Annual changes in Medicare are common, but women with serious health conditions could be at risk of losing coverage or paying much more for it as a result.
If you’re a woman suffering from breast cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, heart disease, or osteoporosis, there are some important changes you should know about, so that you can be ready for open enrollment.
Prescription Medication Coverage for Rheumatoid Arthritis is improving
Recent changes approved in Congress are expanding and improving medication coverage for rheumatoid arthritis under Medicare for women. This means that you might not need to pay anything out of pocket for your medications, or at least not spend a significant amount.
BoomerBenefits.com reports that Medicare Part B covers medication prescribed at a hospital or doctor’s office, while Part D covers medication taken on your own or through an outpatient service.
Most prescription and over-the-counter medications for this condition are covered by a Part D plan, including NSAIDs or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory prescriptions and corticosteroids. Furthermore, According to AARP, [2] women with rheumatoid arthritis won’t pay nearly as much as in previous years.
Treatments and Care for Breast Cancer are Covered
As of 2019, treatments and care for breast cancer are covered by Medicare. This includes inpatient and outpatient services. The Breast Cancer Resource Center reports that women suffering from breast cancer usually only have to pay a deductible or at least no more than their co-pays. [3]
According to the same source, [4] every hospital visit and stay up to 60 days is covered by Part A. Part B offers coverage for doctor’s appointments, lab tests, diagnostics, any necessary medical equipment. Moreover, surgeries and reconstructive surgeries are covered, besides radiation or chemotherapy, so you only need to pay 20% of the total cost. Finally, Part D (Medicare Advantage) will cover any prescription or over the counter drugs.
Routine Bone Density Tests for Osteoporosis are Covered
Even though women with osteoporosis have limited Medicare coverage, they now get more preventative care. Medicare Made Clear explains that, apart from medication coverage through Part D, you will only be covered for tests that check bone density if your doctor works with Medicare. To get approval, you should be a patient at risk of developing osteoporosis or already be in treatment. Coverage includes one test every other year, while additional scans are paid out-of-pocket. That’s why it’s worth considering additional insurance.
Preventive Heart Disease Care is Covered
Women with heart disease don’t get prescription coverage past Parts B and D, or advantage plans. Moreover, they usually have to pay for a lot of care out-of-pocket. However, as My Medicare Matters explains, [6] Medicare covers screenings for diabetes and heart disease Every Medicare subscriber can opt for a free diabetes and heart disease screening once per year that comes with cholesterol and blood pressure tests.
Improve Your Coverage with a Supplemental Medicare Plan
As you can see, the changes made to Medicare and outlined above can be significant, so you should always stay updated. It’s best to do your research beforehand so that you’re ready to make changes, if necessary, during open enrollment.
If you find out that you’re in need of extra coverage or a different plan, you have only about two months per year to do so, from October 15th to December 7th. Don’t wait too long.
[1] https://boomerbenefits.com/medicare-rheumatoid-arthritis/
[2] https://www.aarp.org/health/medicare-insurance/info-2018/medicare-changes-2019.html
[3] https://bcrc.org/medicare-cover-cancer-treatment/
[4] https://bcrc.org/medicare-cover-cancer-treatment/
[5] https://blog.medicaremadeclear.com/no-bones-it-osteoporosis-serious-2/
[6] https://www.mymedicarematters.org/2018/02/4-ways-prevent-heart-disease-using-medicare/