
<p style="text-align: right;"><a target="_blank" href="pdfs/featured_posts/2011-medicare.pdf"><img src="images/stories/pdf-icon.png" alt="pdf-icon" style="float: right;" height="15" width="15" /></a><a target="_blank" href="pdfs/featured_posts/2011-medicare.pdf">Download PDF</a></p>
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<p style="text-align: justify;">Health reform law effective January 1, 2011 includes added benefit of free preventive care for Medicare recipients.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Those enrolled in Medicare should expect a decrease in their outpatient medical costs this year as the new health reform laws have waived patient cost-sharing for most preventive services covered by Medicare.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Effective for services received on or after January 1, 2011, The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, as amended by the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (the “Act”) provides that Medicare recipients will not be required to pay a co-pay, coinsurance or deductible to receive preventive services that are highly recommended by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.  Such services include the “Welcome to Medicare” medical evaluation visit, screenings for breast cancer, colon cancer, diabetes and heart disease, as well as smoking cessation counseling.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Medicare Part B recipients will also receive a free annual wellness visit, including an update of the patient’s medical history, new prescriptions, if necessary, cognitive screening and the implementation of a 5-10 year screening schedule.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">“Preventing diseases that can be prevented, and detecting others at earlier, more treatable stages, are among the keystones for transforming Medicare,” said Jonathan Blum, CMS deputy administrator and director of the Center for Medicare.  “By eliminating the beneficiary’s out-of-pocket costs for most preventive services, we are removing a barrier to access and paving the way for improved health for seniors and people with disabilities who rely on Medicare for their health coverage.”</p>
<p style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b>Partial List of Services Covered by Original Medicare Without a</b></p>
<p style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b>Coinsurance or Deductible Starting in 2011</b></p>
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<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Care</strong></p>
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<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Service and Frequency</strong></p>
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<p>“Welcome to Medicare” Physical Exam</p>
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<p>A one-time routine physical examination. This includes an   electrocardiogram (EKG); and height, weight and blood pressure measurements.   Covered if you receive the exam within 12 months of enrollment in Medicare   Part B.</p>
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<p>Annual Wellness Visit</p>
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<p><strong>A yearly visit</strong> in which your doctor will update your   medical history and current prescriptions; measure your height, weight, blood   pressure and body mass index; create a screening schedule for the next 5 to   10 years and screen for cognitive issues.</p>
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<p>Breast Cancer Screenings</p>
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<p><strong>Mammogram screening:</strong> Once every 12 months for women age   40+; women between ages 35 and 39 can get one baseline mammogram; Breast   examination: Once every 24 months; if at risk, once every 12 mos.</p>
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<p>Heart Disease Screening</p>
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<p><strong>Blood tests to screen for cholesterol, lipid and   triglyceride levels:</strong> once every five years.</p>
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<p>Osteoporosis Screening</p>
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<p><strong>Bone mass measurements:</strong> Once every 24 months; more   frequently if medically necessary.</p>
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<p>Diabetes Screenings</p>
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<p>Once every 12 months if you have a family history or are   at risk for diabetes. Twice a year if you have been diagnosed with   pre-diabetes.</p>
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<p>Colon   Cancer Screenings</p>
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<p><strong>Fecal occult blood test:</strong> Once every 12 months for people   age 50 and older; Colonoscopy: Once every 10 years if you are not at high   risk; once every 24 months if you are at high risk; Flexible sigmoidoscopy: Once   every 48 months.</p>
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<p>Vaccinations</p>
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<p><strong>Pneumonia shot:</strong>** Most people need only one shot in their   lifetime; <strong>Flu shot**:</strong> Once a season; <strong>Hepatitis B shot:</strong> Only for people at   medium to high risk.</p>
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<p>Smoking Cessation</p>
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<p><strong>Counseling to stop smoking for people without   smoking-related illnesses:</strong> Covers 2 quitting attempts per year; each attempt   includes 4 counseling sessions.</p>
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<p>Cervical Cancer Screenings</p>
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<p><strong>Pap smear and pelvic examination:</strong> Once every 24 months; if   at risk, once every 12 months.</p>
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<p>Prostate Cancer Screenings</p>
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<p><strong>Prostate specific antigen (PSA) test:</strong> One every 12 months   for men age 50 or older.</p>
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<p>Glaucoma Screening</p>
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<p>Once every 12 months if you are at high risk.  Screening must be supervised by a state certified eye doctor.</p>
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<p><span style="font-size: 10pt;" new="New">For more on Medicare’s preventive services from the Medicare Rights Center, <a href="http://www.medicareinteractive.org/page2.php?topic=counselor&page=script&slide_id=387">click here</a><a href="http://www.medicareinteractive.org/page2.php?topic=counselor&page=script&slide_id=387">.</a></span></p>