Medicare & Covid-19

What you need to know about how the ongoing pandemic might affect your coverage

Is Coronavirus Testing Covered Under Medicare?

Getting tested for Coronavirus will be covered under Medicare Part B for any testing that occurred after February 4th, 2020. However, this test is only covered if it is ordered by your doctor or health care provider.

There is currently no vaccine for coronavirus, however, it has already been confirmed that if a vaccine is developed, it will be covered under Medicare Part D.

Consider Low-Cost Supplemental Coverage

Depending on what kind of Medicare you have, your out-of-pocket exposure could be considerable, especially in times like these. If you or a family member were to become ill, you might be on the hook for thousands in expenses.

Supplemental coverage is one way to stay protected. We offer a number of targeted, low-cost Medicare supplements that are specifically designed to relieve the financial stress brought on by an unexpected illness or trip to the hospital. Your Personal Benefits Manager can help you decide if this kind of coverage is a good idea.

Know Your COVID-19 Risk Level & Act Accordingly

The Centers For Disease Control has released a set of guidelines that detail what kind of people are at a higher risk for contracting a severe disease like COVID-19. Knowing these risk factors is important in developing an ongoing plan to avoid infection and help minimize the infection curve.

At a higher risk for severe disease are:

• People who are 65 or older
• Anyone who lives in a long-term care facility
• People with chronic lung, respiratory, or heart conditions
• People with diabetes or liver disease

Because the first item on the CDC list is anyone who is 65 or older, anyone who is currently enrolled in a Medicare Plan is automatically on the list. This means that is especially important for Medicare enrollees to pay special attention to the official health recommendations that have been offered by the CDC, among other organizations.

Here are a few proven ways to reduce your risk of infection:

• Pay attention to local stay-at-home orders or quarantine efforts
• Wash your hands thoroughly and often with soap and water
• Contact your doctor if you think you are getting sick. Most health providers are offering over-the-phone screenings that can help you determine if you should be tested for COVID-19

Keep an Eye on Your Mental Health, Too

Getting through this is going to take more than soap and water. Paying attention to your own mental health is an essential part of maintaining your overall wellness, especially if you are in a lockdown situation where you are unable to participate in your favorite social activities. This compounded by the stresses brought on by worry, fear, and changes to sleeping and eating patterns.

With a little help from the CDC, we’ve put together a mental checklist that can help us all stay healthy and happy as we continue to work through this together:

Take periodic breaks from news and media.

Overconsumption of media in any form can lead to elevated stress. Even taking a single day off from news and media can feel refreshing.

Be good to your body

While we aren’t going to be hitting the tennis courts anytime soon, keeping yourself active is essential. Stretching and walking are some of the most beneficial activities that one can engage in.

Connect with your loved ones

Whether it’s a child, sibling, cousin, or long-lost college roommate, there has never been a more opportune time to pick up the phone and reach out to someone. It is vitally important that we remain connected to one another in times like these, and reach out to people who might be suffering from illness or loneliness.

Try and have some fun

While the world might not be completely “turned on” for a while, it is still important to incest time in the things that make you happy. Mastering an old hobby for instance, or diving into a new one.

We’re Here for You

As your chosen insurance professionals, we want to remind all of our clients, guests, and friends that MediGap Advisors is more than just another Medicare outlet. Since the beginning, our mission has been to offer comprehensive advice and services that encourage financial and physical wellness. As the coronavirus crisis continues to affect us all, we are recommitting ourselves to our primary goal of thoughtful, client-forward service with an emphasis on education and awareness.

From investment strategies to life insurance, our professionals are uniquely positioned to help you form a wholistic financial strategy that will keep you healthy, protected, and thriving, both now and well into the bright future that we’re all crossing our fingers for.

Your personal insurance professional is standing by; call today or visit MediGap Advisors for more resources on planning your big-picture financial strategy.

To your health and wealth,

Wiley P. Long, III
President – MediGap Advisors