Medicare pays for many preventive services which can find health problems early (when treatment works best), and can keep you from getting certain diseases. Even if you do not have any shown symptoms, it is still important to have these screenings done. Many people are at risk for diseases such as stroke and heart disease but experience no symptoms. Early detection and control can prevent major consequences down the road.
According to Centers for Disease and Control’s National Center for Health, cancer screenings saves lives by detecting breast, cervical, and colorectal cancers early; it also is the first step in preventing many colorectal and cervical cancers from ever developing:
- Routine screenings can reduce the number of people who die from colorectal cancer by at least 60%.
- A mammogram performed every 1–2 years for women aged 40 years and over can reduce mortality by approximately 20%–25% during a 10-year period.
- Pap tests can detect precancerous lesions so they can be treated before cervical cancer develops. Researchers in many countries found that rates of cervical cancer death dropped by 20%–60% after screening programs began.
Preventative screenings are very important and potentially could save your life. Make sure you use your free exams covered by Medicare. For a full list of Medicare covered preventative screenings, visit www.medicare.gov.
About Soundpath Health:
Soundpath Health is a locally based 4 (out of 5) star health plan offering services for Medicare beneficiaries. Soundpath Health was founded in 2007 and is owned by physicians. With over 6,500 providers in its network, Soundpath Health currently offers five Medicare Advantage plans to nearly 17,000 members in nine counties in Washington State. For more information, visit www.SoundpathHealth.com.
