If bleeding occurs in the stomach or the upper part of the small intestine, the stool may turn black and sticky, and be described medically as black, tarry stool (melena). Generally, black, tarry stool also is foul-smelling.
Q. I have Original Medicare. A. The Part B costs for Original Medicare are as follows: Premium - $104.90 per month (in 2015); Deductible - $147 per year (in 2015); and Coinsurance - 20 percent for most services Medicare Part B covers.
Under the rules, the remaining 30% of Medicare beneficiaries must cover the rest of the cost of Part B, which would have boosted their premiums to $159.30 per month in 2016. But under pressure from retiree advocacy groups, the budget deal signed by President Obama on November 2 reduced the increase for 2016.