Medicare Preventive Services
Pneumococcal Shots
Few things are more important than preventive care when it comes to maintaining your health.
Regular checkups and diagnostic procedures are the key to detecting many health concerns in their earliest stages, when the prognosis and chances for a full recovery are best. Especially when it comes to such a serious condition as pneumococcal disease, the earlier it’s detected, the better.
Knowing early what you’re dealing with can make all the difference when you and your doctor or practitioner decide what course of action you should take. Dealing with a problem early usually means you have several viable options to choose from and an excellent chance of success. Early detection is likely to help your pocketbook as well. Not only can preventive care save your life, it can save you thousands of dollars.
Pneumococcal Disease
Pneumococcal disease is a bacterial infection that can result in:
- Pneumonia
- Infection of the blood
- Infection of the middle ear
- Bacterial meningitis
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), up to 1.6 million people around the globe die annually as a result of pneumococcal diseases. The WHO classes pneumococcal disease as a major cause of illness and death.
Pneumococcal Shots
Anyone with Medicare is eligible to receive the pneumococcal vaccine, which can be given at any time of the year. If you are at high risk for pneumococcal disease, you may be eligible for a booster shot as well. If five years have passed since your last pneumococcal shot and you are eligible, Medicare will cover your booster shot.
Under Original Medicare (Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B), you pay nothing for your pneumococcal shot as long as your doctor or supplier accepts assignment for giving the shot.
According to WHO, vaccination is the only known tool available to prevent pneumococcal disease. Elderly people, who are more prone to infection as a result of aging, are well advised to get vaccinated. Most people need the vaccination only once in their lifetime.
Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage Plans, and Medicare Supplement Plans can all go a long way toward providing the preventive care you need to maintain your good health.
If you have further questions about Medicare preventive services or any other aspect of Medicare, contact MedicareMall now and let us lead you with confidence through the Medicare maze!