Medicare FAQs

What preventive care does Medicare cover?

Even though Medicare benefits still need to be updated, particularly for coverage of prescription drugs, significant changes have occurred since your parents were covered. For example, today's Medicare covers a variety of preventive care and wellness services that in the past either weren't covered, or were covered but only minimally. If your doctor hasn't mentioned them to you, perhaps you should ask him or her if any of these services might be of benefit to you and whether you might be eligible for them. (Note: In some cases, Medicare's deductibles and copayments apply; in other cases, one or both does not apply.)

Bone Density Testing. This test is now covered for both men and women for people who are at risk for osteoporosis. (20% of all osteoporosis cases are men).
Colorectal Cancer Screening. Depending on your risk of developing cancer, one or more of the following tests are covered: Fecal Occult Blood Test, Flexible Sigmoidoscopy, Colonoscopy and/or Barium Enema.
Diabetes Services. For diabetic Medicare patients, glucose monitors, test strips, lancets and self-management training are all now covered.
Glaucoma Screening. Medicare now covers annual eye exams for people at high risk for glaucoma. This includes people with diabetes or a family history of glaucoma.
Incontinence Therapy. Pelvic floor therapy, one of the least invasive of all incontinence treatments, is now covered by Medicare. With this therapy, an estimated 80% of all incontinence sufferers can either be cured or see an improvement in their quality of life.
Mammograms. Medicare now covers annual mammograms, including the new digital technologies.
Nutrition Therapy. Medicare covers Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) services for people who have diabetes, kidney disease (but not on dialysis), and after a kidney transplant when referred by a doctor.
Pap Tests and Pelvic Exams. These tests are now covered every 2 years. However, if you are at high risk for cervical or vaginal cancer, your tests will be covered once every 12 months.
Prostate Cancer Screening. Annual digital rectal exams and PSA tests are now covered.
Shots and Vaccinations. Annual flu shots are covered in the fall or winter. Pneumococcal Pneumonia Shots are also covered (one shot may be all you will ever need.) And, Hepatitis B shots are covered for people with a medium to high risk for Hepatitis B.

Starting January 1, 2005, Medicare will begin covering

A one-time initial preventive physical exam within 6 months of the day you first enroll in Medicare Part B.
Screening blood tests for early detection of cardiovascular (heart) diseases.
Diabetes screening tests for people with Medicare at risk of getting diabetes.

For more information about these and other services and procedures covered by Medicare, visit Medicare's Web site, or call Medicare toll-free at 1-800-633-4227. For more information about health insurance that covers many of the gaps in Medicare, click on Medicare Supplemental Insurance for Seniors.

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