Become a donor—save lives Every day, 20 people die while waiting for an organ transplant. Just one donor can save and heal up to 75 lives through organ and tissue donation. Today, there are more than 114,000 patients waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant and many more who need cornea, tissue, bone marrow, blood, and platelet donations. There are 2 ways to become a donor: Deceased organ donors—can donate both kidneys, liver, both lungs, heart, pancreas, and intestines. Living organ donor—can donate one kidney, one lung, or a portion of the liver, pancreas, or intestines. Over 80% of people on the transplant list need a kidney transplant, usually due to permanent kidney failure or End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). Medicare covers kidney transplants for both the person getting the transplant and the donor. If you’re getting the transplant, you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for doctor services. You pay nothing if you’re the living donor. Celebrate National Donor Day on February 14 by giving the gift of life. Sign up to become an organ donor today.  Share PrintPrint this page Stuart.Zang@cm… Thu, 02/14/2019 – 00:01 […]

Go red to support women fighting heart disease Every minute, heart disease takes the life of a woman in the United States, even though nearly 80% of cardiac events can be prevented. Heart disease doesn’t affect every woman in the same way, but there are signs to look for and ways to help prevent it. Medicare covers cardiovascular disease screenings every 5 years for people with Part B. Quitting smoking also helps lower your risk of heart disease, and Medicare covers smoking and tobacco use cessation counseling for people with Part B. National Wear Red Day is February 1st. Support the women in your life and #WearRedandGive. Share PrintPrint this page Stuart.Zang@cm… Fri, 02/01/2019 – 15:15 […]

This Valentine’s Day, give your heart some love Although love songs might tell you otherwise, a broken heart can’t kill you—but heart disease can. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States for both men and women, taking about 610,000 lives each year. You might not be able to avoid Cupid’s arrow, but you can take steps to help prevent heart disease. Start by scheduling an appointment with your doctor to discuss your risks and how to lower them. Medicare covers a cardiovascular disease screening every 5 years at no cost to you. The screening includes tests to help detect heart disease early and measures cholesterol, blood fat (lipids), and triglyceride levels. If you’ve had a heart condition, like a heart attack or heart transplant, Medicare covers cardiac rehabilitation programs that include exercise, education, and counseling. If you’re at risk for a heart attack or stroke, there are steps you can take to help prevent these conditions. You might be able to make lifestyle changes (like changing your diet and increasing your activity level or exercising more often) to lower your cholesterol and stay healthy. February is American Heart Month, so give your heart some love by visiting the Million Hearts Learn & Prevent center. Here, you can find your possible risks for heart disease, and resources, like heart-healthy recipes to help keep your heart strong. Million Hearts is a national initiative to help keep people healthy and improve health outcomes. While you’re celebrating with loved ones this Valentine’s Day, don’t forget your heart needs some love, too. Share PrintPrint this page Stuart.Zang@cm… Fri, 02/01/2019 – 07:31 […]

Get Medicare’s new “What’s covered” app! Not sure if Medicare will cover your medical test or service? Medicare’s free “What’s covered” app delivers accurate cost and coverage information right on your smartphone. Now you can quickly see whether Medicare covers your service in the doctor’s office, the hospital, or anywhere else you use your phone.   “What’s covered” is available for free on both the App Store and Google Play. Search for “What’s covered” or “Medicare” and download the app to your phone. Once “What’s covered” is installed, you can use it to get reliable Medicare information even when you’re offline.   The app delivers general cost, coverage and eligibility details for items and services covered by Medicare Part A and Part B.  Search or browse to learn what’s covered and not covered; how and when to get covered benefits; and basic cost information. You can also get a list of covered preventive services.   Easy access to accurate, reliable Medicare coverage information is just one new feature of the eMedicare initiative. To stay up to date on eMedicare improvements and other important news from Medicare, sign up for our email list and follow us on Facebook.   Try the “What’s covered” mobile app!         Share PrintPrint this page admin Mon, 01/28/2019 – 08:45 […]

Are you using your new Medicare card? You should have received your new Medicare card in the mail by now. If you have your new Medicare card, start using it right away!  Also remember to destroy your old Medicare card so no one can get your personal information. If you’re still waiting on your new card, here’s what to do next: Look around the house for any old or unopened mail. Your new Medicare card will come in a plain white envelope from the Department of Health and Human Services. Sign in to MyMedicare.gov to get your number or print your official card.  If you don’t have a MyMedicare.gov account yet, visit MyMedicare.gov to create one. Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048. There may be something that needs to be corrected, like your mailing address. Your health care provider may also be able to look up your new number. And don’t worry, you can still use your current Medicare card to get health care services until January 1, 2020. Continue to beware of scams! New numbers can still be used to commit health care fraud. Protect your Medicare card just like your credit cards. Only give your Medicare Number to doctors, pharmacists, other health care providers, your insurer, or people you trust to work with Medicare on your behalf. Learn more about how you can fight Medicare fraud. Share PrintPrint this page Stuart.Zang@cm… Wed, 01/16/2019 – 14:21 […]