Meicare Beneficiaries Receive Free Preventive Services

BOISE, Idaho, June 14 -- The Idaho Department of Insurance issued the following news release:

Idaho Medicare beneficiaries are taking advantage of free preventive services provided by the Affordable Care Act. During the first five months of 2012, 50,975 people in Idaho with original Medicare received at least one preventive service. This includes 5,050 who have taken advantage of the Annual Wellness Visit.

The Idaho Department of Insurance encourages citizens to participate in these services. Department Director Bill Deal says, "By utilizing these services, people can stay healthy and take charge of their own health and prevent health problems before they happen."

Free preventive health care services, provided with no deductible or co-pay, for Medicare beneficiaries include annual wellness exams, cancer screenings, mammograms and tobacco use cessation counseling.

The Department's Senior Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA) office provides free and unbiased information, counseling and assistance regarding Medicare with the objective of assisting Medicare beneficiaries in making informed buying decisions. To contact a SHIBA representative, Idahoans are encouraged to call 800-247-4422.

To learn what screenings, vaccinations and other preventive services doctors recommend for you, visit the myhealthfinder tool at www.healthfinder.gov.

TNS MkTanz120616-JF78-3913606 StaffFurigay