How Medicare Helps You Fight Cancer

In the United States, more than 60% of cancer cases are diagnosed in people 65 and over.  Advanced age is the biggest risk factor for cancer overall, as well as for many individual types of cancer. It is predicted that almost 2 million new cancer cases will be diagnosed this year, and with such a large number of these diagnoses being among seniors, it is important that all older adults are fully insured, in order to be protected no matter what happens. 

After all, it’s no secret that cancer treatments are not cheap – but fortunately, Medicare will cover many of these treatments, and what is not covered by Medicare can be covered by a Medicare Supplement Plan. Whether you are dealing with cancer, or are worried about being diagnosed with it in the future, find out just how Medicare can help you kick cancer’s butt.

Prevention Is Key

According to the World Health Organization, between 30 and 50% of all cancer cases are preventable. Prevention offers the most cost-effective long-term strategy for the control of cancer; Medicare Part B actually covers a lot of preventive measures to protect you from cancer, such as:

  • 8 smoking cessation counseling visits per year
  • mammogram machineMammograms– Breast cancer screenings are covered at 100% every 12 months, and 80% if you require more than one a year.
  • Cervical cancer screenings– These screenings are covered at 100% every two years; if you need them more often, Medicare will cover them at 80%.
  • Prostate cancer screenings– The blood test for prostate cancer is covered yearly, but an annual digital rectal exam is only covered at 80%.
  • Colorectal cancer screening– The blood test for this cancer is covered every year, and colonoscopies are covered every two years if you are considered high risk, or every 6 years if you are not high risk. Part B will cover extra screenings at 80%.

How Medicare Covers:

Cancer Treatments

Cancer treatments can be very expensive because they are ongoing, and can be required for months or years to help you fight your cancer. You will need diagnostic tests like X-rays and CT scans, which are covered at 80% by Part B. In addition, if you need durable medical equipment, like wheelchairs and walkers, Medicare will also cover these at 80%.

Chemotherapy is covered under part A or Part B, depending on if you receive your treatment in a hospital setting or at a doctor’s office; if you choose to have oral chemotherapy treatment, Part B will also cover these costs.

Surgeries

If you need to have surgery, or surgeries, because of your cancer, Part A will cover any inpatient surgeries and hospital stays, as well as any treatments or medications you receive while admitted,  at 100%. Then, after you have been admitted to the hospital for three days, Part A will also cover any skilled nursing facility care or home health care services that are required after your hospital stay. This can include rehabilitation center services, such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, and skilled nursing care.

hands holding an elderly person's hand
Medicare will pay 100% for hospice care and cover grief counseling for your family.

It is important to know your status while you are in the hospital for these surgeries. If you are considered an outpatient, or under observation, Part A will not cover the costs. Instead, Part B would pay for the costs at 80% of the allowable charges, and you would have to pay 20% after meeting your Part B deductible.

Hospice Care

If it comes to the point that you require hospice care, this type of care is covered 100% by Medicare. Grief and loss counseling for you and your family is also covered by Medicare.

Extra Help

As stated, Medicare Part B, which covers the costs of cancer prevention and treatments, only covers 80% of these costs. This will leave you with the remaining 20% to pay for out-of-pocket, but a Medicare Supplement Plan can help you pay the medical expenses that aren’t covered by Medicare Part B. One of these plans can actually help you save hundreds, or maybe even thousands of dollars each year. 

Medicare Supplement Plans can cover your Part A deductible and coinsurance costs, as well as your Medicare Part B copayment, coinsurance, and deductible. There are 10 different plans to choose from, and depending on which plan you choose, you could get anywhere from 75% coverage of your medical expenses all the way up to 100%. Each plan offers a range of coverage at different price points; if you are battling cancer, your best option is to get the plan with the most coverage possible, so you will only have to worry about paying your Medicare Supplement Plan monthly premiums. 

Medicare Supplement Plans can help save you money and keep you from stressing over medical bills for your cancer treatments, leaving you with more time and energy to focus on your health. EZ can compare all 10 Medicare Supplement Plans and find the one that will meet your financial and medical needs. Our agents work with the top-rated insurance companies in the nation, which makes comparing plans easy, quick, and free – our services come at no cost to you because we just want to help you save money so you can focus on your health. To get free instant quotes on plans that cover your doctors, simply enter your zip code in the bar above, or to speak to a local licensed agent, call 888-753-7207.

A Medicare Supplement Plan Could Be Saving You Money Right Now!

Medicare provides peace of mind. It’s great to know that it’ll be there after you retire and no longer have employer-based health insurance. But Medicare Part B only pays for 80% of your medical costs, which leaves you with 20% of the bill, in addition to any unmet deductibles or copays. That 20% may not seem like a lot, but if you’re living on a fixed income as many seniors are, it can add up. 

Luckily, when you sign up for Medicare Parts A and B, you have the opportunity to sign up for a Medicare Supplement Plan as well. These plans provide coverage for the out-of-pocket expenses that Medicare doesn’t cover. Medicare Supplement Plans offer you protection from losing your assets to large medical bills.

blood shaped blood bag with a connecting tube.
Medicare Supplement Plans cover up to three pints of blood for a blood transfusion.

What Medicare Supplement Plans Offer

Some of the reasons to choose a Medicare Supplement Plan are:

  • Helps pay a portion of the approved expenses that you are left to pay out-of-pocket. This includes:
    • Copays
    • Coinsurance
    • Deductibles
    • Blood transfusions for up to three pints of blood
    • Hospice care coinsurance or copayment
    • Skilled nursing facility care coinsurance
    • Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) deductible
    • Medicare Part B (medical insurance) deductible
    • Part B excess charges
    • Medical costs incurred while traveling outside of the U.S.
    • Out-of-pocket limits
  • There is no network, so you can go to any doctor or hospital that accepts Medicare assignment. 
  • Coverage will automatically renew each year (unless you want to switch plans)
hand holding a paper that says "medical bill" on it with dollar signs on the bottom circled in red.
Older people are more vulnerable to accidental falls and broken hips, and when these happen it can mean big medical bills.

Why You Should Have One

Life is unpredictable, and it doesn’t get any less unpredictable as you get older. Older people are more vulnerable to accidental falls and broken hips, and when these happen it can mean big medical bills. Health care and out-of-pocket costs are on the rise, and you could fall into debt if you had an accident or were diagnosed with a serious illness. Having a Medicare Supplement Plan means not having to worry about that happening to you. It also means not having to set aside money to pay for 20% of any bills you accumulate; you just have to budget for your monthly premiums.

One thing to remember is that you need to sign up for a plan during your Medicare Supplement Plan Open Enrollment Period (the 6-month period that starts the first day you are 65 and enrolled in Part B). Otherwise, you will need to undergo the medical underwriting process, and may end up with higher premiums.

Which Plan Is Right for You?

The cost and coverage of Medicare Supplement Plans vary from one letter plan to another. Some have high deductibles with lower monthly premiums, while some offer more coverage for a little more money per month. There are 10 different types of plans to choose from, so in order to choose the coverage you need for a price that works for you, you need to research and compare all the plans.

Comparing all the plans can take a long time and you might be wondering where to even start. That is why we created our business- to help you compare and sign up for plans at no cost to you. We want to help you make an informed decision, so you can get the best care at the best price. To get your free quotes, enter your zip code in the bar above, or to speak directly to a licensed agent, call 888-753-7207.

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