MY HEALTH, MY MEDICARE

This fall Medicare is kicking off a new campaign, "My Health, My Medicare." This effort will empower beneficiaries to be more proactive in their health care and take full advantage of their Medicare benefits. In addition to continuing education about Medicare's new prescription drug coverage, we will also be promoting Medicare's preventive care benefits.

Medicare currently covers all screening tests recommended by the US Preventive Services Task Force as well as vaccinations. Screening tests include those for hyperlipidemia; diabetes mellitus; cervical cancer; prostate cancer; colorectal cancer; breast cancer; low bone density; and glaucoma, and, beginning January 1, 2007, screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm will be added to this list. Influenza, pneumococcus, and hepatitis B are the covered vaccinations

Many of these screening tests are covered only for individuals at high risk, and the copayment/coinsurance and deductibles vary among tests. Quick reference information is available at: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNProducts/downloads/MPS_QuickReferenceChart_1.pdf, and detailed information is available at: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNProducts/downloads/mps_guide_web-061305.pdf. Medicare's preventive services are covered no matter what kind of Medicare health plan a person has, and beneficiaries should call their plan for more information.

"My Health, My Medicare" will also be working to increase influenza and pneumococcal vaccination rates. Currently, influenza and pneumonia are the eighth leading cause of death in the nation. With the self-reported national influenza and pneumococcal immunization rates for people age 65 or older at 65% and 55% respectively, providing vaccinations for this vulnerable population is important.

Outreach to Medicare beneficiaries will include information on the Initial Preventive Physical Examination, also known as the "Welcome to Medicare Visit," This one time visit that is available to Part B enrollees within their first six months of enrollment. The required components of this visit include medical, family, and social histories; screening for depression; assessment of functional ability and safety including hearing impairment, activities of daily living, fall risk, and home safety; a focused physical examination that includes measurements of height, weight, blood pressure, and visual acuity; an EKG; and indicated education, counseling, and referral. More information is available at: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/WelcometoMedicareExam/.

We will also be promoting a new website mymedicare.gov through which Medicare beneficiaries can establish a secure, individualized, account. This account will contain information on when preventive services were last received and the patient is next eligible. Other information on plan enrollment and recent claims will also be available.

Improving preventive care can't occur without your efforts. Resources to help implement strategies to improve the delivery of preventive care may be found at http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/ppipix.htm. Thank you for providing high quality care to Medicare beneficiaries, and please feel free to contact me with any questions by email at kenneth.fink@cms.hhs.gov or by phone at 206.615.2390.

Kenneth S. Fink, MD, MGA, MPH
Chief Medical Officer
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Region X