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“I should have asked about my upcoming dental implants when I selected my Medicare Supplement Plan,” a man told us recently. “I saw implants coming, and now they are not covered.”
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!If you have ever been in a situation like that, you know how foolish you feel. But there is a simple way to prevent that kind of problem.
You can think ahead and ask about probable future needs when you speak with a CoverRight Medicare Advisor. There is no obligation to ask about future medical needs, and putting on your thinking cap and considering future medical concerns is the smart thing to do.
Here is a checklist of items to help you compare and choose the right Medicare plan for your situation.
- Future dental needs. We’ll start with this one, because that’s what we mentioned at the start of today’s post. If there is a chance you will need some expensive dental care like implants or dentures or an extraction, ask now whether they will be covered by the plans you are considering.
- Home medical equipment you might need. It’s not always pleasant to think about these needs before they arise. But if there is a chance you will need to have an entry ramp, a chairlift or other home equipment in the future, the time to ask about them is now.
- Diabetic care. If you have pre-diabetes or diabetes now, ask about future care needs. Will your plan cover nutritional counseling, for example? And what about the care of an endocrinologist or other specialist who can help you both prevent and manage diabetes if you develop it? Ask about these services before you need them.
- Bariatric surgery and specialized weight-reduction care. Thankfully, only about 1 percent of Americans, or about 250,000 people, have bariatric surgery every year. But again if you think you might be a candidate – or if you believe that having weight-reduction surgery could improve your health or quality of life, learn whether it will be covered by your plan.
- In-home care for yourself or a family member. Not all plans cover it, but some do. So be sure to ask if you think it could be a future need. Be sure to ask about possible hospice care too, if you think it could be a future need.
- Psychological counseling. Whether you are currently getting psychotherapy or whether you would simply like to, it could be covered if you ask about it ahead of time and select the right plan. Also, if you might need counseling for substance abuse or alcoholism, don’t hide from those problems. Ask now.
- Upcoming orthopedic care. It could be a probable joint replacement, foot surgery, or an operation to repair a torn rotator cuff. It is not unusual to know ahead of time that you might require an orthopedic procedure and again, the time to ask is now.
- Cosmetic surgery. If you’ve been planning a procedure, don’t assume it will not be covered by a Medicare plan. Ask and find out the particulars.
- Home meal delivery. Coverage can be difficult to find, but some plans do assist in this area.
- Transportation. If you or a member of your family need transportation to physical therapy, to an infusion center, or any other kind of care, some plans will help. So be sure to ask.
- Gym memberships. Again, some plans help cover the cost.
Medical Care Coverage If You Move
If you will be moving to another state, how will that affect the services that will be covered by your plan? If you will need the services of not only a primary care provider but specialists too, what physicians will be available to you under your plan? You might be eligible for a Special Enrollment Period. Find out and make sure you have the right coverage.
The message is that it is smart to ask about your probable future needs ahead of time, in a call to a CoverRight Medicare counselor. A healthier, better-covered future begins with asking questions.
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