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What Health Care Reform Does in the Near Term for Seniors
There are so many rumors and differing stories regarding the impact of Health Care Reform on senior citizens. The fact of the matter is that the bulk of the changes from this sweeping legislation will be rolled out slowly over the next few years. Understandably, many seniors want to know how Health Care Reform is going to impact them in their retirement years.
Free Preventative Care
Beginning on January 1, 2011, Medicare has eliminated patient cost-sharing for many Medicare-covered preventive services, including the Initial Preventive Physical Examination (often called the "Welcome to Medicare Visit"), annual checkups, and certain screenings, such as mammograms and colon cancer screenings.
The Donut Hole is Closing
In 2010, senior citizens falling into the 'donut hole' of the Medicare Part D prescription plan, the gap in coverage between $2,830 and $6,440 in drug costs, received a one-time $250 rebate check to help cover the cost of their prescriptions.
In 2011, the nation's pharmaceutical manufacturers have been mandated to provide a 50% discount on the cost of covered brand-name prescription drugs in the donut hole. The gap in coverage will be fully closed within the next few years.
Private Insurance Policies
Beginning in 2010, existing private insurance plans will be barred from imposing lifetime caps on coverage. Restrictions will also be placed on annual limits on coverage. Insurers can no longer cancel insurance policies retroactively for reasons other than outright fraud.
The big changes brought about by Health Care Reform, the changes that could impact tens of millions of people, do not kick in until at least 2014. Those changes include insurance marketplaces called "exchanges"; rules requiring insurers to accept all applicants, even those with health problems, and an expansion of state Medicaid programs.
* You may be able to get extra help to pay for your prescription drug premiums and costs. To see if you qualify for getting extra help, call:
1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY/TDD users should call 1-877-486-2048, 24 hours a day/7 days a week;
The Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. TTY/TDD users should call, 1-800-325-0778; or Your State Medicaid Office
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