3 Things Medicare May Pay For

What is most surprising about Medicare in today’s world is that there are actually a number of underutilized benefits that come with this health insurance coverage. Senior care can be rather complex and include medications, procedures, hospital stays and therapies, just to name a few. Yet, many worry about how they are going to pay for things like assisted living, medical equipment or in-home care. There are so many seniors today who are surprisingly unaware of some of the things that Medicare may pay for. Here are five of the most surprising things that Medicare sometimes covers that could make life much easier for seniors today.

Home Health Care

There are so many seniors today who turn to home health care as a way to get the support and the assistance that they need to live safely and comfortably in their own homes. There are all different types of home health care services out there today and many seniors don’t think that their situation may apply to the Medicare-covered home health insurance.  However, Medicare created a home health care benefit for those who could receive more cost-effective care outside of nursing homes and hospitals. Medicare may cover more home health care costs than people think. Plus, this type of home care comes with no copay.

Another surprising fact about Medicare’s home health care benefits is that seniors do not have to have a hospital stay in order to qualify. There are so many people who assume that just because they haven’t been in the hospital, Medicare won’t cover their home care needs. Seniors do still need to be deemed “homebound” and have a declaration from a doctor indicating their condition requires at home care, but they don’t have to be in a hospital first to qualify.

Medical Equipment

Medicare Part B actually covers “durable medical equipment” for seniors who need it. This means older adults who may need a little extra help getting around can often get the assistance they need without paying an arm and a leg. This includes: walkers, wheelchairs, hospital beds, canes, crutches, oxygen tanks and equipment and blood glucose monitors among other things. Typically, Medicare pays for 80% of the approved cost of these devices, once seniors have met the Part B deductible. This is something that can save the average senior thousands in medical costs. Check with your doctor for places to get equipment, as some Medicare plans require you to do so.

Chiropractic Care and Physical Therapy

There are so many seniors today that visit a chiropractor regularly to help them maintain good overall health and relieve the aches and pains that come with aging. Chiropractic care has become a major part of the overall wellness plans for many seniors today and those who have Medicare Part B can have their chiropractic care costs covered. Chiropractic care treats subluxations of the spine, and seniors with Medicare don’t need an x-ray to prove they have this type of subluxation in order for Medicare to cover their costs. There are also plans known as Medicare Advantage Plans that can provide additional chiropractic care benefits to those who see their chiropractor more frequently.

Seniors who need physical therapy, speech therapy or occupational therapy will also find that Medicare can cover many of their expenses. Medicare has yearly limits for how often seniors can visit these outpatient providers, but typically a standard number of appointments is completely covered.

Medicare Made Easy / Just Us Insurance Services / INSR4U.com