Medicare News Center: All About Medicare Benefits & Eligibility News » Medicare Policies

Stopping Medicare Supplier Fraud: Random Phone Calls from Unknown People

staffwriter — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 03:59:13 +0000

When you start receiving any kind of random phone calls it can be disturbing to think about what is happening and what people are trying to do to you. Phone calls that are from unknown callers can be scary because you don’t understand the motive behind it, but they are even stranger when you don’t know how the information was obtained by the caller. People calling you randomly and asking you about your Medicare supplies should not be trusted in any way.

Random phone calls are strange enough when you are trying to get through the day and when the call has something to do with Medicare it can become even stranger. Don’t let the caller know anything about you personally and try to find out everything from them that you possibly can so you can turn it over to the authorities. People that try these scams and frauds need to be dealt with sternly in their lives.

If a caller calls you and asks about your Medicare situation and you don’t know them at all you shouldn’t worry about what they have to say. Politely respond that you are not interested and disconnect the call so you don’t have any further chance to give up information to them. Just get the things that you need from your healthcare provider and stay away from anyone that shows up at your door or on the phone unannounced.

Foot Exams for Diabetes Could be Covered by Medicare

staffwriter — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 02:52:35 +0000

The effect of diabetes can extend throughout your body because of the nature of the condition and this could cause some financial trouble for those afflicted. Thankfully, insurance can absorb much of this expense if you are lucky enough to have the coverage and if you have Medicare, you are covered. One of the experiences that many with diabetes have is painful foot issues that require exams to determine if treatment is necessary.

With Part B coverage through Medicare you can get the help of a doctor’s examination to determine if you need to have more extensive assistance. Medicare Part B covers a foot exam every 6 months for people with diabetic peripheral neuropathy and loss of protective sensations, as long as you haven’t seen a foot care professional for another reason between visits.

There is some cost involved for you if you have this coverage and need the exam, but it is much less than if you didn’t have any health insurance coverage at all. In 2011, you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for the doctor’s services. In a hospital outpatient setting, you pay a copayment in order to fulfill your financial obligation.

Flexible Sigmoidoscopy is Covered by Medicare

staffwriter — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 02:46:11 +0000

Another potential test to diagnose colon cancer is flexible sigmoidoscopy and it can be covered by Medicare in some instances when necessary. This isn’t the most well known test to the public, though it is used regularly in the industry to diagnose and eventually treat colon cancer. Flexible sigmoidoscopy is not always covered completely by Medicare, but you are covered in most instances for a good portion of the test.

Medicare covers this test once every 48 months for most people age 50 or older. For those not at high risk, Medicare covers this test 120 months after a previous screening colonoscopy. Starting January 1, 2011, you pay $0 for this test if the doctor accepts assignment, and the Part B deductible doesn’t apply.

If a screening test results in the biopsy or removal of a lesion or growth, the procedure is considered diagnostic and you may have to pay coinsurance or a copayment; however the Part B deductible doesn’t apply. This still means that you are only paying a small portion of the amount required to perform the test to diagnose colon cancer, more than worth the cost.

Does Medicare Pay Anything for Bone Mass Measurement?

staffwriter — Sat, 21 May 2011 03:24:01 +0000

You are charged for insurance based on the risk that an insurance company believes you pose to them in relation to money. Regardless of the type of insurance coverage that you have this is true and insurance through Medicare is no different. It is this reason that causes Medicare to approve certain screenings and deny others for certain conditions.

If you are more at risk than others for broken bones then it may be measurable with bone mass measurement. Medicare wants to assess your risk and know how much you will cost them for all of these broken bones that are possible. Medicare will periodically pay for this measurement and this is good news for people that are potentially afflicted.

Every two years (or 24 months) this screening will be paid for by Medicare so that your risk can be assessed. Certain medical conditions must be present for you to qualify to be covered by the screening. You will pay for 20% of the Medicare approved amount which will be a part of your Medicare Part B deductible.

Is the Pneumococcal Shot Covered by Medicare?

staffwriter — Sun, 23 Jan 2011 05:30:42 +0000

Certain illnesses and sicknesses have the potential of being much worse when they happen to someone that is already sick or elderly. The human body isn’t quite as apt to battling off the issues when these things happen and for this reason it is good to be prepared. The way that you prepare your body for such a situation is to get vaccinated and help your body build up its defenses with things like the pneumococcal shot.

What this does is to help prevent pneumococcal infections (like certain types of pneumonia). Most people only need this preventive shot once in their lifetime in order to protect themselves from the potential dangers associated. Talk with your doctor to see if this is something that could help you because it is not necessarily a routine shot that is given to every patient.

No cost if the doctor or supplier accepts assignment for giving the shot from Medicare, meaning that they accept the payment that will be given. Anytime that you can get something to prevent illness or any other issue that is free you should take the opportunity and run with it. Health care coverage is not cheap and you should be prepared for this by getting as much preventative service done as possible.

Glaucoma Tests and Medicare

staffwriter — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 05:24:14 +0000

The eye disease of glaucoma is a serious situation that afflicts many people as they get older in their lives. It is important to test for this regularly but it is also important to know what your insurance covers to avoid unexpected medical bills. If you are on Medicare there is a period of once every twelve months that screening for glaucoma is covered under your benefits.

If you are considered at risk for glaucoma you likely have diabetes, or your family has a history of glaucoma, or you are over 50 and African-American or you are Hispanic and over the age of 65. It is still possible to get glaucoma if you do not fall in to one of these groups, but your likelihood is not as high. Even if you don’t fall in to one of these groups make sure you bring up the possibility with your doctor.

If you are getting the tests done for glaucoma you must visit a doctor that is legally authorized to do the test by the state. If you do not go to the right doctor it is possible that you won’t have the procedure covered by your Medicare coverage. When you do get it approved you will pay 20% of the Medicare approved amount and the Medicare Part B deductible will apply.

Medicare Part D: Help with the Donut Hole on Brand Name Medications

staffwriter — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 10:00:26 +0000

With the health care reform instituted by President Obama there has been a lot of talk in the media about the infamous Medicare Part D “Donut Hole”. This hole is caused by a gap in coverage that previously caused those enrolled to have to pay full price for medications after reaching a certain dollar amount of coverage. Talk in the media has centered around the rebate given to people in the donut hole this year and how it will go away completely by 2012, but there is more to it than that.

Many people who currently use Medicare Part D and will be using it in the future should be happy to know that in 2011 when you are in the donut hole you will be significantly better off. This is due to the fact that Medicare has negotiated a 50% discount on medications while in the gap in 2011. While this doesn’t offer you everything, it certainly is a better deal than before.

While this new healthcare law has caused anger, confusion and concern from some people it has definitely worked well for those on Medicare. The options for coverage are getting better and the cost of service has become much more affordable.

Does Medicare Cover Home Health Aides?

staffwriter — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 02:19:00 +0000

People who are relegated to the home for a variety of different medical issues often have to get help around the house to live a normal life. In these instances it is not just the hard things like leaving the house or having a job that are the problems, doing normal routine things are hard too. For people that are struggling in this manner there is help from Medicare in the form of a home health aide.

Most people generally turn their minds to thinking of a physical therapist or skilled nurse when considering a home health aide, but this is not necessarily the case. A home health aide will assist in the routine activities such as bathing and going to the bathroom for the disabled Medicare subscriber. Home health aides do not have to be licensed but usually have to be approved by Medicare or your doctor.

One very important thing to remember is that the reason for the home health aide must have something to do with your condition. You cannot get a home health aide to be covered under Medicare unless you have suffered an injury or illness that requires their assistance. Home health aides can drastically improve your quality of life and should be considered if approved by your Medicare policy.

Mental Health Services can be Covered by Medicare Part B

staffwriter — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 02:48:28 +0000

Medicare is about helping you and those around you deal with the conditions that you have so you can enjoy your life. There is a big part of the coverage that has to do with your physical well-being, but Medicare also covers the mental side of things. Medicare Part B, as a matter of fact, will pay for services to treat your mental health condition so you can live a normal life.

Medicare Part B will cover a psychiatric evaluation that may be necessary to diagnose your treatment so that you may seek assistance. This is a great service that can help you understand what your situation is and how you can deal with it on your own terms.

Medication management is also offered by Medicare Part B as a way of helping you understand what drugs you should use and why. This is a great way to learn about the effects that certain types of medication can have on you and can be beneficial for family as well.

Occupational therapy that’s part of your mental health treatment is covered by Medicare Part B so that you can function as close to normal as possible. The better you can get around in your normal life, the better your quality of life will be and that is the entire point of Medicare.

When do you have to pay your Medicare Premium?

staffwriter — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 03:29:08 +0000

When you get any kind of insurance coverage, including that of Medicare coverage of any kind, you will be required to pay a premium for the payment. Premium is just a fancy word for a monthly bill that will be required to be paid in order to keep your coverage valid. You will not always get a bill for your Medicare premium, but if you do it is very easy to pay.

First, understand that you will always receive a bill for your Medicare Part A insurance premiums, regardless of your situation. If you are receiving checks from the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB), Civil Services, or SSA (Social Security Administration) the Part B premium will be deducted from your check. If not you will receive a bill for your Part B and Part A premiums that you must pay on time.

All you have to do when you are ready to make your payment is to send the check to the Medicare payment processing center. You can mail your premium payments to the Medicare Premium Collection Center, P.O. Box 790355, St. Louis, MO 63179-0355. If you get a bill from the RRB, mail your premium payments to RRB, Medicare Premium Payments, P.O. Box 9024, St. Louis, MO 63197-9024.