Medicare has help for Cancer Screening
Medicare provides certain services for preventive health care and to find disease early, including several forms of cancer, like breast, prostate, colorectal, and cervical cancers. There are regulations and provisions about what Medicare will cover, so it is important that you look for specific cancer coverage details in the listings we've provided below.In addition, Medicare has some help for Stop Smoking program costs.
There have been developments in recent years about cancer clinical trials for patients who are enrolled in Medicare. To learn more, you must look for details at the American Cancer Society, Inc and similiar websites. (For other Medicare topics, see our home page The Medicare Project - home)
Web pages and brochures from government, education, and non-commercial sites about these subjects:
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web page: Breast Cancer Screening (Mammograms) source:medicare.gov languages: English from the web page: (date:2005) "...Every woman is at risk, and this risk increases with age. Breast cancer can usually be successfully treated when found early. Medicare covers screening mammograms and digital technologies for screening mammograms to check for breast cancer before you or a doctor may be able to feel it. ... " also from medicare.gov: web page: Cervical and Vaginal Cancer Screening (Pap Test and Pelvic Exam) languages: English from the web page: "Medicare covers Pap tests and pelvic exams to check for cervical and vaginal cancers. As part of the pelvic exam, Medicare covers a clinical breast exam to check for breast cancer..." web page: Colon Cancer Screening (Colorectal) languages: English from the web page: "Colorectal cancer is usually found in people age 50 or older, and the risk of getting it increases with age. Medicare covers colorectal screening tests to help find pre-cancerous polyps (growths in the colon) so they can be removed before they turn into cancer. Treatment works best when colorectal cancer is found early..." web page: Prostate Cancer Screening (PSA) languages: English from the web page: "Prostate cancer can often be found early by testing the amount of PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) in your blood. Another way prostate cancer is found early is when your doctor performs a rectal exam. Medicare covers both of these tests so that prostate cancer can be detected and treated early..." web page: Smoking Cessation (Counseling to quit smoking) languages: English from the web page: "People with Medicare who are diagnosed with a smoking-related disease, including heart disease, cerebrovascular disease (stroke), multiple cancers, lung disease, weak bones, blood clots, and cataracts can get coverage for smoking and tobacco use cessation counseling. ..." |
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web page:
If You Have Cancer and Have Medicare... You Should Know About Clinical Trials
source:National Cancer Institutee
languages: English
description from the web site: "Resource for Medicare recipients who have cancer. It provides general information about cancer clinical trials, Medicare coverage, and questions to ask before joining a clinical trial."
more from National Cancer Institute:
web page:
Clinical Trials Covered Under the Medicare Anti-Cancer Drugs National Coverage Decision
languages: English
description from the web site: "Information for patients and doctors about expanded coverage for the experimental and routine services provided to Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in certain cancer trials sponsored by the National Cancer Institute. ..."
web page:
Medicare Part D: What People With Cancer Need to Know About the Prescription Drug Benefit
source:American Cancer Society, Inc
languages: English
from the web page: "... Here is some information to walk you through the necessary steps to decide whether to enroll in a Part D drug plan, and, if so, how to decide which plan is best for you. To choose the right plan you have to look at your individual circumstances and the drugs you are currently taking. ..."
more from American Cancer Society, Inc:
web page:
Medicare to Cover Quit-Smoking Counseling
date: 2004; languages: English
from the web page: "...Medicare will soon begin paying for counseling to help people quit smoking, the US Department of Health and Human Services announced... The new benefit should be available early in 2005. It will be offered to Medicare members who have smoking-related illnesses ..."
web page:
Medicare Coverage for Cancer Prevention and Early Detection
languages: English
from the web page: "...Medicare provides certain services for preventive health care and to find disease early, which includes a “Welcome to Medicare” physical exam. Medicare also covers the costs of certain screening tests for breast cancer, cervical cancer, colorectal cancer, and prostate cancer..."
web page:
Financial Help for Treatment of Kidney Failure
source:National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse
languages: English, Spanish
from the web page: "...In 1972, Congress passed legislation making people of any age with permanent kidney failure eligible for Medicare, a program that helps people over 65 and people with disabilities pay for medical care, usually up to 80 percent. Other public and private resources can help with the remaining 20 percent. Your dialysis or transplant center has a social worker who can help you locate and apply for financial assistance...."
web page:
Breast and Cervical Cancer: Prevention and Treatment
source:Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
languages: English
from the web page: "...Breast and Cervical Cancer is a Medicaid optional eligibility category for certain groups of women who are in need of treatment for breast and cervical cancer... "
web page / blog:
Medicare and Genetic Testing for Cancer Risk”
source:Cancer and Your Genes - A Clinical Cancer Geneticist's Thoughts on Our Genome and Cancer Risks
languages: English
from the web page/blog: "I just received a letter from Myriad Genetics regarding likely changes in the Medicare policy for reimbursement of genetic testing. The letter summarizes a number of proposed changes to this policy which are likely to go into effect beginning Nov. 1. ..."
web page:
Colorectal (Colon) Cancer - Insurance and Medicare
source:Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
languages: English
from the web page: "...Several tests can be used to detect polyps or colorectal cancer. Each one can be used alone or in combination with each other. Most insurance plans and Medicare help pay for colorectal cancer screening for people who are aged 50 or older..."
also from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
brochure:
Colorectal Cancer Screening for People with Medicare
languages: English
from the web page: "...Colorectal cancer is the 2nd leading cancer killer in the U.S. But if everyone age 50 or older had regular screening tests, at least one third of deaths from this disease could be avoided..."
web page:
Medicare Changes Didn't Alter Cancer Care
source:U.S. National Library of Medicine,
languages: English
from the web page: "Survey finds little difference in chemotherapy treatment; some critics say that's not good enough ... A 2003 overhaul of Medicare that changed the way oncologists are reimbursed for their services did not alter cancer patients' perceptions of their quality of care, a new survey found... The poll also found that cancer patients are waiting the same amount of time for chemotherapy treatments to begin and traveling the same distance to a treatment location as they did before 2003. "
If You Have Cancer and Have Medicare... You Should Know About Clinical Trials
source:National Cancer Institutee
languages: English
description from the web site: "Resource for Medicare recipients who have cancer. It provides general information about cancer clinical trials, Medicare coverage, and questions to ask before joining a clinical trial."
more from National Cancer Institute:
web page:
Clinical Trials Covered Under the Medicare Anti-Cancer Drugs National Coverage Decision
languages: English
description from the web site: "Information for patients and doctors about expanded coverage for the experimental and routine services provided to Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in certain cancer trials sponsored by the National Cancer Institute. ..."
web page:
Medicare Part D: What People With Cancer Need to Know About the Prescription Drug Benefit
source:American Cancer Society, Inc
languages: English
from the web page: "... Here is some information to walk you through the necessary steps to decide whether to enroll in a Part D drug plan, and, if so, how to decide which plan is best for you. To choose the right plan you have to look at your individual circumstances and the drugs you are currently taking. ..."
more from American Cancer Society, Inc:
web page:
Medicare to Cover Quit-Smoking Counseling
date: 2004; languages: English
from the web page: "...Medicare will soon begin paying for counseling to help people quit smoking, the US Department of Health and Human Services announced... The new benefit should be available early in 2005. It will be offered to Medicare members who have smoking-related illnesses ..."
web page:
Medicare Coverage for Cancer Prevention and Early Detection
languages: English
from the web page: "...Medicare provides certain services for preventive health care and to find disease early, which includes a “Welcome to Medicare” physical exam. Medicare also covers the costs of certain screening tests for breast cancer, cervical cancer, colorectal cancer, and prostate cancer..."
Financial Help for Treatment of Kidney Failure
source:National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse
languages: English, Spanish
from the web page: "...In 1972, Congress passed legislation making people of any age with permanent kidney failure eligible for Medicare, a program that helps people over 65 and people with disabilities pay for medical care, usually up to 80 percent. Other public and private resources can help with the remaining 20 percent. Your dialysis or transplant center has a social worker who can help you locate and apply for financial assistance...."
Breast and Cervical Cancer: Prevention and Treatment
source:Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
languages: English
from the web page: "...Breast and Cervical Cancer is a Medicaid optional eligibility category for certain groups of women who are in need of treatment for breast and cervical cancer... "
Medicare and Genetic Testing for Cancer Risk”
source:Cancer and Your Genes - A Clinical Cancer Geneticist's Thoughts on Our Genome and Cancer Risks
languages: English
from the web page/blog: "I just received a letter from Myriad Genetics regarding likely changes in the Medicare policy for reimbursement of genetic testing. The letter summarizes a number of proposed changes to this policy which are likely to go into effect beginning Nov. 1. ..."
Colorectal (Colon) Cancer - Insurance and Medicare
source:Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
languages: English
from the web page: "...Several tests can be used to detect polyps or colorectal cancer. Each one can be used alone or in combination with each other. Most insurance plans and Medicare help pay for colorectal cancer screening for people who are aged 50 or older..."
also from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
brochure:
Colorectal Cancer Screening for People with Medicare
languages: English
from the web page: "...Colorectal cancer is the 2nd leading cancer killer in the U.S. But if everyone age 50 or older had regular screening tests, at least one third of deaths from this disease could be avoided..."
web page:
Medicare Changes Didn't Alter Cancer Care
source:U.S. National Library of Medicine,
languages: English
from the web page: "Survey finds little difference in chemotherapy treatment; some critics say that's not good enough ... A 2003 overhaul of Medicare that changed the way oncologists are reimbursed for their services did not alter cancer patients' perceptions of their quality of care, a new survey found... The poll also found that cancer patients are waiting the same amount of time for chemotherapy treatments to begin and traveling the same distance to a treatment location as they did before 2003. "