Shingles is a contagious viral infection that causes a painful rash and blisters on the skin from a condition known as postherpetic neuralgia (post-hur-PET-ik noo-RAL-juh). It is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which also causes chickenpox in young people. After having chickenpox, the virus … [Read more...]
Medicare Coverage: What Does Medicare Cover?
Medicare health insurance covers most major health care services, but not all. And, depending on which parts of Medicare you're enrolled in, your coverage may be different.
For example, many Medicare Advantage plans (Part C of Medicare) include a Medicare prescription drug plan (Part D of Medicare). To get this coverage with Original Medicare, you'll have to enroll in a stand-alone Part D plan.
In this section of our blog, we do our best to answer the most common questions people have about their Medicare coverage.
Does Medicare Cover Blood Tests?
Medicare covers many common laboratory tests and diagnostics needed to keep you healthy or diagnose a symptom. This includes many blood tests for things like hepatitis, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), triglycerides, cholesterol, lipids, and most preventive care lab tests. In this … [Read more...]
Does Medicare Cover Vision?
As people grow older, it’s common for them to suffer from vision-related problems. So, as you’re researching Medicare and all that it offers, you may question if Medicare covers vision services. In this MedicareWire article, we'll explain which vision care service Medicare covers, and those that are … [Read more...]
Does Medicare Cover Cataract Surgery?
The National Eye Institute reports the risk of suffering from cataracts increases significantly after the age of 40. For this reason, the number of cataract cases in the United States has increased 20% from 2000 to 2010.
What’s astounding is that by 2050, it is estimated that there will be double … [Read more...]
Does Medicare Cover Physical Therapy After An Accident or Surgery?
Does Medicare Cover Physical Therapy?
If you’re covered by Medicare and have an illness or injury that requires physical therapy, you may wonder, “what does Medicare cover?” More specifically, you’ll likely want to know does Medicare cover physical therapy?
In this article, we will look at … [Read more...]
Does Medicare Cover Eye Exams for Seniors?
Does Medicare Cover Eye Exams?
With Original MedicareOriginal Medicare is private fee-for-service health insurance for people on Medicare. It has two parts. Part A is hospital coverage. Part B is medical coverage...., you have coverage for all of the routine checkups and preventative care you need. But what about your eyes?
If you are wondering if your medicare benefits cover visits to the eye doctor, you might be surprised by the answer:
Original … [Read more...]
Does Medicare Cover Hearing Aids for Seniors Who Need Hearing Assistance?
Does Medicare Cover Hearing Aids?
If you're someone who's hard of hearing and in need of financial assistance, you've probably asked yourself this.
After all, hearing aids can be expensive. They require the devices themselves, costly batteries, proper fitment, and it helps to have them … [Read more...]
Does Medicare Cover Chiropractic Care for Seniors?
Does Medicare cover chiropractic costs?
If you've recently injured your back or are struggling with chronic pain, you might find it helpful to go to a chiropractor and receive spinal adjustments. This procedure is useful, but sessions can add up if you're paying out of pocket.
When you're on … [Read more...]
How to Move a Parent with Dementia to Assisted Living
People with dementia often have a hard time comprehending the world around them. They forget easily, so when they are told they will be moving, they don’t remember. As the process begins, they wonder what is going on and become frightened.
If you've been trying to figure out How to Move a Parent … [Read more...]
Does Medicare Cover Hospice Care at Home?
What Is Hospice Care at Home
Many people wish to spend their final days at home, not in a hospital or assisted living facility. To do that, they need an increasing amount of medical care as they approach their time to pass. While some care may be provided by home health care aides, there’s some … [Read more...]
How to Protect Your Assets from Nursing Homes
Nursing homes are expensive with an average cost in the United States of $7,698 per month (2020 average). Most people cannot afford this expense, but they are in desperate need of the services provided by nursing homes (long-term care facilities).
When finances are not put into place for nursing … [Read more...]
How to Qualify for Home Health Care & Get Financial Assistance
As people age, their risk of becoming injured or ill increases, and hospital stays may not always be the best solution for recovery. Being able to be at home for healing is much more comfortable, which can speed up the time it takes to recover. The only issue is that having home health care can be … [Read more...]
Does Medicare Cover Assisted Living Costs? What About Independent Living?
Assisted living and independent living are very different. Assisted living is when someone receives assistance with their daily living tasks, including bathing, grooming, cooking, cleaning, and taking medication. Independent living is when someone lives at home with minimal or no … [Read more...]
A Guide to Medicare Home Health Care
Most people do not want to stay in a hospital, skilled nursing facility, assisted living facility, or rehabilitation facility for weeks or even months recovering from an illness or injury. They would rather be in the comfort of their homes. The problem is that those individuals still need to be … [Read more...]