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Insurance, Medicare & CoronavirusBy: Jim Valkenburg / Insurance InsightFor those of you that read my articles, youknow I talk exclusively about insuranceof inanimate objects (homes, cars, RV’s, boats,etc.). Insuring people is not within my area ofexpertise, however, with the pandemic outbreak it seems less thanthoughtful to talk about anything other than people this month.The Vegas Voice is a SENIOR MEDIA RESOURCE and as such, I havedone some research regarding what Medicare will do for you duringthis national crisis. Here is what I found:Medicare will cover:1. The lab tests for COVID-19. You pay no out-of-pocket costs.2. All medically necessary hospitalizations. This includes if you’rediagnosed with COVID-19 and might otherwise have been dischargedfrom the hospital after an inpatient stay but instead you need to stay inthe hospital under quarantine.3. As of this writing, there’s no vaccine for COVID-19. However, if onebecomes available, it will be covered by all Medicare Prescription DrugPlans (Part D).If you have a Medicare Advantage Plan, you have access to thesesame benefits. Medicare allows these plans to waive cost-sharing forCOVID-19 lab tests.Many plans offer additional telehealth benefits. Check with your planabout your coverage and costs.Be aware that scammers may use the coronavirus emergency totake advantageof people whilethey’re distracted.As always, guardyour Medicarecard like a creditcard, checkMedicare claimssummary formsfor errors, andif someone callsasking for your Medicare number, hang up!That last point fits in quite well with my series on insurancecommercials. Not because commercials are a “scam” but because theyoften bend the truth to fit their agenda.You must be careful and stay as informed as possible during thiscrisis…and beyond. Whether it be a scammer or simply a purposelymisleading ad, it’s your responsibility to be diligent and do everythingyou can to learn the truth.I’ll be back next month with a TV ad that may be both truthful andat the same time misleading.In the meantime, stay healthy and stay informed.Jim Valkenburg is a retired military officer and insurance executive.He and his wife owned and operated their own insurance agency forover 16 years. His primary purpose is to give out real informationthat can be used to make intelligent insurance decisions.42May 2020