In the long list of provisions in the health care reform law that will affect Medicare, it looks like the most important element is the Independent Payment Advisory Board. This appointed board will have the ability to set policy for Medicare.
Tag Archives: medicare reform
Health Care Reform Law and Part D
All the delays in passing the health care reform bill will also delay positive changes to Part D coverage. Seniors were supposed to get relief this year, but it appears that people who fall into the doughnut hole in 2010 will only get a $250 rebate. Changes that were supposed to take effect in 2010 have been moved to 2011.
Health Care Reform Law and Medicare
The Health Care Reform Law will affect Medicare in many ways. Cuts to Medicare Advantage plans and increases for primary care doctors are just some of the changes. The list is from The Medicare Rights Center.
Why Democrats Hate Medicare Advantage
A recent report from Congress highlighted why Democrats hate Medicare Advantage. The study of Medicare Advantage plans’ revenues and expenses from 2005 to 2008 found that the average Medicare Advantage insurer spent over 15% of its revenues on marketing, administrative costs, and profits.
Free Healthcare for seniors….in Florida
Dade County, Florida has 81 Medicare Advantage plans and most of the HMO plans offer seniors practically-free healthcare. $0 premium; $0 co-pay for hospitalization; $0 to see doctors. At the same time, seniors in Arizona are facing substantial changes in their plans in 2010, including a $36 monthly premium for a plan that has always been $0. Hospital co-pays that would be $900 in 2009 will be $2,000 next year.
Medicare Supplements cost Medicare more
A study of Medicare claims shows that seniors with a Plan F Medicare Supplement use more health care services than those who have co-payments.
Medicare Advantage cuts according to AHIP
October 2009: America’s Health Insurance Plans released the following statement at the end of September, 2009 regarding the impact of proposed cuts to Medicare Advantage: FACT: The impact of proposed cuts to Medicare Advantage (MA) would vary greatly depending on how the cuts are structured and where a senior happens to live. The House legislation [...]
