People pay into Medicare for decades before they get it. Once you do, it’s important to take advantage – for your health and your wallet.
While Medicare may not cover all of your health care costs, there are many things you may not realize you are getting. Here are some ways you can leave money on the table.
Benefits of prevention
Medicare Part B plans include many preventive and screening services designed to detect conditions early, prevent disease or help beneficiaries manage their health, such as bone density measurements and lung cancer screenings for those who are eligible. However, some retirees miss out on this benefit because they don’t know what’s covered and don’t ask medical providers if a service is covered under Medicare Part B.
There is a one-time “Welcome to Medicare” visit that is free if you do it within a year of enrolling in Plan B. Annual well visits are also covered. Many vaccines are also covered under Medicare.
You will need to find Medicare providers, which you can do through the online Medicare tool. However, additional tests or routine services may cost you money. Part B provides a lot of help, but it doesn’t cover all medical expenses.
Benefits that save money without testing
You can already save a good amount of money by having Medicare Part B coverage tested, but the benefits go beyond that. Other counseling and support services are covered if you qualify, including counseling for smoking cessation, counseling for alcohol abuse and behavioral therapy for obesity.
Some diabetes-related services are also covered, and medical nutrition therapy for eligible people with diabetes, kidney disease or a kidney transplant is also covered by Medicare Part B. It’s a good idea to check all the services covered by Medicare Part B or ask your healthcare provider if the services you want are included in the plan.
However, these services may have eligibility rules and frequency restrictions. You can confirm coverage before scheduling an appointment and ask the doctor’s office any questions related to Medicare Part B coverage.
How retirees can stop leaving benefits unused
One of the easiest ways for retirees to stop leaving benefits unused is to ask about them. Before scheduling an appointment, ask the doctor’s office if Medicare covers it, how much you will owe for additional tests and when you should return for the next test. You should also make sure your provider accepts Medicare.
Your medical provider should give you a better idea of how Medicare Part B covers the specific services you currently need. However, you can fill in any gaps by logging into your Medicare.gov account to review preventive services and coverage information. This option gives you a complete overview of what Part B covers. You’ll also need to review the plan rules and networks if you’re using Medicare Advantage, as there are differences between that option and Original Medicare.
It is important to take preventive measures to prevent minor health problems from becoming serious. Medicare can help with that while keeping your costs down. If you know all that your plan has to offer, you can end up saving a lot of money while accessing important services.
