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Videos To Help You Understand Medicare

(click on a title to scroll directly to the video)

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Alcohol Awareness Month
  • “Risky drinking” is defined as more than 14 drinks per week for men, and 7 drinks per week for women.
  • you might be eligible for alcohol misuse screenings.
  • Medicare Part B covers alcohol misuse screenings once per year.
  • You may be elligible for counseling sessions.
  • April is Alcohol awareness Month

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Cervical Cancer Awareness Month
  • Cervical Health Awareness Month takes place in January.
  • ALL women are at risk for cervical cancer. It is however, the easiest female cancer to prevent.
  • Medicare Part B covers 2 types of screening tests to help prevent cervical cancer:
    • Pap test
    • HPV test
  • It occurs most often in women over the age of 30.

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Diabetes
  • Diabetes affects nearly 21 million children and adults in the USA.
  • Medicare covers free diabetes screening.
  • If you have diabetes, Medicare covers many of your supplies.
  • You can also have diabetes supplies delivered to your home.
  • Medicare also covers diabetes self-management training.

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End Stage Renal Disease/Kidney Transplant Eligibility And Enrollment
  • ESRD is permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or kidney transplant.
  • If you are 65 or older and have ESRD, Medicare will start paying for your dialysis treatment right away.
  • Medicare covers kidney transplants in a Medicare approved hospital.
  • Medicare also covers the full cost of finding the proper kidney for your transplant, and the full cost of care for your kidney donor.
  • Medicare covers kidney transplants in a hospital that Medicare approves for kidney transplants. Medicare will also cover the full cost for finding the proper kidney for your transplant.

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Glaucoma Awareness
  • Glaucoma is an eye disease that causes loss of sight by damaging part of the eye called the optic nerve.
  • When this occurs you begin to lose patches of vision, usually side vision.
  • January is National Glaucoma Month.
  • Medicare covers a glaucoma test once every 12 months for people at high risk for glaucoma.
  • Watch this video to help determine if you might be at risk.

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Heart disease
  • Heat disease is responsible for 1 in every 4 deaths in the USA making it the leading cause of death for all Americans.
  • About half of US adults have at least one of the major factors to cause heart disease.
  • You may not know you have symptoms for heart disease unless you are tested.
  • Every 5 years, Medicare will cover a cardio-vascular screening at no cost to you.
  • Work together with your health care provider to determine if you are at risk.

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Hospice Care
  • Hospice is a program of care and support for people who are terminally ill.
  • With hospice care the focus is on comfort not on curing illness.
  • Medicare covers:
    • Services to manage pain related to terminal illness.
    • Benefits for any health problems not related to terminal illness.

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Home Health Care
  • Health care treatments that were once only offered in a hospital or doctors office can now be done in your home.
  • Home health care is usually less expensive, more convenient and just as effective as care you could get in a hospital or a nursing facility.
  • Medicare covers some home health care services if you meet certain eligibility criteria.
  • Before you start home health care, your doctor must order it.
  • A home health agency will work with you regarding your care needs.

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It’s Always Time To Quit Tobacco
  • May 31st is World No Tobacco Day.
  • Tobacco use is the second leading cause of death worldwide! It’s ALWAYS time to quit.
  • Tobacco is responsible for 1 in 10 of every adult death.
  • Medicare Part B covers up to 8 face-to-face visits in a 12 month period.

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Medicare’s Preventive Benefits
  • Take care of yourself with Medicare’s expanded benefits without any additional cost.
  • Stay healthy by using these early protection services.
  • Talk with your doctor to establish what tests you may need and how often you need them.

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Medicare – Ways to Save Money
  • If you have limited income and resources you may qualify for Medicaid.
  • Medicaid also offer benefits not included with Medicare.
  • You may also be able to get help paying your Medicare premiums and prescription drug costs.
  • You can visit Medicare.gov for more information.

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Medicare – Vaccines
  • 1 in 3 people in the US will develop shingles during their lifetime. Developing shingles can be dangerous to your health.
  • Shingles can be prevented with a vaccine that significantly reduces the risk.
  • Most Medicare drug plans covers these costs.
  • Medicare Part B covers vaccines for:
    • Hepatitis B
    • Pneumococcal infection
    • Flu shot

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National Physical Therapy Month
  • October is National Physical Therapy Month.
  • Medicare helps pay for necessary outpatient therapy services.
  • There are limit called therapy-caps, or therapy-caps limits.

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Nursing Home and Long-Term Care
  • 70% of people turning 65 will need some form of long-term care.
  • Long-term care has a range of services and support designed to meet your personal care needs.
  • Most long-term care is provided at home.
  • Original Medicare generally does not cover long-term care stays in a nursing home.
  • Nursing homes vary in the quality of care and services they provide you.
  • Depending on your needs and resources, you may have other long-term choices.

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Planning for your discharge from a hospital, nursing home or other care setting
  • If you are getting discharged, there are some things you should do to prepare for your departure.
  • During your stay, your doctor and staff will help you get ready.
  • There’s a checklist on Medicare.gov that can help you prepare.

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Women’s Health
  • Women have unique health concerns including certain types of cancers and chronic disease.
  • Women often avoid and delay preventive care because of out-of-pocket costs.
  • Screening test are very important because they can help detect diseases early.
  • Women with Medicare can take care of these services with no, or very little cost.
  • Talk to your doctor about risk factors and schedule a screening.

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Learn More About Understanding Medicare Terms