What’s New?
The Affordable Care Act made many improvements to Medicare. If you have Original Medicare, you will now be able to get many preventive services for free as well as a yearly “Wellness” exam.
Importance of Preventive Services
The best way to stay healthy is to live a healthy lifestyle and Medicare can help by paying for many preventive services. Preventive services can find health problems early when treatment works best and can keep you from getting certain diseases.
Medicare Advantage Plans
Medicare Advantage Plans must cover all of the services that Original Medicare covers, including preventative services. However, if you’re in a Medicare Advantage Plan, Original Medicare will still cover the cost for hospice care, some new Medicare benefits, and some costs for clinical research studies. In all types of Medicare Advantage Plans, you’re always covered for emergency and urgently needed care. The plan can choose not to cover the costs of services that aren’t Medically necessary under Medicare. If you’re not sure whether a service is covered, check with your provider before you get the service.
Direct Access to Your Information
Visit www.MyMedicare.gov to get direct access to your preventive health information, 24 hours a day, every day. Here you can find how much and how often Part B under Original Medicare will pay for various services. You can also get a two-year calendar to track your preventive services and print a personalized “on the go” report to take to your next doctor’s appointment.
Get Personalized Help
Whether it’s online, in person or on the phone, Medicare is committed to helping people get the information they need to make smart choices about their Medicare benefits. You can get personalized help at www.medicare.gov and 1-800-MEDICARE. TTY users call 1-877-486-2048.
