Page 10 Savvy Senior by Jim Miller Doctor Visits Without the Drive: How Medicare Covers Telehealth Dear Savvy Senior, I don’t drive much anymore, so getting to the doctor can be a hassle. They suggested telehealth visits, but I’m not very tech savvy. How does Medicare cover these kinds of appointments? --Trying to Keep Up Dear Trying, You’re certainly not alone. Many older adults are running into the same issue. Getting to appointments is not as easy as it used to be, and the idea of using technology for doctor visits can feel a little intimidating at first. The good news is that telehealth has made it much easier to get care without leaving home, and it’s usually much simpler to use than people expect. Medicare covers many of these services, too, making it easier to stay connected with your health care providers. Here’s a look at how it works and what Medicare pays for. What is telehealth? Telehealth is simply a way to see or talk to your doctor from home using a phone, tablet or computer. Visits can be done by video, where you and your doctor can see and talk to each other, or sometimes by a regular phone call. And don’t worry, you don’t need to be a tech expert. Many doctor’s offices use simple systems and will walk you through it step by step. In some cases, all you have to do is click a link they send you or answer your phone at the scheduled time. It’s also important to understand that telehealth visits are not just quick chats. They are considered full medical appointments. Your doctor can go over symptoms, review medications, discuss test results and recommend treatment, much like an in person visit. Does Medicare cover it? Yes, Medicare does cover many telehealth services. While telehealth has been part of Medicare for years, it was expanded significantly during the COVID 19 pandemic so people could safely get care from home. Those expanded benefits are still in place today. Right now, Medicare allows you to receive telehealth services from home no matter where you live. Covered visits include a wide range of care, such as reviewing lab results, managing prescriptions, routine checkups, preventive screenings and even evaluating minor illnesses like colds, coughs or infections. In many cases, follow up visits and ongoing care for chronic conditions can also be handled this way. Another big plus is flexibility. If you are not comfortable with video or do not have internet access, some telehealth visits can still be done using just a regular phone call. And it is not limited to your primary doctor. Many types of health care providers can offer telehealth services. What’s ahead? Here’s where things get a little uncertain. The expanded telehealth coverage that began during the pandemic is not permanent, at least not yet. Under current law, these broader telehealth benefits are set to continue through Dec. 31, 2027. After that, Medicare will likely scale back coverage to more limited rules unless Congress steps in and extends the changes. Even so, some telehealth services are expected to continue long term. Mental and behavioral health care, diabetes education, nutrition therapy and certain dialysis related visits should still be covered. Audio-only phone visits for mental health care are also expected to remain available. If you are curious about telehealth, start by calling your doctor’s office and asking what options they offer. They can guide you through the process and help you feel comfortable before your first appointment. It may feel unfamiliar at first, but many people find that once they try telehealth, it’s a simple and convenient way to stay on top of their health, especially when getting to appointments is difficult. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, August 7, 2026 MUSINGS | FROM PAGE 6 George MacKay, the senior-most Patrolman with the Malden Police Department, has finally decided to hang up his ‘virtual cape.’ We’ll take the watch from here, George... although we can’t promise we’ll tell the stories quite as well as you do. Enjoy your well-deserved retirement, but don’t be a stranger. While you will always be part of the MPD family, we will miss your stories, your sense of humor, and your outlook on life. After 41 years in law enforcement, there isn’t much that George hasn’t experienced. The good times, the tough times, and everything in between. Through it all, he remained a steady presence, a trusted teammate, and someone who always knew how to lighten the mood. George’s lovely wife, Lisa, surprised him with his final lunch as a Malden Police officer, where he was surrounded by members of his platoon and colleagues he worked alongside throughout the years. George, thank you for your dedication, your friendship, and your unwavering service to the City of Malden. Enjoy sleeping in, avoiding radio calls, and finally being able to say, ‘That’s someone else’s problem.’ Congratulations on a well-deserved retirement. You earned every minute of it.” —Peter is a longtime Malden resident and a regular contributor to The Malden Advocate. He can be reached at PeteL39@aol.com for comments, compliments or criticisms. PROBATE COURT CLOSING STATEMENT Form MPC 850 is the mechanism for formally closing the estate. The Personal Representative A Closing Statement can be filed by the Personal Representative of an estate with a Massachusetts probate court by using Form MPC 850. This is done to formally close the estate. The Personal Representative is confirming that all debts, taxes and distributions to beneficiaries of the estate have been handled properly. This is pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 193B, Section 3-1003. The Personal Representative is certifying to the court that the estate has been fully administered, including the payment of debts, income taxes, estate taxes and expenses, and that assets have been distributed to the rightful beneficiaries in the proper amounts and manner. must also provide notice and a full accounting to distributees, creditors or other claimants whose claims are unpaid or not barred by statute. The Personal Representative of the estate is certifying under the pains and penalties of perjury that the information is accurate to the best of his or her knowledge and is ensuring to the court that there is no court order or pending proceeding that would prevent the estate from being formally closed. The Personal Representative is also stating that the administration of the estate is not being formally supervised by the Probate Court. Once the Closing Statement is filed with the Probate Court, if there are no proceedings involving the Personal Representative within one year from the date of filing, the Closing Statement generally cannot be challenged, except for fraud or manifest error. A Closing Statement provides legal protection for the Personal Representative and assurance to the estate beneficiaries that the estate has been property settled. The Personal Representative is also stating that the creditor claim period for the estate has expired. Creditors have one year from the date of death to file a complaint with a court of law having proper jurisdiction in order to bring an action against the estate for a claim. MassHealth has to be notified of any probate proceeding via certified mail. If MassHealth has a claim for Medicaid benefits paid to the decedent during life, it will send a letter to the attorney representing the estate setting forth the balance of the unpaid claim. If the decedent was on MassHealth for heath insurance benefits while living at home, and was age 55 or older while receiving those benefits, MassHealth will seek to recover amounts paid against the decedent’s probate estate. This is another good reason to utilize Trusts as part of one’s estate plan. Joseph D. Cataldo is an estate planning/elder law attorney, Certified Public Accountant, Certified Financial Planner, AICPA Personal Financial Specialist and holds a master’s degree in taxation.
11 Publizr Home