bergencountycaregiver

Your guide to free & reduced-cost Medicare Preventive Benefits for individuals enrolled in Medicare Part B.

Medicare Part B pays for preventive care to help you stay healthy. These benefits are free if your doctor accepts assignment, unless noted otherwise.

*’Welcome to Medicare” Physical: Physical exam within 12 months of Part B enrollment.

*Annual Wellness Visit: Yearly visit with your doctor to assess health risks and develop or update a personalized prevention plan.

*Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening: A one-time ultrasound test for those at risk of large vein rupture.

*Cardiovascular Disease Screenings: Blood tests to check heart health every five years.

*Diabetes Screenings: Twice a year for those at high risk

*Glaucoma Screening: An annual eye pressure test for those at high risk-Medicare pays 80% after you meet the yearly deductible.

*Bone Mass Measurement: For those at high risk of osteoporosis

*Screening Mammography: One baseline test for women age 35-39 and annual testing for women age 40 and older.

*Cervical/Vaginal Cancer Screenings: A pap test and pelvic exam once every two years or annually if at high risk and a Human Papillomavirus (HPV) test-when received with a pap test-once every five years for non-symptomatic woman age 30-65.

*Colorectal Cancer Screenings: Annually for men age 50 and older-Medicare covers the Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) test in full but only 80% after you meet the yearly deductible for the digital rectal exam.

*Prostate Cancer Screening: tests for prostate cancer annually for all men age 50 and older

*Diabetes Self-Management Training: For those who must monitor blood sugar-Medicare pays 80% after you meet the yearly deductible.

*Medical Nutritional Therapy: Learning ways food can make you feel better for those with diabetes or kidney disease.

*Depression Screening: Once-a year depression screening conducted by your primary care doctor.

*Flu Shots: Annually

*Pneumococcal Shots: Two different shots, one year apart.

*Hepatitis B Shots: For those at medium or high risk

*HIV Screening: Upon request, annual testing for the Human Immunodeficiency Virus-women can get up to three HIV tests during a pregnancy.

*Smoking Cessation Services: Up to eight sessions annually to help you stop smoking.

*Cardiovascular Behavioral Therapy: An annual visit that may include blood pressure screening and behavioral counseling with you doctor, including tips for healthy eating and a discussion on aspirin use, if appropriate.

*Hepatitis C Screening: Testing for individuals born between 1945 and 1965 or those who had blood transfusions before 1992 or those with a current or past history of illicit injection drug use.

*Lung Cancer Screening: A low dose CT scan for smokers and ex-smokers meeting certain conditions.

If you get your health care coverage though a Medicare Advantage Plan (i.e. Medicare Part C) call your plan for more information on preventive services.

Additional free benefits if your doctor accepts assignment:

*Alcohol Misuse Screening & Counseling: One alcohol misuse screening annually and up to four brief face-to-face counseling sessions per year with your doctor for those who could benefit from the sessions based on the results of the initial screening.

*Obesity Screening & Counseling: If your body mass index (BMI) is 30 or more, you can get face-to-face behavioral therapy visits with your doctor for up to 12 months to help you lose weight.

STI Screening and Counseling: An annual testing for sexually transmitted infections for those at increased risk for an STI or those who are pregnant. Medicare also covers up to two individual counseling sessions with your doctor per year for those meeting certain criteria.

For additional information on the preventive benefits covered by Medicare Part B, contact the following agency:

For additional information call the NJ Division of Aging Services at 1-800-792-8820 or visit our website at http://www.aging.nj.gov

Disclaimer: This information was taken directly from a pamphlet from the NJ Division of Aging Services. Please call the above number for more information.