Does Medicare Cover a Defibrillator?


With the rising numbers related to heart disease in our country it is easy to understand why the need for defibrillators are necessary now more than ever.  If you should happen to need one it is important to know that it may be covered by your Medicare policy.  You just have to have the basic Part A or Part B Medicare coverage in order to get some coverage through your policy. Read more…

Types of Care NOT Covered by Medicare


 

Medicare, like most insurance companies, doesn’t cover all procedures that are related to your body as some are not deemed to be medically necessary.  Two of these types of procedures are cosmetic surgery procedures and custodial care as they are not believed to be a necessity.  The reasons that Medicare perceives these procedures this way are listed below. Read more…

Some Commode Chairs are Covered by Medicare


Some conditions in life can make an individual’s condition deteriorate to the point in which the individual cannot leave their home, or even their bedroom.  When an individual is confined to their bedroom and cannot move more than a few feet without danger there are many problems presented.  One of these problems has to do with being able to relieve one’s self of waste in a hygienic manner. Read more…

Flexible Sigmoidoscopy is Covered by Medicare


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. Read more…

Is a Fecal Occult Blood Test Covered with Medicare?


Many tests exist to detect the onset of various types of cancer and it is important that you stay diligent in your checkups with your doctor to protect yourself.  Cancer is not a disease or condition to be ignored as cures are not known, while treatments may be.  Testing is the best way to help prevent cancer and the tests that exist to do this are plentiful in their scope.

Your doctor may choose many different approaches to diagnosing and treating your potential types of cancer and you would have to consult them to find out what is necessary.  Medicare covers most of these tests, including the fecal occult blood test in the event that it is necessary to detect and fight your cancerous condition.

Medicare covers this lab test once every 12 months for people age 50 or older.  In 2011, YOU pay $0 for this test, but you generally have to pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for the doctor’s visit. The Part B deductible doesn’t apply.

Colonoscopy and Your Medicare Coverage


 

Avoiding cancer is hard sometimes when you are at high risk due to family history and this makes it hard on your bank account.  Screenings and testing in trips to the doctor’s office aren’t cheap, but they can become cheaper thanks to your Medicare coverage.  Medicare covers this test once every 24 months if you’re at high risk for colorectal cancer. Read more…

Colorectal Cancer Screening and Barium Enema with Medicare


Treatment for colon cancer, and most types of cancer, is most effective when it is found early.  With this in mind most insurance companies will cover preventative testing to find out if a cancerous growth exists.  One of these procedures is a barium enema and it is covered for all Medicare patients over the age of 50. Read more…

What is Medicare Reconsideration?


When you start to talk about health insurance or Medicare it is likely that you will get some unkind looks and the story will end fast.  It is important to offset this by learning something about the process and how it will work if things aren’t concluded.  You need to know how the process works when you get a claim and what happens if you don’t agree with it. Read more…

Medicare Covers Diabetes Self-Management Training


A normal life doesn’t really happen to people that are diagnosed with Diabetes. Blood/sugar levels must be constantly checked to make sure you aren’t going to have an attack and this is just the tip of the iceberg. In order to help you deal with this in your life Medicare will pay for “Diabetes Self-Management Training”. Read more…

Diabetes Screenings and When Medicare Offers Coverage


To take good care of yourself with Diabetes you must be serious and consistent as it is a serious condition. The financial strain that comes with keeping up with diabetes is almost as difficult to deal with as the physical strain. To maintain normality in your life you must have check-up kits and needles available quite often. Read more…

Colorectal Cancer Screening and Medicare


Colorectal Cancer Screening is possible for Medicare subscribers when trying to prevent the possibility of the condition happening to you. Not having the money is the reason many people will not get screened but these people likely don’t have health insurance. Medicare and other insurance companies are around to give you the opportunity to prevent these conditions with screenings. Read more…

Heart Attacks, Strokes and Medicare


Heart attacks and strokes are two of the top causes of death for adults today and many times they are a result of improper screening. With consultations through your doctor you can see if your family history shows any key statistics for this possibility and decide if it is likely to happen to you. Medicare will pay for cardiovascular screenings for you in order to detect the possibility of these complications before they can possibly occur. Read more…

Does Medicare Pay Anything for Bone Mass Measurement?


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. Read more…

Abdominal Aortic Screening Through Medicare


One of the many different services that are available to the public for checks of health is an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening. If you are at risk for an abdominal aortic aneurysm at some point in your life you will be able to tell after this test. There are a few things that you should know about this test, but know that Medicare will approve for the testing. Read more…

Medicare and Cancer Screening


Everyone has encountered someone in their lives that is struggling with or has passed away due to cancer. The widespread nature of the condition has made it to where people are aware of the need for research to cure cancer. Preventative screening is always a good idea regardless of whether or not the doctors have found a cure yet. Read more…

Facts About Medicare Part A Claim Detail


It is sometimes difficult to handle Medicare Part A inpatient claims as the invoices will be filled with such a big volume of information. Some of this may be confusing to you and that is what the goal of this information will be. A few things that should be of interest to you with your Medicare Part A inpatient claim are listed below. Read more…

Is a Hospital Comparison Necessary with Medicare?


Having Medicare shouldn’t be different than any other insurance coverage when it comes to the hospital, your nervous energy won’t change. The vague nature of what is and is not covered can be confusing and frustrating when you are trying to get treatment. The type of care provided by the hospital is what you should concern yourself with when making a decision. Read more…

Is MyMedicare.gov Important?


There is no question about it these days, if you want to get anything done in this world you can probably do it on the internet. User friendly applications and efficiency are important reasons to make your business convenient online. One way for Medicare users to do this is to register with MyMedicare.gov so that they can access their Medicare account.

Here are a few things you can do with MyMedicare.gov:

1. Access your personalized information at any time. As your Medicare claims are processed you will be given access to Medicare-specifics that you may need. Your overall experience with Medicare will then change forever.

2. With MyMedicare.gov you will have access to your preventive service information as well as your entitlement and eligibility. This will give you access to the information that medical offices will want to know and you don’t remember.

3. Your prescription drug enrollment information and your Part B deductible information along with your prescription drug list will be available. An accurate assessment of your medical needs can then be made if you go do the doctor for a medical assessment.

What is a Medicare Certificate of Medical Necessity?


There are times in life where your health reaches the point where you need additional help from either man or machine. Daily functions or not, you may need help in performing something in your life that you can’t do on your own. Medicare steps up at this point and helps to suit your needs with your health insurance coverage. Read more…

Do you need a prescription to get a supply on Medicare?


Medicare is not unlike any other health insurance plan when it comes to getting things approved for your use every day. Protecting the public from fraud and unnecessary payments there is a process that has to be followed. One such thing that can be referenced is the need for certain items that could make your life better or more enjoyable. Read more…

Medicare Benefit Period Facts


A benefit period is not something that is unique to Medicare, but it is something that is defined a little differently in their world. If you are entering a skilled nursing facility or a hospital it may be beneficial to you to know this definition. The day you enter a skilled nursing facility or a hospital your Medicare benefit period will begin, this is important to know. Read more…

Medicare Equipment Purchases are Now Harder to Get


If you are in need of a feeding-tube or the supplies for it you could have a harder time getting these things after January 1st of 2011.  Due to changes in the way that you go about purchasing this equipment and who you can purchase it from it will be a little more of an effort to get this done.  So, before you make the purchase or request for a new hospital bed for your home you should consider the following information.

Medicare now requires that you go through a preferred vendor to purchase any of the equipment that is above and beyond normal necessary equipment.  Things such as feeding-tube supplies, mail-order diabetic supplies, oxygen equipment, hospital beds, and motorized scooters are among those affected.  So you should definitely do a little work before you go about requesting or purchasing these items.

First, it is advised that you go to your primary care physician and see if the equipment that you need is covered by the Medicare plan you have.  If this is done then you need to see where and how to go about purchasing or renting the equipment that you need.  Once you have this information you should be covered on the use of approved medical equipment.

Preventive Services and Senior Risk Reduction with Medicare


The role of health insurance is changing across the world as people continue to put more of a premium on the importance of being covered.  Instead of simply saying that you should take care of yourself and go to the doctor, many health insurance companies are taking initiative.  This is the case with Medicare and Pfizer Health Solutions along with StayWell Health Management in programs they are running together. Read more…

Does Medicare Cover Smoking Cessation Counseling to Stop Smoking?


Smoking affects more and more people every day in many different ways from the people that actually smoke to the people that simply inhale it.  Due to the effects that tobacco can have on the body in addition to simply the effect that smoke can have it is important to help people quit if possible.  Part of the role of Medicare as a health insurance provider is to provide education for people in regards to their health, this definitely applies with smoking cessation counseling. Read more…

Prostate Cancer Screenings for Medicare Patients


Prostate Cancer for men is the breast cancer that women deal with on the scale of how it affects the population as a whole.  Men generally don’t like to have the procedure done because it is invasive and this doesn’t help to convince men, who generally don’t like medical procedures, to keep up with the screenings.  If you are trying to prevent any issues from popping up with your health it is definitely recommended, however, that you have this screening. Read more…