Yearly Mammogram- an Essential Test!
The second most common cancer among women is breast cancer. The easiest way to detect breast cancer early is to get your annual mammogram. Mammograms are scans for breast cancer. They can locate a lump up to 3 years before you or your doctor can detect it. Also, this assists in the early detection of breast cancer when it is most treatable. Let’s have a look at medicare mammogram coverage.
Medicare Mammogram Coverage
It is free of charge for women enrolled in Original Medicare (Parts A and B) who are 40 or older to get one annual screening mammography. A deductible and/or coinsurance may apply to your Medicare Part B benefits. In most cases, Medicare will only cover screening mammography if at least 11 months have passed since your last one.
For Medicare recipients between the ages of 35 and 39, Part B will typically cover the costs of one baseline mammogram before age 40.
In addition to the deductible, after you’ve paid the Part B copay for diagnostic mammography that your doctor deems medically essential, Part B will pay for 80% of the authorized expenditures.
Medicare Advantage plan (Part C) enrollees may incur minimal or no out-of-pocket mammogram costs. Screening procedures, such as mammograms, may be covered by a plan’s low or no copayment. To be legal, Medicare Advantage plans must provide the same benefits as Original Medicare (except for hospice care, which is still covered by Part A). Still, they may offer members additional perks, such as no-cost preventative care checks and routine vision, hearing, and dental coverage. You are still responsible for paying the Part B premium if you enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan.
Below are some ways to lower your risk;
- Getting regular workout
- Restricting the consumption of alcohol
- Maintaining a healthy weight.
- Having a mammogram per year
After age 65, are mammograms covered by Medicare?
Medicare covers mammograms for women 65 and older. The cost of yearly mammography screenings is paid for in full. Diagnostic mammograms have an 80% co-payment from Medicare. Mammograms are still crucial when it comes to early cancer detection. Women between the ages of 65 and 74 make up 25% of breast cancer diagnoses. According to research by a task force from the United States Preventive Services Task Force, the risk of death from breast cancer was lowered by 33% among women aged 60–69 who got frequent mammograms. When a woman reaches her 60s, the task force and other groups advise that she begin having mammograms every other year for screening purposes. Yearly, they come highly recommended by the American Cancer Society.
Bottom Line
All in all, women between 50 and 74 should get a yearly mammogram. And if your doctor approves the assignment, Medicare may cover mammograms at no cost. Please speak to your doctor about the advantages of your annual mammogram and ask him to schedule your next screening.
October is Awareness Month for Breast Cancer. Support the battle against breast cancer and have your mammogram every year!
About Frank Nash
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