How to Use Medicare to Get Discounted Cognitive Testing

As we age, it becomes increasingly important to prioritize our health. We also need to begin thinking about new aspects of our health that we might not have considered much before. Cognitive decline is one of the best examples of this.

The best way to treat cognitive decline is to catch it early. That’s why cognitive testing has become so important.

If you’re unsure what cognitive testing is and why you need it, you’re not alone. Keep reading to learn more about this diagnostic test and to find out how Medicare can help you pay for it.

What is Cognitive Testing?

The purpose of cognitive testing is to check for any problems that you might have with your cognition. This means that the test will examine your ability to think, use language, exercise judgment, learn new things, and access memory.

There are many different reasons why a person might be cognitively impaired. Some of the main causes of the problem include depression, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and even blood vessel disorders and side effects from medications.

Who Needs It?

You might need to go in for a cognitive screening if you’ve been struggling with one or more of the following issues:

• Consistently forgetting important things like events or appointments
• Losing track of things on a regular basis
• Finding it difficult to come up with common words that you know well
• Losing your train of thought regularly
• An increase in either your anxiety or irritability

What Are Cognitive Tests Like?

There are three major types of cognitive tests, each of which will ask you to either answer a series of questions or perform some basic tests. The purpose of these tests is to measure your mental functions to assess whether or not they’re impaired.

When you go in for cognitive testing, your doctor might perform a Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) test, a Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE), or a Mini-Cog. None of these take more than 15 minutes to complete.

How Can I Get Medicare Coverage for Cognitive Testing?

If you think that you should have a cognitive test done soon, then you might be able to use your Medicare health insurance to pay for it. Cognitive tests are often performed during an individual’s annual wellness visit.

Medicare Part B provides a yearly wellness visit that allows you to see your doctor without having to pay a dime. If you haven’t had your wellness visit recently, then consider signing up for it soon and asking for a cognitive test while you’re there.

You may not even have to wait a year between tests if you have a more comprehensive Medicare plan, such as Medicare Advantage coverage. These plans build upon the offerings of original Medicare, allowing you to receive extra health care services without having to pay much more for them than you would under a standard Medicare plan.

If you’re interested in learning more about Medicare Advantage plans and cognitive testing, consider contacting a partnered licensed agent through Time for 65. You can do so today by either filling out this form or giving us a call.