Seniors take advantage of free preventive care
More than 5 million Americans with traditional Medicare took advantage of one or more of the preventive benefits that are now available free thanks to the Affordable Care Act, according to a report released Monday by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
The most common benefits accessed by seniors were mammograms, bone density screenings and screenings for prostate cancer. In 2011, Medicare also began covering an annual wellness visit at no cost to beneficiaries. Between January 1 and June 10 of this year, some 780,000 seniors received this benefit.
CMS Administrator Donald Berwick, MD, said in a statement, “Even in your 70s, 80s, or beyond you can reduce your risk of disability and chronic illness if you take care of yourself. With the new free Annual Wellness Visits and free preventive care, people with Medicare have the tools to take common-sense steps to take control of their health.”
[See also: Next generation of seniors isn't ready to shoulder healthcare costs]
Also on Monday, Medicare launched a nationwide public outreach campaign, including a letter to doctors and a new Public Service Announcement that will raise awareness about all of the important preventive benefits now covered at no charge to patients.
“The Administration on Aging service providers are the ‘boots on the ground’ in reaching people on Medicare. These providers see Medicare beneficiaries every single day," said Assistant Secretary for Aging Kathy Greenlee said in a statement. "I am committed to ensuring that the Medicare beneficiaries we serve are aware of and take advantage of their Medicare preventive benefits.”
Monday's announcements are part of a renewed push in the fulfillment of CMS' “Three-Part Aim”: Better care and better health at lower cost through improvement in healthcare. Roughly 70 percent of Medicare beneficiaries had at least one chronic condition in 2008, while as many as 38 percent had between two and four chronic conditions, and 7 percent had five or more. They see an average of 14 different doctors and fill an average of 50 prescriptions or prescription refills a year. Preventing chronic disease among the Medicare population would not only improve their health and quality of life, it could help save an estimated two-thirds of the $2 trillion the U.S. spends treating preventable long-term illness today.
