Many seniors unaware about free health care - Norwalk, Stamford, Westport, Weston and Wilton Connecticut News, Sports, Business, Obituaries and Advertising - The Hour - Norwalk's Newspaper: "Despite tough economic times, there are some things the government can't give away.
Starting this year, seniors enrolled in Medicare no longer have to pay for more than a dozen tests and other services to help prevent or control cancer and other costly and debilitating diseases. These benefits, which also include an annual wellness exam, are part of the new federal health-care law.
But big crowds aren't lining up for free mammograms or colonoscopies, although early data indicate that the free wellness checkup is luring patients.
Advocates say details about the new benefits haven't reached enough seniors, and Medicare's information about it isn't easily accessible and can be confusing.
'Our hope is that by waiving cost-sharing and making preventive care more affordable, more beneficiaries will get it,' said Jonathan Blum, deputy administrator at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services."
Starting this year, seniors enrolled in Medicare no longer have to pay for more than a dozen tests and other services to help prevent or control cancer and other costly and debilitating diseases. These benefits, which also include an annual wellness exam, are part of the new federal health-care law.
But big crowds aren't lining up for free mammograms or colonoscopies, although early data indicate that the free wellness checkup is luring patients.
Advocates say details about the new benefits haven't reached enough seniors, and Medicare's information about it isn't easily accessible and can be confusing.
'Our hope is that by waiving cost-sharing and making preventive care more affordable, more beneficiaries will get it,' said Jonathan Blum, deputy administrator at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services."
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