colorectal cancer Archives

Men & Medicare: 3 Health Screenings Every Man Should Have

As you get older, your health can change, and you might find yourself dealing with new medical issues. Fortunately, if you’re 65 or older, Medicare will take care of you. But Medicare isn’t only there to help you manage your conditions, you can – and should – also use it to get the screenings you need to keep on top of your health!

And right now, we’re talking to all the men out there: there are various health screenings suggested for men 65 and older that many men often put off, or don’t take seriously enough. But whether you’re avoiding getting a screening because you don’t think you need it, or because you think it will cost too much, you could end up missing the early warning signs of a disease that could be life-threatening. Medicare will cover the following three health screenings that every man should have, so talk to your doctor today!

1. Prostate Cancer

blue ribbon — *About 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer at some point in their life.*

Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer for men in the United States, after skin cancer. In fact, according to the American Cancer Society, 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer at some point in their life. Many men will not experience any symptoms when prostate cancer is in its early stages, so it’s important to get an annual exam to check for early warning signs, and catch any abnormalities as soon as possible.

For this reason, Medicare will begin paying for this screening starting at age 50. Medicare will cover both a digital rectal exam and a prostate-specific antigen, or PSA, test once a year.

2. Colorectal Cancer

Over the past couple of decades, colorectal cancer rates have been increasing. In fact, the Colorectal Cancer Alliance believes that the risk of men developing colorectal cancer in their lifetime is now 1 in 23. A lot of men put off having a screening for this type of cancer because they worry about invasiveness, or they might not realize that they are already in a risky age group, but delaying could mean missing a diagnosis. This is especially true since most men do not experience symptoms until the cancer has spread.

If you’re worried about the test for colorectal cancer, know that you have options: Medicare will cover various preventative screenings, including a physical occult blood test, flexible sigmoidoscopy, and colonoscopy.

3. Diabetes

diabetes machine with sugar next to it — *Medicare Part B will cover glucose lab tests if you have risk factors for diabetes.*

Diabetes can lead to other serious medical conditions such as heart disease and stroke. In fact, did you know that nearly 70% of people with diabetes who are 65 or older die of some form of heart disease?

Medicare Part B will cover glucose lab tests if you have risk factors for diabetes including high blood pressure, obesity, high blood sugar, and a history of high cholesterol levels. Medicare will also cover a diabetes screening if you are overweight or have a family history of diabetes.

Extra Coverage

Taking care of yourself is important, and Medicare makes it easy to get the screenings you need. So don’t put off getting screened for the above conditions, because doing so could help you live a little longer.

And if you need more help paying for screenings and other medical expenses, a Medicare Supplement Plan can help. These 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, so you’re sure to find one that’s right for you.

Need help finding the right plan? 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.

Adapting To Life With A Colostomy Bag

Did you know that approximately 1 in 500 Americans are living with a stoma, or a surgical opening in the body created for the discharge of bodily waste? According to the United Ostomy Association, more than 500,000 Americans have had an ostomy, which is surgery that creates a stoma in order to treat certain diseases of the digestive or urinary tract. There are 3 different kinds of ostomies; colostomies are the most common type, and leave those who undergo the surgery with a colostomy bag to collect waste removed from their body. But are colostomy bags a temporary fix or are they permanent?

What Is A Colostomy?

operating room with someone on the table and doctors surrounding — *Colostomy occurs when a part of your colon needs to be removed, leaving a stoma.*

A colostomy is surgery that removes a part of the colon that is diseased or has been damaged by illnesses like inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, or diverticulitis. During the procedure, surgeons will create an opening, called a stoma, and bring out a portion of the large intestine through the belly so that waste has an alternative way to leave the body after the diseased part of the colon is removed. To collect that waste, a plastic pouch, or colostomy bag, will be fitted over the stoma to collect the stool that leaves through the opening.

This kind of surgery will keep you in the hospital for a few days to a week. While there, you will be taught how to change your colostomy bag and keep the skin around the stoma clean.

Is a Colostomy Bag Permanent?

There are 4 different types of colostomies, and the type of surgery you have will generally determine if your colostomy bag is going to be temporary or permanent. If the colostomy is performed due to injury, then in most cases the colostomy bag will be a temporary fix while your body heals. However, if you have colon cancer and you need to have surgery to remove your colon, the colostomy bag might be permanent.

You can have a temporary colostomy bag for weeks, months, or even years depending on the condition. Your colostomy bag might become permanent if you are diagnosed with:

Blockage
Diverticulitis
IBS
Crohn’s disease
Ulcerative colitis
Colorectal cancer
Abnormal growths in the colon called polyps

Caring For Your Colostomy Bag

In order to prevent leakage from your colostomy bag, The American College of Surgeons recommends changing the bag when it is between ⅓ and ½ full. How often you will need to change your colostomy bag will depend on the size of the bag: the smaller the bag, the more frequently you will have to change it, while bigger bags will need to be changed less often and can last overnight. When it is time to change the bag, you will need to :

Wash your hands with antibacterial soap.
Push down on your skin and peel the bag from the stoma.
Remove the bottom of the bag and empty it into a toilet.
Clean the stoma with a washcloth, warm water and soap.
Pat the area dry.
Attach the new bag with adhesive on the outside of the stoma.

Washing and drying the stoma completely is key to avoiding the most common problem of redness and soreness. If the skin is ever raw, red, or leaking fluid, you will need to contact your doctor right away.

Life With A Colostomy Bag

caucasian woman running — *You can still exercise, shower, and have sex with a colostomy bag.*

While being given a colostomy bag is a huge life change that can feel overwhelming in the beginning, you can still live a normal life with one. You will most likely be able to eat the same things you ate before, shower, take baths, have sex, and exercise after you get clearance from your doctor. As we stated, colostomies are more common than you think, but if you are embarrassed, uncomfortable, or just don’t want people to know that you have a colostomy bag, you can hide it. The pouches are small and flat enough to hide under your clothes, and they are made to trap odors. No one needs to know you have one, unless you want them to!

A health condition that requires a colostomy can occur at any time: you could get an infection or abscess, or an injury to your colon that causes a partial or complete blockage of the large bowel. In these cases, surgery, and a colostomy bag after the surgery, will be required in order to save your life, and if you do not have good health insurance, you will face a large bill.

Having the right health insurance plan can make a situation like this less scary, because you know you will get the best care and won’t have to worry about bills afterwards – after all, you will have enough on your plate adjusting to a colostomy bag!If you are looking to compare health insurance plans in your area, EZ can do so for free. We work with the top-rated insurance companies in the nation and can compare quotes and plans at no cost to you. We will find the best plan for your budget and medical needs. To get started, simply enter your zip code in the bar above, or to speak to a licensed agent, call 888-350-1890.

Does Medicare Cover Colonoscopies?

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in men and women in the U.S. It is estimated that about 1 in 20 people will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer in their lifetimes. This number is high in part because 1 in 3 people are not up-to-date on their colonoscopy screenings. Colonoscopy screenings are the most effective way to detect and prevent colorectal cancer. Getting regularly screened is especially important for older adults, because if you are 65 or older, you are at a greater risk of dying from colon cancer. Fortunately, Medicare covers colonoscopies at specific time intervals, based on a person’s risk for colon cancer.

doctor in blue gown holding a black tube with a light on the end of it. — *During a colonoscopy, a thin, tubed camera is inserted inside the body so that doctors can view the lining of the colon.*

What Is A Colonoscopy?

Colonoscopies are safe, common procedures. According to the CDC, over 25 million colonoscopies took place in 2012. During this procedure, a thin, tubed camera is inserted inside the body so that doctors can view the lining of the colon. There are two types of colonoscopy:

Screening colonoscopy– a routine procedure performed to see how healthy the colon is and to check if there are any polyps that need to be removed.
Diagnostic colonoscopy– performed to check for irregularities because a person is having intestinal issues.

When a colonoscopy is performed, the patient will normally be put under general anesthesia.

How Much Does It Cost?

Many factors go into determining the price of a colonoscopy. This includes the location where it is done, what kind of anesthesia is used, and whether any tissue samples have to be sent to a lab for testing. The average cost of a colonoscopy is almost $4,000. If you have private insurance, the procedure will be covered after you meet your deductible. Medicare also covers colonoscopies, but how they are covered depends on whether they are considered a screening or a diagnostic procedure.

What Medicare Covers

Because a screening colonoscopy is considered a preventive service, Medicare Part B will cover it. Medicare will cover all screening costs as long as the doctor accepts Medicare assignment. This means that your doctor agrees to accept the Medicare-approved amount as full payment for the procedure.

Medicare will cover the cost of screening colonoscopies:

Once every 24 months (2 years) if you are at high risk of colorectal cancer because of family history or history of colon polyps or inflammatory bowel disease.
Once every 120 months (10 years) for patients who are not considered high-risk.

Your screening will be covered in full whether or not you have met your deductible.

Only the screenings themselves are covered, so if your doctor finds a polyp or takes tissue samples during the colonoscopy, then you will have to pay a portion of the bill. You might owe:

20% of the Medicare-approved amount
A copay if you’re in a hospital getting the procedure done

Medicare Supplements can help pay for the additional 20% of out-of-pocket costs if a polyp is found or if you require more than just a screening. Before scheduling your colonoscopy, contact your Medicare Supplement Plan insurer and find out just how much they will cover if a polyp removal is necessary.

A colonoscopy is an important screening test that can help catch colorectal cancer early and possibly save your life. There’s no reason not to get one done if you are over 65, because Medicare covers the cost, and a Medicare Supplement Plan can help pay for any other costs associated with getting tested. If you are looking for a Medicare Supplement Plan, we will help compare the different plan types in your area. We will help you find one that meets your health and financial needs. To get free quotes, enter your zip code in the bar above, or to speak to an agent directly call 888-753-7207. No obligation. No hassle. Just free quotes.