In a previous article, I wrote about Free Money in Medicare and how many fitness trackers can automate data logging for your Medicare Rewards Program to earn that extra cash.

“In 2014, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) permitted Medicare Advantage plans to offer limited rewards and incentives to beneficiaries. The guidelines were slightly expanded in 2016.

According to CMS, the goal of rewards and incentives in Medicare Advantage “is to encourage enrollees to be actively engaged in their health care and, ultimately, improve and sustain their overall health and well-being.” In 2016, CMS expanded the ability to offer rewards and incentives, but more improvements are needed. ( Better Medicare Alliance Fact sheet July 2019).”

Tracking physical activity to qualify for these perks can be reported manually via your Medicare Advantage Plan account page or automatically tracked via devices like my Garmin Fenix 6XPro watch, a Fitbit, or many other brands of fitness trackers that connect directly to your Advantage Plans Rewards Page. You do your stuff and collect those Rewards dollars. These are two of many brands and models of trackers.

Do your research and find the one(s) that most closely match your current and future needs. Are primary health metrics sufficient for you, or are you planning on running a marathon or the R2R2R(Rim to Rim to Rim crossing the Grand Canyon from one side to the other and back, where serious health parameters tracking like VO2max or continuous O2 Saturation, Sleep, body battery, and HRV are part of your daily health monitoring

The Garmin Fenix 8 Series was released on 9/2024. It is a fantastic sports and outdoor device with Full US Topo maps and built-in GPS. It tracks health and sleep metrics (HRV, Sleep, Body Battery, Exercise Activities, and more).

The Garmin 6XPro on my wrist is about five years old, so there are newer models in the lineup. https://amzn.to/3X7Albg

The Fitbit Inspire 3, released September 2022, is around $99(July 24) and is a great “starter” health and fitness tracker. The Inspire 3 lacks heart rate on exercise equipment(does not communicate with equipment), no heart rate training zones, floors climbed, and fall detection(yes, they do have that). https://amzn.to/4dcnpHA

These are shortcomings ONLY if you are further advanced in clawing back any Medicare dollars you can get and probably have a more advanced tracker. This article is for those who haven’t started to earn some of your retirement money back.

Here is the direct link to Garmin Watches. Depending on your sport, they probably have a model just for you with price and feature sets that will fit your budget. See the features and compare at https://www.garmin.com/en-US/c/wearables-smartwatches/

Keep an eye on Amazon for deals on Garmin watches. They have some fantastic deals that pop up that should show up at this link: https://amzn.to/3SrgLVW.  For example, in May, my friend John, who I am coaching, grabbed a Garmin VivoActive 5 for $250. Currently $299 https://amzn.to/4dha5Sa

The data below are screenshots of the Garmin Connect App online(desktop version). This data is compiled automatically, other than initiating an activity like a hike, walk, or bike ride by pressing the right button or touch screen. You can access the same data on your phone but in a more compact form.

The image below is a screenshot of the (the day I wrote this article). Notice the sleep score is a crappy 37. I gave myself a 1st degree in AC joint separation by doing a poorly excited forward roll in Krav Maga class; hence, more pain and less sleep were recorded. My 6XPro automatically tracks this data.

The following screenshot is of the daily metrics in the middle of the day.

Below are more of yesterday’s metrics and the Last Seven Days.

I ruck(hike with a weighted backpack) 2500-3000 miles a year, ruck/ride (ride a gravel bike with a 30lb backpack) 3000 miles per year, Weight Lift 6+ hours per week, and do 2-6 hours of Krav Maga and my Garmin tracks it all for me.

For more reviews of fitness trackers and products, go to the https://www.dcrainmaker.com/ website. It is one of the most trusted names in fitness product reviews.

Let me know if you have any other questions on trackers.

Let’s say you are one of the millions of older retired people who try to do some exercise a few days a week.  And you do this every week for a year or more.

Imagine seeing the same person on the trail while you walk, hike, run, bike, swim, or do yoga…. And you see them every day you exercise.

Now imagine that person who sees you doing the work, walks up to you after that year, hands you $160+ cash, and says, “This is for working hard to stay healthy.”

That would be pretty awesome, wouldn’t it?  Well, it happens to me every year!  Seriously, Every Year with my United Health Care Medicare Advantage Program.

“In 2014, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) permitted Medicare Advantage plans to offer limited rewards and incentives to beneficiaries. The guidelines were slightly expanded in 2016.

According to CMS, the goal of rewards and incentives in Medicare Advantage “is to encourage enrollees to be actively engaged in their health care and, ultimately, improve and sustain their overall health and well-being.” In 2016, CMS expanded the ability to offer rewards and incentives, but more improvements are needed. ( Better Medicare Alliance Fact sheet July 2019).”

Below is a screenshot of my actual Medicare Advantage Portal. I had a 132.59 rewards balance I could spend, which I earned from the goals. Here, you can see the Get Moving monthly moving challenge. The ten green circles mean I covered the required minimum walking distance for that month and received $10, which gets added to the reward balance.

You can see I have up to $25 more available by signing up for text messaging, completing my annual wellness visit(three months away), and getting a flu shot. So, I will grab $15 of that free cash.

My Medicare Advantage Plan has a REWARDS program that pays me:

$10 to get some form of exercise 10 days a month($120/yr )
$10 to be “Social” by participating in a social activity
$5 to sign up for text messaging
$15 for an annual physical / wellness visit
$5 for a flu shot
$5 form making a doctor appt.

Many Medicare Advantage Programs also offer you $40 every three months to spend on over-the-counter medications, health aids like eye drops, my all-time favorite Preparation H, and hand lotion,… per my UHC plan:

 Get more help with your everyday needs. Your plan comes with a credit that will be loaded to your UnitedHealthcare UCard® every quarter for covered over-the-counter (OTC) products. Shop in-store or online for pain relievers, cold remedies, toothpaste, vitamins and more.
Word of warning: use it or lose it. This money does NOT roll Over.

CVS, Walgreens, Kroger, Walmart, and other online and retail stores allow you to use this card. These allowable sources can change over time, so keep track of them.

In the past years, this money from the UHC plan has bought me $165 Rucking/walking hiking shoes, which I go through four pairs a year. I have also paid for a $370 Garmin Edge 530 Bike computer from this fund.

Tracking physical activity to qualify for these perks can be reported manually via your Medicare Advantage Plan account page or automatically tracked via devices like my Garmin Fenix 6XPro watch, a Fitbit, or many other brands of fitness trackers that connect directly to your Advantage Plans Rewards Page. You do your stuff and collect those Rewards dollars.

The Garmin Fenix 6XPro, $750 on release, has been replaced by the Fenix 7 Series. The Fenix series is a fantastic sports and outdoor device with Full US Topo maps and built-in GPS. It tracks health and sleep metrics (HRV, Sleep, Body Battery, Exercise Activities, and more).
The Garmin 6XPro on my wrist is about five years old, so there are newer models in the lineup. https://amzn.to/4fp7WWl

The Fitbit Inspire 3, released September 2022, is around $99(July 24) and is a great “starter” health and fitness tracker. The Inspire 3 lacks heart rate on exercise equipment(does not communicate with equipment), no heart rate training zones, floors climbed, and fall detection(yes, they do have that). https://amzn.to/4dcnpHA

You can read my article about Fitness trackers in more detail here https://downhillslide.life/2024/08/09/fitness-trackers-can-help-improve-your-life-and-earn-you-cold-hard-cash/

The money you earn from this Rewards Program can actually buy you a fitness tracker with most plans.

The main point of this article is that IF you have a Medicare Advantage Plan and would like some extra spending money, check out your plan online today.

Not all Medicare plans offer this perk, but you should investigate as the Open Enrollment period starts soon. While looking for ways to spend money, you may find a Medicare plan that offers a more attractive plan/benefits package.

For me, it became a game not only to get as healthy as possible as soon as possible but to earn as much money in rewards as possible. 

It is not a lot of money, but it provides additional incentives to motivate you.

Check out your plan and let me know by posting a comment if you score any free cash.

A note on the title: Bad News does not Get Better with age. This is a lesson I learned from the corporate world supplying critical life-saving products to the US and NATO military. When you have a delay in production due to, say, a supplier not delivering parts in time for you to make your delivery, waiting to inform your customer for days or weeks that you will be late does not help you.

WAITING to tell them does not make the bad news any better. Hence, Bad news does NOT get better with age.

The same applies to your health. Find out ASAP if you have something wrong. Waiting can kill you.


As I approach my seventh decade, I look around at those in my cohort, and I am shocked at the number of friends, family, and acquaintances who have developed debilitating illnesses, and many have already died.

Are you aware of the top 10 common causes of death in people between the ages of 40 and 90 years old?  I was not, but I had a good feeling, and it was pretty spot on.

1. Cardiovascular Diseases
2. Cancer
3. Chronic Respiratory Diseases
4. Diabetes
5. Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias
6. Kidney Disease
7. Infections
8. Liver Disease
9. Unintentional Injuries
10. Chronic Liver Disease and Cirrhosis

Keep in mind that this information is based on data available up to September 2021 and may not reflect the most current statistics. Also, the order of these causes can vary over time and by location. Here are the top 10 causes of death in this age group, along with the general source:

1. Cardiovascular Diseases: According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cardiovascular diseases are a leading cause of death globally. [Reference: WHO – Cardiovascular Diseases]
2. Cancer: Cancer is a significant cause of death worldwide, as reported by organizations like the American Cancer Society. [Reference: American Cancer Society – Cancer Facts & Figures]
3. Chronic Respiratory Diseases: The Global Burden of Disease Study includes chronic respiratory diseases as a major cause of mortality. [Reference: Global Burden of Disease Study]
4. Diabetes: The International Diabetes Federation provides data on the global impact of diabetes, including its role in mortality. [Reference: International Diabetes Federation – IDF Diabetes Atlas]
5. Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias: Organizations like the Alzheimer’s Association track data on Alzheimer’s disease-related deaths. [Reference: Alzheimer’s Association – Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures]
6. Kidney Disease: Chronic kidney disease’s impact on mortality is documented by health agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). [Reference: CDC – Chronic Kidney Disease]
7. Infections: Data on infectious disease-related deaths are often reported by public health agencies, such as the CDC and the World Health Organization. [References: CDC – Infectious Diseases, WHO – Infectious Diseases]
8. Liver Disease: Liver diseases’ role in mortality is highlighted in health reports from organizations like the American Liver Foundation. [Reference: American Liver Foundation – Liver Disease]
9. Unintentional Injuries: The CDC provides statistics on accidental injuries and their contribution to mortality. [Reference: CDC – Unintentional Injuries]
10. Chronic Liver Disease and Cirrhosis: The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) discusses liver diseases and their consequences, including mortality. [Reference: NIAAA – Cirrhosis and Liver Disease]

The interesting thing is, these top 10 change in the order of prevalence between our teen years and each 10-year cohort after that as we age.  I will have a post on this with an animated graphic that will show this as we age.

All but #7 Infections(for the most part) and #9 Unintentional Injuries(Murder, auto accidents, acts of terrorism,  etc.) are what I call “ Diseases of Choice”.

In my definition of “Diseases Of Choice”, are those that are preventable with proper diet, exercise, nutrition, and timely medical care.

Now, I am sure anyone can come up with exceptions to the above statement, like heredity disposition, environmental conditions, etc.….. but that is not the point.  For the most part, all of these are either preventable or highly controllable.

We choose to eat processed foods.  We choose to eat grains and sugars.  We choose not to be active.  We choose not to get enough sleep. We choose to party too much/too late. 

Now some of these things can be economically driven and you may not have total control over them.  But for the most part, we get the final word: no one to blame but ourselves.

We have choices in what we eat. Make the right choice.

Because of my extensive medical research background and time working in surgery, orthopedic implant design and development, and medicine in general, I have a different take on this getting older thing.

I started getting colonoscopies when I turned 40 years old.  With my family history and seeing what colon cancer looks like from the inside during countless tumor removals, you tend to look at the pros and cons differently. 

36 to 48 hours of liquid diet and the prep 12-ish hour before the procedure, happy juice during the procedure so you don’t remember shit, it really is nothing compared to getting 3 feet of your colon ripped out and pooping in a bag attached to your abdomen for the rest of your life, which may be shortened due to the cancer having spread through your body. Colon specimen cross section showing cancer and polyps are shown below for emphasis.

Sounds like fun, doesn’t it?  You cannot imagine what a colon filled with rock-hard cancerous tumors the size of your fist feels like.

I have had a colonoscopy at least every 3-5 years since then.  Yes, they found polyps.  Many of them over the years.  But nothing was “hot,” and every polyp was removed “early before they became a problem.  So, there is no telling what that polyp from 1998 would have grown up to be if left alone….

 Ok, back to the point of this piece.

Start by getting a yearly medical checkup with your primary care physician.  Most insurances and Medicare cover yearly physicals with ZERO out-of-pocket.  They cover all of the lab testing as well.

It is FREE or a small copay…. The cost of  fufu coffee 3 times a week.

One thing I have learned from being in the corporate world for so long:

“Bad News Does Not Get Better With Age”

It makes no sense NOT to go to the doctor so you don’t find out bad news.  You are gambling with the most essential thing you have: your health.

So maybe you have something terrible, like the pain in your hip joint: are the surfaces degrading, and you think a hip replacement is your only option to restore function?  Now, knowing this and choosing NOT to have the surgery, it’s totally fine.  Your choice.

But what if that hip pain” you just knew” needed surgery turned out to be something simple?

When you went to the doctor, you found out it was both sciatic nerve pain and misalignment in your spine, and a chiropractor can handle it in a few weeks and never go under the knife. 

How dumb would you feel if you went for all those years with a hip issue that was correctable?

See my point?

Note the slick segway:
Get yearly vision checkups well.  These are covered yearly as well in many plans. 

They can find issues early, too, like cataracts (I have a mild case of them), macular degeneration, glaucoma, and more.  There are many things that can rob you of your vision.

How bad would it suck to have great vision for 50+ years and go blind in 3 years?  It would suck pretty bad, right?

What if that condition was like glaucoma that is totally correctable?  I think it would totally suck big time that your legally blind status could have been a nonissue IF you had regular check-ups.

The frequency of eye examinations for individuals over the age of 50 can vary depending on their eye health and any preexisting conditions. However, as a general guideline, it’s recommended that adults aged 50 and older have a comprehensive eye exam at least every two years.

However, if you have certain risk factors or existing eye conditions, you may need more frequent eye exams. Some factors that may warrant more frequent eye exams include:

1. **Age-related eye conditions:** As you get older, you become more susceptible to age-related eye conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma, and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). If you have any of these conditions, your eye doctor will likely recommend more frequent check-ups.

2. **Family history:** If you have a family history of eye diseases or conditions, you may be at a higher risk, and your eye doctor might recommend more frequent exams.

3. **Medical conditions:** Certain medical conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure can increase the risk of eye problems. People with diabetes should have an annual eye exam because they are at higher risk for diabetic retinopathy.

4. **Medications:** Some medications can have eye-related side effects, so if you’re taking medications that can affect your eyes, your eye doctor may suggest more frequent monitoring.

5. **Changes in vision:** If you notice any changes in your vision, such as blurred vision, difficulty seeing at night, or changes in your peripheral vision, it’s important to see an eye doctor promptly, regardless of your age.

Remember that these are general guidelines, and the frequency of eye exams should be discussed with your eye care professional. They can provide personalized recommendations based on your individual health, risk factors, and any existing eye conditions. Regular eye exams are essential for maintaining good eye health and detecting any issues early when they are more easily treatable.

So the point is again,

 “Bad News Does Not Get Better With Age”  

Get very friendly with your Primary Care Physician, and get those annual physicals before the end of the year.

Get scheduled for a colonoscopy screening NOW.

Get your eyes checked every year.

Go to the Dentist yearly.

Pick a new healthy habit.  Yoga, walking, painting, learning a musical instrument, photography or learning how to fly a plane.  Seriously.

ANYTHING to get you learning new things, moving outdoors, working on your health, and, above all, stimulating your mind.

A recent trip to my PCP showed “everything in the green”, but I had a nagging feeling I was missing something due to muscle mass loss and body fat% increase over the last 7 years.

All blood tests were perfectly normal on ZERO medications. But I just had a feeling…… After insisting on a specific form of a diagnostic test, we discovered something was indeed missing and vital to my overall health.  More on that in future posts.

In the end, it is your choice on how you approach the final stages of your existence here.  I am on a mission to SLOW the Down Hill Slide as much as practical.

I can honestly say that this mission is fun. The progress I am making is keeping busy exercising and optimizing what I have.

My Doc mentioned that I was in the “normal range” for ALL of my testing/blood work.  I told her I was not satisfied with being in the “Normal Range”, I was shooting for Optimal. 

We shall agree to disagree. 

I will give some insight into what is coming in this space now that I have had time to think about it.

A year has passed since I posted the first article.  I have spent this time thinking about what is left to say, and I think I have found a path to follow.

Since I posted on March 22, a lot has transpired. I have survived two bouts of non-vaccinated COVID-19 back-to-back and another two episodes of Influenza B.

When Covid started, I weighed around 255+ pounds.  Since I was not a vaccine candidate, I was told that Covid likes fat people, make a choice.  So I did.

Since Covid started, I have lost 50 pounds.  I have walked/hiked 3000(5.8M Steps) miles and biked 2,500 miles each of the last two years.  The three-year total is ~8500 miles on my feet and another 7000 biking miles.  I also tried to work in weight training twice a week.

As my weight dropped and cardio improved, my blood work and physical health numbers showed significant improvements.   More on this in a later post, including an uncovered ailment/condition that shocked my primary care physician.

Because of this massive change in my activity from being a corporate fatty, always traveling/eating/drinking too much somewhere for business, to exercising 6 days a week, outside for a minimum of 2 hours a day, shit happens to old, out-of-shape bodies.

I have had one First Metatarsal Pre-Stress fracture (long bone in the middle of your foot behind your big toe) on the right foot that caused issues up my leg/knee/hip and back.  I found out I also pronated, which is why the foot bone issues came about. 

Outdoor exercise means everything to me.  Now that I am retired, it is my job now.  My job is to stay healthy.

So, three months of Physical Therapy helped a lot, but I still needed more flexibility.  I added another three months of private pay ($1500), Stretch Lab Inc. work, two days a week for three months.  It did wonders for this old body and my Range of Motion.

My physical therapist told me that 80%+ of the rehab-seen injuries in the elderly, like me, can be attributed to a lack of flexibility and strength. 

This is from the CDC:

One out of four older adults will fall each year in the United States, making falls a public health concern, particularly among the aging population. About 36 million falls are reported among older adults each year—resulting in more than 32,000 deaths. https://www.cdc.gov/injury/features/older-adult-falls/



So, as the page’s name implies, There IS a Down Hill Slide we are on.  I am trying to slow that slide down by paying attention to my mental and physical health.  I am working hard at not becoming a statistic on the CDC’s list.  In the time ahead, look for articles covering the things I am working through in this effort to slow the slide.

These articles will include topics like Yearly Physicals and the “Big C” health: mental and physical, Fitness Tracking Devices, New Challenges, Strength, Flexibility, Walking, Biking, Diet and Weight, Hormone Replacement Therapy, Male/Female Health, Outdoors, Keep learning something new, Learn to mitigate risks, Social Media: How NOT to react and let it ruin your day, Try to do HARD things, Listen to your body., Explore Alternative Medicine and, very important to me, Sleep.

As always, like and or comment on these articles.  I will need to approve comments before they appear for obvious reasons, so there may be a slight delay in approving those comments.

#downhillslide, #markphillips, #menshealth, #dexa, #bonedensity, #hrt, #hormone, #hormonereplacementtherapy, #outdoors, #hike, #walk, #bike, #trails, #hearthealth, #activeadults, #aging, #mentalhealth, #mentor, #help