What You Ought To Know About Men And Medicare
After they hit the age of 50, men face increased chances of developing particular cancers, such as colorectal or prostate cancers. As a matter of fact, colorectal cancer proves to be the second leading cause of deaths related to cancer, and Cancer.org says that the risk of it only goes up with age.
Men also face higher rates for stroke, diabetes, and heart disease, compared to women, and those are three causes of death on most every Top 10 list.
Fortunately, reducing risks of these situations can be effectively accomplished with regular screening tests. Men who are on Medicare can have an easy path to proactivity, since this program covers quite a few preventative screenings and services at no or little cost. The following is information about Medicare as it pertains to men’s health and how you personally take advantage of this program.
Medicare coverage handles a number of screening tests and preventative services which are used to identify early problems when treatment is most likely to work most effectively.
A number of the services that men might take current advantage of include screenings for cardiovascular matters, diabetes, and colorectal and prostate cancers.
Medicare Part B has coverage for various colorectal and prostate cancer screening tests which help doctors identify precancerous growths in stages where treatment can still prove highly effective. Once a year, you can have a digital rectal exam with less coinsurance and/or deductible in order to look for prostate cancer. Medicare will also pay for a PSA, or prostate-specific antigen, test at no cost to you with 100 percent coverage.
Men also considered at high risk specifically for colorectal cancer can get a colonoscopy test with enema paid for in full every two years. It’s paid in full every four years for individuals with an average risk. What’s considered an average risk for the development of colorectal cancer involves no family or personal history with polyps, hereditary colorectal cancer, or inflammatory bowel disease. Additionally, Medicare Part B pays out for a multi-target DNA stool test once every 36 months as well as an annual fecal occult blood test. Most screenings get 100 percent coverage, but if a removal or biopsy is necessary, you might be held personally responsible for coinsurance or a copay.
Medicare Part B also covers full costs of diabetes screenings at 100 percent coverage.
Men that are considered to be at high risk for this prove eligible for two annual screenings. High risk factors vary but include obesity, a history of high blood sugar, high blood pressure, and a personal history of abnormal triglyceride and cholesterol levels.
You might also get two annual tests if you meet any pair of the following criteria: history of gestational diabetes, family history of diabetes, being overweight, and being over the age of 65.
Medicare Part B also provides screening blood tests that focus on levels of cholesterol, lipids, and triglycerides, paying out 100 percent twice a decade.
Such screenings prove important in the detection of the conditions susceptible to a stroke or heart attack.
Your doctor might recommend even more tests than will be covered by Medicare. Make sure you ask any questions you need to in order to understand why your physician is recommending particular services, as well as to find out what Medicare pays for or if you’ll be facing responsibility for some or even all of the costs involved.
