Physical Health Can Affect Mental Health: These Medicare Benefits Can Help

Mental health is directly affected by our physical and emotional well-being, especially in the senior years. Here are several Medicare benefits you may not be aware of that can help seniors maintain good mental health by staying physically healthy.*

Annual wellness visit

Your doctor will create or update a personalized wellness plan based on your current health, risk factors and goals.

Routine screenings

Medicare covers several, including an abnormal aortic aneurysm screening, a bone mass measurement screening (once every 24 months) and cardiovascular disease screenings (once every five years).

Diabetes benefits

If your doctor determines that you might be at risk for diabetes, Medicare will cover a diabetes screening. If you have diabetes, coverage includes some diabetic testing supplies and outpatient diabetes self-management training.

Immunizations

Medicare covers several preventive shots, including an annual flu shot, a hepatitis B shot for those at heightened risk for hepatitis B and a pneumococcal shot to prevent certain infections such as pneumonia.

Weight counseling

Medicare covers body mass index screenings; if your body mass index is 30 or more, Medicare provides free behavioral therapy sessions geared toward losing weight through proper diet and exercise.

Alcohol and substance abuse

Medicare provides for one free alcohol abuse screening per year, and covers alcoholism and substance use disorder treatment in both inpatient and outpatient settings if your doctor states that the services are medically necessary.

Tobacco

Medicare covers 80 percent of eight visits for any illness caused by tobacco use and provides tobacco cessation counseling as a preventive service.

* Services listed above are based on Original Medicare and your doctor accepting assignment. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, contact your plan directly to find out if the services are covered.

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