We should be celebrating high health care spending. Wait a minute, what? That’s what Michael Hodin, executive director of the Global Coalition on Aging, recently wrote in the Huffington Post.

Hodin says that while many Americans believe our health care system is failing and the costs are too high, the opposite is actually the case – the high costs are a testament to our health care’s success. Health care in America has provided us with groundbreaking medicine and treatments that are keeping us alive longer than previous generations. And because Americans are now living longer than ever before, health care has become a widely sought-after commodity. Being in such high demand, health care costs have of course gone up.

With the 2012 presidential election just around the corner, it’s worth hearing what issues matter most to seniors. The Good Samaritan Society recently posted a video online, in which its director of public affairs, Jeff Singley, discussed what topics seniors are particularly concerned with.

The deadline for Medicare health and drug plan enrollment is Dec. 7. With the deadline quickly approaching, here’s a brief overview of Medicare and the different plans available.  

As you probably know, Medicare health insurance is offered by the federal government and is managed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Generally, you are eligible for Medicare if you are 65 or older. If you’re under the age of 65, you may still qualify for Medicare if you have certain disabilities.

There are four kinds of Medicare available to you:

Even for seniors on Medicare, out-of-pocket medical costs are becoming increasingly difficult to manage. During the last five years of life, most seniors pay an average of $39,000 for out-of-pocket medical costs. This figure soars to $101,791 for those seniors with the highest medical expenditures. Even for an average, relatively healthy 65-year-old couple, Boston College’s Center for Retirement Research reports that out-of-pocket expenses will still total $197,000. With such high costs, how can the average person afford long-term care?

Joshua Greenberg, Chairman and President of HealthCPA, offers some tips to reduce out-of-pocket expenses. First, look for in-network providers. By billing you at a reduced rate, in-network providers can save you a lot of money.

We have piano performances, Medicare lectures, art receptions and more at EPOCH this week. Stop by EPOCH in Pittsfield for a reception of the community’s art on Wednesday, or if you’re in the Brookline neighborhood, join us for a discussion about accountable care organizations and Medicare changes at EPOCH of Chestnut Hill. Keep reading for more info!

EPOCH welcomes classical pianist Rich Scalise (Feb. 7)

CHESTNUT HILL – Popular performer Rick Scalise, a talented classical pianist, will entertain audiences at EPOCH Assisted Living at Boylston Place, 615 Heath St., on Tuesday, Feb. 7 at 3 p.m. This event is free, but space is limited. Please RSVP to Julie Bolt at 617-879-2589. For more information about EPOCH, call 617-244-6400.

ACO and Medicare lecture at EPOCH Senior Healthcare of Chestnut Hill (Feb. 8)

CHESTNUT HILL – EPOCH Senior Healthcare of Chestnut Hill will host a discussion about changes in Medicare, the new accountable care environment, and what it means for you and your loved ones on Wednesday, Feb. 8 at 5 p.m. We’ll welcome Dr. Virginia Cummings and Alice Smith, EPOCH’s Medicare expert, for this talk. Light refreshments will be served. EPOCH is located at 615 Heath St. Call 617-243-9990 for more information.

EPOCH Assisted Living hosts reception for featured artists (Feb. 8)

PITTSFIELD—EPOCH Assisted Living at Melbourne will host a reception in the community’s art gallery on Wednesday, Feb. 8, at 3 p.m. for resident, staff and family artwork. This reception is free and open to the public. EPOCH is located at 140 Melbourne Road. The gallery exhibit will include photos, pastels and more, and will appear in EPOCH’s gallery throughout the month. Visitors are welcome between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. For more information or to R.S.V.P. for the reception, call 413-499-1992.

Shabbat with Rabbi Kivman at EPOCH (Feb. 10)

NORTON – Rabbi Yossi Kivma will visit EPOCH Assisted Living of Norton, 190 Mansfield Ave., on Friday, Feb. 10 at 10:30 a.m. for Shabbat. EPOCH is located at 190 Mansfield Ave. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, call 508-285-3355.