Medicare Preventive Services: Staying Healthy in Michigan
As we age, preventive care becomes increasingly important to maintain good health and wellbeing. Medicare covers a variety of preventive services to help you stay healthy and catch health issues early. In Michigan, Medicare beneficiaries have access to a range of preventive services, from routine screenings to wellness visits. In this article, we will take a closer look at the preventive services covered by Medicare in Michigan and how you can access them.
Preventive Services Covered by Medicare
Under Medicare, there are several types of preventive services that are covered. These include:
- Welcome to Medicare Visit: This is a one-time preventive visit that you can have within the first 12 months of enrolling in Medicare Part B. During this visit, your doctor will review your medical history, current health, and medications to create a personalized prevention plan.
- Annual Wellness Visit: After your first year of enrolling in Medicare, you are eligible for an annual wellness visit. During this visit, your doctor will review your medical history and assess your current health status to create a personalized prevention plan.
- Cancer Screenings: Medicare covers various cancer screenings, including mammograms, pap tests, colorectal cancer screening, prostate cancer screening, and lung cancer screening.
- Cardiovascular Screenings: Medicare covers cardiovascular screenings, including blood pressure checks, cholesterol checks, and diabetes screening.
- Immunizations: Medicare covers a range of immunizations, including flu shots, pneumonia shots, and hepatitis B shots.
- Bone Density Testing: Medicare covers bone density testing for those at risk of osteoporosis.
- Depression Screenings: Medicare covers depression screenings for those who exhibit symptoms of depression.
Accessing Preventive Services
To access preventive services covered by Medicare, you need to visit a healthcare provider that accepts Medicare. Medicare covers the cost of preventive services, so you won’t have to pay a co-payment or deductible if the healthcare provider accepts the assignment. If you receive preventive services from a healthcare provider that does not accept Medicare assignment, you may have to pay a co-payment or deductible.
You can also receive preventive services through a Medicare Advantage plan. Medicare Advantage plans are offered by private insurance companies and include all the benefits of Original Medicare, plus additional benefits, such as vision, hearing, and dental coverage. Many Medicare Advantage plans also offer additional preventive services, such as gym memberships or wellness programs.
Conclusion
Preventive care is essential to maintaining good health and wellbeing, and Medicare offers a range of preventive services to help you stay healthy. In Michigan, Medicare beneficiaries have access to various preventive services, including cancer screenings, cardiovascular screenings, and immunizations. To access preventive services, you need to visit a healthcare provider that accepts Medicare or enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan. If you have any questions about Medicare’s preventive services, talk to your healthcare provider or a Medicare representative to learn more.
