Page 20 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, August 18, 2023 avy n v y y avvyavvy S oravvy S ioreniioor io iori by Jim Miller How Does Medicare Cover Preventive Health Services? Dear Savvy Senior, How does Medicare cover preventive health screenings? I’m due to get a physical and a colonoscopy this year, but I want to fi nd out what I’ll have to pay for before I go in. Just Turned 65 Dear Just Turned, You’ll be happy to know that Medicare covers a wide array of preventive and screening services to help you stay healthy, but not all services are completely covered. Here’s what you should know. Free Preventive Benefi ts Most of Medicare’s preventive services are available to all benefi - ciaries (through Part B) completely free with no copays or deductibles, as long as you meet basic eligibility standards. Mammograms; colonoscopies; shots against fl u, pneumonia, COVID-19 and hepatitis B; screenings for diabetes, depression, osteoporosis, HIV, various cancers and cardiovascular disease; and counseling to combat obesity, alcohol abuse, and smoking are just some of Medicare’s lengthy list of covered services. But to get these services for free, you need to go to a doctor who accepts Medicare “on assignment,” which means he or she has agreed to accept the Medicare approved rate as full payment. Also, the tests are free only if they’re used at specifi ed intervals. For example, cardiovascular screening blood tests once every 5 years; or colonoscopy, once every 10 years, or every two years if you’re at high risk. Medicare also off ers a free “Welcome to Medicare” exam with your doctor in your fi rst year, along with annual “Wellness” visits thereafter. But don’t confuse these with full physical examinations. These are prevention-focused visits that provide only an overview of your health and medical risk factors and serve as a baseline for future care. Cost Sharing Services There are, however, a few Medicare preventive services that do require some out-of-pocket cost sharing. With these tests, you’ll have to pay 20 percent of the cost of the service after you’ve met your $226 Part B yearly deductible. The services that fall under this category include glaucoma tests, diabetes self-management trainings, barium enemas to detect colon cancer, and digital rectal exams to detect prostate cancer. For a complete list of services along with their eligibility requirements, visit Medicare.gov/coverage/preventive-screening-services. If you’re enrolled in a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan, your plan is also required to cover the same preventive services as original Medicare as long as you see in-network providers. Hidden Costs You also need to know that while most of the previously listed Medicare services are free, you can be charged for certain diagnostic services or additional tests or procedures related to the preventive service. For example, if your doctor fi nds and removes a polyp during your preventive care colonoscopy screening, you will pay 15 percent of the doctor’s service fee. Or, if during your annual wellness visit, your doctor needs to investigate or treat a new or existing problem, you will probably be charged here too. You may also have to pay a facility fee depending on where you receive the service. Certain hospitals, for example, will often charge separate facilities fees when you are receiving a preventive service. And you can also be charged for a doctor’s visit if you meet with a physician before or after the service. To eliminate billing surprises, talk to your doctor before any preventive service procedure to fi nd out if you may be subject to a charge and what it would be. 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. Wreaths Across America Announces 2023 Back-to-School Curriculum COLUMBIA FALLS, Maine— August 14, 2023 — Today, Wreaths Across America (WAA) announces new, back-to-school curriculum as part of its yearround TEACH program. The free, downloadable, standards-based lesson plans include resources for all grade levels. The K-12 curriculum includes new lesson plans for Constitution Day and lessons focused on the Navajo Code Talkers and Patriot Day. The free, downloadable plans ensure stories of service, sacrifi ce and valor are passed down to future generations while building good character and self-worth through service to others. Lesson plans and other educational resources are standards-based and created for teachers, parents and anyone educating young people. BHRC | FROM PAGE 19 ment program for Massachusetts public higher education institutions providing tuition and fee waivers to senior citizens above the age of 60. The program would apply, subject to availability and a maximum of four courses per academic years, to qualifying seniors who are enrolled in undergraduate programs, summer sessions, evening classes or any specifi c higher education courses between July 1, 2023 and June 30, 2024. “The state’s public higher education institutions currently off er waivers for qualifying seniors, but the program is poorly utilized,” said sponsor GOP House Minority Leader Rep. Brad Jones (R-North Reading). “This bill creates a mechanism for reimbursing these institutions and establishes a stable baseline funding level for future budget cycles. The goal is to encourage more seniors to take classes while also ensuring that the state’s colleges and universities are properly compensated for lost revenues.” QUOTABLE QUOTES “Former Gov. Charlie Baker had no authority to mandate the experimental COVID shots and deny religious accommodations to these state troopers. Let us never forget this insanity. This is a great victory for these troopers and more public servants must also be reinstated and given back pay.” ---Liberty Counsel Founder and Chairman Mat Staver on an arbitrator’s decision that seven state troopers who were suspended in 2021 for refusing the COVID-19 Throughout the year, the WAA TEACH program provides educational opportunities for people nationwide to engage with veterans in their communities. Schools, school-related clubs, and other organizations can fundraise through the Group Sponsorship Program. In 2022 generous supporters made it possible for WAA to launch a K-12 curriculum aligned with the National Council on Social Studies and state Common Core standards. WAA is also conducting its 2023 Youth Service Project, where young people are encouraged to execute a community service project. The service projects must be completed by Veterans Day, November 11, 2023. “Teaching the next generation the value of freedom is an important component of our misshot for religious reasons must be reinstated and receive retroactive pay and earned seniority. “This signifi cant expansion of the [program] will make electric vehicles more aff ordable and accessible for residents of all income levels. Residents will now be able to get their rebates the day they buy their car, instead of waiting for the funds to come in. And income-eligible folks will now be able to get additional rebates, including for used vehicles. This is a great development in our eff orts toward an equitable clean energy transition.” ---Gov. Healey announcing changes to the Massachusetts Offers Rebates for Electric Vehicles Program which provides rebates for the purchase or lease of battery electric and fuel cell electric vehicles. “Healthcare is a right not a privilege. Medicare for All ensures we affi rm that belief through policies that make it true, in practice, for all of our families.” ---Boston City Councilor Ricardo Arroyo on the council’s passage of his resolution in support of state legislation that would establish Medicare for all in Massachusetts. HOW LONG WAS LAST WEEK’S SESSION? Beacon Hill Roll Call tracks the length of time that the House and Senate were in session each week. Many legislators say that legislative sessions are only one aspect of the Legislature’s job and that a lot of important work is done outside of the House and Senate chambers. They note that their jobs also involve committee work, research, constituent work and other matters that are important to their sion, as is fostering good character,” said Cindy Tatum, WAA TEACH Curriculum Developer and Gold Star Mother. “Whether they are a teacher with many years of experience or a firstyear teacher, we appreciate the educators who work to inspire future generations of Americans to be the best version of themselves they can be. We hope this curriculum helps teachers plan their year and engage our most precious resource – our children!” To learn more about the TEACH program and access free, downloadable lesson plans, please visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/teach. To subscribe to Teaching Times, the quarterly TEACH program newsletter, please visit https://learn.wreathsacrossamerica.org/teach-newsletter. districts. Critics say that the Legislature does not meet regularly or long enough to debate and vote in public view on the thousands of pieces of legislation that have been fi led. They note that the infrequency and brief length of sessions are misguided and lead to irresponsible late-night sessions and a mad rush to act on dozens of bills in the days immediately preceding the end of an annual session. During the week of August 7-11, the House met for a total of 30 minutes while the Senate met for a total of 13 minutes. Mon.August 7 House 11:00 a.m. to 11:20 a.m. Senate 11:14 a.m. to 11:23 a.m. Tues. August 8 No House session No Senate session Wed.August 9 No House session No Senate session Thurs. August 10 House 11:04 a.m. to 11:14 a.m. Senate 11:03 a.m. to 11:07 a.m. Fri.August 11 No House session No Senate session Bob Katzen welcomes feedback at bob@beaconhillrollcall.com Bob founded Beacon Hill Roll Call in 1975 and was inducted into the New England Newspaper and Press Association (NENPA) Hall of Fame in 2019.
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