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I just found out from my gynecologist, that Medicare will no longer cover a PAP test for woman every year, only once every two years. The office visit and PAP test will cost over $300. Women we need to come together and petition Medicare to continue this annual visit and cover it. I know so many people that are alive because their cervical cancer was found early. Once every two years is not enough for this exam and test. Cancer can grow very quickly and the cost of treatment far exceeds the cost of a regular exam and early treatment.
I'm new to Medicare and just learned that my GYN Well Woman is not covered, only the Pelvic/Breast exams are covered. It is surely impossible to not bill for the Gyn well woman visit when there is a pelvic/breast exam. Medicare needs to cover the gyn well woman visit!!
I just turned 70 and I have yet had Medicare cover a Pap smear. I was also told by my GYN that I would need to go to my primary care doctor. So after paying over $500 to my GYN for 2 previous exams, I then went to my primary and still got denied and had to pay for the lab work for the Pap smear. Also was told that Medicare only will pay for a test every 3 years. I also have a supplemental plan but if Medicare doesn’t cover it then they won’t either. This is very frustrating! It would be nice if someone could explain when Medicare does pay for a Pap smear and exam. I’m do for a bone density but afraid to have it done because I will get billed for it afterwards.
You can get bone density screenings through Life Line Screening for less than through a hospital or doctors's office. I get 5 screenings annually for under $200.00 and at least I have peace of mind for my issues. www.lifelinescreening.com/health-education/
Medicare allows a Bone Density every 24 months. See the link to know when it may be allowed more often. www.medicare.gov/coverage/bone-mass-measurements If you have met your Part B deductible then Medicare covers it in full.
Sharon V. Medicare allows a Bone Density every 24 months. See the link to know when it may be allowed more often. www.medicare.gov/coverage/bone-mass-measurements If you have met your Part B deductible then Medicare covers it in full.
No to all the questions...already have glaucoma (for years). Medicare has covered it so far outside my home state. Fingers crossed it will continue to be!!
I had a mammogram in Dec 2017 and just received a bill from the Imaging Center for $80. I called first to make sure they accept Medicare, I am 54 and I hadn't had a mammogram in 4 yrs. I don't understand why I was charged. Anyone know?
Ada Hall, you must first spend $181.00 for your deductible. After you spend $181.00, you pay 20% of expanses. If you still owe money, you need to make sure the mammogram facility accepts Medicare funding. If you still owe money, the mammogram facility may charge you the difference between what Medicare pays and what they charge. You need to call the business office or billing for the mammogram facility. Sometimes, when you check in for your mammogram, you sign paperwork. Usually, one form covers you approval via a signature, to bill your insurance company. Sometimes, another form is included, which gives your approval (via a signature) to pay for any expenses, your insurance company (Medicare) does not cover. Many mammogram facilities, sneak that form in all the paperwork, asking for your many approval signatures. From now on, READ carefully any form that requests your signature. Any medical facility, that accepts Medicare, is not suppose to bill you for any expenses over and above what Medicare pays. Sometimes, some medical facilities, add an extra form, hoping you sign, in which you agree to pay any charges over and above what Medicare charges. Be Careful what you sign. If you have signed a form like that, you need to go back to the facility and request copies of ALL FORMS you have signed. If you discover you signed a form, which indicates you agree to pay for ALL charges over and above what Medicare pays, take the form back, R.I.P. up the form &/or ask to sign a form indicating, you no longer agree to pay for any remaining portion of the charges, over and above the Medicare reimbursement rate. Therefore, you agree to not pay any extra charges above the current Medicare reimbursement charge. If they do not agree to your choice, find a new mammogram facility, that agrees to accept whatever is the current payment for Medicare. Call several Mammogram facilities, before scheduling an appointment. Sometimes, Medicare does not approve Mammograms at Hospital facilities. Call the billing office or ask to be connected to the billing office, to inquire if the facility accepts whatever Medicare Contract agreement has been established for reimbursement. In addition, ask the billing office, if the facility bills you, for any charge or expense, Medicare does not pay or reimburse the facility. Calling and asking that billing question is important, to make sure you are not billed for any expenses Medicare does not reimburse. All facilities want the total facility charge paid. Not every patient knows or remembers to refuse to sign, so that you do not pay for any expense over and above Medicare payment.
Always make sure that the facility accepts Medicare. Also, by December, you should have met your deductible. But as I understand it, Medicare pays 100% for an annual mammogram. Call Medicare about it. You must be going to an out of network Imaging Center.
Was your part B decutable paid by you that's required every year with Part B . And did the place you went to have their own deductible, for instance , a hospital
No they put me through hell! due to the cost of the test! Then a national cancer centers gene dept said I only had 30% chance! I told oncologist they were wrong! I just knew I was right! She paid out her pocket for the test "unbelievable" and I was BRCA1 positive!
My GYN office told me I have to get my cervical cancer screening done by my PCP for Medicare to cover it. Then I went to another GYN for a problem, and she wouldn't do the cervical cancer screening for the same reason. Is this true, or do the GYNs just not want to accept the rate of reimbursement from Medicare? My PCP (a female) was angry that I asked her to do my Pap/Pelvic exam!
You must do some Research to find a GYN WHOM ACCEPTS Medicare/Medicaid PLUS.. GO TO PRIMARY FOR A PRESCRIPTION to take to a GYN for Annual Screening... Then the Insurance WILL PAY 80% WITH MEDICARE !!! I Recommend making Phone Calls to Local Doctors asking about INS COVERAGE 💖 I get my PAP done through PRIMARY DOC... 100% coverage 🎉☝️🎉
ONE OF THE MANE REASON WHY OUR CLAIMS ARE NOT BEING PAID IS BECAUSE OF THE CODING. THE PROCEDURE CODES THAT THESE DOCTORS ARE USING ARE INCORRECT. I AM DEALING WITH NO PAYMENT OR A DENIED CLAIM DUE TO WRONG CODING. MY PREVIOUS GYN DR RETIRE ALL OF MY CLAIMS WERE BEING PAID NOW I AM FIGHTING TO KEEP FROM GOING TO COLLECTION DUE TO WRONG CODING ON MY BILL. IF MEDICARE SAY THEY PAID FOR WELLNESS /PREVENTIVE PROCEDURES WHATS THE DEAL.
Return the bill to the provider and tell them to check the coding and re-submit to Medicare. This has worked for me, although it sometimes takes a number of phone calls and polite but insistent demands.
Wife is having the same problem. She had the exame because she was having issues, they coded it 99397 preventative medicine exam and medicare denied it, Z-medicare doesnot pay for this type of service or item?
Exactly then many doctors don't want to take it as they are paying them many times nothing on things or only part. So very good doctors refuse to take it. They have no vision or dental, like your eyes and teeth are not important.
These are non Medicare official comments. These are members of the internet community responding. Please call Medicare and get the answers. They are very good. Also, while you are on hold, it will tell you automatically what you are eligible for each year. Worthwhile to call Medicare. I find them very helpful and not a long hold time.
I am 70 and feel worse than I have to because of the failure of my providers to provide the minimum hormones I need. When about 63 i started to gain weight -1 lb every 2 months--I also had other symptoms of my need for hormones. there was osteopenia and porosis in the hip starting, then the palpation and with the subtle? weight gain i was starting to have trouble breathing, then their were more---sleeping hot enough to heat the room, etc. So slowly I researched each one and started to try things--they all worked- even had GOOOOOOOD hormones from a Compounding Pharmacy--then at an Annual Physical the hormones were stopped because of a wrong diagnosis for breast cancer. That is a long story but my aunts had breast cancer--1983---1st one had a lump--could have had it removed and might at that time have been benign--but was scared of needles and would do nothing until I could get on a plane about 3/4 of a year latter and meet her at the hospital. Talk her through a mastectomy---I knew nothing until the night before her surgery, 22 of 28 lymph nodes positive. Second aunt--had about a year latter spiculated breast-- no CANCER DX --she was on a plethora of medicine--scared had both breast removed. My mother had 3 lumpectomies--benign. I had 1 cyst--that kept coming and going for 30 years--it hid every time I was going to have it removed-x4. I also had 2 Hot Tub infections- most likely Pseudomonas aeroginosa bacteria- into through the areola and causing interductal infections.No one would treat or culture the water for me -4 doctors plenty of Prescriptions that DID NOT WORK. I knew & told them the right prescription & dosage--could not get the RIGHT PRESCRIPTIONs for 3 weeks then I did the research and brought it with me to the doctor-----Finally got the med after intensive pain--this bacteria & painful infection did great damage interductally. Then I had to have shoulder and a breast reduction for SHOULDER PAIN---that worked great. BUT.... The good hormones I found after 5 years of research where stopped------???? this is poor medicine --all the symptoms are back--will continue this story for someone who can change the future of Womens Health to GOOD Womens health with just a little bit of best Quality E2 not the patch and also Progesterone & very small dose of 0.03 of 200mg Testosterone once a week--- taking care and well for MOST of those symptoms --Now I have all those 7 symptoms back and no hormones. I am still a women who lived too long for good medicine & all this becasue I MIGHT GET CANCER IN THE FUTURE---Just to catch you up-- I am also Lab Director for 40 years. Hospitals and Large Reference Labs. Womens Health has it all wrong today! Not happy!
