Nutrition is an incredibly important part of overall health, but many seniors struggle with getting the right nutrition throughout the day. Mobility factors that prohibit the ability to grocery shop for fresh vegetables and fruit on a regular basis can certainly contribute to this. Certain dietary restrictions, memory loss, lack of appetite due to medications or illness, and dental health challenges can also make it difficult to get enough nutrition through food. Fortunately, products like Ensure can help. Ensure is a nutritional supplement that is available as a beverage, and it contains vitamins, minerals and protein for fast, easy consumption at home or on the go.
Medicare Coverage for Nutritional Supplements
When it comes to Medicare coverage for Ensure, it’s important to remember that Ensure is considered a supplement in the vast majority of cases. As such, just like with other supplements, it is not generally covered by Medicare. Nutritional supplements like Ensure could possibly be covered for Medicare recipients under Medicare Part A if it is provided as part of a stay in a skilled nursing facility or during an inpatient hospital visit, but those types of visits or stays generally utilize other forms of nutrition delivery.
Do Medicare Advantage Plans Cover Ensure?
If you choose to get your Part A and Part B benefits through a Medicare Advantage, you may have some help paying for Ensure. Although Original Medicare does not provide coverage for Ensure, people with Medicare Advantage plans may be able to receive some form of coverage through discounts on purchases, reimbursement for out-of-pocket costs or through partner programs. Contact your Medicare Advantage plan directly for clarification, coverage restrictions, and financial responsibilities.
Talk to Your Doctor About Nutrition
Proper nutrition is vital to overall health and well-being, so if you or a loved one are concerned about receiving enough nutrients throughout the day, you need to address these concerns with your physician. Malnourishment can lead to more serious health issues. Taking action early can help protect the body and mind. Your physician may suggest drinking Ensure to help you get the nutrition you need.
Nutritional Assistance Programs May Be Available to Help
Talk to your physician about your nutrition concerns. You maybe eligible for nutrition counseling under Medicare coverage. There are other programs for some Medicare recipients that can help, as well.
You might qualify for additional benefits through your state government’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. This program can offer a monthly financial payment to a beneficiary to be used specifically for supplementing food purchases, and many people who qualify for Medicare and Medicaid find that they also qualify for SNAP. It’s important to take advantage of any possible assistance so that poor nutrition doesn’t negatively impact your quality of life.
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