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10 Medicare Freebies You Need to Know About

Most people are aware of the primary benefits of Medicare: increased access to quality healthcare for vulnerable populations. However, there are many other benefits that fewer people know about, and they’re even free (included at no extra cost with normal premiums). Here are the top 10 Original Medicare freebies beneficiaries should know about:

A “Welcome to Medicare” Visit

A new enrollee, you’re entitled to a welcome visit with your doctor. This is a preventative visit.  And, there are no out-of-pocket costs. Some doctors use this visit to give referrals to specialists for people who need them.  Also, these tell patients about important preventative care covered by Medicare. The welcome visit has to be completed during the first year of enrollment.

Annual Wellness Visits

These are free annual wellness visits that are also preventative. Annual wellness visits with a primary care provider  create a care plan to prevent illness and injury. Beneficiaries are responsible for follow up treatment.

Bone Density Tests

These tests are free to Medicare beneficiaries once every two years.  They are a way to determine the risk of broken bones. To qualify for these tests, beneficiaries need to meet the following criteria: be a woman at risk of osteoporosis, take prednisone, and/or have x-rays that indicate increased risk of osteoporosis.

Cardiovascular Behavior Therapy

These visits are with primary care providers and they often determine blood pressure and risk factors for ailments like heart disease.

Counseling

There are free tobacco and alcohol use counseling sessions for those who qualify.

Diabetes Management Training

Free self-management training for diabetes is available through Medicare. The initial training is up to ten hours and covers topics like nutrition, blood sugar monitoring, and medication administration.

Immunizations and Vaccines

Flu shots and COVID boosters are free every year.  And, some people may also qualify for two pneumococcal vaccines and a Hepatitis B vaccine.

Nutrition Therapy

Beneficiaries with a kidney transplant, diabetes, and/or kidney disease are eligible for up to 36 months of free nutrition therapy. There are group programs, lifestyle assessments, and follow up appointments as necessary.

Screening Tests

Medicare covers several different free cancer screenings .  Coverage includes mental health screenings. Additional free screenings include obesity, HIV, STIs, and Hepatitis C.

The Medicare “What’s Covered” App

The Medicare “What’s Covered” app launched in 2019.  This app helps beneficiaries find out which services, goods, and treatments Medicare will cover. This is available for free on tablets or smartphones.

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Diabetic supply assistance for agents

Many seniors who have diabetes experience problems getting their Medicare approved diabetic supplies.  This usually leads to unhappy calls from clients.  We have great news; there is a company offering diabetic supply assistance for agents.  This will cut down on the confusion over payment at the pharmacy.

Here’s the program flyer – English

View the program flyer – Spanish

Take a look at some of the benefits ADS (Advanced Diabetes Supply) provides:

ADS provides service and support to agents and their clients.

Agents receive marketing support that helps them provide clients with everything they need to manage their diabetes.

They will set up home delivery of your client’s diabetes supplies before their new plan starts.  This helps ensure a stress free transition into the new plan.

Clients continue to use their chosen pharmacy to fill prescriptions and the diabetes experts ensure they will receive their supplies without interruption.

In the event a client loses or breaks their glucometer, ADS provides a replacement.  This is something no other pharmacy does.

Your clients receive exceptional customer service on your behalf.  This ensures they have a personal, reliable source for diabetes supplies.

They offer the latest technology for effective diabetes management.  This includes several types of Continuous Glucose Monitoring supplies that do not require “finger sticks”.

ADS confirms that all supplies are covered through insurance before they ship to the client.

If you want more information about how this program works; view a slide presentation of the ADS AGENT SUPPORT PROGRAM 2023

Click here for more benefit information – English

For more benefit information in Spanish; click here

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If you are an agent who wants to take advantage of this service; feel free to contact ADS using the information below.

Agents can contact the ADS, Specialty Diabetes Pharmacy either at northcoastmed.com/agent-support-program or by phone at 1-877-868-9856

Chronic Special Needs Plan

What is a Chronic Special Needs Plan? A C-SNP is an acronym that stands for a Chronic Conditions Special Needs Plan. This is a type of Medicare Advantage plan specifically designed for beneficiaries who have a chronic illness or condition. Many of the insurers who provide these plans claim that the purpose of the benefits of a C-SNP is to allow those with the coverage to have improved health outcomes and more flexibility and choice while managing their condition(s).

Conditions

There are many conditions that qualify beneficiaries for a C-SNP. Some of the more common ones are diabetes, end-stage renal disease, chronic lung diseases, chronic heart failure (or CHF), and cardiovascular disorders. For beneficiaries with diabetes, an endocrinologist will work with their primary care doctor to determine the best course of action. For those beneficiaries with end-stage renal disease, their care team will include their primary care doctor and a nephrologist, or kidney specialist. This specific coverage is available in Connecticut. Those with chronic lung disorders who qualify for a C-SNP will have coverage for oxygen supplies and other medical equipment, and for ongoing care for beneficiaries with heart diseases, a cardiologist will join their individual health care team.

In some parts of the country, there are C-SNP plans that consider a multitude of other conditions for enrollment. Coverage includes some mental conditions.  These include schizophrenia, certain autoimmune disorders, dementia,   Some neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s, and HIV or AIDS are also included.  C-SNP aims to provide better health outcomes for beneficiaries with these specific pre-existing conditions.

Although beneficiaries enrolled in a C-SNP will still have to pay their Medicare part B premiums, they often have access to more services with fewer out-of-pocket expenses. Some of these services can include meal delivery if necessary, prescription drug coverage, transportation to health-related appointments, preventative care such as routine screenings and physicals, dental, vision, and hearing coverage, and even a fitness membership benefit at no additional cost.

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