Medicare Physical Exams

Self | 10/16/2014 | LoneRangerMassachusetts

[LoneRangerMassachusetts]

Help on Medicare Supplemental Insurance - Physical Exams

[LoneRangerMassachusetts]

Once you go on Medicare, your doctor visits are more regulated by what Medicare and supplemental insurance covers. Medicare and Blue Cross Medex Bronze plan does not cover annual physical exams. They pay only for annual wellness exams.

A wellness exam is next to nothing - blood pressure, pulse, breathing and some questions on how you have been feeling lately. A physical exam does more, it does the former plus heart, breathing, reflex, naked body lookover, and lab blood work to screen for problems.

My question to senior Freepers, has anyone found supplemental insurance to cover annual physical exams? Are you paying out of pocket for annual physical exams? What are you doing for preventive care?

[rktman]

I use my former employee med coverage as secondary to medicare but they pay very little. About the only medical care I seek on a regular basis is my dermo. Unless there’s something real serious going on, I just don’t go. Looking at some of the things I am NOT taking advantage of (per the medicare “suggested” items) are depression screening and alcohol abuse discussions. Or maybe smoking cessation conversations. Which, by the way, I found out from Mrs. rktman’s visit to the cardiologist gets charged even if the physician simply asks if you smoke and have you thought about quitting. Cha Ching. $75.00 for consultation. Good luck figuring it all out. There’s no easy answer since every state and coverage is drastically different. Have you perused the Medicare web site?

[chae]

What state are you in?

[Grams A]

IMO - insurance should only be used to cover a specific illness. Want an annual physical? Pay for it yourself.

I treat usage of my medical insurance the same as my car insurance. Routine checks, r&m, etc. should be out of your own pocket. Lots of physicians and auto mechanics will allow you to negotiate for a cash price.

[LoneRangerMassachusetts]

Massachusetts!

[TomGuy]

I have Medicare Advantage and my PCP is a doctor of internal medicine. I let him decide what I need with each exam. I have been going to the same clinic every 3 months for about 10 years.

Sometimes, I only get a review of the blood workup. Sometimes, I have to do the undress and bend over, etc.

Since it takes place at the clinic, I only have to pay the co-pay. Previously, some of the Medicare Advantage plans paid most, but not all, of the blood tests. I got charged a whole $3.00 each quarter. More recently the MA plan covers all the blood work costs.

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If you schedule a full physical through your PCP, your Medicare should still pick up 80% and your supplement should pick up the remainder — less any co-pay.