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Medicare insurance provides access to medically necessary clinical diagnostic laboratory tests that are either routine or necessary in emergencies. This coverage is available for Medicare beneficiaries who are enrolled in Original Medicare (Parts A and, or B) or a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan. This benefit includes lab tests such as blood tests, urinalyses, tissue…

Today in the United States, approximately 49 million Medicare beneficiaries who also have prescription drug coverage. You can purchase a stand-alone Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan (PDP) if you have Original Medicare. As an alternative, you can enroll in a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan that includes prescription drug coverage to get these benefits,…

As of 2022, statistics showed that 48 percent of all eligible Medicare beneficiaries (over 28 million individuals) were getting their health care coverage from a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan. Medicare Advantage plans are sold by private insurance companies as an alternative to Original Medicare Parts A and B. They provide at least the same…

Today in the United States, over 12 million people qualify as dual-eligible beneficiaries through Medicare and Medicaid, which means that they get their health care coverage from both programs.  You might qualify for dual-eligible coverage if you meet the following requirements:  You qualify for your state’s Medicaid program (qualification is typically based on low income…

When your body is injured or exposed to harmful substances (bacteria, viruses or toxic chemicals), your immune system sends inflammatory cells to heal the damage or attack the invaders. Acute inflammation is your body’s immediate response to damage, which allows the healing process to begin without delay. You may experience pain, swelling or tenderness. With…

Men’s sexual health is a topic that has earned more public discussion since the introduction of the little blue pill, Viagra (sildenafil). Viagra became one of the most popular treatments for erectile dysfunction after being given FDA approval in 1998. It was the first oral medication that could be taken to treat erectile dysfunction as…

The prostate is a male gland below the bladder in front of the rectum. The gland secretes fluid that conjoins with semen to maintain healthy sperm. When cancer develops in the gland, treatments can range from active surveillance to surgery, depending on how fast the tumor grows. The American Cancer Society predicts that about one…

Wisdom teeth, so named because they usually emerge between ages 17 and 21, help with chewing. They may appear with only mild discomfort. Problems occur, however, when the space in your mouth cannot accommodate them. Wisdom teeth can also break through the gums in the wrong position. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends the removal…

Measles is a contagious but preventable infection caused by a virus. Although no antiviral treatment is available, measles is preventable due to the MMR vaccine, which stands for measles, mumps and rubella. The MMR vaccines available in the U.S. are M-M-R II and PRIORIX. Healthcare providers can give children an MMRV vaccine, which includes protection…

Pain is an unfortunate fact of life for many seniors, and chronic pain can really take its toll on quality-of-life for people dealing with ongoing injuries and illnesses. Seniors who experience chronic pain are often prescribed medications to treat symptoms, but as effective as these medications can be, they also come with some potentially serious…

Opioid addiction is a huge problem in the United States. This form of addiction does not discriminate based on age, gender, income level or region. In fact, seniors often find themselves the victims of opioid addiction as a result of being prescribed pain medications after an injury or illness. Some seniors are not provided with…

Macular degeneration, also known as age-related macular degeneration, occurs more commonly in people who are older than 60. And in the United States, over 20 million adults have been diagnosed with it.   If you have a family history of macular degeneration, you might have a higher risk of developing the disease. But there are other…