Getting the word out

From Mary Ablan, executive director, Michigan’s Area Agencies on Aging Association:

More than many in our state, Michigan’s seniors are struggling to make ends meet these days. Many face tough decisions such as whether to buy groceries or pay the electric bill. Even those doing well know they have to pinch every penny in this uncertain economy.

Too often, health care is where seniors end up cutting corners to save money. As executive director or the Michigan’s Area Agencies on Aging Association, I know that the costs of health insurance and prescription medications are of constant concern to our senior citizens.

I also know how important it is to take care of our health as we get older, and especially to catch problems before they get serious or worsen. Many of us are in and out of the doctor’s office precisely because we took our health for granted when we were younger. And we all know people who would be alive today if they’d gone to a doctor sooner or managed their condition better.

The good news is that under the Affordable Care Act, Medicare beneficiaries now have better access to services that can make that happen. They no longer have to pay any co-payments or deductibles for basic services such as annual check-ups and cancer screenings.

The not-so-good news is that only 1 in 6 Medicare participants is taking advantage of these life-saving services. We need to spread the word that they no longer have to pay co-pays or deductibles for preventative services such as:

• Annual wellness visits, including a review of medical history and prescriptions;

• Screenings for prostate, breast and cervical cancer;

• Mammograms;

• Screenings for cardiovascular issues and diabetes;

• Counseling to quit smoking; and

• Flu, pneumonia and hepatitis B shots.

Combined with the prescription drug savings that the Affordable Care Act is providing, these Medicare changes are significantly cutting health care costs for Michigan’s seniors. They’re making it possible for more people in Michigan to be healthy and active workers, grandparents, volunteers and members of our communities. They’re even saving lives.

I encourage you to make sure that the Medicare participants in your family know about the free preventative services available to them. These benefits and more are outlined in “Your Guide to Medicare’s Preventive Services,” a 26-page handbook that is available at some local locations or online at the Michigan Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program’s website, www.mmapinc.org. o