Reprinted from the Health District's quarterly publication mailed to district residents (Summer 2002)
TOPIC: Make informed choices about Medicare
 
Keeping up with changes in Medicare can be daunting, but answers to common questions as well as information to help you make informed choices are available for free at Poudre Valley Health System’s Aspen Club.
The government expanded coverage this year for senior citizens enrolled in the federal medical plan to include:
• Treatment for age-related macular degeneration of the eye.
• Medical nutrition therapy services for people with diabetes or kidney disease (unless you are on
dialysis) with a doctor’s referral. Coverage ends three years after a kidney transplant.
• Therapeutic shoes for people with diabetes (in some cases).
• Glaucoma screening once every 12 months for those with diabetes or a family history of glaucoma.
• Telemedicine in rural areas.

Printed materials and free counseling are available through the Aspen Club, which provides a wide range of health education, screenings, hospital discounts and social opportunities to local seniors age 50 and older. Membership is free.

Larimer County residents age 50 and older who are interested in joining the Aspen Club or who have questions about Medicare, Medicaid, Tricare-For-Life, long-term care and long-term insurance or Medicare billings may call 495-8560.
Q&A with a counselor

James Ogg, a volunteer Medicare counselor, fields lots of questions from senior citizens about navigating the Medicare system and sorting through the options.

Among the questions he responds to often:

Question: Is ambulance service covered under Part B?
Answer: Yes, but there are restrictions about medical need. Claims often end up being appealed.

Question: What’s better: a managed care plan (HMO) or a private fee-for-service plan (traditional)?
Answer: Members need to weigh costs, medical needs, importance of doctor of choice freedom and transportation needs (the HMO for Larimer residents is PacifiCare/Secure Horizons in Loveland)

Question: Is care at a skilled nursing facility covered?
Answer: Yes, but only after a qualifying hospital stay and only up to 100 days per benefit period. Long-term care is not covered.

Question: Where can I find out which doctors in town accept Medicare?
Answer: Call Aspen Club at 495-8560.