Wellness

[On It]

---

@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.

[Love my grandkids]

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

These blanket statements are not helpful.

[On It]

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

[On It]

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

[Trailrun23]

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.

[On It]

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!

[BalletBabe]

---

@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.  

[pdlinda]

@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.

[Tissyanne]

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.

[SilleeMee]

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.