Carpal tunnel syndrome is a painful condition that affects about 3% of adults in the United States. If you have it, then you’re probably wondering what you can do to fix it. You’ve come to the right place for that.
Keep reading to learn more about carpal tunnel syndrome and how older adults can use Medicare to address it.
The carpal tunnel is actually a narrow passageway between your wrist bones and a nearby ligament. When swollen tissues squeeze the nerves in this area, carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) occurs. Some of the symptoms of CTS are:
Carpal tunnel syndrome can be treated both surgically and non-surgically. To begin with, most doctors will attempt to resolve the problem without surgery. They may do so in several ways.
For example, a doctor may prescribe a brace or splint for their patient to wear on the impacted wrist. This will prevent the joint from bending, which in turn will prevent the problems that cause CTS from occurring. You can wear these braces when you perform repetitive activities to reduce your CTS symptoms while you do.
You may also be prescribed steroid injections. Drugs like cortisone can relieve the symptoms of CTS, but if you decide to go with this treatment option, you will likely need to continuously receive injections every so often.
Surgery may be recommended if your doctor thinks that you need it in order to avoid permanent damage. The procedure involves increasing the size of the carpal tunnel passageway in order to relieve pressure.
This surgery is usually offered on an outpatient basis. Most people who use it see an improvement in their symptoms, but it may take up to a year to enjoy the full benefits of the procedure.
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Thankfully, Original Medicare does provide coverage for several different types of CTS treatment. For example, your Medicare health insurance will cover a good portion of the costs of braces and cortisone steroid injections.
If you need surgery, Medicare can help with that too. You’ll just need to receive the surgery in a qualified outpatient setting. So be sure to check with the hospital that’s performing the procedure before going in for it.
You may be able to unlock even more carpal tunnel syndrome coverage with a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan. These plans build upon what’s offered by Original Medicare and provide a variety of additional benefits that make them a good option for older adults with a wide variety of healthcare needs.
If you’d like to learn more about Medicare’s coverage of CTS treatments, then consider reaching out to a partnered licensed agent with Time for 65. You can get in touch with one today by either filling out this form or giving us a call. We look forward to hearing from you.
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