|
E-mail this page to a friend!
Seniors Staying Healthy
Medicare’s Preventive Services
An easy and important way to stay healthy is to get
disease prevention and early detection services. Disease prevention and
early detection services can keep you from getting certain diseases or
illnesses, or can find health problems early, which is when treatment
works best. Talk with your doctor or health care provider to find out
what tests you need and how often you need them to stay healthy.
| |
Related Stories |
|
| |
Medicare Testing Program to Help Diabetes, Heart
Failure Patients Have Better Lives
Aug. 2, 2005 – A new initiative to help Medicare
beneficiaries with diabetes and congestive heart failure reduce their
health risks and protect their quality of life was announced today by
the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Named “Medicare
Health Support,” the program will support eight pilot programs this year
in different areas of the country.
Read more...
Seniors Need to Take Advantage of Medicare
Preventive Programs
By Tucker Sutherland, editor
July 15, 2005 – New programs were added to Medicare
in January of this year to increase the “preventive services” offered to
senior citizens by the healthcare program. The rationale being that
preventing disease in beneficiaries will save the cost of expensive
treatment programs later, and, or course, help older Americans live
healthier, happier lives.
Read more...
|
|
Heart disease, cancer, stroke and diabetes cause
the most deaths of people with Medicare, but each disease can be
prevented or treated more effectively when found earlier.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has
joined the American Cancer Society, the American Diabetes Association,
and the American Heart Association to help get the word out about the
prevention and early detection services covered by Medicare.
These
groups have also joined together to start a public awareness campaign,
“Everyday Choices for a Healthier Life,” which is focused on helping all
Americans lower their risk of cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and
stroke by taking charge of their everyday choices.
To find out more
about the “Everyday Choices” campaign or how to lower your risk for
these four diseases, visit
www.everydaychoices.org or call 1-866-399-6789.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Preventive
Care Benefits
|
Did you know that Medicare covers... |
|
One-time “Welcome to Medicare” Physical Exam |
Beginning January 1, 2005, Medicare covers a one-time review of
your health, as well as education and counseling about the
preventive services you need, including certain screenings and
shots. Referrals for other care if you need it will also be
covered. You must have the exam within the first six months you
have Medicare Part B. |
|
Cardiovascular Screenings |
Ask your doctor to test your cholesterol, lipid and triglyceride
levels so he or she can help you prevent a heart attack or
stroke. Beginning January 1, 2005, Medicare covers tests for
cholesterol, lipid, and triglyceride levels every five years.
|
|
Screening Mammograms |
These tests check for breast cancer before you or your doctor
may be able to feel it. Medicare covers mammograms once every 12
months for all women with Medicare age 40 and older.
|
|
Pap Test and Pelvic Exam (includes clinical breast exam)
|
These exams check for cervical and vaginal cancers. Medicare
covers these exams every 24 months for all women with Medicare
and once every 12 months for women with Medicare at high risk.
|
|
Colorectal Cancer Screening |
These tests help find colorectal cancer early, when treatment is
most effective. If you are age 50 or older, or are at high risk
for colorectal cancer, one or more of the following tests is
covered: Fecal Occult Blood Test, Flexible Sigmoidoscopy,
Screening colonoscopy, and/or barium enema. How often Medicare
pays for these tests is different depending on the test you and
your doctor decide is best and your level of risk for this
cancer. |
|
Flu Shots |
These shots help prevent influenza, or flu virus. Medicare
covers these shots once a flu season in the fall or winter for
all people with Medicare. |
|
Prostate Cancer Screening |
These tests help find prostate cancer. Medicare covers a digital
rectal exam and Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) test once every
12 months for all men with Medicare over age 50. |
|
Pneumococcal Shot |
This shot helps prevent pneumococcal infections. Medicare covers
this shot for all people with Medicare. Most people only need
this shot once in their lifetime. Talk with your doctor.
|
|
Hepatitis B Shots |
These three shots help protect people from getting Hepatitis B.
Medicare covers these shots for people with Medicare at high or
medium risk for Hepatitis B. |
|
Bone Mass Measurements |
These measurements help determine if you are at risk for broken
bones. Medicare covers these measurements once every 24 months
(more often if medically necessary) for people with Medicare at
risk for osteoporosis. |
|
Diabetes Screenings |
Beginning January 1, 2005, Medicare covers tests to check for
diabetes. These tests are available if you have any of the
following risk factors: high blood pressure, dyslipidemia
(history of abnormal cholesterol and tryglyceride levels),
obesity, or a history of high blood sugar. Medicare also covers
these tests if you have two or more of the following
characteristics: •age 65 or older, •overweight, •family history
of diabetes (parents, brothers, sisters), and •a history of
gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy), or delivery of
a baby weighing more than 9 pounds. Based on the results of
these tests, you may be eligible for up to two diabetes
screenings every year. Talk to your doctor for more information.
|
|
Glaucoma Tests |
These tests help find the eye disease glaucoma. Medicare covers
these tests once every 12 months for people with Medicare at
high risk for glaucoma. |
For some of these services, you might have to pay a
deductible, coinsurance and/or copayment. These amounts vary depending
on the type of services you need and the kind of Medicare health plan
you have.
For more details about Medicare’s coverage of these
preventive services, including your costs in the Original Medicare Plan,
get a free copy of the Guide to Medicare’s Preventive Services (CMS Pub.
No. 10110) at www.medicare.gov on the web. “Select Publications.” Or,
call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) and ask for a copy. TTY users
should call 1-877-486-2048.
This publication was developed in cooperation with
the American Cancer Society, American Diabetes Association and American
Heart Association.
Click to More Senior News on the
Front Page
Copyright: SeniorJournal.com |
