Medicare is a federal health insurance program that assists older adults with healthcare costs. There are so many benefits that come with using Medicare, but, unfortunately, it may not cover all the expenses that your parents may need. If your parents are dealing with chronic health conditions, limited mobility, or cognitive decline, it’s natural to wonder: Is Medicare enough for my parents?
Let’s highlight a few scenarios in which Medicare may not be enough to help your parents stay healthy and independent, and what you can do if that’s the case.
The Benefits and Drawbacks of Medicare
Medicare provides low-cost health insurance coverage to millions of older Americans, so the program has some benefits. However, there are significant drawbacks as well. Your parents may need to find alternative healthcare options if they are dealing with certain types of issues that Medicare does not adequately cover.
Benefits of Medicare
- Wide Range of Coverage: Generally, Medicare provides at least partial coverage for a wide range of healthcare services, including hospital stays, doctor visits, and some prescription drugs.
- Financial Security: Medicare is particularly beneficial when it comes to covering the costs of treatment and doctor visits, and can protect your parents from catastrophic medical expenses.
- Government-Backed: As a government program, Medicare can provide continuous coverage for your parents year after year. However, it’s worth mentioning that the program has encountered funding challenges in recent years.
Drawbacks of Medicare
- Out-of-Pocket Costs: Even with Medicare, there are out-of-pocket costs such as deductibles, co-payments, and coinsurance. These can add up, especially if your parents have significant healthcare needs or limited income.
- Limited Coverage: Medicare is primarily focused on treating existing health conditions once they’ve occurred; it does not provide substantial coverage for preventative care. For that reason, your parents may not be fully empowered to get ahead of health challenges. Furthermore, it typically doesn’t cover dental, vision, and hearing services, nor does it cover long-term care.
- Complex Rules and Regulations: Medicare can be confusing to navigate, with complex rules and regulations regarding eligibility, enrollment, and coverage. It can be so difficult to figure out whether and how much your parents are covered for the healthcare services they need most.
An Example of Limited Medicare Coverage
At NOVA, we create high-quality mobility aids, home safety and comfort products that make daily living safer and more convenient for older adults, while helping them maintain their independence so they can age with dignity. We’ve seen first-hand the challenges that arise with Medicare.
So many older adults are dealing with limited mobility, and may be at higher risk of falls or losing the independence they need to enjoy their daily lives. Additionally, falls are very common in the home, and especially in the bathroom and bedroom.
Unfortunately, Medicare provides very limited coverage for walkers and rollators. Medicare only covers the lowest-cost walkers: these are typically the gray folding walkers that have limited use and a institutional look. Medicare also do not cover any products to make the bathroom or bedroom safe, preventing potentially castrophic falls.
The coverage isn’t complete, either; once you’ve paid the full amount of your yearly premium, Medicare will only cover about 80% of the cost.
Medicare may cover healthcare treatment if your parents fall and get injured, but that doesn’t do anyone good. You want to make sure your parents have the tools and resources to prevent falls, injuries, and worsening health conditions.
Related Blog: Supplies Needed for Home Health Care: A Starter List
Is Medicare Enough?
Medicare can offer crucial insurance coverage, but it might not be sufficient for everyone. Here are a few scenarios where you may need to consider different treatment options:
- Chronic Conditions: Medicare may cover some expenses for chronic health conditions, but your parents may be on the hook for some costs. These might include insulin (which is used to treat diabetes), physical therapy, and special medications.
- Lifestyle Factors: If your parents live an active lifestyle or travel frequently, they might need mobility assistance that typically isn’t covered by Medicare.
- Long-Term Care: If you’re trying to help your parents stay in their home while they age, you may need to invest in additional resources that Medicare doesn’t cover.
Caregiving Resources Outside of Medicare
Your parents might not be able to get all the healthcare services they need from Medicare, but there are a few ways you can help them stay safe, happy, and independent.
- Create a Safe Home: Falls are the leading cause of injury for older adults. The best way you can prevent your parents from falling down is by safeguarding the home against fall hazards. We created a Home Safety Toolbox that will give you simple tips and strategies on how to make your parents’ home safer.
- Connect Your Parents with Mobility Aids: Mobility aids, such as canes, walkers, and rollators, are crucial in preventing falls, but they also offer numerous health benefits. They will make it easier for your parents to stay active, thereby strengthening their muscles, mental health, and sense of independence. But it’s important that you invest in a high-quality mobility aid, not the low-quality walkers that Medicare covers. Although high-quality walkers cost a little more, they are worth the investment giving your parents a high quality product that is ideal for their life, safe to use with a great warranty and something they want to use because it works well, feels good and looks great. In fact, we wrote two blogs about our joyful approach to empowering and optimizing mobility if you’re worried that your parents won’t like the idea of using them.
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The best way to shop for mobility aids such as canes, walkers and rollators is to visit a local pharmacy or home medical equipment store and have your parents take them for a test drive or choose the style and colors they want. This is also the best place to see and learn about essential fall prevention products and other great products to make their live easier, more comfortable and safer.
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