StayWell AgeWell

How can seniors continue to thrive, stay connected, and find purpose as they age? In this episode of the StayWell AgeWell Podcast, we explore the topics of healthy aging, senior wellness, retirement, volunteerism, social connection, caregiving, and aging in place with a remarkable community leader who is helping seniors live fuller, more meaningful lives.Host Dov Ort sits down with Renee Fowler, Executive Director of Make a Difference – Cheyenne, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping seniors maintain independence, access support, and remain engaged in their communities. Through a network of dedicated volunteers, the organization assists seniors with practical needs while also addressing one of the greatest challenges facing older adults today: loneliness and social isolation.What makes Renee's work especially remarkable is that many of the volunteers are seniors themselves. Rather than stepping away from meaningful contribution, these individuals are continuing to serve others, build relationships, and strengthen their communities. In many cases, seniors are helping fellow seniors navigate life's challenges, proving that purpose and impact do not have an expiration date.During this conversation, Renee shares inspiring stories, lessons learned from years of serving older adults, and practical advice for seniors who want to remain active, fulfilled, and connected. She also discusses what families can do to support aging loved ones and why purpose, community involvement, and service are often critical ingredients for living well in later years.Whether you're a senior, a caregiver, an adult child of aging parents, or simply someone interested in aging well, this episode offers valuable insights and encouragement for making the most of every stage of life.A special thank you to Renee Fowler and the entire team at Make a Difference – Cheyenne for the incredible work they do serving seniors and strengthening communities every day.To volunteer, request assistance, or learn more about Make a Difference – Cheyenne:Email: [email protected] in starting a similar organization in your own community?Renee is passionate about helping others replicate the Make a Difference model and welcomes conversations with individuals interested in launching a Make a Difference organization in their hometown. Reach out to learn more about bringing this impactful model to your community.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share it with a friend, and join us for more conversations focused on helping people Stay Well and Age Well.If you have feedback on this episode, suggestions for future topics, or ideas for guests you’d like us to feature, please visit:https://StayWellAgeWell.comThis podcast is built for you—your questions, experiences, and insights help shape every conversation. Whether you’re a senior, a family member, or a professional in the aging space, your input is always welcome.

More than 54 million Americans are enrolled in Medicare Advantage — but what happens when the plan that promised more actually delivers less?In this episode, host Dov sits down with two frontline professionals: Hollie Medina, a hospital case manager and Trent Stan, a nursing home case manager. Together they share what really happens when coverage gets denied, delayed, or cut short — and what seniors and their families can do about it.The observations shared are personal and professional in nature and do not constitute legal, medical, or financial advice. Patient details have been omitted to protect privacy.Our GuestsHospital Case Manager — coordinates patient care, discharge planning, and insurance navigation inside an acute care hospitalNursing Home Case Manager — works daily with Medicare Advantage plans on SNF coverage approvals, rehab authorizations, and post-acute care transitionsWhat We CoverThe difference between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage — and why the payment model mattersPrior authorization: what it looks like on the ground and what happens when it's deniedHospital discharge pressure and what families can do if a discharge feels too soonSkilled nursing and rehab denials — when plans decide a patient has "plateaued"Network restrictions and ghost networks that limit access to careRed flags families should watch for — and how to appeal a denialPractical steps seniors can take right now Key Data Points53 million prior authorization requests were made to MA insurers in 2024 (KFF)80%+ of appealed denials were overturned every year from 2019–2024 (KFF)17% of MA claims are denied — more than double traditional Medicare's 8% (Health Affairs)The HHS Inspector General found MA plans denied 13% of requests that actually met Medicare's own coverage rules (OIG, 2022) ResourcesGovernment🏛️ HHS Office of Inspector General — oig.hhs.gov (search "Medicare Advantage denials")🏛️ OIG Video on MA Denials — oig.hhs.gov/newsroom/videos/medicare-advantage-denials-of-care🏛️ CMS — cms.govResearch📊 KFF Medicare Advantage Data — kff.org/medicare📰 Health Affairs — healthaffairs.org📰 American Medical Association — ama-assn.orgPatient Advocacy❤️ Center for Medicare Advocacy — medicareadvocacy.org❤️ Medicare Rights Center — medicarerights.org📞 1-800-MEDICARE📞 Free state-by-state counseling (SHIP) — shiphelp.orgRural Hospital Advocacy🏥 TORCH — Level the Playing Field Campaign torchnet.org/leveltheplayingfield.html Texas Organization of Rural & Community Hospitals is actively working with Congress to address how Medicare Advantage plans harm rural seniors and destabilize rural hospital finances — including pushing for standardized denial data, faster prior auth timelines, and fair reimbursement for rural providers. DisclaimerThe information in this episode reflects the personal professional observations of our guests and is for general educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal, medical, or financial advice, and no specific insurance company is named or targeted. Consult a licensed professional, patient advocate, or your state SHIP program for personalized guidance.If you have feedback on this episode, suggestions for future topics, or ideas for guests you’d like us to feature, please visit:https://StayWellAgeWell.comThis podcast is built for you—your questions, experiences, and insights help shape every conversation. Whether you’re a senior, a family member, or a professional in the aging space, your input is always welcome.

In Episode 3 of the StayWell AgeWell Podcast, titled “The Role of the Adult Child – Planning Before There’s a Crisis”, host Dov Ort speaks with attorney Dallas Lain from Crowley Fleck Law Firm, to unpack the often overlooked but critically important legal planning that should take place well before a health or cognitive crisis occurs.With more than 25 years of experience in commercial and regulatory law, Dallas brings a practical and grounded perspective to the responsibilities adult children may unexpectedly face when a parent or loved one can no longer make decisions for themselves. The conversation focuses on the key legal tools that support this transition of responsibility, including powers of attorney, healthcare directives, and guardianship considerations, and how these documents function in real-life scenarios.A central theme of the discussion is timing—why waiting until a crisis occurs can severely limit options, create family conflict, and place unnecessary legal and emotional burdens on loved ones. Dallas emphasizes how proactive planning can protect autonomy, reduce confusion, and ensure that a person’s wishes are respected.This episode is especially valuable for adult children navigating aging parents, as well as seniors who want to ensure their affairs are properly structured and understood.To learn more about Dallas Lain, visit: https://crowleyfleck.com/biography/dallas-lain/If you have feedback on this episode, suggestions for future topics, or ideas for guests you’d like us to feature, please visit:https://StayWellAgeWell.comThis podcast is built for you—your questions, experiences, and insights help shape every conversation. Whether you’re a senior, a family member, or a professional in the aging space, your input is always welcome.

In this second episode of the StayWell AgeWell Podcast, titled “Subscription Based Primary Care – Is It Worth It for Seniors?”, host Dov Ort sits down with Nurse Practitioner Louisa Crosby, owner of Gannett Health, to explore a growing shift in how primary care is delivered.Louisa brings deep experience across multiple care models, with a strong focus on Direct Primary Care (DPC) and subscription-based medicine. In this conversation, she opens a window into the real frustrations many patients face in the traditional healthcare system—limited appointment time, difficulty accessing providers, fragmented care, and reactive rather than proactive medicine.She also explains how subscription-based primary care is addressing these gaps by offering more accessible, relationship-centered care, improved continuity, and a model that prioritizes prevention and ongoing support—especially important for seniors navigating complex health needs.Whether you’re a senior, a caregiver, or simply curious about more personalized healthcare options, this episode breaks down what DPC really looks like in practice and whether it may be a better fit than the conventional system.To learn more about Luisa Crosby and Gannett Health, visit: https://gannetthealth.com/ Call: (307) 752-9190 See patient reviews: https://share.google/Yy9s7klfy1SuM02zQIf you have feedback on this episode, suggestions for future topics, or ideas for guests you’d like us to feature, please visit:https://StayWellAgeWell.comThis podcast is built for you—your questions, experiences, and insights help shape every conversation. Whether you’re a senior, a family member, or a professional in the aging space, your input is always welcome.

Deciding when it may be time to consider assisted living is one of the most emotional and important decisions families face. In this first episode of StayWell AgeWell, we explore the realities behind that decision—what families often miss, what signs to look for, and how to approach the conversation with clarity instead of fear.We also address the stigma that still surrounds assisted living and why, in many cases, it can actually lead to greater safety, independence, and quality of life than trying to “wait it out” at home.To help guide this discussion, we are joined by Vinnie Messina from Peaks Healthcare Consulting, who is an expert in creating the warmest assisted living homes and works closely with senior living communities across the region to improve care, culture, and outcomes.🔗 Learn more about Peaks Healthcare Consulting: https://peakshc.com/🔗 Connect with Peaks Healthcare Consulting on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/peaks-healthcare-consulting/?viewAsMember=true🔗 Explore Peaks Healthcare Consulting partner communities: https://peakshc.com/#communities🌟 Meaningful Moment SectionIn this episode, we also highlight a powerful story about a couple who found each at CuraVistas Highline! Checkout the full story:🔗 Featured LinkedIn post discussed in this episode: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/loveinlaterlife-seniorliving-morethancare-share-7353475428986052616-rhaN/?utm_source=social_share_send&utm_medium=member_desktop_web&rcm=ACoAADupQR8Bhjaku2Y9U1WZD8cJGf9LOw-YF1QIf you have feedback on this episode, suggestions for future topics, or ideas for guests you’d like us to feature, please visit:https://StayWellAgeWell.comThis podcast is built for you—your questions, experiences, and insights help shape every conversation. Whether you’re a senior, a family member, or a professional in the aging space, your input is always welcome.