Eldercare, Aging and Long Term Care

Medicare Interactive - What preventive care services does Medicare cover?

Link: Medicare Interactive - What preventive care services does Medicare cover?.

Even though it is commonly said that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, Medicare has not traditionally covered preventive care. However, coverage for many preventive care services has been added in the past few years. Doctors may not realize that Medicare now covers these services, so it is important to ask your doctor about them.

Medicare | Caring.com

Link: Medicare | Caring.com.

What is Medicare? Medicare consists of four categories: Part A covers hospitalization, some skilled nursing facility and home health care, and hospice. Part B covers doctors' services and outpatient care such as X-rays, laboratory work, some home health care, physical and occupational therapy, and some preventive screening. Then there's Part C, also known as Medicare Advantage, which is Medicare received through a private managed care system such as an HMO (health maintenance organization) or PPO (preferred provider organization). If your parents enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan, they receive all the benefits of Medicare Parts A and B, as well as some additional coverage provided by the private plan. As with other managed care, however, Medicare Advantage plans limit where and how their members may receive care. Finally, there's Medicare Part D, which consists of private insurance plans that partially cover prescription drug costs.

Link: Medicare | Caring.com.

Frequently Asked Questions - Medicare and Medicaid

Not sure what the difference between Medicare and Medicaid is?  Does Medicare pay for assited living? Find answers to these frequently asked questions at Frequently Asked Questions - Smerken Consulting - Eldercare Services.

I am turning 65. How do I get Medicare?

Are you or someone in your family turning 65 soon? Learn how to apply for Medicare at Medicare Interactive - I am turning 65. How do I get Medicare?.

Medicare - Health Insurance - Uninsured - Medicine and Health - New York Times

Recently reported research on the benefits of Medicare and the improved health outcomes resulting from having health insurance.  The lead Author of the research stated: “Our findings provide some of the strongest evidence yet that expanding health coverage to the uninsured improves their health . . . particularly older people with conditions like hypertension, diabetes and heart disease, for which there are effective therapies.”

Link: Medicare - Health Insurance - Uninsured - Medicine and Health - New York Times.

Ruling Stirs Debate On Retiree Health Care - WSJ.com

A new EEOC policy targeting health benefits of people 65 and older may prompt employers to maintain current benefits for younger retirees, supporters say.

Link: Ruling Stirs Debate On Retiree Health Care - WSJ.com.

Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Benefit

Want to learn more about the Medicare Prescription Drug Beneift? Here are several resources:

Medicare Rights Center

Kaiser Family Foundation

Smerken Consulting - Eldercare Services

Kaiser EDU Web Slide Show

Downloadable and Printable Handout from the Medicare Rights Center

Talking About Medicare: Your Guide to Understanding the Program: Kaiser Family Foundation

The Kaiser Family Foundation has written an easy to understand guide for talking with your parents about Medicare. Much easier to read than Medicare's own booklet (which your parents should have received. Medicare sends every insured person a booklet called Medicare and You) you will find it easy to read and informative.

Here is the Link: Talking About Medicare: Your Guide to Understanding the Program: Welcome - Kaiser Family Foundation.