According to a report compiled by the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, 57% of people covered by the Medicare program are women. Women, in general, live longer than men and are more likely to suffer from diseases such as arthritis and osteoporosis. With this in mind, it is important for women who receive Medicare to know which preventive health care services are covered, or partially covered, by the Medicare program.

Women who are entitled to receive Medicare

The Medicare program is administered by the Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and is the largest health insurance program in the United States. Women who qualify for Medicare are:
 

• citizens of the United States or lawful permanent residents who have lived continuously in the United States for more than five years and
• aged 65 and over or
• some disabled women aged under 65 or
• women with End-Stage Renal Disease.

Check with Social Security to confirm your personal eligibility of Medicare entitlements.

Preventive care services for women covered by Medicare

The recent changes in health care under the Health Care Reform Act and the Affordable Care Act have highlighted the importance of preventive health care services with regard to long term health care. Women who take out or renew a health insurance plan on or after September 23, 2010 will now be entitled to receive certain health care preventive services at little or no cost. These are some of the preventive health care services that women who receive Medicare are entitled to (please note that this list is not exhaustive):
 

• one breast cancer screening (mammogram) every 12 months for women aged 40 and over
• one pap test and pelvic exam every 24 months for all women
• HIV screening for pregnant women or women with an increased risk of infection once every 12 months or up to 3 times during one pregnancy
• up to two diabetes screenings each year for women with increased risk of diabetes
• cardiovascular screening tests, such as cholesterol, once every five years
• bone mass measurements (to determine risk of fractures such as in osteoporosis) once every 24 months
• one flu shot once a year (fall/winter) for all women who receive Medicare Part B
• one test for glaucoma every 12 months for women who are considered high risk.

Be aware that a percentage of some of the costs may be payable by the recipient, even if you are receiving Medicare. Check with the Medicare program for exact details on cost before scheduling an appointment for preventive health care services.

• For further information contact Medicare: 1-800-MEDICARE

References:

• The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation web site, Women and Medicare Report, accessed August 10, 2010
• Medicare web site, accessed August 10, 2010

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