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The
Aging Network
Information Memoranda
INFORMATION MEMORANDUM
AoA-IM-98-08
TO : STATE AND AREA AGENCIES AND TRIBES ADMINISTERING
PLANS UNDER TITLES III AND VI OF THE OLDER AMERICANS ACT OF 1965,
AS AMENDED
SUBJECT : New Medicare Benefits - Health Promotion
REFERENCES: TITLES III AND VI OF THE OLDER AMERICANS
ACT
The Administration on Aging (AoA) wants to alert programs funded
under the Older Americans Act to new provisions under the Balanced
Budget Act of 1997 which will contribute to better health for
Medicare beneficiaries. Beginning in January 1998, selected new
health care screening procedures will be available to beneficiaries
whose health status merits such procedures. Medicare beneficiaries
need to discuss these new provisions with their doctors to determine
which benefits may be of value to them. These services are available
to Medicare beneficiaries covered by fee-for-service arrangements
as well as those recipients receiving their health care through
a managed care plan.
The AoA is asking State and Area Agencies on Aging and Tribal
Organizations to encourage service providers, senior centers,
case managers, information and assistance providers and others
to assist the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) in informing
beneficiaries of these new provisions. Particularly, those staff
who work with the Older Americans Act Title III-F program should
make every effort to incorporate this information into their training
and public information materials.
The new benefits, which are phasing in over a six-month period,
include the following items:
Yearly Mammograms: Starts January 1, 1998 (No Part B deductible)
Pap Smear, including Starts January 1, 1998
Pelvic and Breast Examination (No Part B deductible)
Diabetes glucose monitoring Starts January 1, 1998
Diabetes education Starts July 1, 1998
Colorectal cancer screening Starts January 1, 1998
Bone mass measurement Starts January 1, 1998
Medicare influenza and pneumonia vaccinations are already fully
covered as reimbursable benefits under Medicare since 1993. Additional
information regarding flu and pneumonia prevention vaccines may
be found in AoA-IM-98-2, dated October 2, 1997.
The AoA staff have been meeting with staff from the HCFA Center
for Beneficiary Services regarding their strategy for providing
public information about the changes created by the Balanced Budget
Act of 1997. Periodically, AoA will forward additional Information
Memoranda and post updates on the AoA webpage (http://www.aoa.dhhs.gov)
about some of the latest developments of special interest to the
State and Area Agencies on Aging, Tribal Organizations, service
providers, and older persons. It is important to note that HCFA
has two Internet sites which you may access for the most current
information about Medicare: www.HCFA.gov and www.medicare.gov.
Also, you may call the Medicare Hotline: 1-800-638-6833.
Attached is a copy for the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services (DHHS) Fact Sheet which provides more detail about who
should take advantage of these preventive tests and the recommended
time frames. The attached flyer from HCFA is a quick guide as
to the tests covered. Both of these documents may be reproduced
for widespread dissemination.
Jeanette C. Takamura
Assistant Secretary for Aging
Attachments:
DHHS Fact Sheet
HCFA Flyer
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