Nebraska Department of Insurance
THE NEBRASKA HEALTH INSURANCE INFORMATION, COUNSELING, AND ASSISTANCE (NICA) PROGRAM
DECEMBER 1998 NICA NEWS
THIS AND THAT
Medicare Covers
Effective January 1, 1998, Medicare covers the following procedures for colorectal screening: fecal-occult blood tests for people age 50 and over, once every 12 months; flexible sigmoidosoccopy for people age 50 and over once every 48 months; and colonoscopy for people at high risk for colorectal cancer, once every 24 months.Who should have a Colorectal Screening?
- People over age 50.
- If you have an inherited condition that puts you at a higher-than-average risk of developing colorectal cancer.
- If you have already had colorectal cancer.
New Supply of Brochures
The Home Health Medicare Brochure has arrived. It was updated from the 1996 version and we have approximately 500 brochures. If you would like a copy, please call Carla at the Program Office at: (402) 471-3845.Definitions
Benefit Period:A benefit period is a way of measuring your use of covered services under Medicare Part A. The benefit period starts when you receive inpatient hospital care. This benefit period ends when you have been out of a hospital or other facility providing skilled-nursing or rehabilitation services for 60 consecutive days.
Beneficiaries can go in and out of the hospital as many times as needed for the same illness. Once they have been out of a facility for 60 days and they return to the hospital, they would need to again pay the Part A deductible.
Outpatient Services:
Remember outpatient services are covered under Part B of Medicare. Most outpatient claims are paid at 80 percent of the approved amount. The approved amount is the amount Medicare determines to be appropriate for covered service.