Keep Your Heart Strong with Medicare: Understand Your Coverage for Cardiovascular Care

February marks American Heart Month, an ideal time to focus on one of the body’s hardest-working organs: the heart. Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death among older adults, but early detection, healthy habits, and proper treatment can greatly improve outcomes.

If you’re a Medicare beneficiary, it’s important to understand how your coverage supports heart health. From preventive screenings to prescription medications, Medicare offers a wide range of benefits designed to help you protect your heart and manage any existing conditions.

The Importance of Heart Health in Retirement

As we age, the likelihood of developing cardiovascular issues increases. High blood pressure, high cholesterol, and heart disease are especially common among adults over 65. Because these conditions often develop silently, regular checkups and preventive screenings are vital for catching problems early.

Medicare provides essential coverage to help with prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Using these benefits regularly can make a big difference in maintaining overall health and avoiding unexpected hospital stays.

Medicare’s Preventive Benefits for a Healthy Heart

Medicare Part B offers many preventive screenings and tests that focus on cardiovascular wellness and most come at no cost when you see a provider who accepts Medicare assignment.

For instance, beneficiaries can receive cholesterol and lipid screenings every five years to identify potential cardiovascular disease. Routine blood pressure checks during doctor appointments are also included, helping to detect hypertension early.

If you’re overweight, Medicare covers obesity counseling to support weight management, which plays a major role in protecting your heart. Because diabetes and heart disease are closely linked, eligible beneficiaries can also receive diabetes screenings.

During your Annual Wellness Visit, you can discuss your heart health with your provider, assess your personal risk factors, and create a long-term plan to stay active and healthy.

Taking advantage of these preventive services can help uncover small issues before they become serious. And since they’re covered in full, there’s no reason to skip them!

How Medicare Helps Cover Heart Disease Treatment

If you’re diagnosed with a heart condition or experience a cardiac event, Medicare provides comprehensive coverage for your care.

Medicare Part A covers hospital stays related to heart issues, such as heart attacks, bypass surgery, or other inpatient treatments. It also includes coverage for cardiac rehabilitation following a hospital stay, helping patients rebuild strength safely. While Part A covers room, nursing, and inpatient medications, you’ll still need to meet the deductible and may owe coinsurance for longer hospital stays.

Medicare Part B covers outpatient care, including visits with cardiologists, diagnostic imaging (like echocardiograms or EKGs), and prescribed cardiac rehab sessions. After meeting your Part B deductible, you generally pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount.

Prescription medications are also an essential part of managing heart disease. That’s where Medicare Part D comes in. Most plans include coverage for common heart drugs such as statins, ACE inhibitors, beta blockers, and anticoagulants. Because each plan’s drug list (formulary) is different, it’s smart to review yours each year to ensure your medications remain covered and affordable.

Medicare Advantage Plans and Heart Health Support

Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans include all the benefits of Original Medicare but often add valuable extras. Depending on your plan, you may have access to fitness memberships like SilverSneakers, healthy meal delivery, nutrition counseling, or disease management programs for conditions like heart failure or diabetes.

Many plans also include telehealth services, allowing you to check in with your doctor from home, an easy way to manage your care and stay consistent with follow-up visits.

Because each plan is different, it’s important to review your benefits annually to confirm that your coverage still fits your needs and supports your heart health goals.

Additional Resources to Support Cardiovascular Health

Beyond basic Medicare coverage, there are extra programs designed to help beneficiaries manage chronic conditions and keep costs down.

Chronic Care Management (CCM) is one example. It provides ongoing support for people with multiple chronic illnesses, helping coordinate care between doctors and monitor progress between visits.

Medicare also covers smoking cessation counseling, a valuable resource for reducing cardiovascular risk. And for those with limited income, the Extra Help program can significantly reduce prescription drug costs, especially important for patients taking multiple medications to control heart disease.

Making the Most of Your Medicare Heart Health Benefits

To get the most out of your coverage, start by scheduling your Annual Wellness Visit each year. Use that time to talk with your provider about your heart health, risk factors, and ways to stay active.

If you take medications for blood pressure, cholesterol, or other heart conditions, review your Part D plan every year to confirm that your prescriptions are covered at the best price.

And if you’re enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, explore the fitness, nutrition, and disease management resources available to you. These benefits can make it easier to maintain an active lifestyle and manage heart-related conditions effectively.

Finally, if you’re unsure whether your current plan gives you the best combination of coverage and cost savings, Local Medicare Specialists can help. Our licensed agents can review your options, explain your benefits, and ensure you have the coverage that best supports your heart (and your overall health!) for years to come.