Cindy Harris

Here’s to a Heart-Healthy 2026

Spring is all about showing your heart some love – and I’m here to help you do just that. Here’s a question for you: When was the last time you had your blood pressure and cholesterol checked? If you’re thinking “hmm, not sure,” you’re not alone! These simple screenings are easy to forget, but they’re so important. The great news? Your Medicare Part B covers cardiovascular screening blood tests (cholesterol, lipids, and triglycerides) once every 5 years at no cost to you when you see a provider who accepts Medicare.

Taking care of your heart doesn’t have to be complicated. Think small steps: a daily walk around the neighborhood, adding more colorful fruits and veggies to your plate, laughing with friends, or doing activities that help you unwind. And here’s something many people don’t realize – staying connected with loved ones and managing stress are just as important for your heart as physical activity! And if you ever have questions about your Medicare coverage for heart screenings or wellness visits, just give me a call. That’s what I’m here for!

Understanding Your Blood Pressure Numbers

From the American Heart Association.

What your blood pressure readings mean and why they matter.

Quick Facts

High blood pressure can lead to serious health problems.
It’s important to have your blood pressure measured and to understand what your numbers mean.

What do your blood pressure numbers mean?

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, can lead to serious health problems including heart attack or stroke. Measuring your blood pressure is the only way to know if you have it. Controlling high blood pressure can help prevent major health problems.

Blood Pressure Categories

Note: Only a doctor or other medical professional can confirm a high blood pressure diagnosis. They also can check if your blood pressure is too low.

View or print the Blood Pressure Categories chart

Controlling blood pressure

If your blood pressure is in the normal range, stick with heart-healthy habits such as following a balanced diet and getting regular exercise.

If your blood pressure is elevated, stick with or adopt heart-healthy habits such as following a balanced diet and getting regular exercise. The goal is to prevent reaching hypertension Stage 1.

In hypertension Stage 1, your health care professional should prescribe lifestyle changes. They may consider adding medication based on your risk of heart disease or stroke and should add medication if you have other conditions such as diabetes, heart failure and kidney disease.

In hypertension Stage 2, your health care professional should prescribe blood pressure medication and lifestyle changes.

In severe hypertension, if your blood pressure is higher than 180/120 mm Hg:

Wait 1 minute.
Take your blood pressure again.

If the second reading is just as high, check for these symptoms:

Chest pain
Shortness of breath
Back pain
Numbness
Weakness
Change in vision
Difficulty speaking

If you do not have any of these symptoms or any other new and concerning symptoms, you likely have severe hypertension. You should contact your health care professional. Your health care professional may start or adjust blood pressure medication.

In hypertensive emergency, call 911 if your blood pressure is higher than 180/120 mm Hg and you are experiencing symptoms that may include:

Chest pain
Shortness of breath
Back pain
Numbness
Weakness
Change in vision
Difficulty speaking

Your blood pressure numbers and what they mean

Your blood pressure is recorded as two numbers:

Systolic blood pressure is the first (top/upper) number. It measures the pressure your blood is pushing against your artery walls when the heart beats.
Diastolic blood pressure is the second (bottom/lower) number. It measures the pressure your blood is pushing against your artery walls while the heart muscle rests between beats.

Which number is more important?

A higher systolic or diastolic reading may be used to diagnose high blood pressure. But the systolic blood pressure tells more about risk factors for heart disease for people over 50. As people get older, their systolic blood pressure usually goes up because:

Large arteries become stiffer
There is more plaque buildup over time
Higher rates of heart and blood vessel diseases

Heart Health and Aging

How does the heart work?

Your heart is a strong muscle that pumps blood to your body. A normal, healthy adult heart is about the size of your clenched fist. Just like an engine makes a car go, the heart keeps your body running. Different parts of the heart have different functions:

The right side pumps blood to the lungs to pick up oxygen.
The left side receives oxygen-rich blood from the lungs and pumps it through arteries throughout the body.
An electrical system in the heart controls the heart rate (heartbeat or pulse) and coordinates the contraction of the heart’s top and bottom chambers.

How your heart changes with age

Aging causes changes in the heart and blood vessels. Here are some of the changes that could occur:

As you get older, your heart can’t beat as fast during physical activity or times of stress. However, a person’s resting heart rate — the number of heartbeats per minute at rest — does not change significantly with normal aging.
You may feel a fluttering in your chest or have the feeling that your heart is skipping a beat or beating too hard. Occasional extra or skipped heartbeats may occur more often with increased age and are not dangerous. However, more frequent and/or persistent feelings that your heart is fluttering or racing may be signs of a heart rhythm abnormality (arrhythmia), which may require treatment.
Over time, the chambers of your heart may increase in size. The heart wall thickens, so the amount of blood that a chamber can hold may decrease, despite the increased overall heart size. Increased thickness of the heart wall can increase the risk of atrial fibrillation, a common heart rhythm problem in older people that can increase the risk of a stroke.
The valves that control blood flow between the chambers of the heart may become thicker and stiffer. Stiffer valves can limit the flow of blood out of the heart or become leaky, both of which can cause fluid to build up in the lungs or in the legs, feet, and abdomen.

Glossary

Find the definitions of common heart health terms in the Heart Health Glossary.

Changes in the heart and blood vessels that happen with age may increase a person’s risk of heart disease and related health problems. Heart disease is a major cause of disability that can limit activity and erode quality of life for older people. Talk with a doctor if you have any concerns about your heart as you age.

Some risk factors for heart disease may also be linked to cognitive health, including a person’s risk of dementia later in life. The good news is there are things you can do, such as controlling your blood pressure, that may help delay or lower your risk. Taking better care of your overall cardiovascular health can help protect both your brain and your heart.

Read more about cognitive health in older adults.

Check your blood pressure and cholesterol

As you get older, it’s important to have your blood pressure and cholesterol levels checked regularly, even if you are healthy.

High blood pressure could lead to stroke and problems with your heart, eyes, brain, and kidneys. High cholesterol can also lead to serious health problems, such as a heart attack, cardiac arrest, or stroke. Talk to a doctor about exercise, dietary changes, and medications that can help manage your blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

What is heart disease?

Heart disease is a general term used to describe a variety of conditions that affect the heart’s structure and how the heart works. Heart disease includes:

Arteriosclerosis (ahr-TEER-ee-o-skluh-ROH-sis), sometimes called “hardening of the arteries,” refers to increased stiffness of the large arteries. This can cause high blood pressure (hypertension), which becomes more common with age.
Atherosclerosis (ATH-uh-roh-skluh-ROH-sis) is the slow buildup of fatty deposits, called plaques, in the walls of the coronary arteries. It is common, but it is not a normal part of aging. The buildup can also occur in arteries of the brain and legs, increasing the risk of stroke, and leg muscles not getting enough blood.
Angina (an-JY-nuh) is pain or discomfort that usually occurs in the chest but can also be felt in the neck or left arm. Angina is caused by decreased blood flow to the heart due to plaque buildup or a plaque that breaks off and restricts blood flow in a coronary artery, which supplies the heart muscle with oxygen and nutrients.
A heart attack occurs when blood flow to the heart is blocked and the heart muscle does not get enough oxygen and nutrients.

Signs of heart disease

People in the early stages of these heart diseases often don’t have symptoms, or the signs may not be noticeable. In some people, early symptoms may be felt only during times of stress or during strenuous exercise. Many people have no symptoms until they experience a heart attack or other related medical problem. That’s why regular checkups with a doctor are important.

If you experience any of the symptoms listed below suddenly or without exertion, call 911 for emergency assistance. Although other conditions can cause chest discomfort, don’t assume it’s something minor. It is critical to have your symptoms checked out quickly in case it is a heart attack. Immediate treatment is essential to prevent permanent damage when the heart is not getting enough oxygen.

Chest pain is not always the main warning sign of a heart attack, so be aware of other possible symptoms:

Crushing chest pain or pressure in the center or left side of the chest
Pain, numbness, and/or tingling in the shoulders, arms, neck, jaw, or back
Shortness of breath when active, at rest, or while lying flat
Fainting, lightheadedness, or sudden dizziness
Rapid or irregular heartbeat
Cold sweats
Nausea, vomiting, or stomach upset
Tiredness or fatigue
Weakness
Anxiety

The symptoms of a heart attack can be different in men and women. Women are more likely than men to experience shortness of breath; tiredness; weakness; upset stomach; anxiety; and pain in the shoulder, back, or arm. For more information, visit The Heart Truth, a national heart disease awareness campaign for women from the NIH National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI).

Although these problems can be signs of heart disease, they can also be associated with other health conditions. Tell your doctor about any health concerns you have. If you have signs of heart disease, your doctor may send you to a cardiologist, a doctor who specializes in the heart.

Medical Tests for heart disease

If your doctor suspects you have heart disease, they will probably check your blood pressure and do a blood test to check your cholesterol.

Other tests they may perform include:

An electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG), a test that records the heart’s electrical activity. This painless test uses electrodes (sticky patches) attached to the skin on the chest, arms, and legs while you are lying still.
A chest X-ray, which can show whether your heart is enlarged and/or your lungs have fluid in them.
A series of blood tests, one to check for a hormone called brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), which increases in heart failure, and another to check the levels of proteins that are markers of inflammation in the body.
An echocardiogram, a painless test that uses sound waves to produce images of your heart in motion to help determine how well your heart or heart valves are functioning.

What is heart failure?

Heart failure occurs when one or both sides of the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs. It develops over time as the pumping action of the heart gets weaker, or if it becomes difficult for the heart to adequately fill with blood between heartbeats. Heart failure does not mean that the heart has stopped or is about to stop working.

When heart failure affects the left side of the heart, the heart cannot pump enough oxygen-rich blood to the rest of the body. When it affects the right side of the heart, the heart cannot pump enough blood to the lungs to pick up oxygen. When the heart is weakened by heart failure, resulting symptoms can include shortness of breath and swelling in the feet, ankles, abdomen, and legs.

Older adults with long-term high blood pressure and obesity are at greater risk of developing heart failure. In these people, heart failure results from thickened and stiff heart muscle that relaxes too slowly. Although the heart muscle is not damaged or weak in this type of heart failure, if left untreated, the condition can be debilitating and make it difficult to do even basic activities.

Heart failure can be caused by other diseases or conditions that damage the heart muscle, such as coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathy, heart inflammation, heart attacks, diabetes, viral illnesses, long-term use of alcohol, and high blood pressure. Treating these problems before the heart muscle is damaged can help prevent heart failure. Buildup of a protein called amyloid within the heart muscle can be another cause of heart failure, especially in older adults of African, Hispanic, or Caribbean decent. If the condition is found early in these individuals, treatment for the buildup may be available to help prevent heart failure.

Keeping your heart healthy

There are many steps you can take to help keep your heart healthy. Here are some ideas:

Stay physically active. If possible, aim to get at least 150 minutes of physical activity each week. Research has found that resistance training (also called strength training) and aerobic exercise can both benefit heart health. But it’s most important just to get moving — any physical activity is better than none. Talk with your doctor about the type of activities that would be best for you.

If you smoke, quit. Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death. Smoking adds to the damage to artery walls that occurs in heart disease. Quitting smoking, even in later life, can improve your health and lower your risk of heart disease, stroke, and cancer.

Follow a heart-healthy diet. Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and foods high in fiber (such as those made with whole grains). Also choose foods that are low in saturated fats, added sugars, and salt. As we get older, our bodies become more sensitive to salt, which can cause high blood pressure and swelling in the abdomen, legs, and feet. Learn more about the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH), a flexible and balanced eating plan that helps create a heart-healthy eating style, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s dietary guidelines.

Maintain a healthy weight. Balancing the calories you eat and drink with the calories burned through being physically active helps to maintain a healthy weight. Ways you can stay at a healthy weight include limiting portion sizes and getting regular exercise that includes resistance training.

Keep your diabetes, high blood pressure, and/or high cholesterol under control. Follow your doctor’s advice to manage these conditions, and take medications as directed.

Don’t drink much or any alcohol. As we age, alcohol consumption can make existing health problems worse and have dangerous interactions with some medications.

Manage stress. Learn how to manage stress, relax, and cope with problems to improve physical and emotional health. Consider activities such as a stress management program, meditation, physical activity, and talking about concerns with friends or family. To learn more about stress management techniques, visit the NIH National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.

Get enough sleep. Getting enough good-quality sleep is another way to help reduce the risk of heart disease. As we get older, our sleep patterns begin to change, making it more difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep. Sleep disorders such as sleep apnea can also affect how much and how well you sleep. Talk with your doctor if you have difficulties sleeping. Read more about getting a good night’s sleep.

Learn more about heart health

Check out NHLBI to learn more about heart health, different types of heart disease, heart-healthy living, and questions you can ask your doctor about your risk for heart disease.

The future of research on aging and the heart

Today more than ever, scientists understand the effects that aging has on the heart and blood vessels, and how aging and other factors affect the risk of developing heart disease. They are learning much more about how physical activity, diet, and other lifestyle factors influence the rate of aging in the heart and arteries. Aging processes in other organ systems, including the muscles, kidneys, and lungs, also likely contribute to heart disease. Changes in metabolism, including insulin resistance, are increasingly recognized as risk factors for heart disease. Research will continue to unravel how these aging systems influence each other, which may reveal new targets for treatments and help develop new ways to prevent and manage heart disease.

Interventions that slow the effects of aging in the heart and arteries in healthy young and middle-aged people could prevent or delay the onset of heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular disorders in later life. Some of these include healthy eating, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising (particularly resistance training), reducing stress, quitting smoking, and getting quality sleep. Additionally, the more we understand the changes that take place in cells and molecules during aging, the closer we get to the possibility of designing drugs that target those changes. One day, gene therapies that target specific cellular changes may be another potential way to intervene in the aging process and help keep the heart healthy for as long as possible.

For More Information About Heart Health

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
301-592-8573
nhlbiinfo@nhlbi.nih.gov
www.nhlbi.nih.gov

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
800-860-8747
healthinfo@niddk.nih.gov
www.niddk.nih.gov

MedlinePlus
National Library of Medicine
www.medlineplus.gov

Smokefree60+
National Cancer Institute
877-448-7848
(877-44U-QUIT)
cancergovstaff@mail.nih.gov
www.60plus.smokefree.gov

Million Hearts Initiative
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
https://millionhearts.hhs.gov

American Heart Association
800-242-8721
inquiries@heart.org
www.heart.org

This content is provided by the NIH National Institute on Aging (NIA). NIA scientists and other experts review this content to ensure it is accurate and up to date.

Content reviewed: July 22, 2024

Heart Health and Aging Read More »

Telehealth: What Is It, How to Prepare, Is It Covered?

A beginner’s guide to virtual doctor visits.
—From the National Institute on Aging Website

What Is Telehealth?

Telehealth is a service that uses video calling and other technologies to help you see your doctor or other health care provider from home instead of at a medical facility. Telehealth may be particularly helpful for older adults with limited mobility and for those living in rural areas, as they will have the opportunity to see and talk with their doctor from their home. For older adults, talking with their doctor online, through a phone, tablet, or other electronic device, can often be easier, faster, and less expensive than making a trip to an office.

Telehealth can also help support family caregivers who are taking care of their loved ones either close by or from afar. If a caregiver needs to ask the doctor a question, they can do so through an online health portal rather than waiting for and traveling to an in-person appointment.

Telehealth and telemedicine are two different types of online health care services. Telemedicine refers specifically to online doctor visits, while telehealth also includes health-related education services like diabetes management or nutrition courses and health-related training.

How to Prepare for a Telehealth Appointment: Tips for Older Adults

The transition from in-person to online appointments can be difficult for some people, especially those who are not familiar with the technology. By taking a few minutes before your appointment to prepare, you can set yourself up for a more successful visit.

Add online appointments to your calendar. Once your appointment is confirmed, add it to your calendar so you don’t forget.
Try to use the best camera you can find. This may be attached to your phone, laptop, tablet, or desktop computer. A clear picture can help your doctor understand and address your concerns more easily and effectively.
Test the camera in advance. Practice in advance with a family member or a friend to make sure you understand how to use your camera when you have your online visit with your doctor.
Test the sound and video on your device. Most devices have built-in microphones and speakers, but you may have to turn them on or enable the telehealth software or website to access them. Video calling a friend before your appointment can help ensure that everything is working properly. Using headphones or earbuds may make it easier for you to hear your doctor and for your doctor to hear you, but it’s good to test these out first to see what works best.
Use the best internet connection possible. If you are not using Wi-Fi, try getting the best signal by using a wired connection to your router or an Ethernet cable. If you are using Wi-Fi, being physically close to the internet router and minimizing devices connected to it can help improve your connection.
Charge your device. If you are using a wireless device, like a phone, laptop, or tablet, check to make sure your battery is charged enough to last through your appointment. Try charging it the night before your appointment.
Find a quiet space and adjust lighting. Limit distractions and clutter in your space. Try finding a place with good lighting so your doctor can see you properly.
Position yourself. Place your device on a sturdy surface so you can move around if you need to. Try positioning your device so your head and shoulders are in the camera frame.
Prepare a list of questions/concerns. Being prepared for your appointment will help make it easier for you and your doctor to cover everything you need to talk about.

Are Telehealth Appointments Covered by Insurance?

Many insurance providers, including Medicaid and some private insurers, are beginning to cover telehealth services. However, telehealth coverage varies widely from state to state with differences in how telehealth is defined and paid for. Because insurance coverage policies differ, it’s important to check with insurance providers or your health care provider’s billing department directly for the latest information about coverage for telehealth services.

Will Medicare Cover My Telehealth Appointment?

If you are enrolled in Medicare Part B, certain telehealth services, like doctor’s visits, outpatient care, medical supplies, and preventive services may be covered. The specific amount you will owe may depend on several factors, including:

Other insurance you may have
How much your doctor charges
The type of facility
Where you get your test, item, or service

Medicare also covers virtual check-ins and E-visits. Medicare Advantage Plans are a type of Medicare health plan offered by a private company that contracts with Medicare to provide Part A and Part B benefits. These plans may offer more telehealth benefits than Original Medicare. Medicare plans are constantly changing and updating. Check with your provider to see what telehealth benefits are offered for your plan. Learn more about Medicare and telehealth services.

Online Clinical Research Assessments and Trials

Are you involved in a clinical trial or considering participating in research? Typically, clinical trials require in-person visits. However, some clinical trials are conducting initial surveys or tests for research online, while some studies and trials are being conducted entirely online. Conducting clinical studies online can help encourage people to participate. Online clinical trials help eliminate travel time to trial sites and allow patients to participate from the comfort of their own home. This is increasingly beneficial for older adults who have limited mobility. Find a clinical trial that works for you using the Clinical Trials Finder or ClinicalTrials.gov.

For more information about telehealth services

Medicare 800-633-4227 877-486-2048 (TTY) www.cms.gov www.medicare.gov

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality 301-427-1364 info@ahrq.hhs.gov www.ahrq.gov

Medicaid 877-267-2323 866-226-1819 (TTY) Medicaid.gov@cms.hhs.gov www.medicaid.gov

This content is provided by the NIH National Institute on Aging (NIA). NIA scientists and other experts review this content to ensure it is accurate and up to date.

Content reviewed: August 26, 2020

Telehealth: What Is It, How to Prepare, Is It Covered? Read More »

THANK YOU

Thank You to all for sticking with Harris Insurance Agency after the sudden passing of Jeff Harris in 2024. We appreciate your patience as we regrouped and worked through losing him. We look forward to continuing to help you manage your Medicare and Healthcare needs!

Let us know how we are doing! Click here to leave a review on our Google Business Page.

THANK YOU Read More »

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗡𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗞𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗪𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗩𝗮𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

How Medicare, Medigap, Medicare Advantage and Part D work when you’re travling

— By Kimberly Lankford, AARP

Key takeaways:

•Medicare coverage in U.S. is guaranteed.

•Medicare Advantage must cover emergencies in the U.S. and may have other provisions.

•Using preferred Part D pharmacies will curb your costs for medicines.

•Foreign travel coverage is limited, so think about your options as you plan.

Even though original Medicare provides coverage throughout the United States, it can be complicated to find care quickly in an unfamiliar area.

The same goes for finding an urgent care center that takes Medicare if you want to avoid a trip to the emergency room. And if you need a prescription while away from home, you’ll save money by locating a preferred pharmacy — that holds true.

If you have a Medicare Advantage (MA) plan and see a provider out of network, your visit might not be covered or you might have a high co-payment, except in an emergency. Some plans make it easier than others to find in-network providers when you’re away from home.

These scenarios relate to coverage in the U.S. Only in rare circumstances does Medicare cover foreign travel.

Either way, you should do your homework before you embark on your next trip, so you’ll know what to do and where to go for assistance if you become ill or get injured. No one wants a huge medical bill as a souvenir.

Original Medicare, Medigap coverage when traveling

If you have original Medicare and you’re traveling within the 50 states, District of Columbia and U.S. territories — American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands — you’re covered. Just confirm that the provider or facility accepts Medicare.

If you have Medicare supplement insurance, also known as Medigap, you’ll have help with copayments and deductibles for services Medicare covers. Some Medigap policies cover foreign travel emergencies.

“Medigap policies are transportable and will cover Medicare services in any state as long as the provider [you] see is seeing Medicare beneficiaries and agrees to bill Medicare,” says Kelli Jo Greiner, health care policy analyst and State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) director for Minnesota.

Medicare Part B usually covers emergency room and urgent care visits. Part B pays 80 percent of the Medicare-approved amount while you’re responsible for the 20 percent coinsurance, which Medigap or other supplemental insurance should cover. Medicare also pays for participating convenience care and walk-in clinics such as MinuteClinics at CVS and Target and Little Clinics at Kroger.

Will Medicare Advantage cover me on vacation?

The answer depends on the plan, the provider and the type of care you need.

Because most Medicare Advantage plans have provider networks, whom you see for care matters. If the doctor or place of care isn’t in network, you may have to foot the bill yourself or have a high copay. Each plan’s coverage varies.

All Medicare Advantage plans must cover emergency care and urgent care in the U.S. as in-network services, even if the facility isn’t in the plan’s network. Copayments may be different than original Medicare’s. For example, one plan may charge a $135 copay per visit for emergency care and $50 for urgent care whether the provider is in or out of network.

After your condition is stable, you or the doctor treating you should contact the plan and discuss the next steps for your care, says Chrissie Cooper, senior vice president of government programs for Kaiser Permanente. The member may need the plan’s approval for additional services.

Advantage plans may cover walk-in clinics, other providers

Some Medicare Advantage plans consider convenience care and walk-in clinics in their networks. Ali Khan, M.D., Medicare chief medical officer for Aetna, says members of Aetna’s Medicare Advantage preferred provider organization (PPO) and health maintenance organization (HMO) plans that don’t require a primary care provider can visit a nationally contracted retail health clinic and pay the same copay as for a regular visit to a primary care provider. This includes MinuteClinics, which contract with most Medicare Advantage plans.

If you need to visit a doctor while you’re away from home, some MA plans have national or regional networks, so you may find a participating provider.

For example, about 73 percent of UnitedHealthcare’s standard Medicare Advantage members have access to more than 1 million providers in its national network. But not all UnitedHealthcare contracted providers participate.

“Tools on our member website and mobile app are available for members to look up network providers in whatever zip code they happen to be in when they need care,” says Amanda Weigel, senior product director of UnitedHealthcare Medicare and retirement. She recommends downloading the plan’s mobile app and having your member ID and customer service phone number on hand while away.

Most Humana MA PPO plan members have access to the national provider network when traveling. Some MA HMO plans include a visitor/traveler benefit that allows members to receive services when traveling that would be covered at home and pay in-network costs. Here, too, contact the plan to check on benefits and find providers.

Some plans, such as Kaiser Permanente, also cover 24/7 access to virtual care while traveling.

Can I use my Part D plan when traveling?

Yes, most Part D prescription plans are national and can be used anywhere in the U.S. You typically will have lower drug co-payments if you use a preferred pharmacy; an in-network pharmacy’s won’t be as low but will be better than an out-of-network pharmacy’s.

“Medicare Part D plans are transportable and are national plans in most cases,” Greiner says. “It is important for a beneficiary to use a preferred pharmacy wherever they are located to ensure they have the lowest cost possible.”

If you need medication while traveling, call your health plan or visit its website for preferred or in-network pharmacies nearby. Many plans, including Aetna and UnitedHealthcare, have national chain pharmacies as part of their preferred network.

“Medicare drug prices are based on the relationship between multiple factors, including the Part D plan, the pharmacy and the drug,” says Michelle Grochocinski, elder benefit specialist and SHIP program director for the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. “Drug prices can vary by pharmacy under the same Part D plan. In-network and preferred in-network pharmacies will have the lowest prices. Some Part D plans’ pharmacy networks are nationwide, but others are not.”

If you take essential medications, look for a preferred pharmacy in your travel area before you go, in case you leave some pills at home or run out. Otherwise, ask your doctor about ordering a three-month supply of your prescriptions, or find out whether the plan’s mail order service will deliver to the area you’re traveling.

Options for foreign travel emergency coverage

Medicare rarely covers foreign travel emergency care except in limited circumstances, but there are other options.

Some Medigap plans offer coverage with a lifetime limit of $50,000. They typically pay 80 percent of the cost for medically necessary emergency care you receive outside of the U.S.

Plans C, D, F, G, M and N cover emergency care outside of the country. Plans C and F are no longer available to new Medicare beneficiaries.

Medicare Advantage may have limited coverage.

Tricare for Life, which can supplement Medicare coverage for military retirees, provides the same foreign travel coverage that military retirees and their eligible dependents have before enrolling in Medicare.

Some travel insurance policies cover emergency care in a foreign country and medical evacuation to a nearby medical facility or back to the U.S. Find out about exclusions, preexisting condition limitations and coverage limits before choosing a policy.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗡𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗞𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗪𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗩𝗮𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 Read More »