“Prevention is better than cure” is a recognizable quote that rings true this new year with additional free health benefits available to Medicare beneficiaries. The criteria for Medicare eligibility is that 1) you are 65 or older, or 2) you are younger than 65 with certain disabilities, or 3) you have end-stage renal disease.
Medicare Part B covers specific doctors’ services, outpatient care, medical supplies and preventative services. The following comprehensive list of preventative test and screenings are now available in 2013. Take advantage of these free tests and screenings so you can be proactive in staying healthy and out of the hospital.
- Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening
- Alcohol misuse screenings and counseling
- Bone mass measurements (bone density)
- Cardiovascular disease screenings
- Cardiovascular disease (behavioral therapy)
- Colorectal cancer screenings
- Depression screenings
- Diabetes screenings
- Glaucoma tests
- HIV screenings
- Mammograms (screening)
- Nutrition therapy services
- Obesity screenings and counseling
- One-time “Welcome to Medicare” preventive
- Pap tests and pelvic exams (screening)
- Prostate cancer screenings
- Sexually transmitted infections screening and counseling
- Flu shots, Hepatitis B shots, Pneumococcal shots
- Tobacco use cessation counseling
- Yearly “Wellness” visit
Another major benefit for Medicare beneficiaries is the recent settlement of a class action lawsuit regarding Medicare’s coverage requirements for skilled nursing and rehabilitation services. This benefit is covered under Medicare Part A. Prior to this settlement, coverage would only last while a patient’s condition was showing improvement. If a patient was not improving but remaining stable in their health condition, they would be denied coverage.
Fortunately this new coverage rule will be a tremendous benefit for individuals living with a chronic condition like a spinal cord injury, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, stroke, multiple sclerosis or any other medical condition that skilled care and therapy is needed to maintain good health and current functioning.
If you were denied this coverage as of January 18, 2011 which was when the lawsuit was originally filed, you may be able to have your insurance claim re-evaluated. The formal Medicare appeal process will need to be utilized to obtain this past benefit if you were denied coverage.