Does Medicare Cover a Knee MRI? 

Medical imaging has played a vital role in healthcare since the late 1800s, and the addition of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the 1970s opened new possibilities for detecting, diagnosing and treating injuries and disease. Today, the MRI remains one of the most powerful imaging tools used by doctors and specialists in the fight against medical conditions like cancer, infection, tissue damage and developmental anomalies. How does an MRI work? MRI technology works by applying a strong magnet over the body. This causes protons to…

Does Medicare Cover Klonopin? 

Stress and anxiety are a part of everyday life for many people, including seniors. When stress and anxiety begin to cause debilitating health effects, symptoms may indicate an anxiety disorder, depression or some other form of mental health concern. Seniors who face mental health struggles like anxiety disorders are encouraged to speak with their primary care physicians. In many cases, therapy services can help seniors cope with feelings of anxiety and allow them to manage stress better. In cases where talk therapy alone is not…

How Many X-Rays Will Medicare Cover? 

Every year in the United States, approximately two billion X-rays are taken. Health care providers use these valuable diagnostic tools to examine bones, tissue, and air pockets inside the body, so they can evaluate medical conditions like:  Bone fractures Bone infections Muscle sprains and strains Arthritis Osteoporosis Lung infections Certain types of cancer  Heart conditions  Blood vessel narrowing or blockages Digestive or abdominal issues Urinary tract issues If you’re over 65, your health care provider might order X-rays for any of the reasons mentioned above,…

Does Medicare Cover Nail Trimming? 

As people get older, fingernails and toenails may change in structure and growth rate. This can be the result of diseases, insufficient nutrition, exposure to chemicals or ultraviolet light, or the normal aging processes.  Some of the most common changes that can happen to your toenails as you get older are: They don’t grow as fast as they used to.   They get thicker and harder which makes them difficult to trim and keep clean.   They can be more prone to fungal infections, especially if your…

Does Medicare Cover Vivitrol? 

Vivitrol is the brand name for naltrexone, a Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved medication to treat opioid and alcohol use disorders. Naltrexone is one facet of an overarching drug abuse treatment program encompassing counseling, behavioral therapy, lifestyle change, compliance, monitoring and psychosocial support.  Naltrexone, one of a class of drugs called opiate antagonists, is available as a pill and an injection. Naltrexone oral medication is on the market as ReVia and Depade, which you can buy with a prescription at your pharmacy. Vivitrol is a…

Does Medicare Cover Over-the-Counter Cold Medicine? 

The common cold is a nuisance and can sometimes keep you from your normal activities. Medications to reduce your symptoms are available at the pharmacy, but you may wonder if your Medicare health insurance helps cover the costs.  Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs and health care products are becoming more and more popular in this country, and sales topped 162 billion dollars in the United States in 2022. Today, seniors make an average of 26 trips to retail outlets per year solely for OTC purchases like cold care…

Does Medicare Cover Osteoporosis? 

You might think that osteoporosis is a disease that only affects older women, but the truth is that men are affected by osteoporosis at almost the same rate as women. Some studies have demonstrated that about 30% of women are at risk of developing this condition at some point in their lives. Between 13% and 35% of men are at risk. Although gender doesn’t seem to matter as much when it comes to who is affected by osteoporosis, age is a bigger factor. The risk…

What Does the Medicare ID Card Look Like? 

When you enroll in Medicare you receive a printed card from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). This card contains your health care insurance information and is necessary to prove that you have Medicare coverage.  If you apply for Medicare yourself – either online, over the phone, or at a local CMS office – you’ll get your card in the mail approximately three weeks later together with your Medicare welcome packet. If the Social Security Administration enrolls you in Medicare automatically, you’ll get…

Does Medicare Cover Hydrocodone? 

According to the Mayo Clinic, three out of 10 Americans live with persistent pain resulting from injury or illness. Our complicated central nervous system enables pain to develop and spread, sometimes making it difficult to pinpoint the underlying cause. Pain can affect many aspects of your life, and can cause stress, depression, anxiety, lack of joy and social isolation. Some pain can be relieved by lifestyle changes, breathing exercises or meditation, increased physical activity, and abstinence from smoking and alcohol. External support can come from…

Does Medicare Cover Omeprazole? 

When you eat, food is digested with the help of secretions from gastric glands, enzymes, and microbes. For instance, enzymes lining the stomach, proton pumps, assist in acid production and serve an essential role in the digestive process. Hydrochloric acid destroys microbes in food and helps enzymes break down food. However, enzymes can lose effectiveness if the environment is too acidic. Too much acid can cause conditions like indigestion, acid reflux and heartburn. Indigestion presents as pain or a burning feeling in your upper abdomen….