Free Flu Shots Just One of the Preventive Services
Covered by Medicare
Medicare Rights Center offers free one-on-one
counseling over the phone about Medicare's preventive services
Oct.
15, 2008 - Influenza, commonly referred to as the flu, may not
seem like a dangerous disease, but every year about 20,000 Americans die
because of it. People at high risk for complications from influenza -
most senior citizens with Medicare - should get a flu vaccine.
Fortunately, Medicare covers 100 percent of the
cost of a flu shot once every flu season with no Part B deductible
required, if you go to a doctor or other health care provider who
accepts assignment (takes the Medicare-approved amount for a service as
payment in full).
Medicare will pay for the shot no matter where you
get it, as long as the health care provider agrees not to charge you
more than what Medicare pays. (If you are in a Medicare private health
plansuch as an HMO or PPOyou may have to get your flu shot from a
provider in the plan's network. Call your plan if you have questions.)
The flu season runs from about November through
April. Therefore, Medicare may cover a flu shot twice in one calendar
year. For example, if you get a shot in January 2009 for the 2008/2009
flu season, you could get another shot in October 2009 for the 2009/2010
flu season.
In addition to the flu shot, Medicare covers many
other preventive care services. New preventive services have been added
in the past few years, such as screening tests for heart disease and
some cancers, as well as for diabetes.
More help with understanding Medicare
Dear Marci, I am unhappy with my current Medicare private health plan
because it does not cover my medicines. When I tried to change
plans, I was told that I could not change until November 15th.
Why is this?
Since Medicare did not always cover preventive
services, and some doctors may not realize that certain services they
provide are covered by Medicare, it is important to be informed and to
ask your doctor about them.
You can learn more about which preventive care
services are covered by Medicare by logging on to Medicare Interactive
Counselor at
www.medicareinteractive.org.
People who want one-on-one counseling over the
phone about the preventive services that are covered by Medicare should
call 888-795-4627. A counselor will explain how the coverage works and
what out-of-pocket costs there may be, and can answer participants
questions related to Medicare coverage of the service.
These individualized counseling services about
prevention and Medicare Interactive Counselor are resources provided by
the Medicare Rights Center, a national, not-for-profit consumer service
organization that works to ensure access to affordable health care for
older adults and people with disabilities through counseling and
advocacy, educational programs and public policy initiatives.
Oct.
15, 2008 - Influenza, commonly referred to as the flu, may not
seem like a dangerous disease, but every year about 20,000 Americans die
because of it. People at high risk for complications from influenza -
most senior citizens with Medicare - should get a flu vaccine. 