Perspective
Older and Disabled Americans Must Be Savvy Health Care Consumers
A recent AARP study shows that Medicare currently pays for less than half the total health care costs of the 40 million Americans with Medicare. And, with health care costs escalating, all predictions indicate that the Bush administration and Congress will allow out-of-pocket expenses for older adults and people with disabilities to rise dramatically.
The Medicare Rights Center, a consumer service organization, offers the following tips for smart health care planning:
- Make sure your doctors accept Medicare assignment. Doctors who take assignment agree to charge patients no more than Medicare's approved amount, enabling patients to limit their out-of-pocket health care costs.
- Buy prescription drugs through low-cost programs. If you don't have drug coverage, check out your options. Some states have drug assistance programs. Veterans can get their drugs through a Veteran's hospital at substantial savings. Also, everyone can buy their drugs from Canada over the Internet, often for much less than they would pay in the United States. Go to www.medicarerights.org/rxframeset.html to find out how you can get drugs at affordable prices.
- Get the care that you are entitled to. Did you have your annual preventive screenings this past year? Medicare covers 80 percent of the Medicare-approved amount for women's pelvic and breast exams and men's prostate cancer screenings after you have met your $100 annual Part B deductible. It also covers additional preventive services for people at high risk for certain types of illness, such as glaucoma. For a complete list of preventive services covered by Medicare, check out the official Medicare web site at www.medicare.gov.