Take care of your
heart: Get a free heart disease screening
[New York, NY] –
Heart screening can save your life by treating the condition before
it results in more severe health problems. And, if you haven’t done
basic cholesterol testing lately, Medicare will pick up the full tab
for the screening.
September is
National Cholesterol Education month, a time to raise awareness
about the need for essential tests available to people with
Medicare. Medicare now pays 100 percent of the cost for a
cholesterol, lipid and triglyceride level screening once every five
years. You do not have to meet the Part B deductible ($110 in 2005)
first. If your doctor says the test is medically necessary, the test
will always be covered for diagnostic or treatment purposes.
Sixty-four
million Americans have one or more forms of heart disease, which
includes high blood pressure and stroke, the nation’s third leading
cause of death.
“Heart disease
is the leading cause of death in the U.S. Medicare covers essential
preventative benefits that can detect risks before it’s too late,”
said Robert M. Hayes, president of the Medicare Rights Center (MRC).
“Speak with your doctor and take advantage of the cardiovascular
disease screening and Medicare’s other important preventative
benefits.”
Medicare also
covers one “Welcome to Medicare Physical Examination” in the first
six months after a person enrolls in Medicare Part B, typically at
age 65. The physical will include measurement of height, weight and
blood pressure, an electrocardiogram, education and counseling.
Older adults and
people with disabilities should take advantage of preventive care
screenings, especially if they are at high risk for certain health
conditions. They should keep in mind:
The amount you
pay varies by screening. To keep costs down you should see doctors
who accept Medicare assignment (they accept the Medicare-approved
amount as payment in full). For a list of doctors who accept
Medicare assignment, call the Medicare program at 800-MEDICARE or
visit their Physician Directory at
www.medicare.gov .
Medicare HMO or
PPO plans may charge a co pay for these preventive care services.
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