By Daniel Petkevich
Jan 20, 2023
Nearly 800,000 Americans have a stroke each year. And if it happens to you or a loved one, the after-effects can be devastating. With Medicare, you are covered in the event of a stroke. And further, there are some Medicare Advantage plans with more specialized coverage for those with special needs. Read on to find out more about what Medicare covers for stroke patients.
Treatments available to stroke patients may also change over time, so it's important to stay up-to-date on what is included in Medicare coverage. Also, everyone's healthcare needs following a stroke can vary. Here are some examples of different treatment options that might be covered for you:
Medicare Part A is also known as Hospital Insurance. For stroke recovery, you may have the following covered:
Hospital stays
Inpatient rehab
20 days of care in a skilled nursing facility
Medicare Part B is also known as Medical Insurance and may include the following:
Home health services, including physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology
Durable medical equipment such as wheelchairs, walkers, hospital beds
Certain preventive services that may reduce the risk of a stroke happening in the first place (see more below).
Diagnostic tests such as MRI and CT scans
Certain prescription drugs to help manage stroke symptoms (some drugs will fall under Part D prescription drug coverage)
It's important to remember that what is covered may vary depending on what type of Medicare coverage you have, so check with your doctor or health plan provider for specific information about what is covered.
Medicare Part B also covers certain preventive services to help reduce the risk of a stroke happening in the first place.
These include:
Blood pressure screenings
Diabetes screenings and education
Vaccinations such as flu shots or shingles vaccines
Lifestyle counseling and smoking cessation programs
Low-dose aspirin therapy
Nutritional counseling
These services are covered once a year, so take advantage of them and talk with your doctor about what is best for you.
The cost of stroke rehabilitation can vary greatly depending on what type of care is needed. That being said, some estimates put the average cost of the first year after having a stroke at over $17,000. Medicare Part B typically covers 80% of the cost of approved services such as physical and occupational therapy. The remaining 20% may be covered by supplemental insurance plans or out-of-pocket costs. If you are looking for the best way to combat steep out-of-pocket costs, look no further than Medicare Supplement Plan G.
Medicare has some gaps when it comes to treating people recovering from strokes. Long-term care is currently not covered by Medicare. However, if you also have Medicaid, you might get coverage for long-term care. Speak with your plan provider for information specific to your unique situation.
There are plans available specifically for those who have survived strokes called Special Needs Plans (SNPs). Stroke is one of the chronic conditions that qualify a beneficiary for these plans. You just need to meet the following criteria:
You have Medicare Part A and Part B
You live in a plan's service area
You have one of the 3 SNP eligibility conditions listed here.
Know what type of coverage you have
Ask your doctor what is covered
Take advantage of preventive services
Consider supplemental insurance plans
Keep up with changes in Medicare coverage.
Keeping up with what is and what isn't covered by Medicare can be a challenge, so it's important to stay informed and speak with your doctor about what's right for you.
Medicare covers a variety of treatments and services for stroke patients, from inpatient care to preventive screenings. Be sure to check what is covered by your specific plan and talk to your doctor about what is best for you. Taking advantage of what Medicare does cover can help ensure that you get the care and support you need after a stroke. If you have questions about what is covered by Medicare or whether your plan is the right fit for you, speak with an expert at Fair Square Medicare.
How Much Does Open Heart Surgery Cost with Medicare?
2023-01-27
How Much Does Xeljanz Cost with Medicare?
2023-01-25
How Much Does Rexulti Cost with Medicare?
2023-01-24
How Much Does Trelegy Cost with Medicare?
2023-01-24
What Does Medicare Cover for Stroke Patients?
2023-01-20
Does Medicare Cover Cervical Disc Replacement?
2023-01-20
What Happens to Unused Medicare Set-Aside Funds?
2023-01-20
Does Medicare Cover Xiafaxan?
2023-01-19
Is Botox Covered by Medicare?
2023-01-19
What You Need to Know About Creditable Coverage
2023-01-18
Does Medicare Cover Light Therapy for Psoriasis?
2023-01-17
Does Medicare Cover Wart Removal?
2023-01-17
Does Medicare Cover Qutenza?
2023-01-13
Can Medicare Help with the Cost of Tyrvaya?
2023-01-12
Does Medicare Cover Iovera Treatment?
2023-01-11
Does Medicare Cover Inqovi?
2023-01-11
Does Medicare Cover Exercise Physiology?
2023-01-11
Does Medicare Cover Bladder Sling Surgery?
2023-01-11
Virgil Insurance Agency, LLC (DBA Fair Square Medicare) and www.fairsquaremedicare.com are privately owned and operated by Help Button Inc. Medicare supplement insurance plans are not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program. This is a solicitation of insurance. A licensed agent/producer may contact you. Medicare Supplement insurance is available to those age 65 and older enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B and, in some states, to those under age 65 eligible for Medicare due to disability or End-Stage Renal disease. Virgil Insurance Agency is a licensed and certified representative of Medicare Advantage HMO, HMO SNP, PPO, PPO SNP and PFFS organizations and stand-alone PDP prescription drug plans. Each of the organizations we represent has a Medicare contract. Enrollment in any plan depends on contract renewal. The plans we represent do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. Plan availability varies by region and state. For a complete list of available plans please contact 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048), 24 hours a day/7 days a week or consult www.medicare.gov. © 2022 Help Button Inc
We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.
MULTIPLAN_FairSquareMedicare_01062022_M