Seniors May Be Missing Important Online Medicare Resources Warning: Not Logging On May Be Bad ForYour Health (NAPSA)—More and more Americans are using the Internet for health and medical purposes. But older Americans may be missing out on access to important health resources available online, such as streamlined Medicare enrollment, billing and provider information. A recent study by the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation found that only 21 percent of American senior citizens have gone online to research health information, confirming that most elderly Americans are not using the Internet to become better informed about their health and their health care about $200 (U.S., plus subscription cost). It lets consumers check e-mail and surf the Web viaa tele- vision from the comfort of their living room, and doesn’t require computer experience to get Web sites such as www.medi care.gov offer such information, as well as information designed to help visitors understand their Medicare benefits and make educated health decisions. Medicare HMOsalso let patients check the started. “These devices are ideal for someone who wants to take advantage of what the Internet has to offer, such as staying in touch with family and friends through e-mail, viewing photo slide shows or researching impor- fill prescriptions online. Unfortunately, according to a doesn’t want the expense or complexity of a PC,” Klepper said. options. status of claims, find doctors and 2004 Pew Internet & American Life Project report titled “Older Americans and the Internet,” “Seniors are also more likely than any other age group to be living with some kind of disability, which could hinder their capacity to get to a computer training cen- ter or read the small type on many Websites.” “If you’re an older American who doesn’t have ready access to the Internet, there are new options,” said Sam Klepper, general manager of Microsoft Corp.’s MSN TV. “A growing number of devices are being marketed that make it easier and more affordable for seniors and other Internet newcomersto go online.” For example, the MSN TV 2 Internet & Media Player sells for tant health information, but who Some of these devices, such as MSN TV 2, also are helpful for those with less-than-perfect vision because Internet content can be viewed on a large television screen instead of a computer monitor, and text size can be increased to make viewing e-mail and Web site content easier. “The Internet is moving from being a luxury to a necessity,” Kleppersaid. Fortunately, manufacturers are recognizing and meeting the needs of a broader group of consumers, by designing products that everybody can use to access important information available online. More information about MSN TV can be found at www.msn tv.com.
