Medicare/Medicaid | ElderCareABCblog.com

Medicare Preventive Screenings: Physical Exam

If you are new to Medicare you are entitled to a one-time preventive physical exam within the first 12 months and you have Medicare Part B. Medicare calls this the “Welcome to Medicare” physical exam. What does the exam include? Medical history Social history Review of your health Educational counseling about preventive screenings Shots Referral…

Medicare Imposes Sanctions on Three Health and Drug Sponsors

On November 19, 2010 the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid issued a notice to three Medicare health and drug plans. CMS has issued a notice to three Medicare health and drug plan sponsors imposing sanctions for violations of Medicare's rules and regulations. This action ensures that beneficiaries continue to have access to the essential Medicare…

Medicare Preventive Services

By Mary Jane Stern With the New Year approaching are you aware that you are entitled to certain Preventive Services provided by Medicare? Here is a list of Preventive Services you can get a print out of this at http://www.Medicare.gov. Take it to your doctor or health care provider to find out which screening is…

Medicare Beneficiaries: Adverse Events in Hospitals

By Mary Jane Stern Sometimes I feel like I am one of the biggest complainers about the quality of care from either doctors or hospitals about my husband’s medical condition. But perhaps I am not totally wrong. I was shocked and alarmed to read in our local paper today about a study of Medicare patients…

Choosing or Changing Medicare Coverage

by Mary Jane Stern 8 Things to Consider When Choosing or Changing Your Coverage 1) Coverage– a) Are the services you need covered? (more…)

Tools to Use during Medicare Open Enrollment

By Mary Jane Stern October 1 starts the official Medicare marketing season. There are numerous choices for health and prescription drug plans and it can become overwhelming. November 15 – December 31, 2010 is Medicare Open Enrollment. And Medicare Advantage members, this is your enrollment period too for 2011. In my local newspaper there was…

What is the Medicare Therapeutic Shoe Program

By Mary Jane Stern Recently through a social networking site, I connected with someone I went to school with. Unfortunately, she has gone out on disability because of diabetes and is covered under a Medicare Advantage Plan. She mentioned how she wasn’t too happy with Medicare and one big reason was the Medicare Therapeutic Shoe…

Medicare Part D: 2011 Coverage Gap (Donut Hole)

Recently on one of our blog posts we had a comment regarding the 2011 contributions while in the Coverage Gap (Donut Hole) and how the total out-of-pocket expenses would be allocated until a beneficiary reached catastrophic coverage. Medicare has changed some of its wording and makes reading a little more confusing as to what will…

Medicare Coverage of Medical Nutrition Therapy

You can pick up a newspaper or a magazine and you will find articles about diet and nutrition to help with the management of certain diseases. Medicare covers Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) for people with diabetes or renal diseases to help them manage their conditions. What is Medical Nutrition Therapy? Medical Nutrition Therapy includes nutrition,…

Medicare Outpatient Services

There’s a lot to learn about Medicare Outpatient Services. A few weeks ago my husband went in for a cardiac catheterization and stent placement. With a stent implant you have to spend an overnight in the hospital. I assumed the hospital stay would be covered under Medicare Part A, but it’s not – it falls…