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Men & Medicare: 3 Health Screenings Every Man Should Have

As you get older, your health can change, and you might find yourself dealing with new medical issues. Fortunately, if you’re 65 or older, Medicare will take care of you. But Medicare isn’t only there to help you manage your conditions, you can – and should – also use it to get the screenings you need to keep on top of your health!

And right now, we’re talking to all the men out there: there are various health screenings suggested for men 65 and older that many men often put off, or don’t take seriously enough. But whether you’re avoiding getting a screening because you don’t think you need it, or because you think it will cost too much, you could end up missing the early warning signs of a disease that could be life-threatening. Medicare will cover the following three health screenings that every man should have, so talk to your doctor today!

1. Prostate Cancer

blue ribbon — *About 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer at some point in their life.*

Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer for men in the United States, after skin cancer. In fact, according to the American Cancer Society, 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer at some point in their life. Many men will not experience any symptoms when prostate cancer is in its early stages, so it’s important to get an annual exam to check for early warning signs, and catch any abnormalities as soon as possible.

For this reason, Medicare will begin paying for this screening starting at age 50. Medicare will cover both a digital rectal exam and a prostate-specific antigen, or PSA, test once a year.

2. Colorectal Cancer

Over the past couple of decades, colorectal cancer rates have been increasing. In fact, the Colorectal Cancer Alliance believes that the risk of men developing colorectal cancer in their lifetime is now 1 in 23. A lot of men put off having a screening for this type of cancer because they worry about invasiveness, or they might not realize that they are already in a risky age group, but delaying could mean missing a diagnosis. This is especially true since most men do not experience symptoms until the cancer has spread.

If you’re worried about the test for colorectal cancer, know that you have options: Medicare will cover various preventative screenings, including a physical occult blood test, flexible sigmoidoscopy, and colonoscopy.

3. Diabetes

diabetes machine with sugar next to it — *Medicare Part B will cover glucose lab tests if you have risk factors for diabetes.*

Diabetes can lead to other serious medical conditions such as heart disease and stroke. In fact, did you know that nearly 70% of people with diabetes who are 65 or older die of some form of heart disease?

Medicare Part B will cover glucose lab tests if you have risk factors for diabetes including high blood pressure, obesity, high blood sugar, and a history of high cholesterol levels. Medicare will also cover a diabetes screening if you are overweight or have a family history of diabetes.

Extra Coverage

Taking care of yourself is important, and Medicare makes it easy to get the screenings you need. So don’t put off getting screened for the above conditions, because doing so could help you live a little longer.

And if you need more help paying for screenings and other medical expenses, a Medicare Supplement Plan can help. These plans can cover your Part A deductible and coinsurance costs, as well as your Medicare Part B copayment, coinsurance, and deductible. There are 10 different plans to choose from, and depending on which plan you choose, you could get anywhere from 75% coverage of your medical expenses all the way up to 100%. Each plan offers a range of coverage at different price points, so you’re sure to find one that’s right for you.

Need help finding the right plan? EZ can compare all 10 Medicare Supplement Plans and find the one that will meet your financial and medical needs. Our agents work with the top-rated insurance companies in the nation, which makes comparing plans easy, quick, and free – our services come at no cost to you because we just want to help you save money so you can focus on your health. To get free instant quotes on plans that cover your doctors, simply enter your zip code in the bar above, or to speak to a local licensed agent, call 888-753-7207.

Signs and Symptoms of Strep Throat in the Elderly

As you age, you’ll find that your immune system is not as strong as it used to be, meaning you might get sick more often. Recognizing the signs and symptoms of the illnesses that you might be more susceptible to can help you take the proper measures to get better as quickly as possible. For example, you might be more susceptible to getting strep throat, but you might not recognize this infection, because it is often mistaken for a simple sore throat. It’s important to recognize strep, because if it lasts for a week or more, it could leave you open to further infections and illnesses that can put your health and wellbeing at serious risk.

What Is Strep Throat?

Strep throat is a bacterial infection that lives in the nose and throat, and can make your throat feel sore and scratchy. It can also present as an upset stomach, though, and can even spread into infected sores on the skin. Strep throat can also cause complications such as:

Kidney inflammation or disease
Rheumatic fever, a type of heart disease
Ear infection
Swollen lymph nodes in the neck
Sinus infections
Abscesses around the tonsils or in the neck

Although strep throat is most common in children, it does affect people of all ages, including seniors.

Signs & Symptoms of Strep Throat

Because strep throat can turn into a serious issue, especially for seniors, it is important that you seek care from your doctor as soon as you experience any signs or symptoms, including the following:

Throat pain that usually develops quickly and becomes severe almost immediately
Pain when swallowing
Difficulty swallowing
Swollen tonsils
Redness and streaks, or patches of pus, on the tonsils.
Red spots along the hard or soft palate of the roof of the mouth
Swollen lymph nodes that are tender to the touch
Fever
Headache
Nausea
Aching throughout the body

If you experience any of the following, you need to see a doctor immediately:

Painful lymph glands
A high fever that persists for more than 48 hours
A rash that appears along with a sore throat
Difficulty breathing
Difficulty swallowing
Lack of improvement after following doctor’s guidelines for medication and treatment after receiving a diagnosis of strep

Seeking Care

red pills — *Your doctor will prescribe antibiotics to treat strep throat.*

If you are diagnosed with strep throat, your doctor will treat it with antibiotics, like penicillin or amoxicillin. The antibiotics will help shorten the length and severity of the illness, prevent bacteria from spreading to others, and prevent any serious complications like rheumatic fever from occurring.

Medicare Coverage

Medicare Part B can help cover the cost of treatments for strep throat. Part B is medical insurance, which covers doctor visits, any necessary tests needed to make a diagnosis, and any therapy or medications. Medicare Part B will cover 80% of your medical services, but you will have to meet your Part B deductible, as well as pay for the 20% that Medicare does not cover.

If you need to be hospitalized for strep throat, Medicare Part A will cover the cost of the hospital stay and any in-patient rehab.

Extra Coverage

If you want extra coverage, you can opt to get an affordable Medicare Supplement Plan. Medicare Part B covers a lot, but as we pointed out above, it will only cover 80% of expenses, leaving you to pay the remaining 20% out-of-pocket. This can be quite expensive, especially if you are living on a fixed income, as many Medicare beneficiaries are. Fortunately, though, you can save money on medical expenses and get extra coverage by purchasing a Medicare Supplement Plan.

There are 10 different Medicare Supplement Plans to choose from, each offering different coverage options and rates. It’s worth looking into a Medicare Supplement Plan to save as much money as you can, so speak to an EZ agent for all of your options. EZ’s agents work with the top-rated insurance companies in the nation and can compare plans in minutes for you at no cost. To get free instant quotes for plans that cover your current doctors, simply enter your zip code in the bar on the side, or to speak to a licensed agent, call 888-753-7207.

Ready To Travel? Make Sure You’re Insured!

Now that travel restrictions are finally being lifted, and people are getting back to traveling, you might be thinking that it’s time for you to get back out there, too. But before you do, you should check a few things off of your list: along with grabbing your passport, vaccination card, and itinerary, you need to make sure you are fully insured before you travel! This is especially important if you are older and on Medicare, because Medicare coverage for overseas travel is limited. If you travel to another country and get hurt, you’ll have to pay your medical bills out-of-pocket, unless you are properly insured.

person's hand holding a boarding pass — *Medicare will cover you anywhere in the U.S. but not when you travel outside of the U.S.*

Medicare Coverage For Travel

If you are a Medicare beneficiary and are traveling within the U.S., you will have coverage anywhere in the U.S. and its territories. This includes all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands. As long as the hospital and/or doctor that you visit accept Medicare assignment, you will be fully covered. If you are traveling abroad, however, it’s a different story.

When Medicare Will Cover You Abroad

There are very few scenarios in which Original Medicare will actually cover you when you are in a foreign country. These include:

If you live in the United States and have a medical emergency, but the nearest foreign hospital is closer to you than the nearest U.S. hospital.
If you have a medical emergency while you’re traveling to Canada, without unreasonable delay, between Alaska and another U.S. state, and the closest hospital that can treat you is in Canada. Medicare will determine on a case-by-case basis what qualifies as “without unreasonable delay.”
If you live in the United States and the foreign hospital is closer to your home than the nearest U.S. hospital, you can get coverage for certain healthcare services, whether it is an emergency or not.
If you are on a cruise ship and you need to receive medically necessary care while the ship is in U.S. waters or a U.S. port (or within six hours of arrival or departure from a U.S. port).

Extra Coverage

a hand with a bubble over it with an airplane and suitcase in the bubble — *If you want extra coverage when traveling, then a Medicare Supplement Plan can offer you that at an affordable price.*

All of this means that you won’t be fully covered by Original Medicare when traveling abroad, so the best option for getting adequate coverage is a Medicare Supplement Plan. These plans work alongside Original Medicare to provide you with coverage for things, like foreign travel, that Medicare does not cover. Medicare Supplement Plans C, D, F, G, M, and N all provide some sort of foreign travel coverage.

Does Medicare Cover Nutrition Counseling?

Most of us know how important nutrition is to our overall health, but unfortunately, we don’t always eat the way we should. Instead of planning and eating healthy meals, we often grab something quick. or something that tastes delicious, but lacking in nutritional value. But as you age, focusing on nutrition becomes especially vital, because poor nutrition can lead to a number of chronic diseases, or make some of them worse. If you’re struggling with your nutritional habits, you should know that nutrition counseling is available – but will Medicare cover it, so you can make better choices?

Consequences of Poor Nutrition

According to the CDC, 6 in 10 adults have a chronic disease brought on by lifestyle choices, including poor nutrition. In the short term, poor nutrition can lead to stress and tiredness; in the long term, it can contribute to the risk of developing conditions like being overweight or obese, type-2 diabetes, high cholesterol, heart disease, osteoporosis, and even some cancers.

If your diet is less than ideal, you’ll probably notice:

Decreased energy levels– Eating processed foods, or foods high in salt, sugar, and starch, can lead to a spike in your blood sugar, leaving you feeling lethargic afterward.
Reduced immunity– Eating food that does not fuel your body will mean your body will be less able to fight off illness.
Disrupted sleep– Unhealthy diets can lead to obesity, which is linked to sleep apnea, snoring, and restless leg syndrome.
Increase in memory problems– Many studies show a link between a poor diet and long-term cognitive decline.

Medicare & Nutrition Counseling

Nutrition counseling, or medical nutrition therapy (MNT), has been shown to lower the chances of getting sick or developing conditions associated with poor nutrition, and improve your overall quality of life, especially if you have a chronic disease. So, since 2002, Medicare beneficiaries have been given access to medical nutrition therapy benefits, depending on their health status.

For example, if you have diabetes or kidney disease, you could be covered for MNT under Medicare Part B. If you meet the qualifications, you will pay nothing out-of-pocket, because your nutrition counseling will be considered a preventative service.

If you qualify for MNT, you will get services including:

An initial nutrition and lifestyle assessment
Individual and/or group therapy sessions
Help with managing your chronic disease
Follow-up visits to check your progress

Medicare will generally cover three hours of MNT in the first year, and up to two hours of MNT for each year after.

Extra Coverage

illustration of a doctor and medical equipment around — *Medicare Supplement Plans can help cover costs that Original Medicare does not cover.*

If you choose to get nutrition counseling that is not a preventative service, you will pay coinsurance as well as your Part B deductible. Remember that Medicare Part B only covers 80% of the cost of treatments, leaving you the remaining 20% to pay out-of-pocket. This can be quite expensive, especially if you are living on a fixed income, as many Medicare beneficiaries are. Fortunately, though, you can save money on medical expenses and get extra coverage by purchasing a Medicare Supplement Plan.

Don’t Leave Money On The Table, Compare Medicare Supplement Plan Prices Today With EZ

It’s no secret that Medicare is great, but still doesn’t cover all of the costs of the medical services you receive. This is why a Medicare Supplement Plan comes in handy; one of these plans will pick up the rest of the costs that Medicare does not cover. And these plans are 100% worry-free: all Medicare Supplement Plans are standardized and regulated by federal and state laws. There’s no doubt that these plans are well-managed money-savers, which is why they are so popular. So don’t leave money on the table! Come to EZ to find a Medicare Supplement Plan – we can help you find the best plan with the most savings and the right coverage for you!

Medicare Supplement Plan Options

One of the many great things about Medicare Supplement Plans is that you have options. There are 10 different Medicare Supplement Plans, meaning there is a plan that will meet your medical needs and fit your budget, since each plan offers different levels of coverage at different price points.

To find the right plan for you, it’s important to review your lifestyle and your medical needs. For example, do you need a lot of coverage or just the basics? How much can you afford to pay each month in premiums? Do you like to travel, and need a plan that will cover you overseas? The best way to figure this out is to work with a licensed EZ agent. Our knowledgeable agents work with all the top-rated companies in the country, and can find the perfect plan for you.

You Can Enroll All Year!

Talk about convenience! If you think you missed your opportunity to get a Medicare Supplement Plan when you turned 65, you’re wrong. Medicare Supplement Plans are available all year round and yes, you can get a plan whenever you feel like you want to save some money. The only difference between getting a plan when you turn 65 and getting one later on is that you won’t have guaranteed issue rights, so you might have to answer some health questions. These rights are offered to you when you first enroll in Medicare when you turn 65, and mean that you are guaranteed to be approved and will be given the standard rate, no matter your health. But if you want a Medicare Supplement Plan today, don’t let health questions stop you or scare you off!

Even if you have health conditions, you can still find a great, affordable Medicare Supplement Plan. EZ has helped thousands of people find the right Medicare Supplement Plan for them, a plan that has allowed them to get more coverage and save more money. Medicare Part B bills can become overwhelming, so a Medicare Supplement Plan is just what you need to keep your medical expenses under control.

At EZ, we are trained to be on your side and to help you get the best plan to fit your budget. We want to help you get coverage, not help insurance companies get right. We know how hard it is to deal with a ton of phone calls and agents hounding you, so we’ll never hassle you or bounce you around from agent to agent – we work for you. Let us help you today! To get free instant quotes for plans that cover your current doctors, simply enter your zip code in the bar on the side, or to speak to a licensed agent, call 888-753-7207.

What to Look for in a Medicare Healthcare Provider

Medicare provides great coverage for a lot of necessary medical services; one of the other great things about it is that it also covers most doctors. The question, then, is how to choose a Medicare provider who is right for you. Whether you are new to Medicare and need a doctor, or are looking to change providers, there are some important things to consider. Otherwise, you could not only get stuck with a doctor who doesn’t suit your needs or who you don’t get along with, but with an unexpected bill as well.

clipboard with information on it and a medical cross — *First you will want to make sure your doctor is licensed and accepts Medicare.*

Are They Licensed & Qualified?

If you like your current doctor, great! But if you are looking for a new doctor, or are new to Medicare and are looking for an approved provider, the first thing you will want to do when checking out providers is to make sure they are licensed and qualified to handle your specific needs. Ask the provider how they would coordinate your care and what services they offer.

Do They Accept Medicare?

As a Medicare beneficiary, you can receive care from any doctor and hospital that accepts Medicare, so the next thing you will need to make sure of is that they accept Medicare assignments. This is just as important as knowing what services they provide, because if they don’t accept Medicare, all of their fees will come solely out of your pocket.

How Much Will Medical Services Cost You?

Again, Medicare is great, but the coverage it provides is not actually free, unfortunately, You will have monthly premiums and copays to pay, as well as deductibles to meet. Not only that, but with Medicare Part B, you will pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount of services. It’s important to remember that some doctors – especially specialists – will charge more than others, so you should check how much the provider you are looking into charges for their services.

Are They Easily Accessible?

Nothing is more frustrating than trying to get an appointment with a doctor who is constantly booked for weeks on out. Before choosing a provider, take a look at their reviews online, paying special attention to what people say about their accessibility and wait times.

scheduling calendar — *Make sure that you can get in to see the doctor and they aren’t booked all of the time or too far away.*

In addition, make sure the doctor’s office is close to where you live, so it won’t be a hassle to get to them, or a long drive to each appointment.

Your doctor is an important part of your care plan as you get older. You want to make sure that you have someone who listens to you, will give you the card you need, and will not cost a fortune. Make sure to do some research before choosing a Medicare provider, and remember that, although Medicare will cover the majority of costs when you seek medical services, it doesn’t cover everything.

So if you need help covering your 20% coinsurance, consider a Medicare Supplement Plan. Medicare Supplement Plans can cover your Part A deductible, and coinsurance costs, as well as your Medicare Part B copayment, coinsurance, and deductible. There are 10 different plans to choose from, and depending on which plan you choose, you could get anywhere from 75% coverage of your medical expenses, all the way up to 100%. Each plan offers a range of coverage at different price points.

EZ can compare all 10 Medicare Supplement Plans and find the one that will meet your financial and medical needs. Our agents work with the top-rated insurance companies in the nation, which makes comparing plans easy, quick, and free – our services come at no cost to you because we just want to help you save money so you can focus on your health. To get free instant quotes on plans that cover your doctors, simply enter your zip code in the bar above, or to speak to a local licensed agent, call 888-753-7207.

Tag: medicare

Men & Medicare: 3 Health Screenings Every Man Should Have

1. Prostate Cancer

2. Colorectal Cancer

3. Diabetes

Extra Coverage

Signs and Symptoms of Strep Throat in the Elderly

What Is Strep Throat?

Signs & Symptoms of Strep Throat

Seeking Care

Medicare Coverage

Extra Coverage

Ready To Travel? Make Sure You’re Insured!

Medicare Coverage For Travel

When Medicare Will Cover You Abroad

Extra Coverage

Does Medicare Cover Nutrition Counseling?

Consequences of Poor Nutrition

Medicare & Nutrition Counseling

Extra Coverage

Don’t Leave Money On The Table, Compare Medicare Supplement Plan Prices Today With EZ

Medicare Supplement Plan Options

You Can Enroll All Year!

What to Look for in a Medicare Healthcare Provider

Are They Licensed & Qualified?

Do They Accept Medicare?

How Much Will Medical Services Cost You?

Are They Easily Accessible?

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