For which services does U.S. healthcare reform eliminate coinsurance?

Before the Affordable Care Act was passed, most Medicare beneficiaries would expect to pay 20 percent for many preventive services and office visits. But as of January 1, 2011, the Act makes staying healthy less expensive by eliminating coinsurance for preventive services, such as colorectal cancer screening, mammograms, and cardiovascular screening such as cholesterol checks and screening for diabetes. You are eligible for this benefit if you have Medicare or Medicare Advantage (check with your plan to be sure) and your doctor or other healthcare provider agrees to participate.

Other qualifying services include -

• Tobacco use cessation counseling. (A coinsurance and deductible will apply if you have already been diagnosed with a tobacco-related illness).
• Screenings, such as the following, if certain coverage criteria apply:
  • Bone mass measurement
  • Cervical cancer screening, including Pap smear tests and pelvic exams
  • Cholesterol and other cardiovascular screenings
  • Colorectal cancer screening (except for barium enemas)
  • Diabetes screening
  • Flu, pneumonia, and hepatitis B shots
  • HIV screening for people at increased risk or who ask for the test
  • Mammograms
  • Medical nutrition therapy to help people manage diabetes or kidney disease
  • Prostate cancer screening (except digital rectal examinations)