medical opinion from anotherdoctor is a smart idea that may offer you a freshperspective and additional options for treatingyour back condition so you can make a moreinformed decision. Or, if the second doctor 
agrees with your current one, it can give you 
some reassurance. 

Yes, Medicare does pay for second opinions ifyour current doctor has recommended surgery,
or some other major diagnostic or therapeuticprocedure.

If you’re enrolled in original Medicare, 80percent of the costs for second medical opinionsare covered under Part B (you or your Medicaresupplemental policy are responsible for theother 20 percent), and you don’t need an orderor referral from your doctor to get one. Medicarewill even pay 80 percent for a third opinion, ifthe first two differ. 

Most Medicare Advantage plans cover second 
opinions too, but you may need to follow certain 
steps to get it paid for. For example, some plans 
will only help pay for a second opinion if you have 
a referral from your primary care doctor, and/or 
they may require that you can only use a doctor in 
their network. If you have a Medicare Advantage 
plan, you’ll need to call it to find out their rules. 

Finding Another DoctorTo find another doctor for a second opinion youcan either ask your current doctor for a name ortwo, or you can ask another doctor you trust fora referral, or you can find one on your own.

Whatever route you choose, it’s best to gowith a doctor that’s affiliated with a different 
practice or hospital than your original doctor. 


Hospitals and practices can be set in their wayswhen it comes to treatments and are likely tooffer similar advice. 

If you choose to find one on your own, usethe Physician Compare tool at Medicare.gov/
physiciancompare. This will let you find doctorsby name, medical specialty or by geographiclocation that accept original Medicare. You canalso get this information by calling Medicareat 800-633-4227. Or, if you’re enrolled in aMedicare Advantage plan, call or visit yourplan’s website for a list of candidates.

After you’ve got a few doctors names, thereare a number of free online resources to helpyou research them like HealthGrades.com andVitals.com. Or, consider AngiesList.com (888888-
5478), which is a membership service thatcurrently offers doctors ratings and reviewsfrom other members in your area for $3.50 forone month, or $11.32 for the year, but will beoffering free reviews this summer.

After you find another doctor, before you get asecond opinion you’ll need to have your currentdoctor’s office send your medical records aheadto the second doctor, or you may have to pickthem up and deliver them yourself. That way,
you won’t have to repeat the tests you alreadyhad. But, if the second doctor wants you to haveadditional tests performed as a result of yourvisit, Medicare will help pay for these tests too.

For more information, see the Medicare 
publication “Getting a Second Opinion BeforeSurgery” at Medicare.gov/pubs/pdf/02173.pdf.

Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior,

P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit 
SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor tothe NBC Today show and author of “The SavvySenior” book. 
SENIOR HAPPENINGS 



HAPPY BIRTHDAY! ….June Birthdays 

Joanne Thrane, Nellie Haynes, Dorothy McKay, George Enyedi, Theresa Daley, 

Donna Doss, Mary Carney, Carol Handley, Marilyn McKernan, Pat Fujiwara, John 

Shier, Beth Smith-Kellock, Ann Disbrow, Joan Ellison, Anne Montgomery, Trini 

Ornelas, Martha Spriggs, Pat Starkey, Kathleen Coyne, Suzanne Decker, Jacque 
Persing, Jeanne Peterson and Grace Sanders

* To add your name to this distinguished list, please call the paper at 626.355.2737. YEAR of birth 
not required but you must be over 60. 
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ACTIVITIES: Unless listed differently, all activities are at the 
Hart Park House (Senior Center) 222 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre

 YWCA San Gabriel Valley - Intervale Senior Cafe 

Seniors 60 years of age and up can participate in the YWCA Intervale daily lunch program held 
at the Hart Park House Senior Center. Meals are served Monday through Friday at 12:00 pm 
and participants are encouraged to arrive by 11:45 am. Meals are a suggested donation of $3.00 
for seniors 60 and over or $5.00 for non-senior guests. Daily reservations are necessary, space is 
limited. Please reserve your lunch by calling 626-355-0256. 

Hawaiian and Polynesian Dance Class: Every Tuesday morning from 10:00 - 11:00am. Join 
instructor Barbara Dempsey as she instructs you in the art of hula. 

Bingo: Every Tuesday beginning at 1:00pm. Cards are only $0.25 each! Everyone is welcome to 
join. May be cancelled if less than 5 people. 

Free Blood Pressure Testing: 2nd Tuesday of the month from 11am to 12pm. No appt. is 
necessary. 

Brain Games: Thursday, June 16, 10:30 - 11:30am. Improve your memory and strengthen your 
brain. Activities facilitated by senior volunteers. 

Free Legal Consultation: Wednesday, June 15th from 10:30am to Noon. Attorney Lem 
Makupson is available for legal consultation. He specializes in Family Law, Wills, Trusts, Estates, 
and Injury. Appointment are required by calling 626-355-7394. 

Sing-A-Long: Music brings joy to the soul. Come join us Thursday, June 9, 10:30 - 11:30am. No 
music skills needed! This month: “Silly Folk Songs”. 

Balance Class: Monday, June 20, 11:00 - 11:45am with Paul Hagen. A variety of balance exercises 
are practiced; all ability levels are encouraged and welcomed. 

Chair Yoga: Mondays and Wednesdays from 11:00 to 11:45 am. A suggested donation of $5 at one 
of the classes is requested, but is not required. 

Case Management: Meets the 2nd Thursday of the month. Case Management services are 
provided by the YWCA and provide assistance in a variety of areas. Appointments are required 
and can be scheduled by calling the HPH Office at 626-355-7394. 

Birthday Celebrations: Every second Thursday of the month at the Hart Park House. The free 
birthday cake is provided by the Sierra Madre Civic Club. 

Game Day: Every Thursday starting at 12:00pm. (Please note the time change.) A regular group of 
seniors play poker. Other games available for use. 

Free Strength Training Class: Every Friday from 12:45pm to 1:30pm with Lisa Brandley. The 
class utilizes light weights for low impact resistance training. All materials for the class are 
provided. 

Senior Club: Every Saturday at the Hart Park House Senior Center. Brown bag lunch at 11:30am. 
Club meeting at noon. Bingo 12:30-3:30pm. Annual Membership is only $10.00. 

Lunch and Learn - Thursday, June 23 - 12:30 - 1:00pm 

 Did you know 1 out of 5 people 65 or older is eligible for a SilverSneakers membership! This 
active adult wellness program is offered through many Medicare plans. Increase your energy 
and your overall well-being is possible with SilverSneakers. A representative from Healthways 
SilverSneakers will give a brief presentation about this wonderful benefit and find out if your 
health plan offers the SilverSneakers Fitness program. If you are interested in having lunch with 
the Senior Lunch Café before the presentation please call 626-355-0256 to make a reservation. 

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UPCOMING EXCURSIONS: 

SAN ANTONIO WINERY (Los Angeles) 

Date: Friday, June 17, 2016 

Time: 10:45AM - .3:00PM 
Meeting Location: Hart Park House 
Cost: $6.00 (Does not include lunch) 


Description: The San Antonio Winery is the last remaining winery in Downtown Los Angeles. 
Owned and operated by four generations of the Riboli Family since its founding, the original San 
Antonio Winery still sits on the same plot of land where the winery was first built in 1917. We 
will have a 40 minute tour and there will be wine tasting. Lunch is on your own at Maddalena 
Restaurant, located inside the San Antonio Winery. Last day to register is June 3. Level of walking: 
Medium. Please call the Hart Park House 626-355-7394. 

LAKE ARROWHEAD QUEEN 

Date: Wednesday, July 20
Time: 9:00am – 4:00pm
Meeting Location: Hart Park House
Cost: $17.00 (Does not include lunch) 
Description: Ride in style in the enclosed Lake 
Arrowhead Queen paddlewheel boat. Experience the beauty and excitement of a narrated tour 
of Lake Arrowhead aboard the elegant Arrowhead Queen. The splendor and serenity of Lake 
Arrowhead’s lush forest, sparkling water and blue skies glide by, as you sit back and enjoy close-up 
of exquisite lakefront homes and learn about the fascinating history of the lake. Lunch is on your 
own around Lake Arrowhead Village. Participants should bring money for lunch and souvenirs. 
Level of walking: Medium. 
Please call the Hart Park House 626-355-7394. 


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SENIOR CINEMA • 1st & 3rd Wednesday Shown at the Hart Park House Senior Center 

MR. HOLMES (2015) 

An aged, retired Sherlock Holmes deals with early dementia as he tries to remember both his final 
case and a mysterious woman whose memory haunts him. He also befriends a fan, the young son 
of his housekeeper, who wants him to work again. Starring Ian McKellen, Laura Linney, Hiroyuki 
Sanada. Start time: 1:00pm (run time 1h 44m). 


YOUR AD COULD BE HERE!
Call Patricia at 626-818-2698 Today!
Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com