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11 Original Medicare Benefits You May Not Know You Have

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AAA Minneapolis Insurance |

If you’re enrolled in Original Medicare Parts A and B, you already know premiums and copays can add up — but not everything costs you. In fact, Original Medicare offers many preventive services that may be no cost to you when you see a provider who accepts Medicare, or while using an in-network provider under a Medicare Advantage plan.

This article will refer to the different parts of Medicare. If you need a reminder of the different parts of Medicare, please refer to this article here.

  1. “Welcome to Medicare” Visit: This is a one-time preventive service offered to you in your first 12 months with Part B. This includes vitals, vaccines, a vision test, and healthcare planning. There is no cost to you unless you receive additional services not included in the preventive benefit.
  2. Annual Wellness Visit: Each year, you’re entitled to an annual check-in to update your personal prevention plan. This isn’t quite a physical, but it’s valuable for long-term care and planning.
  3. Vaccines: Due to the Inflation Reduction Act, most vaccines are covered with no cost-sharing. This includes coverage for COVID-19, flu, RSV, shingles, and more through Part B and Part D.
  4. Alcohol Counseling: You're entitled to one screening, and up to four counseling sessions per year in a primary care setting.
  5. Smoking Cessation Counseling: You’re entitled to up to eight sessions per year. Medicare wants to help you quit, not just treat the effects.
  6. Colorectal Screenings: Medicare offers various tests at no cost to you, starting at age 45, including stool tests, sigmoidoscopy, and colonoscopy.
  7. Diabetes Screenings: If you meet specific risk factors like high blood pressure or obesity, you’re entitled to up to two screenings annually.
  8. Lung Cancer Screening: For eligible current or former smokers aged 50-77, there are annual low-dose CT scans.
  9. Mammograms: Annual screening mammograms for women 40+.
  10. Prostate Cancer Screening: Annual PSA blood tests for men 50+.
  11. Nutrition Therapy: If you have diabetes or kidney disease, you’re covered for nutrition therapy, which includes counseling and lifestyle coaching.

 

Don't leave eligible benefits on the table.

At AAA Minneapolis Independent Insurance Agency, we help clients understand their Original Medicare benefits and how Medicare Supplements or Medicare Advantage plans may benefit them. This may include a variety of services they’re entitled to at no cost. These services could prevent future health issues and may save you money.

Need help navigating your Medicare supplemental options?

Schedule a no-cost/no-obligation free consultation with our licensed insurance agents today.