APPENDIX( continued)
Magnetic Resonance Imaging( MRI): A diagnostic scanning technique during which radio waves and an electromagnetic field are used to help create detailed, cross-sectional images of specific organs and tissues. MRI images can help to diagnose brain atrophy and other pathological changes seen for example in PSP, CBD, and MSA.
Medicaid: A joint federal / state program of medical assistance for low-income individuals who are aged, blind, or disabled, or who are members of families with dependent children. Medicaid has no deductible or coinsurance. It typically covers inpatient hospital services, outpatient services, limited stays in skilled nursing facilities, limited home healthcare, lab tests, radiographs, family planning, early and periodic screening, diagnosis, and treatment.
Medicare: A federal health insurance program for people 65 years of age and over, people considered permanently disabled for purposes of the Social Security Act, and people with end-stage renal disease. Medicare is divided into two parts: Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B.
Part A, Hospital Insurance Benefits, provides some protection against the medically necessary costs of hospital and related healthcare. Medicare A is financed through Social Security payroll tax deductions. It covers institutional care in hospitals and skilled nursing facilities and care given by home health agencies and hospices. No premium is required from people entitled to retirement or disability benefits from Social Security or Railroad Retirement.
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Part B, Medical Insurance Benefits, is financed through federal contributions and the monthly premiums of the enrollees. The monthly premiums are automatically deducted from Social Security checks, unless the beneficiary indicates that they do not want Medicare B. Medicare B covers outpatient services, physician visits, ambulance transportation, and durable medical equipment. It also covers some home healthcare. In addition to paying a monthly premium for Part B, Medicare beneficiaries are often required to pay a portion of the cost of the Medicare-covered services they receive. This cost-sharing takes the form of deductibles and co-insurance amounts. A beneficiary is responsible for a minimum of 20 % of the Medicare-approved amount under Part B. These amounts may change annually. Older adults may find these changes in The Medicare Handbook, published annually and available at no charge through the Social Security Administration.
Mental Health Services: Provided by psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, counselors, and other mental health professionals. Most clinical services may be provided on an outpatient basis. Crisis services are available. Occasionally, brief psychiatric hospitalization in a specialized unit for older adults may be required if the problem is more complex.
Metabolism: Refers to the ongoing chemical processes of cells of the body, including catabolism and anabolism. Catabolism or so-called“ destructive metabolism” is the breakdown of complex chemical compounds into simpler substances, typically liberating or releasing energy. In contrast, anabolism or“ constructive metabolism” refers to the“ building up” or conversion of simple substances into more complex chemical compounds, requiring energy consumption( provided by catabolic processes).
Multiple System Atrophy( MSA): Multiple system atrophy is a disease of the brain and spinal cord. It is often classified as one of the“ parkinsonian” conditions because it often resembles Parkinson’ s disease, at least for the first few years. The resemblance is in the general slowness, stiffness, and balance loss. But MSA usually has at least two other important categories of symptoms to some degree. One is impairment of the cerebellum, producing a coarse tremor, drunken-appearing walk, and slurred speech. The other is impairment of the autonomic nervous system, which maintains such things as blood pressure, sleep, bowel action, and bladder emptying. The result can be fainting, insomnia, constipation, and urinary urgency or incontinence. Many other less common symptoms can occur, too.