{"id":27935,"date":"2025-10-03T13:34:23","date_gmt":"2025-10-03T19:34:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/?p=27935"},"modified":"2025-10-10T14:56:32","modified_gmt":"2025-10-10T20:56:32","slug":"uchealth-know-your-medicare-and-keep-costs-down","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/uchealth-know-your-medicare-and-keep-costs-down\/","title":{"rendered":"Medicare: Know your coverage to keep costs down"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Knowledge is power. Understanding how your Medicare benefits work is essential to good health. Photo: Getty Images.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Eligibility for Medicare coverage starts at age 65, which \u2013 not coincidentally \u2013 is the time many people begin winding down careers or retire. If you\u2019re looking to make the most out of your senior years and keep costs down, it\u2019s important to maintain your health.<\/p>\n

Depending on the type of Medicare plan you select, your benefits may include<\/a> free or low-cost access to screenings, annual visits, and even other preventative care services to support your overall wellness goals. You\u2019ll be better positioned to take full advantage of your benefits if you make time to go over the details of your coverage.

Need help? Get assistance<\/a> from the independent insurance broker that UCHealth partners with.<\/div>\n

\u201cFrom what I\u2019ve experienced in the primary care and hospital setting, many Medicare patients don\u2019t know what their coverage includes to help them be healthy,\u201d said Dr. Kartik Patel,<\/a> a physician at UCHealth Primary Care – Quincy<\/a>. \u201cRecently, a new patient told me she had no idea that most of her preventive screenings were covered by her plan.\u201d<\/p>\n

The top causes of death in seniors include heart attacks, pneumonia and influenza \u2013 all diseases considered to be preventable.<\/p>\n

\u201cPrevention is even better than a cure,\u201d said Dr. Deepak Kumar Honaganahalli,<\/a> a physician at UCHealth Primary Care \u2013 Greenwood Village.<\/a> \u201cIf you can avoid developing a condition, you\u2019re going to be better off in general because you\u2019ll stay healthier, avoid the hospital, and won\u2019t face additional financial burdens. And, it helps the health care system bring down overall costs.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Staying physically fit, eating healthy foods and keeping preventative health appointments are key to maintaining good health. Photo: Getty Images.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Preventive health recommendations<\/strong><\/h2>\n

That\u2019s why, at a minimum, UCHealth recommends seniors<\/a> schedule and receive the following preventive health services to help you stay healthy:<\/p>\n

Annual visits <\/strong><\/h4>\n