Tag Archives: senior health

Does Medicaid Cover Self-Measured Blood Pressure?

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According to the American Heart Association, high blood pressure contributes to many significant health conditions, including heart attack, heart failure, stroke, and kidney failure. In the United States, 121.5 million adults suffer from high blood pressure, also known as hypertension.

While half of these individuals have improved their conditions, others have uncontrolled blood pressure, which can harm their health. Self-monitoring one’s blood pressure can help control this condition. Depending on your state, Medicaid may cover part of the cost.

What Is Self-Measured Blood Pressure (SMBP)?

Medical care is an important part of blood pressure management. Yet, you can also help your doctor treat you by monitoring and recording your symptoms at home. This is called self-measured blood pressure (SMBP). When combined with a doctor’s support, SMBP might improve your health.

You can use a manual blood pressure cuff or an automated blood pressure device to monitor your BP. With at-home measurements, you can record your blood pressure levels over time. Your doctor can use this information to help treat you.

The Benefits of Monitoring Blood Pressure at Home

Some evidence suggests that SMBP with clinical support may be more effective than medical care alone.

  • When you measure your blood pressure at home, you can assess your condition regularly. You do not have to wait for a medical professional to evaluate your BP. If your blood pressure becomes dangerously high, you can inform your doctor and seek emergency treatment.
  • By keeping track of the fluctuations in your blood pressure at home, you can give your doctor detailed information to help with your treatment. For instance, your doctor can use the information to decide what kind of medication and dosage to prescribe.
  • Sometimes, blood pressure levels change depending on the situation. SMBP can identify forms of hypertension that present differently. At-home measurements can reveal white-coat hypertension (when a patient’s BP is high at the doctor’s office, but at a healthy level at home) and masked hypertension (when BP readings appear normal in a doctor’s office but are high in other settings, such as at home or work).

Why Might Medicaid Beneficiaries Need Coverage for SMPB?

Per Medicaid.gov, one-third of all Medicaid beneficiaries have high blood pressure. With uncontrolled hypertension disproportionally affecting low-income, nonpregnant adults on Medicaid, SMBP coverage and reimbursement through Medicaid can be beneficial for many.

Does Medicaid Cover Home Blood Pressure Monitoring?

Medicaid covers SMBP in certain states. Yet not all states have coverage. Continue reading for more information.

What Does SMBP Medicaid Coverage Include?

Depending on your state, Medicaid’s coverage for self-measured blood pressure could include the following:

  • Provider reimbursement for medical support
  • BP measurement devices for you to use at home (manual blood pressure cuffs or automated blood pressure devices)

In most states with SMBP coverage, Medicaid takes care of medical care as well as devices. Other states cover just one or the other. The American Medical Association outlines what Medicaid provides in each state.

Which States Cover Medical Support and BP Measurement Devices?

The following states provide coverage to some extent for both medical support and devices:

  • Arizona
  • Colorado
  • Delaware
  • Hawaii
  • Idaho
  • Indiana
  • Michigan
  • Nebraska
  • New Jersey
  • New Mexico
  • North Carolina
  • North Dakota
  • Ohio
  • Oregon
  • Texas
  • Virginia
  • Wisconsin
  • Wyoming

These states only cover durable medical equipment (manual blood pressure cuffs or automated blood pressure devices):

  • Alaska
  • Arkansas
  • California
  • Connecticut
  • D.C.
  • Illinois
  • Iowa
  • Kansas (only covers manual blood pressure cuff)
  • Louisiana
  • Maine
  • Maryland
  • Massachusetts
  • Minnesota
  • Mississippi
  • Missouri
  • Nevada
  • New Hampshire
  • New York
  • Utah
  • Vermont
  • Washington

The following states reimburse providers for supporting patients with SMBP. However, Medicaid does not pay for at-home devices.

  • Georgia
  • Kentucky
  • Montana
  • Rhode Island

Speak With an Attorney

If you have high blood pressure, self-measurement might help. Consult with an attorney to learn more about whether you could be eligible for Medicaid coverage in your state.

Aging Care: 6 Tips for Caring for Elderly Parents

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Many adult children wonder what their aging parents may need and how can they can help provide it for them.

You may constantly worry about your parents or other older loved ones, especially if you live far away from them. You can, however, take some simple steps to ensure your parents are safe as they age.

Tip No. 1: Recognize the Risks Older Adults Face

Knowing the risks seniors face can help you begin an action plan for your parents. It may be difficult for some older adults to complete tasks they could do before with ease, particularly if they live alone. Examples of those tasks can include:

  • Taking medication correctly and on time
  • Remembering things, keeping up conversation, or multitasking
  • Getting help in a medical emergency, such as a fall
  • Eating healthfully
  • Moving safely around their home

Being aware of these common concerns can be an important first step in doing everything you can to protect your parents as they age.

Tip No. 2: Ensure Medication Compliance

If your parents have health conditions that require them to take medication regularly, you should take time to make sure they are adhering to their prescription instructions. It may be a good idea to routinely review the medications your parents take, the name of the medications, and any potential side effects.

You may consider creating a medication schedule that you can both follow, so that you (or a home care provider) can check in and confirm your loved one is remembering to take medications when necessary.

Tip No. 3: Prepare for Cognitive Decline

Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia affect more than 5 million adults aged 65 and older, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Keep your parents safe by understanding their current cognitive abilities and any risks they may face for future decline.

Consider setting up a routine for your parents’ day-to-day lives. This might include social engagement and spending time with you and other family members, which may become even more crucial if their cognitive health has deteriorated.

Tip No. 4: Equip Aging Parents for Medical Emergencies

Older adults that live alone are vulnerable to falls and other medical emergencies. If you live out of state, you may have concerns about your parents being able to act quickly in ensuring they get emergency medical attention when they need it.

To help your parents respond to emergencies, consider using a medical alert system. With a medical alert system, your parents will have emergency assistance at the push of a button. Many different companies offer this type of service. An online search can help you narrow it down.

Tip No. 5: Plan for Meals

Seniors, especially those that live with memory issues, may not eat regularly. Without adequate nutrition, older adults may fall ill, or any current condition may worsen. Many seniors across the United States are food insecure. Fortunately, there are certain Medicare Advantage grocery benefit programs as well as other free or inexpensive meal delivery services, such as Meals on Wheels, that deliver nutritious meals to seniors.

Tip No. 6: Prevent Household Injury

Household injury is a major risk for seniors, especially those who live alone. You should do a sweep of your parent’s home and remove all potential hazards, including unsecured electrical cords, household products and chemicals, or loose rugs. Fix broken handrails on staircases, install grab bars in bathtubs, and ensure there is adequate lighting in their home. Taking each of these steps, and any others you see fit, can help avoid a preventable injury.