Spring is a great time to schedule a checkup with your clients to make sure they are utilizing all the benefits their plan has to offer. Many Medicare beneficiaries experience information overload during AEP and do not remember all the benefits available to them. Even clients who have been on the same plan for years may not be taking advantage of all the extra benefits their plan offers. Many of these are wellness benefits that are geared toward keeping your clients healthy and that have no out-of-pocket costs for the beneficiary.
Preventive Services and Screenings
Whether your clients have Original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage plan, Medicare covers many preventive services and screenings designed to keep seniors healthy as they age. Medicare covers these benefits in full. When you check in with your clients, encourage them to take advantage of their annual checkups, since their primary care doctor is the key to accessing these benefits.
Welcome to Medicare Visit – If you have clients who are new to Medicare, you should remind them to set an appointment for this initial visit within the first 12 months of their Medicare coverage starting. During this visit, their doctor will review their medical history, take measurements (such as height, weight, and blood pressure), provide referrals to other providers (if needed), and create a written plan that includes any other recommended preventive services. This is an important first step in staying healthy and accessing appropriate care.
Annual Wellness Visit – In subsequent years, beneficiaries will have an annual wellness visit. These visits are important for preventing illness, early detection of disease, and managing any chronic conditions. At these visits, doctors may recommend specific preventive services or screenings based on the individual’s health. These may include exams, shots, lab tests, and screenings, such as:
- Vaccines – Including COVID, flu, and pneumonia.
- Screenings for diseases such as diabetes, glaucoma, and heart disease as well as breast, colon, cervical, and prostate cancers.
- Screenings for depression, obesity, and alcohol misuse and counseling sessions to quit smoking.
- Nutritional therapy for those with certain health conditions, such as kidney disease or diabetes.
These are only a small sample of the preventive services and screenings Medicare covers.
Routine Dental, Vision, and Hearing Exams – Clients may have full coverage for routine dental, vision, and hearing exams. All these are essential for good health and quality of life as we age. Stress the importance of receiving these annual checkups for prevention and early detection of any changes. This is a good time to ask if clients need help finding a provider or if they need a thorough review of all the benefits their plan covers.
Supplemental Benefits
Medicare Advantage plans offer a variety of supplemental wellness benefits that vary according to the plan. Supplemental benefits may include:
- Gym memberships
- OTC allowance
- Personal emergency alert systems
- Home delivered meals after a hospital stay
- Allowances toward massage or chiropractic visits
- Earning points toward healthy rewards or gift cards
- Non-emergency transportation to doctors’ appointments
Clients with Specials Needs Plans may have benefits such as:
- Allowances towards groceries, utilities, and rent
- Transportation
- A personal care coordinator
Most of your clients will welcome a review of these benefits and will appreciate your help in teaching them how to use them. For example, they may know they have a gym membership but be unsure about which gyms participate or how to sign up. Since many of these benefits may be through third-party vendors, make sure your clients know who to contact to utilize them.
Help Your Clients Create an Online Account
Part of empowering your clients to take charge of their healthcare should involve encouraging them to set up an online account with their insurer. This will give them access to information about many of the benefits discussed above. They can also use their online account to:
- View their prescriptions and claims
- Access the provider search tool and drug formulary
- Order ID cards
- Set up premium payments
- Chat with a customer service representative
It is often much easier to set up an account than clients think – they will appreciate you taking the time to walk them through the steps.
A spring Medicare checkup will keep your clients healthy and happy by increasing their knowledge and usage of their plan benefits. Plus, it will improve your relationship with clients, resulting in greater loyalty and satisfaction.
The team at Western Asset Protection is committed to helping you grow your business. Contact us today to find out how we can help.