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Does Medicare Cover Counseling? Guide to Coverage

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Greg Wilson, Founder
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Does Medicare Cover Counseling Guide to Coverage

Part of getting the most out of your counseling requires having the right insurance. Here is everything you need to know about Medicare and counseling coverage.

30% of adult Americans suffer from anxiety, and 25% of American adults suffer from depression. Anxiety and depression are both mental health conditions. If you suffer from one disorder or another, you may need to seek counseling.

A mental health counselor can help you deal with the symptoms of your condition. Yet, understanding what’s covered can be challenging when it comes to Medicare and counseling.

It would help if you didn’t have to live with mental health disorder symptoms, regardless of your health insurance. That’s why we want to help you navigate the world of counseling coverage while on Medicare. 

Are you ready to learn how to finally get the counseling services you need with the help of Medicare? Then keep reading for everything you need to know. 

Medicare and Counseling: Which Services are Covered?

Whether you have Original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage Plan for inpatient and outpatient counseling services, you’re covered. Keep reading for the details about what’s covered, what’s not, and what you can expect in out-of-pocket costs. 

Inpatient Services

Medicare Part A covers inpatient counseling services. Inpatient counseling services include mental health treatment you receive at a psychiatric or regular hospital. 

Remember that Medicare will only cover 190 days of inpatient care over a lifetime of coverage. After you’ve used up these days, you may be able to receive additional inpatient care hours. 

Also, remember that Medicare still requires you to cover some of the costs of inpatient care. You must meet your deductible to receive coverage and, after 90 days, you have to pay coinsurance for the care you receive. 

Outpatient Services

Medicare Part B covers outpatient counseling services. Individual counseling, substance abuse treatment, and occupational therapy are all covered under Part B.

Other types of outpatient counseling covered by Medicare Part B include:

  • Art, dance, or music therapy
  • Family Counseling
  • Psychological tests and lab tests
  • Prescription drugs a doctor must administer for you
  • Training on any medicines you must administer yourself
  • The annual depression screening

Depending on when you signed up for Medicare, you’ll have to pay a 20% coinsurance after meeting your deductible. There’s one exception to this: depression screening. Medicare fully covers depression screenings. 

By now, you may be wondering: what exactly is a counselor under Medicare Part B? A counselor is any health professional who provides mental health services. Psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, specialized nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants are counselors under Medicare Part B. 

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Regarding Medicare and counseling, inpatient and outpatient services are covered. However, you’ll still have to meet your deductible before Medicare kicks in for either service. You’ll also have to pay coinsurance once you do meet your deductible.

Does Medicare cover Massage Therapy?

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Greg Wilson, Founder
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Massage therapy can help you treat your health issues if you have the right coverage. When it comes to Medicare and massage therapy, this guide can help you.

Whether for stress or recovering from injuries, plenty of people loves taking advantage of massage therapy. Studies show that about 15 percent of people each year get a massage. 

If you get your medical coverage through Medicare, you may be wondering if you can use your plan for massage treatments. 

Is it covered under your plan? What are the benefits of massage therapy?

Read on to learn these answers and more about Medicare and massage therapy. 

What You Should Know About Medicare and Massage Therapy

If you’re a Medicare recipient, you should always research your treatment first to see if it’s covered.

Here’s how Medicare handles massage therapy:

Most Medicare Plans Classify Massage Therapy as Alternative Therapy

For starters, Medicare plans most typically won’t cover massage therapy because it’s categorized as an alternative therapy rather than a medically necessary treatment. 

As such, you’ll typically have to pay for your massage therapy treatments outside of Medicare. 

Specific Medicare Advantage plans cover massage therapy

How Medicare works is people 65 or older or with eligible disabilities receive coverage for hospital or medical services, per their Part A or Part B plans. Part D covers prescriptions. The Federal government regulates all plans. Medicare Advantages allows private companies to offer coverage for these matters and others that original Medicare won’t cover. 

Specific Medicare Advantage plans are starting to cover massage therapy treatments. 

According to the Better Medicare Alliance (BMA), more than 100 Medicare Advantage plans are beginning to cover alternative treatments such as massage therapy. They’re also expanding services to include non-medical needs like grocery trips and bank errands.  

So if massage therapy is a priority for you, definitely look into a Medicare Advantage plan. For example, some patients can get chiropractic massage for covered medical events.

Even though massage therapy is not covered, you still might be eligible to get certain types of massages. For instance, a patient might use chiropractic massage to help correct a misaligned spine. 

If deemed necessary, your Part B plan could cover this chiropractic massage.

Learn All About the Benefits of Massage Therapy

People use massage therapy for so many reasons. 

Massage therapy is beneficial because it can relieve your anxiety, lower stress levels, soothe acute pain, improve blood circulation, and give you more energy and better sleep. 

These tips can help you recover from an injury and live a healthier and more abundant life. 

Assess the Cost of Massage Therapy

So how much does massage therapy cost? According to studies, the national average cost is about $60 per hour. 

You’ll need to consult with your massage therapy personally to learn their rates and compare them. 

Factor in Massage Therapy as You Figure Out Your Medical Needs

Now that you know more about Medicare and massage therapy, you can start making the best decisions for yourself. 

Reach out to a licensed insurance agent that can tell you more about our resources as you shop for medical coverage. 

Does Medicare Cover Emergency Room Visits?

By
Greg Wilson, Founder
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Does Medicare Cover Emergency Room Visits

There were 139 million emergency department visits in 2019 alone. Having a medical emergency is a frightening experience. The last thing you want to deal with is wondering if — and how — your health insurance will cover emergency room visits.

Fortunately, if you have Medicare, you have coverage for emergency department visits. There may be out-of-pocket costs, though.

Here’s what you need to know about Medicare coverage for ER visits!

Coverage Under Original Medicare

Original Medicare comprises two parts, Part A and Part B. Part A covers inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care, hospice, and home health care.

Part B covers more traditional healthcare needs, such as doctor visits. Part B is the portion of your original Medicare portion that applies to emergency care.

What is the cost of ER visits? Under Original Medicare, you’ll pay a copayment. Generally, this is 20% of the cost of the services you receive. If you have a deductible for Part B, you’ll need to meet that before coverage applies.

If your emergency room visit results in you being admitted to the hospital for that condition within three days, the ER stay will be considered part of your inpatient stay. In that case, Medicare Part A will apply.

What About Different Medicare Plans?

If you don’t have original Medicare, you probably have a Medicare Advantage plan. These plans are administered by private insurance companies and have different costs and coverage for those needing ER visits.

Your Medicare Advantage plan might have a set copayment for each emergency room visit instead of using a percentage. This can be helpful because it makes the cost of Medicare for the ER much more predictable.

Depending on your plan, you might also have a deductible that needs to be met. In some plans, this deductible doesn’t apply to emergencies.

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Also, some seniors have concerns about medical networks. Many health insurance plans provide coverage even outside the network if it’s an emergency. Not all do, however.

Be sure to contact your Medicare Advantage plan provider before something happens to ensure you’ll have the coverage you need.

Getting Help With Copayments and Deductibles

Those with Original Medicare often worry that they won’t afford the 20% copayment they need to pay. With the cost of medical care rising, that’s a genuine concern.

If you’re anxious about being able to pay your portion, you do have options. One choice is to get a Medicare Advantage plan for more predictable cost-sharing. Another option is to get a Medigap plan to help pay copayments and deductibles.

It’s essential to keep in mind that Medigap has a monthly premium. Medicare Advantage also does, but you can often find a plan that charges only your regular Part B premium.

Get the Coverage You Need For Emergency Room Visits and More

The last thing you need to be thinking about during an emergency is your ER visit coverage. Having the right Medicare plan in place will allow you to have confidence in your insurance whenever you need care.

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You can find the coverage you need from emergency room visits to seeing the doctor and specialists. We’re here for you if you need help getting everything taken care of.

Does Medicare Cover Mammograms? A Beginners Guide.

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Greg Wilson, Founder
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Did you know that the two most significant risk factors for breast cancer are being female and getting older? Experts have recommended mammograms for decades to facilitate the early detection of breast cancers.

Do you ever worry about coverage by Medicare for mammograms? Please keep reading to learn more about mammograms and how Medicare pays them.

Purpose of Mammograms

A screening mammogram is an X-ray of the breast using low-dose X-rays. The goal is to detect breast cancer before a person has any symptoms. Breast cancer that’s detected early is often the most treatable.

How Mammograms Work

The breast is briefly compressed twice between two plates. The machine makes a radiologic image from two different views. One is top-down, and the other is on an angle from the center of the chest to the side.

The radiologist examines the image for abnormal areas. If they find anything suspicious, further testing will take place.

Medicare for Mammograms

Medicare Part B beneficiaries without symptoms or a history of breast cancer have coverage. Women 35 to 39 years may have one baseline mammogram, while women over 39 may have one screening mammogram each year.

It’s important to note that Medicare doesn’t cover screening mammograms for men. They will cover diagnostic mammograms for women and men. Providers order this type of mammogram when someone has an identified abnormality.

Cost of Mammograms

Screening mammograms have 100% coverage for members who qualify for Part A and B. It will help if you use a Medicare-approved provider, also valid for Medicare Advantage Plans if you meet Medicare requirements.

80% of the Medicare-approved cost is covered if you have a diagnostic mammogram. After meeting your Plan B deductible, you will need to pay the 20% coinsurance. Your Medicare Advantage Plan’s cost-sharing may apply with in-network providers.

Cost of Medicare

Medicare coverage involves many different Medicare plans and supplements. The following briefly overviews standard health plans and their premiums.

Medicare Part A

Medicare Part A covers inpatient hospitalization without monthly premiums for most people. If you paid into Medicare for 7.5 to 10 years, your cost would be $263/month. Those who paid into Medicare for less than 7.5 years will pay $478/month.

Medicare Part B

Part B covers many outpatient services. Most beneficiaries will pay $153.30/month. This premium depends on the Social Security cost of living adjustment for 2021.

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Medicare Supplements

Medigap Plan G will cost about $140/month. Yet, rates vary depending on location, use of tobacco products, gender, and age.

Medicare Advantage Part C requires that you pay the Part B premium. You must also pay the Medicare Advantage monthly premium, about $36/month. This type of plan includes Part D.

Medicare Part D coverage pays for prescription medications. With enhanced plans, the premium will be about $30.50/month, and some states will cost more.

Do You Have Questions About Medicare?

This article answered the question about the coverage by Medicare for mammograms. If you have other questions about Medicare, you’ve come to the right place.

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Senior Affair provides comparisons of different Medicare Insurance plans and providers. We’re an independent publisher supported by advertising. Our goal is to provide consumers with the information they need to choose the right plan for them.

Does Medicare Cover Lift Chairs? 5 Things You Should Know.

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Greg Wilson, Founder
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Does Medicare Cover Lift Chairs? 5 Things You Should Know.

If you need a lift chair for your current condition, your insurance can affect your options. Here is what to know about coverage for Medicare and lift chairs.

Are you struggling to get in and out of a chair due to your health changes?

Conditions such as arthritis, aging, or surgery can make it difficult to get in and out of the chair. However, if you’re considering investing in a lift chair, you may have realized that a lift chair’s entire cost is too much for you to afford.

Is there any connection between Medicare and lift chairs? This quick guide will help you to understand if Medicare covers the cost of lift chairs. Keep reading to learn more!

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What Is a Lift Chair?

A lift chair is different from a stairlift or a patient lift. A stairlift carries someone up and down a staircase, while a patient lift helps caregivers move their patients from one area to the next.

A lift chair will have a similar appearance to an oversized fabric recliner or a leather recliner. A lift chair is a seated lift mechanism. This mechanism is responsible for tilting the back part of the chair and the chair’s base forward.

A lift chair helps raise a person into standing by tilting and different positions. A lift chair will also help put a person back into a seated position. 

Do You Have to Meet Certain Circumstances?

Medicare will cover the lift chair cost if you meet specific requirements.

Firstly, Medicare must determine that the lift chair’s cost is a medical necessity. Determination is made when the following criteria are met:

  • The patient has critical arthritis of their knees or their hips
  •  The patient has a severe neuromuscular disease
  • the patient cannot stand up from a regular chair
  • The patient can walk with the help of a cane or walker or walk on their own when standing up.

If a patient has to directly transfer to a wheelchair because they cannot walk or stand by themselves, Medicare will not cover the lift chair’s cost.

Another reason Medicare will approve paying for the entire cost of a lift chair is if a physician recommends the lift chair as a course of treatment. A doctor has to suggest that the chair will slow the deterioration of the patient’s condition or improve their current condition. 

For this to be possible, the patient has to receive a Medical Necessity Certificate for seated mechanisms from the CMS.

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Medicare And Lift Chairs: Understanding Your Coverage 

Lift chairs are an excellent piece of medical equipment to use if you’re struggling to stand up from a sitting position. Understanding the coverage of Medicare and lift chairs is very complicated. You need to understand several expectations to qualify for Medicare coverage. 

Learning about how your current medical condition qualifies you and what could disqualify you is crucial, allowing you to avoid the hassle that comes with a denial of a Medicare claim. 

Does Medicare Cover Ambulance Services in 2026? Ground, Air & Non-Emergency Rides

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SeniorAffair Editorial Staff
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Does Medicare Cover Ambulance Services in 2026? Ground, Air & Non-Emergency Rides
Does Medicare Cover Ambulance Services in 2026? Ground, Air & Non-Emergency Rides
Yes, Medicare covers medically necessary ambulance transportation. Medicare Part B pays 80% of the approved amount (you pay 20%) for ground and air ambulances when other transportation would put your health at risk. Non-emergency rides have stricter rules, and air ambulance bills can include large balance billing charges beyond what Medicare approves. Knowing the rules before a crisis protects your wallet.

In This Guide

  1. What Medicare Covers for Ambulance
  2. Ground Ambulance Coverage
  3. Air Ambulance Coverage (the Big Risk)
  4. Non-Emergency Ambulance Rules
  5. Prior Authorization States
  6. What You Pay in 2025
  7. Balance Billing: The Ambulance Surprise Bill
  8. Frequently Asked Questions

An ambulance ride is often the last thing on your mind in an emergency, but the bill that arrives weeks later can be a significant shock. Medicare does cover ambulance transportation, but coverage depends on the type of transport, why it was needed, and whether the ambulance company accepts Medicare’s payment in full. Here’s what every Medicare beneficiary needs to know before an emergency arises.

What Medicare Covers for Ambulance

Medicare Part B covers ambulance services when two core conditions are met:

  1. Medical necessity: Your condition requires ambulance transport — meaning that using any other type of vehicle could harm your health or worsen your condition.
  2. Appropriate destination: The ambulance is taking you to a Medicare-approved facility — such as a hospital, critical access hospital, skilled nursing facility, or dialysis center — or returning you home from one of those facilities.

Medicare does not cover ambulance transport simply because it’s convenient or because you have no other way to get to a routine appointment.

Ground Ambulance Coverage

Ground ambulance (standard road ambulance) is the most commonly used and most straightforwardly covered type of ambulance transport under Medicare. Emergency ground ambulance calls — where 911 is dispatched — are almost always covered as long as you are transported to an appropriate facility.

Medicare pays the ambulance company a set amount based on billing codes and your geographic location (urban, rural, or super-rural areas have different approved rates). The ground ambulance billing includes a base rate plus a per-mile charge for the loaded mileage (miles traveled with you in the ambulance).

Typical Medicare-approved amounts for ground ambulance (2026):

Service TypeApproximate Medicare-Approved Rate
Basic Life Support (BLS) emergency$300–$700 base rate + ~$7–$12/mile
Advanced Life Support (ALS) emergency$400–$900 base rate + ~$7–$12/mile
Non-emergency BLS transport$200–$500 base rate + mileage
Specialty care transport$700–$1,200 base rate + mileage

Your 20% coinsurance applies to these approved amounts—not to the ambulance company’s full billed charge. If the ambulance company accepts Medicare assignment (agrees to accept Medicare’s approved amount as payment in full), your out-of-pocket responsibility is only 20% of the approved amount plus your deductible.

Air Ambulance Coverage (and the Big Risk)

Medicare Part B covers air ambulance—helicopter or fixed-wing aircraft—when ground transport is not appropriate because

  • Your condition is so serious that ground transport would delay necessary care or worsen your condition, or
  • The terrain or distance makes ground transport impossible or impractical.
The air ambulance financial risk is severe and deserves your full attention. Air ambulance companies frequently charge $30,000–$80,000 or more per flight. Medicare’s approved rate is typically $6,000–$15,000. If the air ambulance company does not accept Medicare assignment, they can balance bill you for the difference between their charge and Medicare’s approved amount—potentially $20,000–$60,000 or more in personal liability, even after Medicare pays its 80%.

Unlike hospital-based air ambulances (which are usually Medicare-participating providers), many independent air ambulance operators are not Medicare-participating. In an emergency, you have no ability to choose your air ambulance provider. This is not hypothetical — surprise air ambulance bills are one of the most common causes of medical debt among seniors.

How to Protect Yourself from Air Ambulance Surprise Bills

  • Medigap Plans: Most Medigap policies cover the 20% Medicare Part B coinsurance for covered ambulance services — but they do not cover balance billing beyond the Medicare-approved amount from non-participating providers.
  • Air ambulance membership programs: Organizations like AirMedCare Network, REACH, and Air Methods offer membership programs ($65–$100/year per household) that cover balance billing for members transported by their affiliated aircraft. If you live in a rural area far from a trauma center, these memberships can be valuable insurance.
  • Medicare Advantage plans: May negotiate different network arrangements with air ambulance providers. Review your plan’s out-of-network air ambulance coverage carefully.
  • The No Surprises Act (2022): Provides some protections against air ambulance balance billing, including required disclosure of costs and dispute resolution processes. However, full protections for air ambulances are still being implemented through rulemaking.

Non-Emergency Ambulance Rules

Non-emergency ambulance transport (a scheduled, planned ambulance ride to a medical appointment or facility) is covered by Medicare under stricter conditions:

  • Your medical condition must be such that ambulance transport is medically necessary — not just more convenient than other options.
  • A physician or other authorized provider must certify in writing that ambulance transport is medically necessary.
  • The transport must be to receive a Medicare-covered service.

Common non-emergency ambulance situations that Medicare covers:

  • Transport from a hospital to a skilled nursing facility when the patient cannot be safely transported otherwise
  • Transport to dialysis for patients who are bedbound or unable to sit in a wheelchair
  • Transport from a nursing facility to a hospital for a procedure and back

Non-emergency ambulance transport just to get to a routine doctor’s appointment—when the patient can walk, use a wheelchair, or ride in a car—is generally not covered.

Prior Authorization for Non-Emergency Ambulance

Medicare has implemented a prior authorization requirement for repetitive, scheduled non-emergency ambulance transport in select states. “Repetitive” means three or more transports per 10-day period or at least once per week for at least three weeks.

States currently requiring prior authorization for repetitive non-emergency ground ambulance under Medicare:

Delaware
Maryland
New Jersey
North Carolina
Pennsylvania
South Carolina
Virginia
West Virginia
Washington D.C.
Alabama
Georgia
Mississippi
Tennessee
Michigan
Missouri
Kansas
Kentucky
Illinois
Ohio
Indiana

If prior authorization is required and not obtained for a non-emergency ambulance in your state, Medicare may deny the claim, and you could be responsible for the full cost. The ambulance company should be aware of this requirement and handle authorization—but confirm this before scheduling repeated transports.

What You Pay for Ambulance in 2026

ScenarioWhat You Owe
Emergency ground ambulance (Medicare-participating provider)$283 Part B deductible (if not yet met) + 20% of Medicare-approved amount
Emergency ground ambulance (non-participating, accepts assignment)$283 deductible + 20% of Medicare-approved amount
Emergency ground ambulance (non-participating, does not accept assignment)Deductible + 20% of approved amount + balance billing up to limiting charge (up to 15% above approved)
Air ambulance (Medicare-participating)Deductible + 20% of approved amount (~$1,200–$3,000)
Air ambulance (non-participating, no assignment)Deductible + 20% + unlimited balance billing (potentially $20,000–$60,000+)
Non-emergency ambulance (approved, Medicare-participating)Deductible + 20% of approved amount
Non-emergency ambulance (not medically necessary)Full billed amount — Medicare denies claim entirely
Money-saving tip: If you have a Medigap Plan that covers Part B coinsurance (Plans D, G, N, and others), your 20% coinsurance for ambulance is covered. Medigap Plan G — the most comprehensive plan currently available to new enrollees — covers 100% of the Medicare Part B coinsurance after your Part B deductible, meaning your ambulance coinsurance is $0.

Understanding Balance Billing on Ambulance Rides

Balance billing occurs when a provider charges more than Medicare’s approved amount and bills you for the difference. The rules on balance billing depend on the provider’s Medicare status:

  • Medicare-participating providers: Accept Medicare’s approved amount as payment in full. You owe only your deductible and 20% coinsurance. This is the safest scenario.
  • Medicare non-participating providers that accept assignment: Accept Medicare’s approved amount for that claim. Same cost to you as participating providers.
  • Medicare non-participating providers that do not accept assignment: Can bill up to 115% of the Medicare-approved amount (“limiting charge”). For ground ambulance, this is a modest extra charge. For air ambulance, the approved amount is so far below actual charges that the gap is enormous.
  • Providers that opt out of Medicare entirely: Extremely rare for ambulance services, but they can bill any amount with no Medicare limiting charge protections.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Medicare cover ambulance transport to a different hospital?

Medicare covers transport to the nearest appropriate facility. If you are transported to a more distant hospital, Medicare will typically approve transport to the nearest facility that can provide the care you need. Transport to a hospital farther away because of personal preference may result in Medicare only approving the rate for the nearest appropriate facility.

Does Medicare cover ambulance transport home from a hospital?

Yes — if your condition makes it medically necessary to use an ambulance rather than other transportation. This requires physician certification. Simple discharge home after a routine hospital stay does not qualify unless you are bedbound or otherwise unable to be transported safely any other way.

Does Medicare cover medical transportation vans (non-ambulance)?

No. Medicare Part B does not cover non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) vans, wheelchair vans, or ride services for medical appointments. Some Medicare Advantage plans include NEMT as a supplemental benefit. Medicaid covers NEMT for qualifying low-income beneficiaries.

What if Medicare denies my ambulance claim?

You have the right to appeal. The appeals process for Medicare denials starts with a redetermination request to your Medicare Administrative Contractor, submitted within 120 days of receiving the denial. Your ambulance provider can also appeal on your behalf. If the transport was genuinely medically necessary and the denial seems wrong, appeals are often successful.

Does Medicare cover ambulance transport between hospitals (interfacility transfer)?

Yes — when medically necessary. Transfers between hospitals for higher-level care (e.g., from a community hospital to a trauma center or a hospital with specialized services you need) are covered when your condition requires ambulance transport. These are among the most common legitimate ground and air ambulance claims under Medicare.

More Medicare Coverage Guides from SeniorAffair:
Does Medicare Cover It? Complete Guide • Does Medicare Cover Home Health Care? • Does Medicare Cover Skilled Nursing Facility Care? • Medigap Plans Explained

This article is for informational purposes only. Prior authorization state lists and Medicare-approved ambulance rates are subject to change. Verify current requirements at Medicare.gov or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE. If you receive an unexpected ambulance bill, contact a State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) counselor for free help—find yours at shiphelp.org.

 

What Are 3 Benefits of Hemp Protein?

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Greg Wilson, Founder
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What Are 3 Benefits of Hemp Protein?

Hemp seeds are considered a superfood and are highly beneficial to your health. They’re packed with nutrients that nourish your body and fight diseases!

Hemp seeds contain about 33% protein by weight, which means that in every 100g of hemp seeds, there is 33g of protein! The protein in hemp seeds is of high quality, which means it contains the essential amino acids your body needs!

Here are a few benefits of hemp protein:

  • Plant proteins are usually hard to digest, but hemp seeds are an exception! The protein available in hemp seeds is easily digestible.
  • Over 90% of the protein available in hemp seeds can be easily digested, which is why hemp seed powders are often used as a rich protein source.
  • Hemp contains proteins: albumin and edestin, which your body can digest easily to extract amino acids!

The essential amino acids are those amino acids that your body cannot create on its own and needs an external source to fulfill its requirements! There are nine essential amino acids, and hemp seeds contain each of them! This means hemp seeds provide you the complete package of amino acids your body needs to function, that too in a high quantity!

Arginine is an amino acid that your body uses to make nitric oxide. This nitric oxide relaxes your blood vessels and prevents your risk of heart disease and high blood pressure!

Hemp seeds also have a high fiber content, which helps with peristaltic movements in your guts and aids gut mobility. It’s an excellent source of other nutrients like vitamins and minerals!

Add hemp seeds to your diet so that you can become healthy and active!

Diabetes Symptoms and Signs to Look For: A Full Report

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Greg Wilson, Founder
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diabetes report

A metabolic disorder in which hyperglycemia remains for an extended period in the body These symptoms characterize the condition: 

  • Increase in thirst
  • Frequent urination
  • Increase in appetite
  • Chronic loss of body weight

If the condition is left untreated, different complications may occur. The complications include death due to hyperglycemia and ketoacidosis. The chronic or long-term complications of diabetes include stroke, cardiovascular disorders, foot ulcers, chronic kidney disorders, cognitive impairment, and damage to nerves and eyes. In diabetes, either there is no insulin production or a loss of body response against insulin. Diabetes has three different types, including:

Type 1 Diabetes 

Type 1 diabetes results from the impaired functioning of the pancreas (loss of pancreatic beta cells) for producing insulin. An autoimmune attack in which T cells of the immune system attack the beta cells, and there is a loss of these insulin-producing beta cells. 

Therefore, the condition is described as an idiopathic or autoimmune disorder. About 10% of diabetic patients are affected by it in Europe and America. It mainly occurs in children, so they refer to it as juvenile diabetes. During this condition, the body’s response to insulin is normal, but there is a loss of insulin production; therefore, insulin-dependent diabetes is given. The traditional term to describe this type was brittle or unstable diabetes because of recurrent blood glucose levels. It is a somewhat inherited disorder because of multiple genes involved in the autoimmune destruction of beta cells. The condition is triggered by viral infections, diet, or other environmental factors.

Type 2 Diabetes 

The disease is characterized by a decrease in the body’s responsiveness against insulin to utilize glucose. It may be combined with decreased production of insulin. The insulin-resistant condition develops due to the loss of defects of insulin receptors. It is the most commonly found type of diabetes. In type 2 diabetic patients, there is an earlier history of impaired glucose tolerance, and its occurrence is gradual.

 You can reverse it due to a change in lifestyle or a medication-based increase in body sensitivity against insulin and a drop in glucose production by the liver. The predisposing factors are genetics and lifestyle. The lifestyle factors include obesity, stress, poor diet, lack of physical activity, and urbanization. The cases are also even higher in people having a high hip-waist ratio. Sweetened drinks (dietary factor) and a high level of saturated fats in the diet increase the risk of type 2 diabetes. 

Hypoglycemia can result from medications as a common side effect of therapy in Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes. Conditions include medical emergencies like trembling, aggressiveness, unconsciousness, damage to the brain, sweating, paleness of skin, and death in rare cases. Mild cases of hypoglycemia are treated by drinking or eating a high sugar diet. Still, in severe cases, glucose injections are recommended. 

Complications occur in diabetes after 10-20 years, but their diagnosis is uncommon. However, the risk of cardiovascular disorders doubles when you have diabetes. About 75% of diabetic patients die from heart disease and stroke. 

Most patients suffer from damage to nerves (diabetic neuropathy), kidneys (diabetic nephropathy), and eyes (diabetic retinopathy and damage to blood vessels in the retina). It also increases the chances of glaucoma and cataracts in their patients. In severe cases of kidney damage may require dialysis or a kidney transplant. It is also one of the significant causes of kidney failure, blindness, heart attack, and limb amputation.

The cases of diabetes are rising faster in low to medium-income countries than in high-income countries. The number of diabetic patients rose from 108 million (1980) to 422 million (2014). According to 2019, about 463,000,000 people had diabetes globally, and 90% were Type 2 diabetes cases. The number of adult cases rose from 4.7% (1980) to 8.5% (2014). The rate of occurrence of the disease was similar in both sexes. Studies suggest that the frequency of this disease occurrence will rise continuously, and the risk of death becomes double in people with diabetes. There were 1.6 million deaths due to diabetes in 2016. But according to reports of 2019, deaths due to diabetes were 4.2 million. The cases of prematurity death increased by 5% during 16 years from 2000 to 2016. Globally diabetes is the 7th death-causing disease. In 2017 economists estimated the cost of diabetes patients worldwide, which was $727 billion. The average medication price in diabetes patients is 2.3 times higher than others (Abdulrahman et al.).

Can Diabetes be Reversed?

100% is the simple answer.

It requires the desire to want to change.

You’ll have to change your whole lifestyle to reverse diabetes, but luckily there are natural methods to do so.

Eating the right foods, doing the right exercises, drinking water, and developing a mindset that can persevere through the cravings and other challenges you may have are all necessary components to getting off diabetes medication permanently.

Related Reading

Complete Guide to Medigap Plans and Coverage, 8 Things You Want to Know.

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Greg Wilson, Founder
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Complete Guide to Medigap Plans and Coverage

Medicare supplement insurance plans are the gap insurance policies that are not sold by the government but by private insurance carriers, and state insurance regulators regulate these plans. A Medicare supplement plan helps you pay some part of your own traditional Medicare (both A & B), which includes coinsurance, copayments, and deductibles. In most states, plans consist of 10 letters (A-N) are there. Every plan is providing separate coverage.

To understand these insurance plans and how it works and in what manners it saves you from large medical bills, there is also a need for you to understand its mechanism of working and affects the Medicare benefits. There is a simple chart that explains Medigap plan coverage most appropriately.

Fast Facts About Medigap Policies

Every plan has its primary benefits, like a Plan A policy sold in California by one company will have similar services compared to a Plan A sold in Florida by a different company. These plans usually have identical coverage at the primary level, including Medicare (A & B) coinsurance coverage, blood testing, and other hospital perks. In many areas, you can buy a different supplement policy that is known as Medicare SELECT. All these policies usually follow a standard of regular Medigap plans. There is only one difference here: the provider needs you to utilize their network providers. This is how you save on the monthly premium.

Expenses Covered by Part A:

  •  Hospital stays: These plans provide the coinsurance amount on hospital costs, to about an extra one year after your hospital benefits related to Medicare are finished.
  •  Hospice care: Medigap plans cover up to 50-100% of all of your coinsurance and copayments for Part A hospice care expenditures, as per the option of the place you decide.

 Medicare Part A deductible: Plan A usually does not cover all the deductible.

Expenses Covered by Part B:

  •  Coinsurance or Copayment: They cover up to 50-100% of Part B expenditure amounts (depending on the plan).
  •  Medicare Part B deductible: The two Plans (C & F) cover the deductibles; thus, these are the most famous plans.
  •  Part B excess charges: Whenever a healthcare provider doesn’t accept an assignment, they can charge up to 15% more; that’s when Part B extra coverage is needed.

Foreign Travel Coverage

Medicare coverage is available in the US only. That is the only reason that some of the Medigap plans provide coverage for foreign travel emergencies.

Blood Coverage

Your own Medicare plan will pay for blood after you’ve run out of the third pint. Most of the hospitals get blood at no cost. But, if a hospital has to buy any additional blood for you, you have to pay out of pocket. Most Medicare supplement plans cover 100% of the expense of the first 3 pints of blood.

Nursing Coverage

These are healthcare facilities providing short-term or maybe long-term care for individuals with a critical condition they can’t manage at home. While coinsurance for skilled nursing care is not covered by Plans A or B, all other plans cover 50 to 100 percent of these costs.

Medicare Supplement plans do not cover:

The following services are not covered by your Original Medicare or Medigap coverage:

  • Long-term hospital care
  • Private-duty nursing care
  • Hearing-aids
  • Vision-related issues
  • Usual dental care 

How does Medigap and Medicare work together?

Medigap is designed to work with your Original Medicare benefits. Medicare plans pay a portion of it. The most important thing is that if your Medicare cannot cover any service, your Medigap plan cannot cover it. Foreign travel healthcare coverage is the only exception to this rule.

Protection from Medical Bills

The reason to purchase supplemental Medicare plans is protection from sizeable medical care bills due during sickness or other medical emergencies. For example, if you have an accident and have to be carried to the Hospital by ambulance service and be admitted into the hospital, this process uses both Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B coverage.

Eligibility for Medicare Supplement Insurance:

Private companies sell this health insurance to cover the missing parts (or gaps) in your Original Medicare. All of this supplements your regular Medicare coverage (A & B). Therefore, you need to qualify for both Parts (A & B) to be eligible for supplemental coverage. Your age is also one of the qualifying factors.

Medigap Plans for disabled persons:

If you have any disability and qualify for Medicare benefits for this, you can also buy Medicare supplement insurance. Every State has a specific board of insurance regulating the purchase and sale of these insurance policies. Federal law has also established a national Medicare policy.

Medigap vs. Medicare Advantage

While purchasing a Medicare plan, most people need to know the difference between Medicare supplements and Medicare Advantage plans. These are very different things; however, they both protect you from the high cost of illness or hospitalization charges. These are some prominent differences:

  • Medicare Advantage plan replaces your Original Medicare. 
  • Medicare Supplement insurance covers the remaining things in your Medicare coverage and compliments it. You’ll want to have this coverage for prescriptions, hearing, and vision.

Another primary difference is that you usually pay out of pocket in advance with a Medicare supplement, even without any medical services. But with Medicare Advantage, you only pay at the point of service. Sometimes these are not compatible with each other. You might be eligible to purchase a Medicare Advantage Plan and in some cases, can still get enrolled in a Medigap plan.

You can also buy a supplemental policy when:

  • You cancel your Medicare Advantage plan.
  • You have to leave a health plan due to being misled or someone broke the rules.
  • Stoppage of services by your own Medicare Advantage plan in your area

Medigap vs Medicaid:

Medicare and Medicaid benefits are not usually the same. Therefore, receiving Medicaid does not make you eligible for having a Medigap plan. But, if you are qualified for both, there is no reason to have a Supplemental policy. Medicaid covers the gaps in regular Medicare for beneficiaries who are eligible for both.

Changing supplement plans:

Follow these steps to change your supplemental plan if you need to do so:

  • Contact the new insurance company selling you the policy and complete the application with the new company.
  • If they accept your application, contact your current or previous company and inquire how to cancel coverage with them.

Cost of Medicare Supplement Plans

The cost of the plan is pretty essential when comparing Medicare supplemental plans. Payments are dependent on the program that you choose as well as the new insurance company. 

Pros and Cons of Medicare Plans:

Following are the reasons that people purchase it:

  • Freedom – in choosing healthcare providers
  • Better coverage (for both coinsurance and coinsurance)
  • Traveling coverage
  • Easy-to-understand

Many carriers offer plans. It’s essential to compare the programs before purchasing. Make sure that you are comparing apples to apples. 

Prescriptions and Medigap Plan:

You can obtain prescription drug coverage via Medicare in one of two ways:

  • Buy a Plan
  • Get enrolled in any Medicare Advantage Plan that covers both parts of that plan 

Options other than Prescription Drug Coverage:

Here are some alternatives:

  • Keep the insurance policy you have and also buy a Medicare plan that suits your needs. 
  • Cancel the Medigap plan and then receive coverage via the Medicare Advantage plan

Saving money with a Medicare Supplement:

The premiums of these supplement insurance policies are increasing continuously. These increases have changes brought about the Affordable Care Act. Consequently, people want to know how to save money when they purchase supplement plans.

These policies cover the gaps in your Medicare policy. The rule is: if once you pay your deductible, Medicare has to cover up to 80% of the remaining charges.

Choosing your plan:

It’s easy to save some money on coinsurance, and it’s an intelligent choice. It’s also essential to understand the expenses and benefits regarding the supplemental Medicare policy fully. The best plan is dependent on your budget and personal medical needs. You shouldn’t get more insurance than you need, but it’s not wise to risk your savings because you aren’t adequately covered if you ever needed to be hospitalized. So do your homework and choose wisely.

Standardized Medigap Benefits:

By law, all Medicare insurance policies need to provide some primary benefits of coverage. These all include most Medicare (A & B) coinsurance amounts, blood, and any other hospital perks that do not get coverage by your own Original Medicare.

  • Part A 
  • 61-90 days of stay at Hospital
  • 91-150 days of a hospital stay
  • Additional Hospital Benefits
  • Another year of hospital care than your own Medicare benefit offered by your Hospital
  • Part B Coinsurance
  • Covers for coinsurance of Part B 

Getting a Medigap Plan:

These are supplemental insurance plans that State-licensed insurance agents sell. The initial step is to research policies that are available in your State. Be a savvy consumer and shop around and compare your plan on an annual basis making sure that you’re still paying a reasonable rate.

You can purchase insurance from an agent or go directly and purchase from the insurance carriers. Consider using an insurance agent since they can help compare the different policies offered by other carriers. 

Q.) The best supplement plan for this year:

A.) In the case of the most coverage, then Medigap Plan F is the best. However, it would be best if you considered other factors like financial status and health. Mostly healthy individuals can afford to take a bit of risk. In this case, the Medigap Plan N is the best way to save your money. If you are turning 65 in 2021, Medigap Plan G is an excellent choice.  

Q. ) The most cost-effective Medicare supplement plan:

A.) Medigap Plan F is the best comprehensive plan, but it might not be the best in cost-effectiveness. Plan F covers Medicare deductibles and all the coinsurance, which means that you don’t need to pay anything out of pocket. However, many healthy individuals think that they save more via the Medigap Plan N policy.

Q.) Differences in Medicare supplement plans:

A.) The main differences between each Medigap plan are only the gaps that they cover. With Original Medicare (both A & B), you usually pay various deductibles, copays, and coinsurances while using your health care services. These costs typically add to about 20% of the total cost. That’s good for 1-2 doctor visits every year but not for hospitalization.

Speak to a licensed insurance agent today for more info.

What Are 6 Benefits of CBD Lip Balm?

By
Greg Wilson, Founder
-
0
6 benefits of CBD lip balm

CBD has gained rising popularity as a natural supplement owing to its numerous health benefits. You can now get CBD-infused oil, tablets, food, alcohol, gels, creams, and even lip balms! It’s everywhere on the market. In fact, some even add CBD to clothing.

CBD has also been used widely in skin care products owing to its effectiveness. It improves skin texture and appearance.

Some of the factors that result in dry, chapped lips include harsh environmental factors such as exposure to high amounts of UV rays, heat, dust, and allergens. The weather can also have a great impact on the lips and winter can make them drier!

Why Use CBD in Skincare Products?

Another factor that makes skin feel dry and rough is nutrient deficiency. The human skin needs vitamins and minerals like Vitamins A, C, and E to help repair damaged skin cells. It also needs minerals like Zinc and Magnesium to replenish dead skin cells. Lack of these nutrients can result in dry, chapped skin.

CBD is a cannabinoid extracted from the hemp plant. It’s great for your overall health as well as skin health. Here are a few benefits of using CBD lip balm:

  • CBD oil moisturizes lips. Moisturizing lips is an essential part of the lip-care routine. Moisture prevents the lips from being dry and chapped.
  • It has anti-inflammatory properties. The anti-inflammatory properties of CBD oil help soothe damaged skin and repair damaged skin cells. It also helps improve skin diseases like eczema. The anti-inflammatory properties of CBD oil have been studied well and can make a huge difference in the appearance and texture of the lips and skin.
  • It provides the skin protection against harsh environment factors like heat, dust, and UV rays. A big external culprit of dry and rough skin is UV rays from the sun. CBD oil helps protect the skin from UV rays and also helps repair skin that has been damaged by UV rays. It provides a protective barrier to the skin and prevents the loss of moisture.
  • CBD oil contains vitamins which help boost the skin’s immunity and help skin heal faster. Say goodbye to flaky, bleeding lips with CBD lip balm!

Our lips naturally don’t have sebaceous glands. These are the glands that produce sebum on the rest of your skin. The sebum protects the skin from harsh external environmental factors. Thus, they need extra protection in the form of a CBD lip balm to keep them safe and nourished!

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