I get confused about what medical screening tests I need and what Medicare will cover. Is this information all together in one place somewhere?

It is available in a booklet titled “Medicare Preventive Services” that you can obtain by calling (800) 633 4227.

Here are the basics:

Bone mass measurement

Time varies with health status. Covered for people who are at risk for osteoporosis. You pay 20 percent of the Medicare-approved amount after the Part B deductible.

Colorectal cancer screening

Includes fecal occult blood test (once every 12 months); flexible sigmoidoscopy (once every 48 months) colonoscopy (once every 24 months if you are at high risk for colon cancer). You pay nothing for the fecal test. For all other tests you pay 20 percent of the Medicare-approved amount after the Part B deductible.

Diabetes services

Coverage for glucose monitors, test strips and lancets for all people with Medicare who have diabetes insulin users and non-users. You pay 20 percent of the Medicare-approved amount after the Part B deductible. If your doctor requests diabetes self-management training, you pay 20 percent of the Medicare-approved amount.

Mammogram screening

Once every 12 months for all women with Medicare 40 and older. You pay 20 percent of the Medicare-approved amount with no Part B deductible.

Pap smear and pelvic examination

Once every 24 monthsunless you are at high risk for cervical or vaginal cancer. Covered for all women with Medicare. You pay nothing for the Pap smear lab test. For Pap smear collection and pelvic and breast exams, you pay 20 percent of the Medicare-approved amount with no Part B deductible.

Glaucoma screening

Once every 12 months for people at high risk for glaucoma including people with diabetes or a history of glaucoma. You pay 20 percent of the Medicare-approved amount after the Part B deductible.

Shots (vaccinations)

Flu shot, once a year in the fall for all people with Medicare. You pay nothing if the health-care provider accepts Medicare assignment.

Pneumococcal pneumonia shot, one shot may be all you will ever need. Ask your doctor. You pay nothing if the health-care provider accepts Medicare assignment.

Hepatitis B shot, if you are at medium to high risk for hepatitis. You pay 20 percent of the Medicare-approved amount after the Part B deductible.

These valuable benefits from Medicare may be the key to long lasting good health. Talk with your doctor about your risk of developing these health problems and your need for these preventive services.

I’m really embarrassed to be writing anyone about our problem, but I know my husband and I need some help. We live on a fixed income that we thought would be adequate when we retired. We never were ones to carry debtexcept for our home and a car. In the last two years, we’ve gotten ourselves into a serious pickle. My husband had some medical bills that weren’t covered by insurance, and we paid them with a credit card. We had to replace the roof on our home, didn’t have the cash, and covered it with another credit card. You get the picture. We owe almost $20,000 on six different cards and can hardly make the minimum payment. Where can we go for help?

You are certainly not alone. According to SRI Consulting Business Intelligence, household debt for those 65 and older is up 164 percent in eight years. The average household debt of seniors is a little over $20,000. Eighty-two thousand people over 65 filed for bankruptcy in 2001, up 244 percent from 1991.

According to Jeff Sheets, Director of Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Greater Kansas City and Mid-Missouri, here are common problems that get seniors in financial trouble:

• Unexpected medical bills

• Home repair expenses

• Financial assistance to a child or other family member

• Maintaining a pre-retirement lifestyle on lower income resources

Credit card debt is the main offender. Unlike their parents, Americans retiring now are comfortable with credit cards and debt. They are more likely to use plastic to make up for declining income from savings and investments.

Home-equity loans and second mortgages are also on the rise among seniors. They are often the focused targets of mortgage lenders. “Having a second mortgage on their house was something unthinkable to seniors a few years ago,” Sheets said. “Now as a society, older adults included, we’re being encouraged to borrow, borrow, borrow.”

Fortunately experienced credit counselors are available to help. “Eighty percent of the people who come in to work with us avoid bankruptcy,” Sheets said. Established in 1964 as a nonprofit community service agency, Consumer Credit Counseling Service of greater Kansas City (CCCS) offers budget planning, debt crisis solutions, and other services such as help in arranging a reverse mortgage.

“We are able to work with creditors to get people a better deal on interest, age of debt and things like that,” Sheets said. “The way it usually works is that after helping the person establish a livable budget, we work out a debt repayment plan with creditors. We are usually able to lower the interest rates. The payments come to us, and we pay the creditors.”

Many communities have agencies that help families get their finances in order. Look in the yellow pages for “Consumer and Debt Counseling.”

CCCS charges $20 an hour for its services, but people are not denied help because they can’t pay.

IT’s important to feel comfortable and confident about your credit counseling. Here are some questions the National Foundation for Credit Counseling suggests you to ask when you are looking for an organization to help you:

• Is this agency a nonprofit organization?

• Will I be informed of any fees associated with the services being offered?

• Are agency services confidential?

• Will they devise a plan tailored to fit my needs?

• Are the counselors certified?

• Are budget and credit education opportunities offered?

• Will my funds be protected?

• Is the agency accredited?