LuAnn Stepina will present a “Changes in Medicare” program at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 16, at the Timbers of Shorewood, 1100 N. River Rd. The public is welcome to join the residents for this free presentation.
The signing of The Affordable Care Act by President Obama in 2010 has changed Medicare in the United States.
Medicare now pays for many preventative services, such as the Annual Wellness Visit, to keep seniors healthy at no cost to the beneficiary. This helps doctors and seniors identify health problems early and in turn address the situation sooner rather than later.
The Annual Wellness Visit is a comprehensive exam that includes a review of medical and family history, a list of current health care providers and prescriptions, height, weight, blood pressure and other routine measurements, a screening schedule for appropriate preventive services and developing a list of risk factors and treatment options for individual seniors. The exam has no deductible or co-pay cost to the beneficiary.
Listed below are other preventative servers that are covered 100% by original Medicare as long as Medicare’s frequency guidelines are followed and a provider who accepts Medicare assignments and agrees to order or perform the given service:
·“Welcome to Medicare” Physical
·Annual Wellness Visit
·Bone Density Test –Osteoporosis
·Breast Cancer Screen Mammogram
·Pneumonia
·Colon Cancer Screening
·Heart Disease Screening
·Medical Nutrition Therapy
·PSA Test/Prostate Cancer
·Smoking Cessation
·Cervical Cancer Screening
-Pap Smear
-Pelvic and Clinical Breast Exam
·Vaccinations
-Flu Shot
-Hepatitis B Vaccine
Medicare is a health insurance program offered by the federal government and is available to people age 65 and older or people with certain disabilities.
Medicare is divided into four parts:
Part A (Hospital Insurance)
· Helps cover inpatient care in hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, hospice, and home health care.
· Most people don’t have to pay a premium for Medicare Part A because they or a spouse paid Medicare taxes while working in the United States. If you don’t automatically get premium-free Part A, you may still be able to enroll, and pay a premium.
Part B (Medical Insurance)
· Helps cover doctors’ and other health care providers’ services, outpatient care, durable medical equipment, and home health care.
· Helps cover some preventative services.
· Most people pay up to the standard monthly Medicare Part B premium.
Part C (also known as Medicare Advantage)
· Offers health plan options run by Medicare-approved private insurance companies. Medicare Advantage Plans cover Medicare prescription drug coverage (Part D).
· Some Medicare Advantage Plans may include extra benefits for an extra cost.
Part D (Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage)
· Helps cover the cost of prescription drugs
· May help lower your prescription drug cost and help protect against higher costs
· Run by Medicare-approved private insurance companies
· Cost and benefits vary by plan
The Timbers of Shorewood is a rental retirement community which provides independent living and assisted living apartments and a full schedule of activities and services. Furnished apartments are also available for a short-term stay - a weekend, a week, a month or longer.
The event is free and open to the public. For more information contact Shelly Goggins at (815) 609-0669.
