Senior Expo to Feature Practical Medicare information

The Sedalia Senior Center will conduct a Senior Health Expo on July 19.

The expo will cover topics such as which tests and screenings are covered by Medicare and how patients find out from their doctors whether they should have certain tests.

The expo will take place from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at the Sedalia Senior Center, located at 312 S. Washington Ave.

The workshop is presented by Care Connection for Aging Services, and is meant to educate people about the health screenings and tests covered by Medicare at no cost to the patient, as well as give tips on talking to the doctor.

Care Connection has partnered with CLAIM, the Missouri State Health Insurance Assistance Program, which provides free, unbiased advocacy, education and assistance to people with Medicare.

Care Connection says the presentations will provide information to equip patients to ask the right questions and have productive conversations with their doctors.

“It’s very important that people take advantage of the preventive benefits that Medicare offers as they maintain their health,” said Rona McNally, Care Connection Director of Special Projects. “We are hoping that by getting the information about how to talk their doctors, individuals will begin the discussions they need to access the benefits. Some people might not have extreme comfort in talking to the doctor and asking for things, and we believe this is a very important conversation to have.”

Medicare-covered preventive services include screenings for heart ailments, cancer, bone density, diabetes, hepatitis, obesity and more.

A Care Connection benefits counselor will be on-hand to screen participants to see if they are eligible for programs that help pay for health care.

The Senior Health Expo will include written materials to take home, along with giveaways and refreshments. The event is free and open to the public.

Lunch will be served at the Senior Center beginning at 11:30 a.m.

Participants 60 and older may eat lunch for a contribution, and younger individuals may pay the entire cost of the meal, for approximately $7.50.