As we step into the golden years of retirement, it’s easy to miss out on valuable benefits that could enhance our health and well-being. One area that often goes overlooked is Medicare, a cornerstone of healthcare for seniors across America.
You’ve paid into the system through years of hard work, yet many are unaware of some of Medicare’s more obscure offerings that can make a significant difference in managing health and financial stability.
Did you know? Nearly half of all Medicare beneficiaries opt for Medicare Advantage plans which offer additional perks beyond what traditional Medicare provides. Your coverage includes much more than just hospital visits or routine check-ups; there are hidden gems within your policy waiting to be discovered.
This article shines a light on those little-known benefits so you can take full advantage and live healthier. Let us guide you through these underutilized services—a move that could brighten your golden years.
Ready to see what you’ve been missing?.
Key Takeaways
- Medicare covers annual wellness visits which help find health issues early.
- If you have diabetes, Medicare can pay for special shoes and checkups.
- Free counseling services are offered for weight loss, quitting smoking, and alcohol problems.
- Screenings for diseases like cancer or heart checks come at no cost with Medicare.
- Seniors can get hospital care under hospice benefits when facing a terminal illness.
Understanding Medicare Benefits
Medicare gives you health insurance once you turn 65. You may also get it if you have certain disabilities or serious kidney problems needing dialysis or a transplant. This program helps cover visits to the doctor, staying in a hospital, and sometimes medicine costs.
You can pick between Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage Plans. The first one includes Part A for hospital stays and Part B for doctor services. For medicines, there’s Part D. If you want more benefits like gym memberships or glasses, look at Medicare Advantage Plans.
They offer extra stuff that Original Medicare does not cover.
Know what each part of your plan covers so you don’t pay more than needed. Sometimes counseling to lose weight or help quitting smoking is included at no cost to you because these services keep you healthy longer.
It’s important to check what’s covered every year as benefits can change and new ones might be added.
Annual Wellness Visits
Every year, you can have a wellness visit with your doctor for free. This is not the same as a full body check-up. Instead, it’s a time when you and your doctor make a plan to keep you healthy.
Starting in 2011, these visits give seniors like you extra help in finding health problems early.
At this yearly visit, your doctor will talk to you about your medical history and check things like height, weight, and blood pressure. They will also test how well your mind is working and ask about any risks for falling.
Together, you create a plan for tests or services you might need — like screenings or shots — based on what they find.
These wellness visits are key for finding health issues before they get big. Your doctor can spot signs of sickness early on and work with you to stop them from getting worse. This helps keep more money in your pocket because preventing illness often costs less than treating it after it starts.
Obesity and Smoking Counseling
Medicare Part B helps you get counseling if you’re overweight or want to stop smoking. If your body mass index (BMI) is 30 or more, Medicare may cover programs to help you lose weight.
This can include meetings where a health coach talks with you about eating better and exercising. Sometimes, if it’s really needed for your health, Medicare even pays for surgeries that help with weight loss.
If smoking cigarettes is part of your life but you want to quit, Medicare has got your back there too. You can get free stop-smoking counseling from a doctor who understands what you are going through.
They will give tips and support to help kick the habit for good. Plus, some medicines that help people stop smoking might cost less with Medicare Part D.
Hospice Care
If you have a terminal illness, hospice care is an important Medicare benefit that can help. It gives you medical support related to your sickness at home or in a place for sick people who need extra care.
You don’t have to worry about the cost because Medicare covers it, which means less stress about money and more focus on comfort.
Hospice teams offer many kinds of help like treatments for pain, emotional support, and even spiritual needs if that’s what you want. They work with Medicare Part A and make sure you get the care fitting your wishes.
With this service from Medicare-certified hospices, every day can be as good as possible despite serious illness.
Disease Screenings
Medicare gives you ways to help find health problems early when they’re easier to treat. They cover tests for many illnesses that often affect older people.
- Heart checks: Medicare pays for tests every five years to look at your cholesterol, lipids, and triglycerides which are fats in your blood that can lead to heart disease.
- Cancer exams: You can get screened for colorectal cancer, prostate cancer, breast cancer, cervical cancer, and lung cancer.
- Hepatitis C testing: If you were born between 1945 and 1965 or have risks like past drug use or a blood transfusion before 1992, Medicare covers a one-time test.
- HIV screening: Even if you don’t think you’re at risk, Medicare will pay for this test once a year.
- Diabetes check-up: If you have high blood pressure or other signs of diabetes, these screenings are important and covered twice a year.
- STD checks: Seniors can get tested for sexually transmitted diseases like syphilis and chlamydia. It’s a way to take care of your health and prevent problems down the road.
Special Footwear for Diabetes
You have diabetes and need special shoes? Medicare’s got you covered. Part B includes a benefit for therapeutic shoes if you have this condition. These aren’t just any shoes; they’re made to take care of your feet and stop serious problems before they start.
A doctor who knows about treating people with diabetes has to say you need them first.
Getting the right footwear can be easy. After your doctor says you need special shoes, a qualified shoe person will make sure they fit right. They might even give you inserts that mold to your feet for extra comfort.
This helps prevent foot sores that could lead to big troubles down the road. Remember, taking care of your feet is important when living with diabetes, and getting proper footwear is a step in the right direction.
Wheelchairs and Scooters
Medicare can help you get a wheelchair or scooter if moving around your home is hard for you. If a doctor says that you really need one to live safely in your home, Medicare Part B might cover it as part of the durable medical equipment benefit.
It’s important to know that Medicare Advantage plans offer this help, too.
Before getting a wheelchair or scooter from Medicare, make sure your doctor and the supplier are both part of the Medicare program. This helps avoid any surprise bills. You’ll also need a face-to-face visit with your doctor who must write an order saying that a power-operated vehicle is necessary because of your health condition.
Remember to ask them about all the steps so you can enjoy more freedom at home with less worry about costs.
Counseling for Alcohol Problems
You might be surprised to know that help for alcohol problems is part of your Medicare benefits. If you, or someone you care about, are facing issues with alcohol, Medicare covers treatments to assist in recovery.
This includes full hospital stays if needed and even support through group counseling sessions.
The mind also needs care just like the body does. That’s why mental health services under Medicare include substance use disorder treatment. You have access to both outpatient and inpatient options for dealing with alcohol misuse.
You’re not alone; professional support is within reach and covered by your plan.
For more severe cases requiring a stay at a medical facility, Part A of your insurance pays for this kind of psychiatric help. Make the most out of these benefits to take steps towards wellness without worrying about huge bills.
Your journey towards better health can happen with the right kind of care and guidance backed by your coverage.
Planning for Retirement: Are You on Track with Your Savings?
Check all your savings from work, like 401(k)s and pension plans. It’s key to know what you have before setting goals for your retirement cash needs. Many people find saving for later years hard to figure out.
Keep up with the latest info on how to plan smart.
Make a list of how much money you’ll need when you retire. Think about costs like living expenses, health care, and fun activities. Also consider surprises that might come up and cost money.
Being ready means looking at spending, savings, and events down the road to figure out if you have enough put away.
Look into discounts or government help just for seniors over 65. These can make it easier to keep more money in your pocket after retiring. Even if retirement seems far off at age 65, it’s an important time to get serious about checking on your nest egg’s growth.
Conclusion
Medicare has many hidden gems that can help you stay healthy and save money. Don’t miss out on things like wellness visits, smoking stop help, or special gear if you have diabetes.
Remember to ask about all the perks Medicare offers. Use these benefits well to make your golden years shine brighter!
To ensure you’re prepared for retirement, make sure to read our comprehensive guide on how much you should have saved by age 60.
FAQs
1. What extra help does Medicare give for hearing problems?
Medicare can pay for hearing exams and might cover the cost of hearing aids if a doctor says they are a medical need.
2. Can Medicare help me stop smoking or deal with alcohol issues?
Yes, Medicare offers smoking cessation programs to help you quit smoking and can also support treatment for alcohol abuse.
3. Does Medicare provide any care in nursing homes?
If it’s needed after an inpatient hospital stay, Part A (hospital insurance) may cover skilled nursing home care.
4. Are there special benefits in Medicare for people who are obese?
Medicare includes obesity counseling and might even cover surgeries like gastric bypass if your doctor thinks it is necessary.
5. How does Medicare support seniors’ mental health?
It covers behavioral health check-ups, including depression screening, and services like therapy to keep your mind healthy.
6. Can I get money-saving deals on my medicines through Medicare?
With Part D or certain savings programs, you could spend less money on prescription costs at drugstores.
Source Links
- https://www.samshockaday.com/blog/15-little-known-facts-you-may-not-know-about-medicare-but-should
- https://www.retireguide.com/guides/facts-about-medicare/
- https://www.fool.com/retirement/2019/05/01/5-things-every-senior-should-know-about-medicare.aspx
- https://www.bcbs.com/the-health-of-america/articles/six-reasons-seniors-are-increasingly-choosing-medicare-advantage
- https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/issue-briefs/2022/oct/traditional-medicare-or-advantage-how-older-americans-choose
- https://www.cnbc.com/2018/05/03/medicare-doesnt-cover-everything-heres-how-to-avoid-surprises.html
- https://www.medicare.gov/what-medicare-covers/your-medicare-coverage-choices/consider-these-7-things-when-choosing-coverage
