Medicare Recipients Urged To Seek Preventive Care

None by Eric Ray

New Program Aims To Make It Easy

(KCPW News) Three-quarters of the money spent on healthcare in the U.S. is spent on diseases and illnesses that can be prevented. Therefore, Medicare is shifting its focus from treatment of illness to prevention. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has joined forces with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to raise awareness about the preventive services offered through Medicare.

Diane Livesay, acting Deputy Regional Administrator for CMS, says there is an alarming number of people who don't realize they are eligible for preventive services through Medicare.

Flu shots, glaucoma tests and various cancer screenings are just a few of the services offered. CMS has set up a website, www.mymedicare.gov, where Medicare recipients can manage their healthcare and receive email reminders when it's time for a preventive-type test.

More information about the service is available online at www.medicare.gov

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