Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. It accounts for over 600,000 deaths annually and affects both men and women across all racial and ethnic groups. It also primarily affects older adults. Here’s what you need to know about heart disease coverage if you have Medicare.
What is Heart Disease?
Heart disease is a broad term encompassing a range of heart conditions. These include:
- Heart valve malfunctions
- Irregular heartbeats, called arrhythmias
- Congenital heart defects
- Blood vessel disease near or in the heart
- Heart muscle disease
What Heart Disease Treatment Does Medicare Cover?
The amount of coverage you have, including treatment for heart disease, depends on the type of Medicare you have enrolled in. If you are enrolled in Medicare Part A, you are covered only for emergencies. You will need Medicare Part B to participate in preventative actions like cardiovascular risk reduction treatments.
- Medicare Part A (hospital insurance): This plan does not cover preventative actions or screenings. However, it can help cover expenses if you have an emergency, such as a heart attack, or need surgery, such as a coronary artery bypass.
- Medicare Part B (medical insurance): Part B covers outpatient services like visits to a cardiologist or blood tests to check cholesterol levels. However, you may still be required to pay your deductible for these services.
- Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage): Medicare Advantage plans are offered by private providers approved by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). They can be adapted to your needs. If you have heart disease, you can ensure services of interest to you are included in your plan.
- Medicare Part D (drug coverage): Heart medications are covered under Medicare Part D if you need prescription medication to manage a heart condition.
Medicare Advantage Can Also Help Fill Your Prescription
Medicare Advantage, or Medicare Part C, can also provide prescription drug coverage to manage heart conditions such as high blood pressure, arrhythmias, and Coronary Artery Disease (CAD). This is not automatically included in a Part C plan but should be requested when you enroll.
How Can I Prevent Heart Disease Using Medicare Resources?
Medicare Part B covers preventative services:
- Diabetes screenings: Diabetes is closely linked to heart disease.
- Smoking cessation counseling: Quitting smoking can cut the risk of heart attack and stroke in half within a year.
- Obesity counseling: Maintaining a healthy weight can keep your heart healthy, too.
- Cardiovascular disease screenings: As a preventative measure, all Medicare Part B patients can receive a heart disease screening every five years.
What Heart Disease Items Are Not Covered by Medicare?
Virtually any type of treatment for heart disease, preventative or remedial, is covered in whole or part by some portion of Medicare. The question is, do you have the coverage you need to receive the proper treatment? Contact our office today to find out what your Medicare plan covers and how you can improve your coverage to include more treatment options. One of our Medicare insurance agents will be glad to assist you.