All Posts in "Health & Fitness"

SAVYY SENIOR

By Jim Miller

Dear Savvy Senior,

What types of mental health services does Medicare cover? I struggle with anxiety and depression, and my primary care provider recommended I see a therapist or psychiatrist.

Anxious Annie

Dear Annie,

Medicare actually covers both outpatient and inpatient mental health care services and programs to help beneficiaries with anxiety, depression and many other mental health needs. Here what you should know.

Outpatient Coverage

If you’re enrolled in original Medicare, your Part B coverage will pay 80 percent (after you’ve met your annual $257 Part B deductible) for a variety of counseling and mental health care services that are provided outside a hospital, such as in a doctor or therapist’s office, hospital outpatient department or community health center. These services can also be received via telehealth.

You, or your Medicare supplemental (Medigap) policy, is responsible for the remaining 20 percent coinsurance. 

Medicare also gives you the expanded option of getting treatment through a variety of health professionals such as psychiatrists, psychologists, clinical nurse specialists, clinical social workers, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, marriage and family therapists and mental health counselors.

To get this coverage, you’ll need to choose a participating provider that accepts Medicare assignment, which means they accept Medicare’s approved amount as full payment for a service.

If you choose a nonparticipating provider who accepts Medicare but does not agree to Medicare’s payment rate, you may have to pay more. And if you choose an opt-out provider that does not accept Medicare payments at all, you will be responsible for the entire cost.

To locate a mental health care professional in your area that accepts Medicare, go to Medicare.gov/care-compare, click on “doctors & clinicians” and type in your location, followed by “clinical psychologist” or “psychiatry” in the Name & Keyword box. You can also get this information by calling Medicare at 800-633-4227.

Inpatient Coverage

If you happen to need mental health services in either a general or psychiatric hospital, original Medicare Part A covers this too, after you’ve met your $1,676 Part A deductible. Your doctor should determine which hospital setting you need. If you receive care in a psychiatric hospital, Medicare covers up to 190 days of inpatient care for your lifetime. And if you use your lifetime days but need additional care, Medicare may cover additional inpatient care at a general hospital.

Additional Coverage

In addition to the outpatient and inpatient mental health services, Medicare also covers yearly depression screenings that must be done in a primary care doctor’s office or clinic. Annual depression screenings are covered 100 percent.

And if you have a Medicare prescription drug plan, most medications used to treat mental health conditions are covered too.

Medicare Advantage Coverage

If you get your Medicare benefits through a private Medicare Advantage plan, they too provide the same coverage as original Medicare does, but may impose different rules and will likely require you to see an in-network provider. You’ll need to contact your plan directly for details.

For more information, call Medicare at 800-633-4227 and request a copy of publication #10184 “Medicare & Your Mental Health Benefits,” or you can read it online at Medicare.gov.

Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.

The Senior Scene by — May 21, 2025 in Health & Fitness

Two advocacy organizations for Alzheimer’s patients and research have sounded alarms about what they claim are harmful cuts by the federal government of national health workforces.

Us Against Alzheimer’s and the Alzheimer’s Association denounced the eliminations of 20,000 workers within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), saying the cutbacks inject instability, uncertainty, and delays into the system that provides disease prevention, cures, and safety monitoring.

 Alzheimer’s is the only top-10 cause of death that has no cure and impacts over 50 percent of U.S. families. Disorder in healthcare stemming from federal reductions could delay or prevent millions of people from receiving life-saving treatments, said George Vandenburg, head of Us Against Alzheimer’s.

The Alzheimer’s Association said programs such as the Healthy Brain Initiative and Building Our Largest Dementia (BOLD) Infrastructure, which had staff placed on administrative leave as part of the HHS reduction, affect Americans every day. BOLD was reauthorized by Congress last December.

HHS officials, while not addressing the Alzheimer’s concerns, said its “restructuring” will save $1.8 billion per year by reducing its full-time employees from 82,000 to 62,000. The agency also claimed its services will be streamlined by consolidating divisions and centralizing functions such as human resources and information technology.

The Senior Scene by — May 6, 2025 in Health & Fitness
50 or older? This vaccine is for you

(Pictured: To help keep them smiling, the national Centers for Disease Control recommends the pneumococcal pneumonia vaccine for all adults 50 or older.)

Pneumococcal pneumonia is a potentially serious bacterial lung disease that can disrupt a person’s life for weeks and even land them in the hospital. Medical experts say there are ways to reduce the risk of serious illness.

An important step is getting a pneumococcal vaccination if it’s recommended for you. This vaccine helps protect against pneumococcal disease, including pneumococcal pneumonia, bloodstream infection (bacteremia), and infection of the lining of the brain and spinal cord (meningitis). In October 2024, the national Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention updated its adult immunization schedules and now recommends pneumococcal vaccination for all adults 50 or older, even if they are healthy, and maintains its recommendation of vaccination for adults 19 to 49 with certain underlying medical conditions like asthma, COPD, chronic heart disease, and diabetes.

“The immune system naturally weakens with age, so even if you’re healthy and active, being older puts you at greater risk of severe illness from pneumococcal pneumonia. The CDC’s updated guidelines are intended to keep more people healthy and safe,” said Dr. Albert A. Rizzo, chief medical officer for the American Lung Association.

The American Lung Association maintains an ongoing educational program about pneumococcal pneumonia with Pfizer. The program includes these fast facts:

• Anyone can get pneumococcal pneumonia, and unfortunately, it is a disease you can have more than one time. Certain populations are at higher risk for severe illness, hospitalization, and death. You can use American Lung Association resources to help determine your risk.

• The symptoms of pneumococcal pneumonia include fever, chills, cough, chest pain, difficulty breathing or rapid breathing, and these symptoms can appear suddenly and without warning.

• Having the flu increases the likelihood of developing pneumonia, including pneumococcal pneumonia. Reduce this risk by getting a flu shot every year to help prevent seasonal influenza. In addition, those at risk for pneumococcal disease can get vaccinated against pneumococcal pneumonia. Ask your healthcare provider about pneumococcal vaccinations.

For more information about risk factors, symptoms and prevention, visit lung.org/pneumococcal.

Source: StatePoint Media

The Senior Scene by — April 30, 2025 in Health & Fitness
Ways to stay in shape without wearing out your wallet

(Pictured: A set of resistance bands is an inexpensive alternative for strength-training.)

Gym memberships can be expensive and may lock a member into long-term contracts. Some at-home equipment on the market can also carry big price tags and possibly monthly subscription charges, too. But keeping fit doesn’t need to be a workout for the wallet. Here are some ways to save:

Stream workout videos for free.

Whether gentle yoga, heart-pounding cardio, or sensible strengthening routines, there are thousands of workout videos—available free—online (one easy place to start is aarp.org/fitness) or through some cable television providers and streaming services. You don’t need much for most of these workouts—just a yoga mat for floor exercises and enough space for a few steps (or lunges).

Buy studio classes in bulk.

If you prefer the community feel of in-person classes, most studios offer a free or highly discounted trial class or two. Once you’ve found one you love, consider buying a package of classes up-front—as long as you’re certain you’ll use all the classes in the allotted time limit. “If you pay for six months’ worth of classes at once, it’s cheaper than paying for the classes as you go,” said Julie Ramhold, a consumer analyst with DealNews, a comparison-shopping website.

Discounted gym memberships.

High demand for memberships from New Year resolution-makers means that gyms tend to charge higher prices in January. You’ll get a better deal later, Ramhold said. Pay even less by taking advantage of discounts offered through workplace benefits or programs such as Silver Sneakers, available through some Medicare Advantage plans.

Make thoughtful gear purchases.

Looking to strength-train without spending hundreds of dollars on dumbbells? A set of resistance bands is a cheap alternative and will still provide a full-body workout. If you’re interested in larger equipment, like a treadmill or stationary bike, check out sites such as Craigslist, OfferUp, or Facebook Marketplace, where neighbors may be selling barely-used equipment for much less than you’d pay at retail. “There are a lot of people who buy exercise equipment and don’t use it,” said Lorraine C. Ladish, a certified yoga instructor and over-50 fitness influencer. “Often it’s secondhand, but it’s in pristine condition.”

Join a fitness retailer’s loyalty club.

While it’s rarely necessary to purchase purpose-made workout clothing, new threads can give some added motivation. The rewards programs at athletic-apparel stores may give you access to exclusive deals and discounts on merchandise. Some stores, such as Athleta, Reebok and Nike, may also provide access to community fitness events and classes.

Source: AARP

The Senior Scene by — April 16, 2025 in Health & Fitness