subject: Begin Medicare with a Free Health Screening for Preventative Care [print this page] Begin Medicare with a Free Health Screening for Preventative Care
Medicare's Prevention Coverage provides you with a one-time initial physical after you enroll. Also included are screening tests for heart disease and diabetes. The new healthcare law allows for annual wellness checks too - also at no charge. Here's what to do...Under your Medicare Part B coverage, you receive a one-time, initial, preventive physical exam; it's called a "Welcome to Medicare" exam. You must take the physical within the first six months of your coverage. The initial exam includes:* An evaluation of your health * Information about the preventive services you may need, including shots or screenings * Referrals for additional care, if you need it If your provider suggests any further services, you have to pay 20 percent of the Medicare-approved amount. You can help out your screening process by bringing to your Welcome to Medicare exam:* A list of prescription drugs you currently take * Medical records, especially if you are seeing a new doctor * Family health history because it helps your screening doctor determine if you are at risk for specific diseases
So at your exam, the doctor reviews your medical history and checks your blood pressure, height, and weight. He may also test your vision and your heart with an electrocardiogram. Finally, he'll make sure you're up to date with all your shots. He'll also give you information to help you prevent disease and maintain or improve your health. However, if you need additional services, he'll give you a written plan describing the screenings and other preventive services you should get. -Free Screenings for heart disease and diabetes:Medicare also covers screenings for heart disease, or cardiovascular screenings, which check your cholesterol level and other blood fat (lipid) levels. Medicare pays for these tests every five years. And you don't have to pay coinsurance or the Part B deductible for this screening. If you're at risk for getting diabetes, Medicare also covers a blood sugar screening to check for diabetes. You're at risk if you have either: * High blood pressure * Dyslipidemia (history of abnormal cholesterol and triglyceride levels) * Obesity or a history of high blood sugar Depending on your health, Medicare may pay for up to two screenings each year. Also, you'll not have to pay coinsurance or the Part B deductible for these. Under the new health-care law, Medicare users are entitled to annual wellness check-ups at no charge, including preventive screenings such as colonoscopies and mammograms, too.Medicare may also cover certain supplies (for example, glucose testing monitors and strips) and training so that you can better manage self-administered treatments (for example, insulin shots).
