What is Medicare part B?

Medicare Part B is healthcare insurance. That helps you pay for your doctor visits and medical care you receive as an outpatient. You are an out-patient as you get care in a hospital or consulting room and are not admitted for an inpatient stay. Part B also includes the majority of doctor’s services that you may receive as an in-patient. Other hospital services are covered under Part A.

Let’s find out what is covered under Medicare Part B?

•        Doctor's visits (including an annual physical exam)

•        Laboratory services including - blood tests, urinalysis, etc.

•        Medical health care as an outpatient

•        Some preventive care, like flu and pneumonia shots

•        Outpatient health check services

•        X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, EKGs, and some other diagnostic tests

•        Prescription drugs, like chemotherapy drugs

•        Durable medical equipment for use at home such as oxygen, wheelchairs, walkers, etc.

•        Emergency room services

•        Skilled nursing care and health aid services on a part-time or intermittent basis

•        Other diagnostic screenings, such as colorectal and prostate cancer screenings and mammograms

•        Ambulatory surgery center services

What's not covered under Medicare Part B?

Medicare Part B does not help with the cost of:

•        Dental, vision or hearing care but in very rare conditions.

•        Care received outside the USA except in very specific situations.

•        Custodial care - helping with eating, bathing or dressing.

What doctors or health professionals can you see?

You can see any qualified provider in the US who accepts Medicare assignment and who accepts new patients. You can get medical help in any state or region. Original Medicare Part B offers the same benefits across the US.

Coverage limited with Medicare Part B

Medicare Part B insurance helps pay for any medically necessary care to look after an illness or physical condition.

Part B also covers some precautionary care to help you live a healthier life. There may be limits on coverage for some services.

What is preventive care?

Preventive care includes screenings and tests that assist discover health problems at an early stage so that they can be treated well. Other services, such as flu shots and health education, may help prevent health problems.

Medicare Part B covers these preventive services:

•        Bone mass measurement (bone density)

•        Alcohol misuse counseling

•        Cervical and vaginal cancer screening

•        Lung cancer screening

•        Diabetes self-management training

•        Breast cancer screening (mammogram)

•        Cardiovascular disease (behavioral therapy)

•        Flu shot

•        Tobacco use cessation counseling

•        Diabetes screening

•        Colorectal cancer screening

•        Hepatitis B shot

•        Glaucoma test

•        Prostate cancer screening

•        Depression screening

•        Cardiovascular screening

•        Obesity screening and counseling

•        Pneumococcal shot

•        Medical nutrition therapy services

•        “Welcome to Medicare” preventive visit

•        Yearly “Wellness” visit

•        HIV screening

•        Hepatitis C screening

•        Sexually transmitted infections screening and counseling

What is the need for Bone Density Test?

A bone density test determines if you have osteoporosis - a diseases causing bones to become more fragile and more likely to get fracture or break. Previously, it was difficult to determine such conditions; they could only be discovered after you broke a bone. It is also referred as a bone mass measurement test. 

A bone density test enhances the accuracy of calculating your risk of breaking bones. It requires X-Rays to measure how many grams of calcium and other bone minerals are packed into a segment of bone. It estimates the quantity of bone in your hip, spine and sometimes other bones. Your test result will assist your physician make recommendations to help you protect your bones.

Doctors use bone density testing to:

·         Identify reductions in bone density before you break a bone

·         Verify your risk of broken bones (fractures)

·         Confirm a diagnosis of osteoporosis

·         Look for osteoporosis treatment

Despite of your sex or age, your health care physician may advise a bone density test if you've:

Ø  Lost height – Individuals who have lost at least 1.6 inches (4 cms) in height may have compression fractures in their spines, osteoporosis is the main cause of such conditions.
Fractured a bone – Fragility fractures appears when a bone becomes so fragile that it breaks easily than predicted. A Fragility fractures can sometimes even be caused due to a strong cough or sneeze.

Ø  Medication - Long-term consumption of steroid medications, namely, prednisone, interferes with the bone-rebuilding process — may lead to osteoporosis.

Ø  Received a transplant – Individuals who have received an organ or bone marrow transplant are at higher risk of osteoporosis, mainly due to the anti-rejection drugs interfere with the bone-rebuilding process.

Ø  Low hormone levels - The natural drop in hormones that appears after menopause, women's estrogen may also drop during certain cancer treatments. Some treatments for prostate cancer decrease testosterone levels in men. Low sex hormone levels weaken bone and lead to cause bone density.

What is the normal bone density?

o   Test Score      What your test score means

o   -1 and above   -    Your bone density is considered normal.

o   Between -1 and -2.5   -   Low Bone Density  (Osteopenia)

o   -2.5 and below     -     You have osteoporosis.

Bone density tests are easy, speedy and painless. Nearly no preparation is required. A bone density tests can be done at your local diagnostic center.

How often you must get a bone density test?

People taking an osteoporosis medicine should repeat their bone density test by one – two years. After starting a new osteoporosis medication, many healthcare providers will advise a bone density test every year.

What is the Need for Bone Density Test by Health Care on Scribd