Medicare beneficiaries are now eligible for additional benefits for preventative care, such as cardiovascular screening and tests to check for diabetes. The new provision, which took effect January 1st, is designed to move Medicare’s focus from treatment to prevention, which could save lives and reduce costs. The American Heart Association, the American Cancer Society and the American Diabetes Association all back the new provisions.

“‘Treating disease is one thing, but preventing it is even better,’ Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson said at a press conference yesterday.”

"We spend too much on curative care and not enough on preventative care, and we're changing."

For more information see: http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/nation...edicare11.html