The Best Medicare Plans For Cancer Patients

In 2020, about 1.8 million Americans were diagnosed with different types of cancer. While the treatment of cancer is quite expensive, Medicare can help you save the costs by providing the most favorable coverage. No matter what the stage of the disease, one can always find the best Medicare plans for cancer patients.

This feature will walk you through how Medicare covers for cancer patients from ordinary to advantage plans. It will also cover some questions you may have for specific cancer treatment. So. Let’s get started!

The Original Medicare Plans For Cancer Patients

If you’re 65 or over it, you stand eligible for the healthcare program run by the Federal government. Medicare has basic plans: Part A and Part B. Here are the specifics of each plan.

Part A

Medicare Part A is notable for covering in-patient care costs such as hospital stays, home healthcare, skilled nursing facility care, and hospice care. You can also pay for a monthly premium for maximum benefits from this plan.

However, for cancer care and treatment, Part A services cover the following:

Blood work Cancer treatment In-hospital diagnostic tests Removal of cancer masses via in-patient surgical procedures Implantation of breast prostheses after a mastectomy In-patient clinical study costs

Part B

Part B mostly covers your outpatient costs. It’ also the part that covers most types of cancer treatments. Rendering an observational status, you may be in the hospital and still be considered an out-patient. Medicare Part B also comes with preventive services for people on the risk of cancer, for which specific criteria must be fulfilled.

With that, Part B provides the following coverage for cancer patients:

Doctor’s visits Intravenous injections of chemotherapy drugs at the doctor’s office or an outpatient clinic Some oral chemotherapy drugs Radiation treatments at outpatient clinics Diagnostic tests like X-rays and CT scans Durable medical equipment Outpatient surgeries Mental health services provided outside a hospital setting Diet counseling in case of diabetes and renal diseases In-patient clinical study costs Implantation of breast prostheses after a mastectomy Second opinion for non-emergency surgery

What Medicare Doesn’t Cover

While Medicare coverage rounds up to 80% of your expenses, you might have to pay the 20% from your pocket for the services Medicare doesn’t cover. These might include:

Room and board in assisted living care Adult daycare Long-term nursing care Medical or nutritional supplements (except enteral nutrition equipment) Non-skilled daily care services

Other Medicare Plans And Cancer Coverage

Due to a variety of factors, the regular options might not be the best Medicare plans for cancer patients in some cases. For that reason, several others can help patients cut the costs of cancer treatment as per their feasibility.

These plans vary in their scope and intervention aspects they deliver.

Medicare Advantage Plans

These plans are a combination of plans that include the usual Part A and Part B, along with an additional plan (Part D in most cases). You’re eligible for advantage plans if you are enrolled in the original Medicare plan. Each of the plan coming under the advantage category offers different benefits and have different costs. You may contact your Medicare agent to see which plan is suitable for you.

Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage (Part D)

If you’re enrolled in Medicare, you may receive Part D (you must be enrolled in the Medicare Prescription Drug Plan). If you don’t have part D, you can get an advantage plan that offers Part D as it isn’t automatic.

Part D covers most of your drug and prescription medication, along with some chemotherapy treatments. Your cancer drugs included in this part are as follows:

Oral prescription medication for chemotherapy Anti-nausea drugs Other pain-relieving medication drug used in the cancer treatment

Medicare Supplement Insurance Policies

If you think that your treatment requires more than just the original Medicare, several insurance companies sell Medigap policies as private insurance plans to help you pay out-of-pocket costs. These plans change each year, and so do the benefits, which is why you must carefully consider your plans.

The Best Medicare Plans For Cancer Patients: Some Questions Answered

After your cancer diagnosis and a session with your healthcare provider, a review of your plans is necessary. It’s in your best interest to look out to compare plans that fit your requirements. However, before comparing plans, ask the following questions.

Does Medicare cover cancer treatment?

Yes, it does—Medicare covers for your cancer treatment. If you were diagnosed with cancer before you became eligible for Medicare, you don’t have to worry about it. There are several open enrollment windows that you can use without worrying about the pre-existing conditions you have.

Does Medicare cover immunotherapy for cancer?

In some cases, yes. Immunotherapy includes vaccines that help the immune system battle the cancer cells. If this option is required for your treatment, Medicare will cover it.

Does Medicare cover chemotherapy?

Yes. Both Part A and Part B cover chemotherapy for inpatient and outpatient care to certain limits. Most of the time, Part B is responsible for covering the costs of your chemotherapy at your doctor’s office or clinic.

Does Medicare cover radiation therapy?

Like chemotherapy, Part B will cover radiation therapy if you are in a freestanding facility or are an outpatient. Medicare will cover 80% costs, where Part A will cover radiation therapy for hospital inpatients.

Does Medicare Part D cover chemotherapy drugs?

Yes, it does. While you may avail of the Part D plan in Original Medicare, you can still apply for it with advantage plans or supplements. Part D covers your prescription medication and chemotherapy treatment.

Does Medicare cover prostate cancer treatment?

Yes, it does. Medicare Part A is responsible for your expenses for inpatient hospital stays, which include surgery and treatment. If that includes your prostate cancer treatment, Medicare will provide coverage.