The Medicare Open Enrollment period is coming soon. Between October 15 and December 7, 2022 those people 65 and over can sign up for Medicare or change the plans they currently have.
If you need a little guidance, Mount Prospect Public Library is hosting two programs that might help. On Wednesday, October 5 at 11 am, at the program Choosing Your Medicare Supplement Policy Tom Kilkenny from Weiss Financial Ratings will provide information about Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap). Learn how to use the Financial Rating Series Online web resource to help you identify hidden costs, compare prices, and choose the best plan. Kilkenny will also demonstrate how to get a customized pricing report for free with your library card.
At the program Understanding Medicare on Thursday, October 13 at 7 pm, Medicare specialist John Larson will explain in detail Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement, and prescription drug coverage. Learn important information about how to choose the right plan for you. Larson is a local independent insurance broker with 50 years of experience who specializes in Medicare coverage.
Both of these programs are in-person. You can register for these and other Library programs by going to the Library’s online calendar or by calling the Library at 847-253-5675.
For additional information about Medicare, go to the main Medicare website medicare.gov.
ConsumerLab.com is the leading provider of independent test results and information to help consumers and healthcare professionals identify the best quality health and nutrition products. It publishes results of its tests in comprehensive reports at ConsumerLab.com. Since its founding in 1999, ConsumerLab has tested more than 6,600 products, representing over 950 different brands and nearly every type of popular supplement for adults, children, and pets.
As anyone who has ever googled their symptoms can tell you, there is no shortage of medical information available on the internet. However, good sources with clear, authoritative information can be difficult to find among the search results. As with all information found online, medical information should be approached with a critical eye.
The Research Desk gets many requests from patrons looking for health information. Below are some trusted resources for evidence-based health information. All of these resources are government-funded websites, so they do not contain any ads or commercial content.
With general health questions, MedlinePlus.gov from the National Library of Medicine is a great place to start. Consult MedlinePlus for information about a diagnosis, upcoming test or screening, drugs and supplements, genetics, and variety of general health topics. The site is also available in Spanish.
Drug information is compiled by the National Library of Medicine on the Drug Information Portal. Find detailed information about drug uses, common names, potential side effects, effects on breastfeeding, and more.
MyHealthfinder.gov presents information from the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion from the Department of Health and Human Services about health and wellness. The site includes helpful fact sheets and evidence-based information on preventative care.
Health Information from the National Institutes of Health features well-organized and research information on a variety of health and wellness topics.
ClinicalTrails.gov is a database about privately and publicly funded clinical trials.
With questions about accessing any of these resources, please contact the Research Desk to request a reference appointment.
There has been a lot of information in the media concerning the COVID vaccine booster shot. It can be difficult to get a clear picture of who is eligible and what kind of shot is available. Based on the information from the CDC, Walgreens recently posted a short list of answers to these important questions. Here is the basic information you need to know:
Who is eligible and when?
The CDC recommends a booster dose for fully vaccinated people who received their second dose of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months ago. Health and eligibility requirements include:
Ages 65+
Long-term care facility residents ages 18+
Individuals ages 50-64 with underlying medical conditions*
Individuals ages 18-49 with underlying medical conditions*, based on individual benefit and risk
Individuals ages 18-64 who are at an increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of occupation or institutional setting, such as healthcare and essential workers, based on individual benefit and risk
*See this webpage from the CDC for additional information
Why should I get a booster?
Like with many vaccines, immunity can decrease over time. A booster shot is designed to continue providing longer-term protection and reduce risk of hospitalization.
What if I got the Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccine?
Right now, boosters are only recommended for patients who completed their Pfizer vaccine series and meet the current eligibility criteria. Updates on a Moderna and Johnson & Johnson booster shot will be provided in the future.
It is always good practice to consult your doctor about this or any other medical issue. For additional information about the COVID vaccine booster shot please see this CDC webpage.
The topic of COVID-19 vaccination is a complex and rapidly changing one. To better understand what vaccines are available and where to register for one, please consult the websites listed below.
General vaccine information compiled by the Mount Prospect Village can be seen here.
To learn general information about vaccines in the Cook County area please go to this site
Suburban Cook County residents can register to receive the vaccines by going to this site.
Residents of the City of Chicago can register for vaccines here.
The vaccine registration hotline for Cook County is 1-833-308-1988; 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Friday.
If you are looking for vaccination locations, please go to this site prepared by the Illinois Department of Public Health.
On March 22, 2021 (in English) and March 29, 2021 (in Spanish), the Mount Prospect Public Library and the Village of Mount Prospect are co-hosting virtual presentations about the COVID-19 vaccines. These programs are informational only and will focus on the vaccines themselves–which ones are available, how they work and what their effects may be. If you would like to register for the English presentation, please go here. If you would like to register for the Spanish presentation, please go here.
There has been a lot of information in the media concerning the COVID vaccine booster shot. It can be difficult to get a clear picture of who is eligible and what kind of shot is available. Based on the information from the CDC, Walgreens recently posted a short list of answers to these important questions. Here is the basic information you need to know:
The topic of COVID-19 vaccination is a complex and rapidly changing one. To better understand what vaccines are available and where to register for one, please consult the websites listed below.