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Taking Advantage Of Free US Medicare Benefits


Lily H

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I understand most of you are already very knowledgeable on Medicare coverages but maybe a few will find these useful if you travel north sometimes.

1. Medicare provides one free wellness check and one assessment for signs of Alzheimer's or dementia per year. 

2. Free obesity ( Free only for adults with a body mass index BMI of 30 or more) and smoking counseling.

3. Free hospice care if you're given six months or less to live. Medicare of course decides the types of facilities you can use. Medicare will also cover free grief counseling to you and your family members.

4. Medicare pays for disease screenings only when your doctor determines you're at risk for: diabetes, heart disease, hepatitis B or C, HIV, or certain types of cancers. 

5. Medicare pays for a hearing exam if your doctor says it's medically necessary. 

6. Medicare covers some durable medical equipment, including: wheelchairs, oxygen tanks, blood sugar monitors, walkers, and even hospital beds.

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Left off that list was a free annual mammogram and free prostate exam and free blood tests (if/when ordered by a Doc).  

But/and all these and the things that you mentioned come with the key words.... YOUR DOCTOR. One can't just 'travel north' and bop into an office to get them done at will. My experience and information from others in the US is that getting that annual appointment can be daunting or at least not 'in a couple of days or weeks'. IMO if one is/would be considering going north for any of these services one might surely want to find a Doc willing to accommodate your needs. 

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6 hours ago, RickS said:

Left off that list was a free annual mammogram and free prostate exam and free blood tests (if/when ordered by a Doc).  

But/and all these and the things that you mentioned come with the key words.... YOUR DOCTOR. One can't just 'travel north' and bop into an office to get them done at will. My experience and information from others in the US is that getting that annual appointment can be daunting or at least not 'in a couple of days or weeks'. IMO if one is/would be considering going north for any of these services one might surely want to find a Doc willing to accommodate your needs. 

The secret to that is to maintain a Primary Care doctor and easily establish appointments with them for a set time in the future. Our experience is about 2 months lead time, unless it is an emergency, then we get in sooner. Same applies to the Specialists, but we have enjoyed much less wait time with both, as getting on a "cancel" list has always allowed us to get something in about 10 days. YMMD, but we have been like this for almost the 11 years we have been on Medicare. Just a little planning and taking responsibility for your health care goes a LONG way.

 

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6 minutes ago, Ajijic_hiker said:

It's not really 'free'....Part B only covers about 80%, and whatever you choose to cover the rest can be expensive....Medicare claims to 'cover' some of these costs, but in reality, you are paying for it, every month..deducted from your Social Security check.   I wanted to see a doctor for my first introductory Medicare wellness check up, but in order to get the appointment for that I first needed to pay a doctor for an exam, as a new patient...then...and only then, was I able to get my 'free' check up, so I cancelled.  It has so much to do with what state and city you claim to be your home, because coverage is different everywhere. Some places have very few doctors that accept Medicare.  Especially in smaller towns. Between my Part B and my supplemental Medicare insurance, it comes to over $220/month.

 

You are correct, nothing in this World is "free" not even "Free Medicare for All", "Free College Tuition", "Welfare", "Free Housing", etc.

:D

 

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I didn't think I have to mention you need a doctor to do the Annual Wellness Visit (AWV). Who else does it for you?

I understand you have 20% Part B deductible and coinsurance BUT those payments do not apply to the AWV which is 100% covered.

Of course it's up the individual to decide using it or not. 

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From medicare.gov:

1. You pay nothing for the “Welcome to Medicare” preventive visit if your doctor or other qualified health care provider accepts assignment. The Part B deductible doesn’t apply. 

2. If you’ve had Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) for longer than 12 months, you can get a yearly “Wellness” visit once every 12 months. You pay nothing for this visit.

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For those of us who cannot mentally, spiritually, or emotionally bear to step foot NOB again, and/or who no longer feel safe in a country of gun nuts and mentally deranged white supremacists, they couldn't pay us to get care there.

Furthermore, all the constant nattering about health care is enough to make anybody sick. Can we please talk about shitty internet service some more?

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1 hour ago, chapalence said:

For those of us who cannot mentally, spiritually, or emotionally bear to step foot NOB again, and/or who no longer feel safe in a country of gun nuts and mentally deranged white supremacists, they couldn't pay us to get care there.

Furthermore, all the constant nattering about health care is enough to make anybody sick. Can we please talk about shitty internet service some more?

Just skip the threads that don't interest you.

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23 hours ago, Jim Bowie said:

You are correct, nothing in this World is "free" not even "Free Medicare for All", "Free College Tuition", "Welfare", "Free Housing", etc.

:D

 

I think what most people mean by free, is that the cost is spread over many more wallets, the government pays the bill, and the individual isn´t gobsmacked  with all the cost in one big lump sum.  Just like when you call the police or fire departments, they don´t hand you a bill when they leave. The government either gets the money from taxation or borrowing, but it isn´t dumped on the individual all at once. 

Sometimes a doctor or a hospital is just as important as a policeman or a fireman in the saving of a life.

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On ‎8‎/‎26‎/‎2019 at 12:17 PM, chapalence said:

For those of us who cannot mentally, spiritually, or emotionally bear to step foot NOB again, and/or who no longer feel safe in a country of gun nuts and mentally deranged white supremacists, they couldn't pay us to get care there.

Furthermore, all the constant nattering about health care is enough to make anybody sick. Can we please talk about shitty internet service some more?

Wow, just wow.

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41 minutes ago, Tingting said:

Wow, just wow.

Isn't it?!

I personally care less because I have excellent health insurance which covers my hearing aids after some deductible.

I was trying to be helpful even if it is useful to one person but instead of gotten slammed.

What an internet outrage!

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I appreciate your original post.  There are many types of expats here.  Some have 2nd homes in the US; some have family in the US whom they visit often and continue to get their medical care there, including Medicare.  Some live here full time but have a pre-existing condition that may someday need expensive treatment/surgery, and so they have decided to keep their Medicare.  Some live here and think they will never ever go back.....never say never.  Crap happens.  

Smart to keep abreast of all medical options, changes in coverage, whether it be Medicare or SP or IMSS or private insurance.  

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Thank you Bisbee Gal and NLU!

Reacting with anger and outburst is a waste of one's energy. It doesn't hurt me or bother me at all - we all know how to block someone here. At least someone can disagree but without being disagreeable. As an adult we share information here to help each other out. Rants at any poster should be unacceptable.  

 

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Lighten up everyone.. that was not really a slam just one reacton from on person.. big deal , he or she does not want to go NOB .. As someone said there are lots of difeferent situations so not everyone is in the same bag .

 

Just a note for those of you who think they can have the rinsurrance up north and get insurrance to fly up in case of an emergency.. We had two emergencies while in Chiapas and there was not way we were going to fly anywhere...My husband got 2 sugeries in Chiapas exactly because there was no way he was gong to suffer being flown anywhere . If you are in great pain flying anyhere is not a great option.. keep enough money in the bank for that type of situation.

While in the hospital I met a Roman Italian family that had come on vacations  to San Cristobal and one of them fell and had to have a hip replacement.. They asked for facturas (do not pay unless they give you a factura in case you need it later).. They had to settle the account before they left  so you do need to have the money..

By the way the hospital gave me a song and dance about the factura.. my number did not work and after 30 ays they told me no factura.. I just made a denuncia against them at SAT but if I had no paid until I had gotten the factura , I would not have to go through the demanda.. Live and learn!

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  • 2 weeks later...
On 8/26/2019 at 9:09 PM, slainte39 said:

I think what most people mean by free, is that the cost is spread over many more wallets, the government pays the bill, and the individual isn´t gobsmacked  with all the cost in one big lump sum.  Just like when you call the police or fire departments, they don´t hand you a bill when they leave. The government either gets the money from taxation or borrowing, but it isn´t dumped on the individual all at once. 

Sometimes a doctor or a hospital is just as important as a policeman or a fireman in the saving of a life.

I cringe when someone says these types of things are free.  They are not free!  If they were the doctors would be volunteers; the drug companies would give a way medications, the labs and everyone associated would all donate their time and products.  Our taxes PAY for all of it, so the better way to describe it is "included".  This word free is deceptive.

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I'm way over 65 and I have Medicare and I am going to get my annual physical from my Doc up here in Seattle. And yes, Medicare pays for a lot of the cost thereof but not all. When I go to my Lakeside Doctor, Dr. Garcia. I have to pay for everything. Luckily as we all know most all medical costs are appreciably less in Mexico (Sadly there are  a few exceptions though)

Talking about Facturas, I have been lakeside since 1997 and I don't ever remember even seeing a facture.  All I ever get is a simple receipt. No I have not asked for a Factura.

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4 hours ago, Zeb said:

I cringe when someone says these types of things are free.  They are not free!  If they were the doctors would be volunteers; the drug companies would give a way medications, the labs and everyone associated would all donate their time and products.  Our taxes PAY for all of it, so the better way to describe it is "included".  This word free is deceptive.

 

"Free - definition of free by The Free Dictionary

5. a. Costing nothing; gratuitous: a free meal.

b. Publicly supported: free education."
 
It might be considered free if the end user pays nothing no matter who/what funded it.
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1 hour ago, Zeb said:

I cringe when someone says these types of things are free.  They are not free!  If they were the doctors would be volunteers; the drug companies would give a way medications, the labs and everyone associated would all donate their time and products.  Our taxes PAY for all of it, so the better way to describe it is "included".  This word free is deceptive.

Free to the user as there is no personal responsibility or debt by the individual, but borne by society as a whole. That is a tremendous difference no matter how you define "free".

There is nothing deceptive about walking out of a hospital without paying or being held there until you do, or facing financial ruin because of your medical debts, or not receiving any medical care because you didn´t come up with the necessary funds up front.

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  • 2 weeks later...

Lily, the spirit of your post was right on.     IMHO a lot of the frustration and problem is the lack of focus on keeping people healthy in the 1st place, which is way less costly than dealing with the obesity, diabetes, oxygen, etc in #2 thru 6 in your post.   

Of course some conditions are unavoidable and very good to know what is available - even better if the system spent some "$$" on true healthy living, nutrition, wellness and prevention than the "$$$$$$$$$$" it costs to deal with the lack thereof. 

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14 hours ago, Go Solar said:

Lily, the spirit of your post was right on.     IMHO a lot of the frustration and problem is the lack of focus on keeping people healthy in the 1st place, which is way less costly than dealing with the obesity, diabetes, oxygen, etc in #2 thru 6 in your post.   

Of course some conditions are unavoidable and very good to know what is available - even better if the system spent some "$$" on true healthy living, nutrition, wellness and prevention than the "$$$$$$$$$$" it costs to deal with the lack thereof. 

Your thoughts and intentions are, of course, good.  Some of us, however, having seen how most well intentioned government programs just waste money and fail, do not wish any tax dollars spent on "keeping people healthy, healthy living, nutrition, etc.". The wars on poverty and drugs come to mind as huge failures that have wasted trillions. Other folks continue to believe it's not the program that failed but rather the individuals running them. Thus, they continue to look for the right leader to show that they can actually work. This difference of opinion is what makes life interesting and the beat goes on.

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