Bluestem Health Accepts Medicare Insurance

WHY YOU NEED TO CARE ABOUT MEDICARE

Medicare is a much needed, valuable healthcare resource. However, there are a lot of ins and outs to understand its intricacies, which help Medicare patients tremendously while navigating smoothly within the system.

WHO SHOULD MEDICARE?

Services under Medicare alleviate healthcare spending burdens for retired people 65 and older, certain younger people with disabilities, and people with End-Stage Renal Disease; however, it is not always completely free. Each Medicare plan is complex and choosing the right plan for you is critical to maximize healthcare savings. There is not one single plan that works best. And that is just the tip of the iceberg. We want you to know about Medicare so you can focus on your health and save yourself a lot of grief in the long run. Make sure you read about why you should care about MediCARE.

REASON TO MEDICARE #1:

Do not be late enrolling once you become eligible for Medicare. It will cost you. Some Medicare premiums increase by 10% each year after you become eligible, so over time you will pay considerably more. And enrollment is ONLY automatic if you are already receiving Social Security benefits once you become eligible by age, so do not delay, get the ball rolling early on Medicare enrollment, even if you do not think you need it yet. You become eligible for medicare at 65 years of age and can sign up within three months leading up to or following your birthday. Enroll for Medicare at medicare.gov; it should only take about 10 minutes or less to enroll on the website. For assistance, call 800-772-1213, visit a Social Security office near you, or contact the Support Service Team at Bluestem Health of Lincoln, Nebraska at 402-476-1455.

REASON TO MEDICARE #2:

Medicare has three parts: A, B, C and D (D is an add on plan). They are all very different plans because each individual has such specifically unique healthcare needs. When deciding on a plan, it would be best to discuss your healthcare needs and potential future needs with your healthcare provider.

Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) covers inpatient hospital stays, care in a skilled nursing facility, hospice care, and some home health care.

Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) covers certain doctors’ services, outpatient care, medical supplies, and preventive services.

Medicare Advantage Plan (also known as Part C) is a package plan and alternative to Original Medicare. This is a plan which includes Part A, Part B, and often Part D. It may also offer the same rules as Medicare Prescription Drug Plans, but is offered by private insurance companies, who are required to provide at least as much coverage as Parts A and B, and usually significantly more.

Medicare Part D (Prescription Drug Coverage) adds prescription drug coverage to:

• Original Medicare
• Some Medicare Cost Plans
• Some Medicare Private-Fee-for-Service Plans
• Medicare Medical Savings Account Plans

Even with a great plan, there are there are still some common and even costly conditions or expenses that Medicare doesn’t cover. Make sure to know your plan and ask before you receive services.

NOT SURE WHAT KIND OF COVERAGE YOU HAVE?

1. Check your Medicare card.
2. Check all insurance cards and call the phone number to get more information.
3. Check your Medicare health or drug plan enrollment.

REASON TO MEDICARE #3:

What are the Medicare costs and benefits?

Medicare Part A About 99 percent of Medicare beneficiaries do not have a Part A premium since they have at least 40 quarters of Medicare-covered employment. The Medicare Part A inpatient hospital deductible that beneficiaries will pay when admitted to the hospital will be $1,364 in 2019, an increase of $24 from $1,340 in 2018.

Medicare Part B An estimated 2 million Medicare beneficiaries (about 3.5%) will pay less than the full Part B standard monthly premium amount in 2019 because statutes limit certain beneficiaries’ increase in their Part B premium to be no greater than the increase in their Social Security benefits. The typical Medicare Part B monthly premium for enrollees will be $135.50 for 2019, an increase of $1.50 from $134 in 2018. The annual deductible for all Medicare Part B beneficiaries is $185 in 2019, an increase of $2 from the annual deductible $183 in 2018.

*Medicare Part B covers many screenings so you can always be on top of your health:

• Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening
• Alcohol misuse screenings & counseling
• Bone mass measurements (bone density)
• Cardiovascular disease screenings
• Cardiovascular disease (behavioral therapy)
• Cervical & vaginal cancer screening
• Colorectal cancer screenings
  • Multi-target stool DNA tests
  • Screening barium enemas
  • Screening colonoscopies
  • Screening fecal occult blood tests
  • Screening flexible sigmoidoscopies
• Depression screenings
• Diabetes screenings
• Diabetes self-management training
• Glaucoma tests
• Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infection screening
• Hepatitis C screening test
• HIV screening
• Lung cancer screening
• Mammograms (screening)
• Nutrition therapy services
• Obesity screenings & counseling
• One-time “Welcome to Medicare” preventive visit
• Prostate cancer screenings
• Sexually transmitted infections screening & counseling
• Shots:
  • Flu shots
  • Hepatitis B shots
  • Pneumococcal shots
• Tobacco use cessation counseling
• Yearly “Wellness” visit

For more information on the 2019 Medicare Parts A and B premiums and deductibles, please visit federalregister.gov/public-inspection.

For any additional questions about Medicare, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). Or call Bluestem Health of Lincoln, Nebraska. We accept Medicare coverage and understand that there are several Medicare health insurance options. Our Patient Support Specialists at Bluestem Health 402-476-1455 can help you find answers to any Medicare questions that you may have. Our commitment is to provide you with easily accessible, high-quality, integrated health services when and where you need them. We want you to know that we value our Medicare patients and we have five locations for you to choose from and all of them accept Medicare insurance:

Medical / Dental: Main Clinic, 1021 N. 27th St.

Medical: Thompson Clinic, 2222 S. 16th St.

Medical: Kreshel Clinic, 3100 N. 14th St.

Medical / Behavioral Health: Health 360, 2301 O St.

Patient Support Services / Diabetes Education: Administration Office, 2246 O St.