Nearly 1 million Americans are living with Parkinson’s disease, and that figure is expected to climb to 1.2 million by 2030. While this disease can affect anyone, it is more common in older adults: it affects around 1% of the population over 60. If you are an older adult, especially if you have a family history of Parkinson’s disease, you might be worried that you could be diagnosed with this condition; you might also be worried about how you would pay for treating it. Medicare can help ease the financial burdens of paying for care, especially if you purchase a Medicare Supplement Plan.
Understanding Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s disease is caused by a loss of nerve cells in the part of the brain, which causes tremors.
Parkinson’s is a progressive neurological disease that causes nerve cells in the area of the brain that control movement to weaken and/or die. It is the second most destructive degenerative neurological disorder after Alzheimer’s disease, but unlike Alzheimer’s, which primarily affects memory and cognitive skills, Parkinson’s affects movement, balance, and mood.
Parkinson’s disease is caused by a loss of nerve cells in the part of the brain called the substantia nigra; scientists believe this loss of nerve cells is triggered by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. You might be at higher risk of developing Parkinson’s disease if one or more of your family members has it: around 15 to 25% of people living with Parkinson’s have family members that have had it as well. In terms of environmental factors, studies have shown that Parkinson’s is more common among people living in rural areas, leading experts to believe that exposure to pesticides may increase the risk of developing Parkinson’s.
Parkinson’s Disease Symptoms
There are four main symptoms to keep an eye out for when it comes to Parkinson’s:
Tremor or trembling in the hands, arms, legs, jaw, or head
Slow movements
Stiffness of the limbs and trunk
Impaired balance and coordination
Medicare Coverage For Parkinson’s
Medicare will help cover some of the costs of treatment for Parkinson’s disease. Medicare Part A will provide coverage for any inpatient hospital stays, which can be beneficial for people who have more advanced cases of Parkinson’s. It will also cover up to 100 days in a skilled nursing facility, as well as any surgery needed.
Medicare Part B will cover your doctor visits. It will also help cover the cost of physical therapy, injections, therapy for any accidents related to Parkinson’s, and any medical equipment needed to manage symptoms. Medicare Part B might also cover parts of Duopa therapy, an innovative procedure used to treat motor symptoms in advanced Parkinson’s. In this procedure, medication is delivered through a tube directly into the patient’s intestine.
A Medicare Supplement Plan can help cover any extra costs that Original Medicare does not cover, including the 20% coinsurance that you will have to pay out-of-pocket for every Part B expense. One of these plans could cover 100% of your Part A coinsurance and hospital costs, as well as 100% of Part B coinsurance and copayments, for one low monthly premium price.
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.
April 11 is World Parkinson’s Day, a day to raise awareness about this debilitating disease. According to the National Parkinson’s Foundation, there are approximately 1.5 million Americans living with this disease, with 60,000 new cases joining the count each year. This condition usually affects people 65 years and older, and progresses in 5 stages. If you have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s, are in the beginning stages of the disease, or have a family history of it, you might be wondering exactly what Medicare covers when it comes to this condition. Medicare covers quite a lot to improve the quality of life of those suffering from Parkinson’s, but there are some out-of-pocket costs.
What Is Parkinson’s?
Parkinson’s disease is a neurological progressive disorder that is caused by the degeneration of cells in the nervous system. The exact cause of this degeneration is not known, but scientists believe it is the result of external and genetic factors. Men are 1.5 times more likely to develop the disease, and many usually develop symptoms around age 60. The life expectancy for those with the condition is anywhere between 10 and 20 years after being diagnosed.
What Are The Symptoms?
Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease are both motor and non-motor and include:
Tremors of the hands, arms, legs, or face
Slow movements
Memory loss is one of the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.
Gradual loss of spontaneous movement (bradykinesia)
Parkinson’s disease lowers levels of dopamine in the brain, and causes the death of nerve cells in the brain. Because of this, it affects multiple areas of the body, causing tremors and loss of spontaneous movement. The disease progresses in 5 stages, which will affect the sufferer in the following ways:
A person with stage 5 Parkinson’s will most likely be confined to a wheelchair.
Stage 1: Individuals will experience mild symptoms that do not interfere with daily activities. Tremors will occur on one side of the body, with possible changes in walking and facial expressions.
Stage 2: Symptoms get worse with tremors now occurring on both sides of the body, and normal daily activities will take longer to accomplish.
Stage 3: Symptoms include loss of balance and slowness of movements, and will hinder daily activities such as getting dressed and eating.
Stage 4: Symptoms are severe: the individual might be able to stand without help, but will need a walker in order to get around. At this stage, a person with the condition will no longer be able to live alone and will need assistance.
Stage 5: Symptoms include stiffness in the legs, making it impossible to stand or walk. The individual will need a wheelchair or could be bedridden at this stage, and will require nursing care at all times. Severe symptoms may include delusions and hallucinations.
Treatment & Medicare Coverage
Unfortunately, there is no treatment that can delay the progression of Parkinson’s disease. There are, however, ways to effectively manage the disease, including medications, surgeries, and lifestyle modifications such as healthy eating and exercise.
Medicare covers medically necessary treatments including medications, therapy, and hospital stays if a surgical procedure is performed. Part A will cover any inpatient hospital care, surgical procedures, hospice care, skilled home health visits, and limited skilled nursing facility care.
Medicare Part B will cover outpatient services such as doctor appointments, screenings, any tests needed, limited appointments with home health aides, durable medical equipment, occupational and physical therapy, speech therapy and mental health services.
Medicare will not cover long-term care.
While you will be covered as long as you receive care from a Medicare-approved provider, you will still have some out-of-pocket expenses. Medicare Part A has a deductible of $1,484 for each benefit period, and if you stay in the hospital for longer than 60 days, you will have to pay coinsurance for each day past the 60 days. Part B’s monthly premium is $148.50 and the annual deductible is $203. After you meet your deductible, you will be responsible for paying 20% of covered services.
Medicare Supplement Plans can help pay for the 20% coinsurance that you will be required to pay when receiving treatments. This 20% can add up quickly, but with a Medicare Supplement Plan, those costs will be covered, which will help you save money throughout the year. Parkinson’s disease is a progressive disease, which unfortunately means that it will only continue to get worse, and will require extensive treatment over time. This can become quite costly, and medical bills are the last things you should not have to worry about while dealing with this debilitating disease.
There are 10 different Medicare Supplement Plans to choose from that vary in price and coverage, and an EZ.Insure agent can help you go over the benefits of each one. We provide you with your own agent who will compare quotes of all available Medicare Supplement Plans for you for free. We are dedicated to helping you save money and getting the coverage you need to help improve your overall quality of life. To get free instant quotes, simply enter your zip code in the bar above, or to speak directly with one of our licensed agents, call 888-753-7207.
