Health and Fitness

I was just diagnosed as a diabetic. I know that altering my diet is a necessity. However, I do not know where to start. Does Medicare offer any services to help?

Medicare offers an array of services specific to the treatment of diabetes. The booklet called Medicare Coverage of Diabetes Supplies and Services is available online at www.medicare.gov or by calling 1-800-Medicare. This booklet outlines the services available under Medicare to help you manage your diabetes.

I am new to Medicare. I saw my doctor two weeks ago and was wondering: Is there a time limit by when a doctor must submit a claim to Medicare?

Claims must be submitted within one calendar year from the date of service in order for Medicare to consider payment. To ensure timely payments, most providers submit claims promptly.

Medicare informs you of payment activities through a document called a Medicare Summary Notice. However, Medicare Summary Notices are only mailed to you on a quarterly basis.

I was just prescribed a prescription (Xanax) for my nerves. I have Medicare Part D and my plan refuses to cover this medicine. Doesn’t Part D have to cover prescription medicines ordered by a physician?

Tell your children to become knee surgeons. We’re going to need them.

In Anne Arundel County and around the world, knee replacements are surging as an increasingly younger crowd has refused to settle for disability.

“Back 15 or 20 years ago, patients were in their late 60s or 70s,” said Dr. Marc F. Brassard of Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Center in Annapolis. “Our average is 58 or 59 this year. It’s getting younger and younger as time goes on.”