In January 2005 Medicare initiated a “Welcome to Medicare” physical for all new Medicare Part B enrollees. These preventative screenings cover various preventive services such as, Bone Mass Measurements, Colorectal Cancer Screening, Mammograms, Prostrate Cancer, Glaucoma screening and vaccinations.

The “Welcome to Medicare” physical exam includes measurement of height, weight, and blood pressure. It also includes an electrocardiogram, education, counseling, and referrals related to other preventative benefits covered by Medicare, such as screenings and disease preventive services. An individual on Medicare will pay 20% of the Medicare approved amount after they have met the yearly Part B deductible.

All current Medicare recipients will also be eligible for preventative screenings. The diabetes screening tests is available on an on-going basis for those who exhibit the risk factors of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity or a history of high blood sugar. The cardiovascular screenings will check high cholesterol and other blood fat levels. This screening is important as high cholesterol can increase ones risk for stroke and heart attack. Medicare will cover this test once every five years, no deductible or co-payment is needed for these screenings.

The information in this article was obtained from Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services and is brought to you by St. Andrew’s At Home Services. For additional information please contact your ElderCare Specialist at 314-802-6291 or mrobinson@standrews1.com.