According to an article in the March, 2005, issue of Bottom Line magazine, diphenhydramine, sold as Benadryl and also an ingredient in Excedrin PM, Nytol, Sleep-eze, Sominex, Tylenol PM and Unisom, has been shown to cause altered attention levels, disorganized speech, changes in consciousness and alertness, behavioral disturbances and dizziness in people age 70 and over. It also may cause urinary retention, which can lead to urinary tract infections. If you     notice any of these symptoms while taking any medication containing diphenhydramine,  ask your healthcare provider about other safer medications or alternative treatments.

Were you aware that as of 2006 your Medicare premium and deductible will be based on how much was spent by Medicare to cover the costs of health care in 2005?

Learn how to protect yourself from the rising costs of Medicare by being watchful for Medicare billing errors and waste, while also shielding yourself from identity theft. We must remain vigilant to protect our medical information We must make sure that we have been billed only for medical services that we've received. If we are able to identify and correct errors and abuse, we will keep our own insurance rates down, and we will help our fellow beneficiaries now and in the future.
For more information, call Marlene Eddy, Health Insurance Benefits Coordinator at (802) 885-6636.

Prescription drug costs are skyrocketing with no end in sight! Rising drug costs are hurting you, your family and your neighbors. Your out-of-pocket costs for drugs are going up. Your ability to get prescriptions or healthcare services from the state Medicaid, VHAP or pharmacy programs or private insurance programs is decreasing.
The State of Vermont, healthcare insurers, physicians, other healthcare professionals, pharmacists, and legislators across the State a re working together to control the costs of prescription drugs.
Here are some things you can do to help keep drugs affordable:

• Ask your physician or healthcare provider if a generic or over-the-counter drug will work for you.
  
• Generic drugs are medically equivalent to brand name drugs but can cost 30% to 75% less and save everyone money.
  
• Beware of free samples. These brand name drugs will cost more than a generic drug if you need a refill.
  
• Do not let expensive advertising sell you on medicines you don't need.
  
• Educate yourself about your medical conditions and medications.
  

Here are some things your physician or other healthcare professional can do to help keep drug costs down:

• He or she recommend a generic or over-the-counter whenever is available in place of a brand name drug.
  
• He or she can prescribe from your insurer's formulary or the state's preferred drug list. These are lists of generic drugs and other drugs that cost your insurer or state pharmacy programs less money.
  

• They have delivered a preferred drug list or formularies.
  
• They encourage the use of generic prescription drugs.
  
• They may require prescribers to get approval before you get more expensive brand name drugs.
  
• Insurers may require you to pay more for expensive brand name drugs.