Dear Savvy Senior, How does Medicare cover preventive health screenings? I’m due to get a physical and a colonoscopy this year, but I want to find out what I’ll have to pay for before I go in. Just Turned 65

Dear Just Turned, You’ll be happy to know that Medicare covers a wide array of preventive and screening services to help you stay healthy, but not all services are completely covered. Here’s what you should know.
Free Preventive Benefits
Most of Medicare’s preventive services are available to all beneficiaries (through Part B) completely free with no copays or deductibles, as long as you meet basic eligibility standards. Mammograms; colonoscopies; shots against flu, pneumonia, COVID-19 and hepatitis B; screenings for diabetes, depression, osteoporosis, HIV, various cancers and cardiovascular disease; and counseling to combat obesity, alcohol abuse, and smoking are just some of Medicare’s lengthy list of covered services. But to get these services for free, you need to go to a doctor who accepts Medicare “on assignment,” which means he or she has agreed to accept the Medicare approved rate as full payment.
Also, the tests are free only if they’re used at specified intervals. For example, cardiovascular screening blood tests once every 5 years; or colonoscopy, once every 10 years, or every two years if you’re at high risk.
Medicare also offers a free “Welcome to Medicare” exam with your doctor in your first year, along with annual “Wellness” visits thereafter. But don’t confuse these with full physical examinations. These are prevention-focused visits that provide only an overview of your health and medical risk factors and serve as a baseline for future care.
Cost Sharing Services
There are, however, a few Medicare preventive services that do require some out-of-pocket cost sharing. With these tests, you’ll have to pay 20 percent of the cost of the service after you’ve met your $226 Part B yearly deductible. The services that fall under this category include glaucoma tests, diabetes self-management trainings, barium enemas to detect colon cancer, and digital rectal exams to detect prostate cancer.
For a complete list of services along with their eligibility requirements, visit Medicare.gov/coverage/preventive-screening-services.
If you’re enrolled in a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan, your plan is also required to cover the same preventive services as original Medicare as long as you see in-network providers.
Hidden Costs
You also need to know that while most of the previously listed Medicare services are free, you can be charged for certain diagnostic services or additional tests or procedures related to the preventive service. For example, if your doctor finds and removes a polyp during your preventive care colonoscopy screening, you will pay 15 percent of the doctor’s service fee. Or, if during your annual wellness visit, your doctor needs to investigate or treat a new or existing problem, you will probably be charged here too.
You may also have to pay a facility fee depending on where you receive the service. Certain hospitals, for example, will often charge separate facilities fees when you are receiving a preventive service. And you can also be charged for a doctor’s visit if you meet with a physician before or after the service.
To eliminate billing surprises, talk to your doctor before any preventive service procedure to find out if you may be subject to a charge and what it would be.

Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.

AAA reminds drivers to stay cool behind the wheel; avoid engaging with aggressive drivers

Whether it’s gesturing, shouting, threatening-or worse-anger behind the wheel is becoming far too common on America’s roadways. Aggressive behaviors, ranging from speeding to acts of violence, pose a threat not only to other drivers but to passengers and pedestrians as well.
“Road rage is the term we use to describe extreme anger and aggression behind the wheel,” says Rylie Mansuetti, public affairs manager, AAA Oklahoma. “Not only are these displays of hostility unsafe for those on and near the roadway, but a growing number of these incidents are turning deadly.”
Aggressive driving versus road rage
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the term “aggressive driving” first began to emerge in the 1990s to describe a category of unsafe driving behaviors, such as weaving through traffic, running traffic lights, tailgating and driving at excessive speeds.
Road rage occurs when aggressive driving behaviors become extreme or violent. Examples range from angry gesturing and cursing to confronting, sideswiping and brandishing of weapons and other violent actions or threats.
While aggressive driving behaviors are traffic violations, road rage behaviors other than gesturing and shouting are criminal offenses.
Earlier this year, Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund released its latest analysis of road rage shootings in the U.S., finding that such incidents have continued to increase every year since 2018.
In 2022, 554 people were shot during road rage incidents nationwide, resulting in 413 injuries and 141 deaths-twice the numbers from 2018. The incidence of road rage shootings last year equates to one person being wounded or killed in a road rage incident every 16 hours.
The same data revealed there were 3.8 people shot per 1 million residents during road rage incidents last year in Oklahoma, putting it third among five states with the highest rate of people shot in road range incidents. These states-New Mexico, Arizona, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Wisconsin-make up 8% of the U.S. population, but 20% of road rage shooting victims. In 2023 to date, one victim has been killed and another three injured during road rage shootings.
Reasons for road rage
According to the American Psychological Association (APA), some people are more prone to road rage than others. These high-anger drivers are more impulsive, engage in hostile thinking and are more likely to seek revenge over a purported wrong. While these drivers may behave appropriately on a quiet country road, the APA points to research indicating traffic congestion and other environmental factors can more easily set off road rage behaviors.
Data from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety shows that nearly 80 percent of drivers expressed significant anger, aggression or road rage behind the wheel at least once within the previous 30 days. In a related study, the Foundation found potentially aggressive actions-such as tailgating, erratic lane changing or illegal passing-are a factor in up to 56% of fatal crashes.
While there are undoubtedly numerous reasons behind the growing problem of over-aggression behind the wheel, research from AAA and NHTSA point to a number of likely contributing factors:
Traffic congestion. No matter the cause, on-the-road delays and rising traffic congestion are frustrating for all. But some motorists have extremely low tolerance for delays, leading to tailgating, erratic lane changes and other aggressive behaviors.
Running late. A seemingly endless stream of errands and obligations weigh more heavily on some drivers than others, contributing to a pattern of aggression behind the wheel.
Anonymity. Some drivers feel insulated and detached from the outside world when in their vehicle, giving them a feeling of anonymity. For some, this causes an erosion of inhibitions to antisocial behavior, while the vehicle itself gives them a sense of power.
Changes in acceptable behavior. Just as other “norms” have changed over time-music, fashion, politics-human behaviors behind the wheel continue to evolve. It can become more acceptable to have less regard for law enforcement and fellow citizens as drivers “look out for number one.”
“Drivers should consider whether any of these scenarios apply to their own actions behind the wheel and take measures to resolve them. Learning techniques for stress-relief, better time management and anger control could help keep you and others safe,” Mansuetti says. “Think twice before making a rude gesture or laying on the horn and you’ll dodge a potential road rage incident.”
Avoiding road rage
While it isn’t possible to control another driver’s behavior, there are steps you can take to avoid becoming a victim of road rage. AAA has these tips for avoiding aggression on the roadways:
Practice polite driving habits. Follow the rules of the road and be courteous to others. If you inadvertently make an error that affects another driver, give a wave and smile. That simple act will often defuse a potential aggressor.
Slow down and let the aggressor pass. When you pull to the side or change lanes and let an aggressive driver pass, they will typically be glad they’re on their way and not try to engage further.
Keep your cool. Remember, you’re not the police. Even if a driver is doing a poor job, it is not your job to correct them. Give other drivers the benefit of the doubt and don’t take their errors as a personal attack. If you encounter an aggressive driver, do not make eye contact, display anger or engage in any way.
Lay off the horn. Save the horn for an emergency situation or tap it lightly if you need to alert a driver to a changed traffic signal. Do not use it to “call out” the driving behaviors of others.
Don’t drive under distress. Avoid driving if you’re angry, upset or fatigued. Never drive impaired.
Be realistic about your travel time. Consider the amount of traffic you’ll likely encounter and give yourself plenty of time to reach your destination without speeding or driving aggressively.
Call 911 if you’re threatened. Aggressive drivers can be reported to local police, but if an aggressive driver threatens or attacks you, call 911 immediately. Do not make eye contact or engage in any way. Drive to the nearest police station, fire station, convenience store or other public location with witnesses. Never drive home with an aggressor following you.
“Remember, driving isn’t a competition, so there’s no need to ‘one up’ another driver. Your only win should be staying safe,” says Mansuetti. “Keep your focus on your own driving and avoid actions that could make you a target of aggression from others.”
AAA provides automotive, travel, and insurance services to more than 63 million members nationwide and more than 400,000 members in Oklahoma. AAA advocates for the safety and mobility of its members and has been committed to outstanding road service for more than 100 years. AAA is a non-stock, membership corporation working on behalf of motorists, who can map a route, find local gas prices and electric vehicle charging stations, discover discounts, book a hotel, and track their roadside assistance service with the AAA Mobile app (AAA.com/mobile) for iPhone, iPad and Android. For more information on joining or renewing a Membership, visit https://cluballiance.aaa.com/.

The Office of Tribal Government and the Oklahoma City Veterans Affairs Health Care System (OKC VA HCS) partner with multiple resources to kick-off another PACT Act event providing Tribal area Veterans and surviving spouses with healthcare assistance and an understanding of attendee’s VA benefits.
The PACT Act is one of the largest expansions of Veteran health care programs and benefits. The PACT Act will benefit millions of Veterans spanning generations of service members from World War II, Vietnam and more recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. If you served between conflicts, don’t be afraid to come in and find out if you qualify.
The OTGR is hosting this Tribal PACT Act and bringing the OKC VA resources such as eligibility teams, medical experts to provide toxic exposure screening (TES), file claims with the Muskogee Benefits Office in association with the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs.
Lawton-area Veterans are encouraged to come to the Fort Sill Apache Casino Event Center, located at 2315 E. Gore Blvd, Lawton, OK from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m on Thursday, July 27th. If you are unable to attend, please submit an intent to file so you don’t miss out on the PACT Act August 9 deadline.

The Oklahoma Historical Society, in partnership with the Oklahoma Conference of Black Mayors, will host the Oklahoma All-Black Towns State Conference on Saturday, August 12, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Oklahoma History Center. The conference is designed to encourage a network of state agencies to join with the mayors of some of Oklahoma’s historic All-Black towns to share resources and discuss ideas.
In the early 20th century, Oklahoma was home to more than 50 All-Black towns and communities. Segregation and Jim Crow laws led many Black people to leave the state. The Great Depression caused more families to migrate to urban areas or other states. These events devastated many small Oklahoma towns, including the All-Black towns.
From 10 a.m.-noon, mayors from more than a dozen historic All-Black towns will present their unique history, discuss future projects, and more. Starting at noon, attendees can eat lunch and listen to the keynote presentation by Earthea A. Nance, who has a doctorate in environmental engineering from Stanford University. She is an associate professor in the Barbara Jordan-Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs at Texas Southern University. Nance holds joint faculty appointments in the Department of Urban Planning and Environmental Policy and the Department of Political Science. At 1 p.m., several state agencies will share resources that enable towns to collect, preserve and share their histories, including the Oklahoma Arts Council, the Oklahoma Department of Transportation, and the Oklahoma Historical Society.
Registration is required. The event is free and open to the public. Attendees can pre-purchase a lunch box from Florence’s Restaurant when registering for the conference. Lunch orders must be placed by Monday, August 7, at 11:59 p.m.
The Oklahoma History Center is located at 800 Nazih Zuhdi Dr. in Oklahoma City.

Fraudsters will never take a break. While you are out enjoying fun and sun this summer, they are working hard to find new ways to scam you. Seniors and younger people are particularly vulnerable to scammers who claim to represent Social Security. To protect you and your loved ones, you can:
* Visit our Protect Yourself from Social Security Scams webpage at https://www.ssa.gov/scam/ for information on what tactics scammers use and how to report them.
* Check out the Federal Trade Commission’s page at
https://consumer.ftc.gov/scams for additional scam-related information.
Here are some tips to follow when you identify a potential scammer:
* Hang up right away or ignore the message.
* Never give personal information or money.
* Report the scam immediately to our Office of the Inspector General at https://oig.ssa.gov/report/.
If you owe money to Social Security, we’ll mail you a letter with payment options and appeal rights. We only accept payments electronically through Pay.gov or Online Bill Pay, or physically by check or money order through our offices.
We will never do the following:
* Threaten you with arrest or legal action because you don’t agree to pay us money immediately.
* Promise a benefit increase in exchange for money.
* Ask you to send us gift cards, prepaid debit cards, wire transfers, internet currency, cryptocurrency, or cash through the U.S. mail.
There are no vacations for fraudsters, so you need to stay informed of the latest Social Security-related scams. For more information, please visit our blog at https://blog.ssa.gov/. Please share these useful resources with your loved ones.

Retirement is often viewed as the time to relax and enjoy the fruits of your labor. It is also the perfect time to make some changes – like moving to a new house. While there may be some challenges associated with moving, starting anew in a new place can be an exciting experience. However, settling into a new house can be overwhelming. Here are some tips from Senior News & Living OK on how to quickly settle in and make your new house feel like home.
Getting Excited About Your New Home
Moving, especially when settling down after retirement, can be a rollercoaster of emotions. Leaving behind familiar people and places can be tough, but remember the bright side. Your new home is full of potential for new beginnings, fresh opportunities, and unexplored territory. Embrace the adventure that awaits.
Protecting Your Investment the Smart Way
Investing in a home warranty is a smart move for any new homeowner. With unexpected expenses, such as appliance or plumbing repairs, it can be difficult to budget for these things when they arise. A home warranty plan can provide peace of mind and protect you from these unforeseen circumstances. Consider home warranty plans that cover the repair or replacement of appliances, HVAC systems, plumbing, and more. By investing in a home warranty, you will have the security of knowing that your home is protected against expensive repair costs.
Creating a Welcoming Entryway
Your home’s entryway is the first impression that visitors get, so it should be inviting. A welcoming mat, potted plants, a wall-mounted coat rack, and a console table with fresh flowers are all easy ways to create a warm and inviting space. A charming entryway sets the stage for the rest of your lovely home.
Personalizing Your Mailbox
Your mailbox is one of the first things you see when you arrive home, so why not add a personal touch? You could add your name or house number to it or add a small sign with a welcoming message. A unique mailbox will not only make your home stand out from others in the neighborhood but also adds a personal touch.
Upgrading Your Kitchen for a Fresh and Cleaner Look
Upgrade your kitchen for a cleaner, healthier home with an under-cabinet range hood. Then, transform your space with new appliances, updated countertops, a fresh coat of paint, or a new backsplash. Your kitchen will feel like home again.
Creating a Cozy Home With Throws and Cushions
Adding comfortable elements like throw blankets and cushions can add warmth and coziness to your home. You could add some throw pillows to your sofa or armchair or drape a soft blanket over the back of your chair. These little touches can transform your space into a comfortable and inviting home.
Making Your Bedroom a Tranquil Retreat
Transforming your bedroom doesn’t have to be an expensive ordeal. Sometimes all it takes is a simple update to your bedding. Adding new bedding can make a huge difference, not just in terms of aesthetics but also for a good night’s sleep. With interchangeable duvet covers, you can easily switch up the look of your bedroom according to your mood or the season. It’s an affordable way to give life to your bedroom and create a cozy, inviting space that you’ll love coming home to.
Adding Character to Your Home With Artwork
Hanging artwork on your walls can elevate the style of your home and make it feel more personal. You can create a gallery wall with family photos or hang a statement piece that reflects your style. Artwork can add color, texture, and personality to your space and can be an easy way to express yourself.

Retiring and moving to a new house can feel overwhelming, but don’t worry! Follow these simple tips to turn your new place into a cozy home. Embrace the change, get a home warranty, spruce up your entryway, personalize your mailbox, update the kitchen and bedroom, add comfortable touches, and hang some artwork. With these easy changes, you’ll have a warm and inviting space to enjoy your retirement.

Story and photo by James Coburn, staff writer

Richard Hendricks has been an avid sports fan as long as he can remember. You might see him wearing a Brooklyn Dodger hat at the Territorial Capital Sports Museum (TCSM), located in downtown Guthrie.
“In 1950, my dad took me to see the ‘Jackie Robinson Story’. I was 9 years old, and I became a Dodger fan,” said Hendricks, executive director of the museum. “I played all three sports in high school — football, basketball, and baseball.”
Hendricks was assistant principal at Guthrie Junior High School when he invited two Hall of Fame recipients, Harlem Globe Trotter Hubert “Geese” Ausbie, and baseball’s Ferguson Jenkins, who played most of his career for the Chicago Cubs, to a Red Ribbon Week encouraging youth to be drug free. An idea grew from the gathering to create a museum to honor Oklahoma athletes and coaches. The museum opened in 1993.
“It is time for us to see if we can find somebody else who is a sports fan and familiar with Oklahoma sports, that would like to get involved with the museum and eventually take it over,” Hendricks said.
TCSM was designated by the Oklahoma State Legislature as the official sports museum for the state of Oklahoma.
“We’re in the process of trying to find a major sponsor. And if that would occur, we could afford to pay that director. But the directorships and help at the museum has been mostly on a volunteer basis,” Hendricks explained.
He would help guide the new director to learn about the museum and what it offers visitors.
“I’ll be glad to assist them anyway that I can,” he said.
John Vance Motors, Eskridge Motors, and BancFirst have been loyal sponsors of the museum.
There is a vast amount of detailed information on file. Four kiosks are placed strategically to give insightful information to visitors as well.
Hendricks’ volunteerism is from his love of Oklahoma sports and children. Three buildings are full of Oklahoma sports artifacts and memorabilia, making it the largest collection of Oklahoma sports in the state.
“All of the items here relate to athletes that were either born in Oklahoma, live in Oklahoma or went to a college or university here and went on to be professional or Olympic athletes,” Hendricks said.
Many of the former athletes he coached in Ryan, Fort Cobb, Guthrie, and Stigler have visited Hendricks at TCSM.
In 1963 he began coaching mostly Oklahoma high school basketball, and baseball teams and assisted in football. He and his wife Carolyn attended Oklahoma Baptist University and began teaching.
High school athletes come to the museum and learn that no matter where they come from, if they are determined and have God-given ability, they can be successful, Hendricks said. Visitors will first enter the basketball area of the museum. Sports legend memorabilia from Alvan Adams, Waymon Tisdale and Oklahoma City Thunder players are recognized among others. Just about any Oklahoma sport imaginable is celebrated including, wrestling, golf, and rodeo.
Rodeo cowboy star Roy Cooper’s saddle is prominently displayed at the museum.
Women athletes are celebrated including Olympic Gold Medalist Shannon Miller.
Miller is the most decorated gymnast in history.
She has earned 7 Olympic Medals and 9 World Championship Medals. Her tally of five medals (2 Silver, 3 Bronze) at the 1992 Olympics was the most medals won by a US athlete. During her career, Shannon has won an astounding 58 International and 49 National competition medals and over half have been Gold, culminating with two Gold Medals at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta.
There is the largest collection of Phillips 66 uniforms in the state. Phillips 66 was a national basketball champion during the 1920s-40s.
The football gallery has artifacts from high school trophy winners, including a jersey of Heisman Trophy winner Billy Vessels.
“I don’t know of anyone, hall of fame or otherwise that has a Billy Vessels jersey from Oklahoma,” Hendricks said. “We even have the Native American athletes that are in the American Indian Hall of Fame that were football players — Jim Thorpe, Sam Bradford, Thomas Stidham, Sonny Sixkiller.”
Baseballs and bats form a collection of World Series memorabilia from the likes of Ted Williams, Jackie Robinson, Cy Young, and many Oklahomans such as Allie Reynolds, and Mickey Mantle. There is a Yankee display celebrating Bobby Mercer and one for Mickey Mantle.
Of historic significance is a photographic display of the Negro League. Joe Rogan was in the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
“We have one of the largest collections of Minor League artifacts and memorabilia from the Oklahoma City Indians, 89’ers, Red Hawks, Dodgers and Tulsa Drillers,” Hendricks added.
For more information about applying for the position of executive director of the Territorial Capital Sports Museum, please email Richard Hendricks at [email protected] or call 405-414-1342. For more information about the museum, visit https://www.territorialcapitalsportsmuseum.org/