CMS: 20.5M take advantage of free wellness, screening visits
Nearly 20.5 million people with Medicare coverage reviewed their health status at a free annual wellness visit or received other preventive services with no deductible or cost sharing this year, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
In addition, CMS said that nearly 1.8 million people with Medicare have received discounts on brand-name drugs in the Medicare Part D coverage gap between January and August. The total value of discounts to people with Medicare in the coverage gap is nearly $1 billion through the end of August, with an average savings of $530 per beneficiary.
An increased number of people are taking advantage of preventive benefits and prescription drug discounts as they are beginning to review their Medicare plan options for next year. The web-based Medicare Plan Finder is available to help beneficiaries, family members, caregivers and senior program advocates looking at all local drug and health plan options that are available for the 2012 benefit year.
Some of the free preventive services available to people with Medicare include:
The annual enrollment period begins earlier this year on Oct. 15, and runs through Dec. 7. CMS added. “People with Medicare will have seven weeks to review Medicare Advantage and Part D prescription drug coverage benefits and plan options, and choose the option that best meets their needs or keeps the plan they have today,” the agency said in a statement.
To access the Medicare Plan Finder, click here.
In addition, CMS said that nearly 1.8 million people with Medicare have received discounts on brand-name drugs in the Medicare Part D coverage gap between January and August. The total value of discounts to people with Medicare in the coverage gap is nearly $1 billion through the end of August, with an average savings of $530 per beneficiary.
An increased number of people are taking advantage of preventive benefits and prescription drug discounts as they are beginning to review their Medicare plan options for next year. The web-based Medicare Plan Finder is available to help beneficiaries, family members, caregivers and senior program advocates looking at all local drug and health plan options that are available for the 2012 benefit year.
Some of the free preventive services available to people with Medicare include:
- Mammograms and cervical cancer screenings;
- Annual wellness visit;
- Cholesterol and other cardiovascular screenings; and
- Colorectal and prostate cancer screenings.
The annual enrollment period begins earlier this year on Oct. 15, and runs through Dec. 7. CMS added. “People with Medicare will have seven weeks to review Medicare Advantage and Part D prescription drug coverage benefits and plan options, and choose the option that best meets their needs or keeps the plan they have today,” the agency said in a statement.
To access the Medicare Plan Finder, click here.