topic Re: Over Age 75 Testing and Treatment in Wellness

Over Age 75 Testing and Treatment

On It — Thu, 31 Aug 2023 16:10:59 GMT

If you are not aware, treatments and testing change for those over age 75. For those with no previous problems, colonoscopies and mammograms are no longer routine. Certain surgical procedures like prostate removal are likely not done. Less invasive treatments such as radiation therapy are used instead of surgery. There are other changes as well.

I wanted to let anyone know who was unaware of this to be proactive. If you are younger than 75, you might want to ask your primary care physician about them to avoid being blindsided.

Re: Over Age 75 Testing and Treatment

Teddixat — Thu, 31 Aug 2023 16:20:45 GMT

@On It Not covered by whom? Link please. Thank you

Re: Over Age 75 Testing and Treatment

On It — Thu, 31 Aug 2023 16:25:35 GMT

@Teddixat wrote:
@On It Not covered by whom? Link please. Thank you

There was a change in medical practice ethics. I read the article over a year ago. I cannot locate it now. This is not related to coverage or insurance. It is medical practice policy. The physicians have a different approach to those over 75.

Re: Over Age 75 Testing and Treatment

PickyPicky3 — Thu, 31 Aug 2023 16:26:59 GMT

I completely agree with @On It . You MUST ask if they would be treating you differently if you were under 75.

Nobody warned me about this change. I am 76 and noticed the difference immediately.

Re: Over Age 75 Testing and Treatment

chrystaltree — Thu, 31 Aug 2023 16:34:27 GMT

Not true. This is an exaggeration. I remember reading about a change in clinical practice guidelines. It's not mandatory. It's a suggestion for physicians. They can use them or not use them in their practice. It's not about insurance coverage.

Re: Over Age 75 Testing and Treatment

meem120 — Thu, 31 Aug 2023 16:35:13 GMT

Yes it's true. No more mammographies or colonoscopies after 75. Also different procedure for prostate. I'm sure there are others also.

Re: Over Age 75 Testing and Treatment

On It — Thu, 31 Aug 2023 16:38:37 GMT

@chrystaltree wrote:
Not true. This is an exaggeration. I remember reading about a change in clinical practice guidelines. It's not mandatory. It's a suggestion for physicians. They can use them or not use them in their practice. It's not about insurance coverage.

I have three doctors who have referred to the changes; a family practice physician, an internist, and a urologist. It is a very real change for my husband and I.

Re: Over Age 75 Testing and Treatment

Flopsy — Thu, 31 Aug 2023 16:42:28 GMT

I was told no colonoscopy after 65! My mother died of colon cancer so of course this is a concern to me. I will insist or change my doctor when the time comes. What the heck is this, are we going on the scrap heap as we get older. I will feel like a broken toy if this is allowed to happen, cast aside for a new model.

Re: Over Age 75 Testing and Treatment

phoenixbrd — Thu, 31 Aug 2023 16:57:58 GMT

Is this medicare or does it involve all medical insurance. This does not surprise. Years ago I was told that at a certain age certain medical exams will no longer be routine. Perhaps this practice has become more wide spread as to which exams are no longer considered necessary. Don't allow this to tag you a second class citizen, allow your relevance and wisdom to shine!

Re: Over Age 75 Testing and Treatment

ciao_bella — Thu, 31 Aug 2023 17:05:14 GMT

I can't say whether this is happening or not, but I recently had my annual PC check-up and he asked me if I was up-to-date on my mammograms and colonoscopies. My last mammogram was in Dec. 2022 (have an appointment for Dec. 2023) and I am now due for my colonoscopy, which I have a date in October. His answer to that was, "good, you should always keep up with these routine procedures." So, it must be what your primary care doctor chooses to do, or not do. Glad I have one that believes in promoting these routine procedures.

Re: Over Age 75 Testing and Treatment

On It — Thu, 31 Aug 2023 17:01:53 GMT

@phoenixbrd wrote:
Is this medicare or does it involve all medical insurance. This does not surprise. Years ago I was told that at a certain age certain medical exams will no longer be routine. Perhaps this practice has become more wide spread as to which exams are no longer considered necessary. Don't allow this to tag you a second class citizen, allow your relevance and wisdom to shine!

This is a change in how doctors treat patients over 75. It is a medical practice ethics policy. It is not related to insurance coverage.

Re: Over Age 75 Testing and Treatment

Love my grandkids — Thu, 31 Aug 2023 17:03:10 GMT

@meem120 Wrong. I'm 75 and due to my past history will be having another colonoscopy soon.

These blanket statements are not helpful.

Re: Over Age 75 Testing and Treatment

On It — Thu, 31 Aug 2023 17:05:47 GMT

@ciao_bella Keeping current is important. Are you younger than 75? Over 75 is where we encountered a change.

Re: Over Age 75 Testing and Treatment

On It — Thu, 31 Aug 2023 17:10:37 GMT

Read the original post. It clearly states " no history of problems." If you have a history is a different matter.

Re: Over Age 75 Testing and Treatment

Trailrun23 — Thu, 31 Aug 2023 17:41:30 GMT

DH just turned 75 a few months ago, his dr told him Medicare doesn't reimburse for some tests or procedures, like colonoscopies and mammograms if previous ones have been negative and there isn't a history of polyps, etc. Some advantage and supplement plans may cover them, but at a lower amount and patient pays the rest out of pocket. Due to the cost many elect not to have the tests. DH now will do the Cologuard unless a specialist recommends a colonoscopy due to symptoms. Same for mammograms and many other tests. This is not new, but maybe drs don't inform patients until they are close to turning 75. They covered my mother's mammograms until she was 80.

Re: Over Age 75 Testing and Treatment

On It — Thu, 31 Aug 2023 17:46:28 GMT

I want to thank everyone for the responses. It seems some were not aware of these changes. The best advice is to talk to your providers before becoming 75. You will be aware and prepared.

We have an appointment this afternoon so I will not be available to read posts. Good health to everyone!

Re: Over Age 75 Testing and Treatment

BalletBabe — Thu, 31 Aug 2023 17:59:14 GMT

@On It wrote:
I want to thank everyone for the responses. It seems some were not aware of these changes. The best advice is to talk to your providers before becoming 75. You will be aware and prepared.

We have an appointment this afternoon so I will not be available to read posts. Good health to everyone!

@On It Some of these things are run to much. I have never gone for routine anything. A Colonoscopy is a surgical procedure. It should not be done as a routine test in my opinion. When a person is 75 it is hard on the body.

Re: Over Age 75 Testing and Treatment

pdlinda — Thu, 31 Aug 2023 18:19:46 GMT

@Flopsy You would not be excluded because of your family history. That is my understanding.

I was (blessedly) excluded because I have absolutely no family history of cancer. I have no underlying conditions. I did not wish to repeat those procedures.

Re: Over Age 75 Testing and Treatment

Tissyanne — Thu, 31 Aug 2023 18:21:26 GMT

I was treated for breast cancer at 65. When I was given my treatment plan, I was told that had I been 70, radiation would not have been offered to me.

This was stated to me more than once.

Re: Over Age 75 Testing and Treatment

SilleeMee — Thu, 31 Aug 2023 18:33:54 GMT

I should hope that each patient is treated according to their individual state of health and not according to some generalized age-related policy. To me it sounds discriminatory.

ETA-

That sort of 'policy' should really be taken as a guideline and not as rule. There is a difference.