Millions of Americans of all ages are overweight or obese, but weight issues can be a particular problem for older adults. In fact, almost 35% of adults 65 and older are considered obese, which also means that they are at higher risk of developing other medical conditions, like heart disease, stroke, diabetes, high cholesterol, and more. So, if you are one of the many older adults dealing with obesity, it is important to try and lose weight – fortunately, there are ways that you can do so with the help of Medicare.
Are You Obese?
In order to determine whether you are overweight or obese, you will need to calculate your body mass index (BMI). Your doctor will usually check your BMI during your Medicare Annual Wellness Visit, or you can calculate it yourself by plugging your height and weight into an online BMI calculator. A BMI of 30 or more is considered obese.
Health Problems Associated With Obesity
The sad reality of getting older is that it becomes much easier for you to gain weight. Your metabolism slows down; in addition, your joints might ache or you could develop a chronic condition, both of which could prevent you from getting enough exercise. Add to this the fact that our fat-stores tend to increase with age, and it becomes clear why older adults have such a high risk of obesity – and with obesity can come other dangerous medical conditions, including:
Obesity will lead to other health problems, such as hypertension.
Diabetes- Obesity is a major cause of type 2 diabetes
Certain cancers including breast, uterine, colon, and leukemia.
Arthritis and mobility impairment- Every pound of excess weight exerts about 4 pounds of extra pressure on the knees
Cognitive decline
Research shows that obesity is linked to a shorter life expectancy, mainly because of all the health risks associated with it. To lower your risk of developing medical conditions associated with obesity, you’ll have to lower your body mass index; in order to do this, you will have to put in some work. But Medicare can help!
Obesity Counseling
In order to help you lose weight and improve your health, Medicare Part B will cover obesity counseling services, both in-person and virtually through telehealth counseling. If you take advantage of this benefit, you will have access to a licensed psychologist, who will assess your diet and lifestyle, and then offer you a detailed dietary and physical activity plan to help you lose weight. This counseling is completely free to Medicare beneficiaries.
Medicare Supplement Plans
While obesity counseling is completely covered by Medicare, many of your medical expenses will not be fully covered, so if you’re looking for a way to help pay for the 20% of medical expenses that Medicare Part B doesn’t cover, you should look into a Medicare Supplement Plan. You can sign up for one of these plans at any time, but the best time to purchase one is during your 7-month Medicare Initial Enrollment Period (the 3 months before you turn 65, the month of your birthday, and the 3 months after you turn 65). If you sign up after your Initial Enrollment Period, you’ll face medical underwriting, and if you have a risky health condition like obesity, you could end up paying more or even getting denied for a plan. But don’t worry if you’re past your Initial Enrollment Period and are in the process of trying to lose weight – you can still find an affordable plan with the help of an EZ agent!
If you are interested in learning more about Medicare Supplement Plans, and the many different coverage options that they offer, EZ can compare every plan available to you, for free. Our agent will find one that fits your specific needs, so you can save as much money as possible.To compare plans for free, simply enter your zip code in the bar above, or to speak to a licensed agent, call 888-753-7207. No obligation.
There are some things in life that go without saying, and others that you need to be very clear about. For example, you can’t assume that your loved ones will know what your wishes are when it comes to your end-of-life care. It is important to have a written document that spells out exactly what your wishes are in the event that you can no longer communicate them for yourself. This document is known as an advance directive, and because it is a legal document, you might be wondering whether you have to pay to have one drafted, and whether Medicare covers it.
Advance Directive Explained
An advance directive is a legal document that is drafted to ensure that you get the medical care you want if you ever become incapable of communicating your wishes. Essentially, this document spells out what you would like to be done for you at the end of your life. The advance directive will be used by healthcare providers and your family to guide them in different scenarios.
Your advance directive will allow you to give power of attorney to someone, who will then be able to make medical decisions for you if you are not physically or mentally able to. It will also include a living will that details your specific wishes regarding your medical care and even your after-death wishes.
How To Get An Advance Directive
You can get an advance directive drafted by an attorney, who will create a living will or power of attorney form. You can also get an advance directive from your local Area Agency on Aging, state health department, or through your doctor.
The best time to make an advance directive is when you are well, so you can be sure that you are making decisions with a clear head. Bring up the subject with your doctor, and provide them with a copy after you have had one drafted. Remember, your advance directive is not set in stone; you can change it at any time and, if you are able to communicate your wishes, your verbal instructions will always override your written directive.
Why You Need One
Your doctor can draft an advance directive on your behalf, as long as he or she accepts Medicare assignment.
It’s never easy to talk about the end of your life or the possibility that you could end up incapable of communicating your wishes. But it is something that you should think about and be ready for in the event that it does happen. Having an advance directive will put your family at ease, because they will know they did what you would’ve wanted regarding your medical care.
Medicare Coverage
Medicare will cover advance care planning as part of your “Wellness” visit. During this appointment, you can talk about an advance directive with your doctor, and they might be able to help you fill out the forms if you’d like. As long as your doctor accepts Medicare assignment and talking about your advance directive is part of your “Wellness” visit, Medicare Part B will completely cover advance care planning. If you go to the doctor for something other than a “Wellness” visit, Medicare will still cover advance care planning as part of your medical treatment, but you’ll have to pay your coinsurance and your deductible.
In general, Medicare Part B covers 80% of qualified medical expenses, leaving you to pay the other 20% out-of-pocket. Medicare Supplement Plans help pay that remaining 20%, which will save you money in the long run, especially if you are being treated for a chronic condition. In fact, having a Medicare Supplement Plan could save you hundreds of dollars each year. There are 10 different Medicare Supplement Plans to choose from, each with different levels of coverage at different price points. One of our agents will go over each plan and find the one that meets your needs. To get free instant quotes, simply enter your zip code in the bar above, or to speak to a licensed agent, call 888-753-7207. No hassle. No obligation.
Thyroid conditions are very common in people over 60, and chances of developing them increase with age. In fact, an estimated 20% of women over the age of 60 have some form of thyroid disease. Each kind of thyroid condition – hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism – has different symptoms and treatments associated with it, and being able to identify each of them can help you get the necessary treatment more quickly. But when it comes time to talk to your doctor about a thyroid condition, will Medicare cover the tests?
The thyroid gland can produce too little or too much hormone in your body, causing abnormal changes
Your thyroid gland is located in your neck below the voice box, with two lobes on each side of the windpipe. It produces hormones that regulate your metabolism, T3 and T4, which are essentially chemical messengers that control your metabolism and mood. If your thyroid either makes too much or too little thyroid hormone, your body will experience certain changes. There are two different conditions related to too much or too little thyroid hormone:
Hypothyroidism– This is the most common type of thyroid condition in seniors, with up to 1 in 4 patients in nursing homes dealing with it. It is caused by the underproduction of thyroid hormones and results in a low metabolic rate. Symptoms include sleepiness, dry skin, joint and muscle pain, constipation, intolerance to the cold, and weight gain.
Hyperthyroidism- With this condition, your metabolism increases because your thyroid produces too many hormones. Symptoms include mood swings, hyperactivity, swelling in the neck, diarrhea, and muscle weakness.
If you experience any of the symptoms above, talk to your doctor so that you can get tested for a possible thyroid condition. In order to test for a thyroid condition, your doctor will take a blood sample, which can be done at their office or at a laboratory. If the lab work reveals that you do have a thyroid condition, you can get the proper treatment to help control it and decrease your chances of any other conditions developing or worsening.
Thyroid disorders that occur in older individuals can disguise themselves as other conditions, so in order to confirm or rule out a thyroid disorder, you need to get tested. Medicare covers thyroid testing and screening: anything that is done on an inpatient basis will be covered by Medicare Part A, and anything done in an outpatient setting will be covered by Medicare Part B, if your doctor orders the test. The criteria you will have to meet in order for Medicare to cover thyroid testing include:
Having symptoms that could be linked to your thyroid.
Your doctor confirming that it is medically necessary
Getting the test done at a Medicare-approved laboratory.
If you are not at risk for any thyroid conditions, a test can be performed 2 times per year. If you are at risk, have had thyroid cancer, or are adjusting to thyroid medications, your doctor can request more than 2 tests per year, and Medicare might cover it. If your doctor orders thyroid testing, Medicare Part B will cover 80% of the cost, leaving you responsible for meeting your Part B deductible and paying the 20% that Medicare does not cover.
Extra Coverage
Over time, the 20% coinsurance that you have to pay with Medicare Part B can really add up, especially if you have any chronic conditions that need to be managed. But, if you have a Medicare Supplement Plan, any coinsurance that you have to pay (the 20% not covered by Medicare) will be covered by the plan. All you will have to do is pay a monthly premium for the plan, and the plan will handle your coinsurance and other medical expenses.
If you are interested in exploring your Medicare Supplement Plan options, EZ can help you. Our agents work with the top-rated Medicare Supplement insurance companies in the country, and we can provide instant free quotes in minutes to you. We will go over your needs and each Medicare Supplement Plan to help determine which is right for you. We can help you save hundreds of dollars each year with a Medicare Supplement Plan. To get free instant quotes, simply enter your zip code in the bar above, or to speak to one of our licensed agents, call 888-753-7207.
Making the transition from private health insurance to Medicare when you turn 65 can feel overwhelming. You might feel confused and like you just don’t know where to begin. For example, what plan should you go with? How can you save the most money? Will you have enough coverage? Unlike with employer-based insurance, which your employer researches for you, you have to do all the research into choosing a Medicare plan on your own. But it doesn’t have to be difficult, especially when you can get free assistance, guidance and services from an EZ agent. And the bonus of working with EZ? Unlike with other companies, when we say our services are completely free, we mean free – there are no hidden costs!
First, you will need to figure out what your specific needs are regarding your health.
Figuring Out Your Needs
Medicare can be confusing for people who are not familiar with it, but it can be broken down to be easier to understand. The two main parts of Original Medicare are Part A and Part B. Medicare Part A covers your hospital costs completely once you meet your deductible, and Medicare Part B covers outpatient care, including doctor visits, lab work and treatments. Unlike Part A, though, Part B only covers 80% of qualified medical expenses; that means you have to meet your Medicare Part B deductible and pay your premium, as well as a 20% coinsurance each time you use medical services.
Now that you know what Medicare covers and what it doesn’t, you need to think about your healthcare needs. Do you need more coverage because you have a chronic health condition that requires constant observation or medications, such as diabetes or heart disease? Or do you just need preventive checkups? If you fall on the more comprehensive side (which many older adults do), you might need to look into a Medicare Supplement Plan to help cover additional costs not covered by Medicare alone. One of our highly trained agents can help you with this by going over your health history and medical needs.
Figuring Out Your Budget
If you are retired or reaching retirement, as many Medicare beneficiaries are, you might be living on a fixed income. This means that you need to be smart with your spending and look for the best ways to save money. Before you look at your medical expenses, sit down and go over your finances and figure out your living expenses for the year, including groceries, rent/mortgage, car insurance, utility bills, medications, and any other extras.
Once you have done this, it’s time to budget for Medicare costs and choose a Medicare Supplement Plan that works for you. There’s no need to do this alone! One of our agents can go over your needs, and will help you figure out your annual medical expenses, including the cost of your medications based on Medicare’s drug tier pricing.
Figuring Out How To Save
The best way to save is to buy a Medicare Supplement Plan that will help cover medical costs.
Medicare Supplement Plans can help you save hundreds of dollars each year, so you can worry less about your finances. An EZ agent will go over your medical needs and budget, and find a Medicare Supplement Plan that will save you money while filling the gaps that Medicare does not cover. There are 10 different plans to choose from, all with varying coverage and prices, and choosing one will give you peace of mind knowing that your medical expenses will be covered for the cost of a low monthly premium.
If you are interested in free assistance with navigating Medicare, an EZ agent will gladly help you at no cost. We created our business with the sole purpose of helping people get great insurance while saving money, without worrying about extra costs. We will go over your medical needs and budget, and will compare all Medicare Supplement Plans in your area for free. No hassle or obligation. To get free instant quotes, simply enter your zip code in the bar above, or to speak to one of our licensed agents, call 888-753-7207. We will make the transition to Medicare easier and cheaper!
It’s a scary statistic, but every 15 minutes, an American man dies from prostate cancer. According to cancer.org, approximately 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime. That means, for every 8 men you know in your life, 1 could be diagnosed with prostate cancer, and that likelihood goes up the older they are. The average age for diagnosis is 66, with around 6 cases of prostate cancer in 10 being diagnosed in men who are 65 or older. June is National Men’s Health Month, so take this opportunity to learn more about prostate cancer, and get screened when it is recommended by Medicare! Medicare will cover prostate cancer screenings, as long as you follow the guidelines.
Prostate Cancer
The exact cause of prostate cancer is unknown, but it occurs when the prostate gland, which is below the urinary bladder and in front of the rectum, grows at an abnormal rate or to an abnormal size. There are 2 types of growth:
Malignant growths on the prostate can be life threatening.
Benign growths- the prostate gland grows to squeeze the urethra, which it surrounds. These growths are usually noncancerous and rarely a threat.
Malignant growths– Cancerous growths that are life threatening.
A biopsy is required to determine which type of growth it is. 8 out of 10 tumors are found to be small and harmless, but if the growth is cancerous, the cells can begin to grow out of control and spread to other organs.
Risk Factors
Age over 55 (peak age 65-74) years
Ethnicity: prostate cancer is more common in African Americans
There are a number of different symptoms of prostate cancer. The 5 main warning signs include:
Bone pain
Compression of the spine
Painful urination
Erectile dysfunction
Blood in urine or semen
Pain in the lower back is a warning sign of prostate cancer.
Other signs of prostate cancer include:
Frequent urination
Loss of bladder control
Pain in the lower back, hips, or thighs
Anemia
Loss of bowel control
Diagnosis & Treatment
The word cancer itself is scary, but if prostate cancer is diagnosed early, most men can expect to live a normal life. Screening is the best way to detect prostate cancer, and is recommended for men who:
Are between 55 and 69 years of age
Are African American
Have a family history of prostate cancer
If cancerous cells or tumors are found, treatment will depend on the stage of the cancer, the age of the patient and their overall health. In the earlier stages, doctors will monitor the cells closely; for more advanced stages, treatment includes:
Surgery to remove the prostate gland
Radiation therapy
Cryotherapy to freeze and kill the cancerous cells
Drug therapy such as chemotherapy, which spreads throughout the body and destroys cancer cells.
Medicare will cover prostate cancer screenings every 12 months for men 50 and older. There are 2 types of exams:
Digital rectal exam – the doctor inserts a gloved, lubricated finger into the rectum.
PSA blood test – measures the amount of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in the blood.
Original Medicare will pay 80% of the yearly digital rectal exam, and 100% of the cost of the PSA blood test. Medicare will cover both inpatient and outpatient cancer treatment; Medicare Part A will fully cover inpatient hospital visits, but Medicare Part B will only cover 80% of costs for outpatient treatment. In order to get full coverage, you will need a Medicare Supplement Plan.
Most men who are diagnosed with prostate cancer will survive, as long as they catch it early on with annual screenings. If you are interested in a Medicare Supplement Plan to help pay for the cost of annual screenings and any treatments needed, EZ can compare plans in minutes for you. Our licensed agents will go over your needs and budget and find the plan that checks all of your boxes. To get free instant quotes, simply enter your zip code in the bar above, or to speak to an agent, call 888-753-7207.
May is ‘Better Hearing and Speech’ Month. Approximately one in three people between the ages of 65 and 74 has hearing loss, and nearly half of those older than 75 have difficulty hearing. Studies have shown that older adults with hearing loss can become depressed, and have a greater risk of developing dementia or other types of cognitive decline. Because of this, it is important to get checked regularly so you can catch hearing loss early on, treat it with a hearing aid, and hopefully reduce your chances of cognitive decline. Currently, Medicare covers only certain things pertaining to hearing loss and hearing aids, but there are some changes under way.
Medicare will cover hearing exams, but generally will not cover hearing aids, unless they are BAHAs.
With age comes many health issues, including hearing loss, which is also known as presbycusis. We begin to lose our hearing as we age because of changes in the inner ear and auditory nerve, which eventually make it hard to tolerate certain sounds or hear what others are saying. When it comes to getting checked for hearing loss, Medicare Part B will only cover exams for hearing issues as recommended by a doctor. It does not cover hearing aids or hearing aid fittings. As with most covered medical expenses, Medicare will only cover 80% of the cost of a hearing exam, leaving you to pay the remaining 20% out-of-pocket.
While Medicare Part B does not cover traditional hearing aids, it does cover bone-anchoring hearing aids (BAHAs), because they are considered durable medical equipment. BAHAs are actually prosthetic devices, which are implanted surgically to help transmit soundwaves through bone conduction, stimulating the cochlea.
A Proposed Medicare Bill
Medicare Parts A and B unfortunately will not cover hearing aids, but there is currently a bill in the works in Congress that would allow them to be covered. HR 3 was passed by the House in 2019; if signed into law, this bill would allow Medicare to negotiate prescription prices, and would also allow hearing aids to be included in those negotiations.
There is a couple of bills in motion that are trying to get hearing aids covered under Medicare.
This bill has not yet passed the Senate, but there is another bill, currently sponsored by 9 Senators, which would allow Medicare to cover more services related to hearing. The Medicare Audiologist Access and Services Act has been endorsed by The American Academy of Audiology (AAA), the Academy of Doctors of Audiology (ADA), the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), and the Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA), who are all encouraging members to reach out to legislators to support the bill.
Getting More Coverage
If you need more coverage than you currently have with Original Medicare, a Medicare Supplement Plan can help with coinsurance, copays, and other things not covered by Medicare. Depending on which plan type you have, you could end up saving hundreds of dollars a year. There are 10 different Medicare Supplement Plan types to choose from, each with different coverage options and prices.
Losing your hearing can be inevitable as you age, and it is important that you seek help and get hearing exams regularly to catch it. Medicare does not currently cover the cost of hearing aids, but don’t lose hope that the bills currently in Congress will pass! In the meantime, if you sign up for a Medicare Supplement Plan, you will be able to purchase a hearing aid on your own with the money that you save.
If you are interested in finding an affordable Medicare Supplement Plan that will cover your medical bills and will fit in your budget, EZ can help. Our agents are highly trained and work with the top-rated Medicare Supplement Insurance companies in the country. They will be able to compare plans in minutes for free, and help guide you to your best option.
To get free instant quotes, simply enter your zip code in the bar above, or to speak to a licensed agent, call 888-753-7207.
