New Medicare Benefits
BOISE -- Idaho seniors are eligible for a new round of benefits including physicals, according to a news release from Medicare Today, a nonprofit public advocacy group.
"These new screenings will help seniors get control of their health status and will improve their quality of life by focusing on prevention as well as treatment," said Larry Krutchik, regional director of Medicare Today.
The Medicare Modernization Act passed by Congress in 2003 offers seniors:
* Cardiovascular screenings: Medicare will now cover blood tests that measure cholesterol, lipids and triglyceride levels. Physicians use the tests to assess risk for heart attack, stroke and other cardiovascular illnesses.
* Diabetes screenings: Seniors with diabetes are at greater risk for health complications, including blindness, kidney disease and cardiovascular illnesses, the news release said. Early detection is critical in preventing serious illness.
* Welcome to Medicare physical: Medicare will pay for new enrollees to have a complete physical examination. This will give doctors the opportunity to detect any potentially serious health problems.
Senior Health Insurance Benefits Advisors -- SHIBA -- provides a free service to seniors to help them understand Medicare supplements, long-term care, managed care, how Medicare works with other health plans, medical claims assistance and other related issues. In Twin Falls, call advisers Tamara Stricker or Renee Chariton at 736-4713, and in Mini-Cassia, call adviser George Schwindeman at 436-9107 or 436-6679.
For more information on Medicare benefits, call toll-free at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048. Information can also be seen on the Medicare Web site at www.medicare.gov.
For more information on the Medicare Today organization, call 818-728-3352.
"These new screenings will help seniors get control of their health status and will improve their quality of life by focusing on prevention as well as treatment," said Larry Krutchik, regional director of Medicare Today.
The Medicare Modernization Act passed by Congress in 2003 offers seniors:
* Cardiovascular screenings: Medicare will now cover blood tests that measure cholesterol, lipids and triglyceride levels. Physicians use the tests to assess risk for heart attack, stroke and other cardiovascular illnesses.
* Diabetes screenings: Seniors with diabetes are at greater risk for health complications, including blindness, kidney disease and cardiovascular illnesses, the news release said. Early detection is critical in preventing serious illness.
* Welcome to Medicare physical: Medicare will pay for new enrollees to have a complete physical examination. This will give doctors the opportunity to detect any potentially serious health problems.
Senior Health Insurance Benefits Advisors -- SHIBA -- provides a free service to seniors to help them understand Medicare supplements, long-term care, managed care, how Medicare works with other health plans, medical claims assistance and other related issues. In Twin Falls, call advisers Tamara Stricker or Renee Chariton at 736-4713, and in Mini-Cassia, call adviser George Schwindeman at 436-9107 or 436-6679.
For more information on Medicare benefits, call toll-free at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048. Information can also be seen on the Medicare Web site at www.medicare.gov.
For more information on the Medicare Today organization, call 818-728-3352.
posted by The Kid at 10:16 AM
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