Covering the Bases: Shingles vaccine covered by Part D | Maryland Gazette (HometownGlenBurnie.com)

The Food and Drug Administration recently approved Zostavax, the vaccine for shingles, and as of Jan. 1, 2007, Medicare coverage for that preventive medication is available under the Medicare Part D program.

Because Zostavax is treated as a prescription, your cost will be based on the costs associated with the Medicare Part D plan you elected. Check with your plan to determine those costs. Administration of the vaccine by your physician's office will be covered under Medicare Part B in accordance with the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006.

I am in the process of intensive planning for retirement. One of the things my financial adviser suggested I look into is long-term care insurance. Since I'll have Medicare when I turn 65, is LTC insurance really necessary?

You should certainly consider LTC insurance as an integral part of your planning. Most people don't realize that Medicare offers only a very limited benefit for long-term care, and that benefit is largely directed toward rehabilitation. For a patient who requires skilled care in a long-term care facility following at least a three-day hospital stay, Medicare will cover 20 days in full.

If the patient still requires skilled care after that 20-day period, Medicare covers all but $124 a day for days 20 through 100. After that, the patient in a long-term care facility would need to find another means of funding the stay. That could be through Medicaid, but the Medicaid Trust Fund is not unlimited and it is expected that heavy demands will be placed on Medicaid in the future as aging baby boomers begin to require long-term care.

For those who won't qualify for Medicaid because of their asset picture, a LTC insurance policy makes good sense. Your other option would be private pay, which you also can consider.

Remember that long-term care includes more than just a stay in an LTC facility. It also could involve assisted living, adult day care, home health care or a combination of those possibilities.

You need to consider the full range of services available and their related costs.

The Department of Health and Human Services offers the National Clearinghouse for Long-Term Care Information Web site, which will help educate you about long-term care planning.

It can be found at www.longtermcare.gov.

You should use this planning tool to help determine the best course of action for you.

Susan Knight is the director of the Senior Health Insurance Program for the county Department of Aging. She may be reached at the department by phone, 410-222-4464; fax, 410-222-4346; or e-mail, ship_program@mail.aacounty.org.