Healthcare Bill passes–what does this mean to medicare?

Whatever side you’re on, the latest passing of the healthcare bill will have benefits and ramifications.

Among seniors, the plan will create both winners and losers. On the plus side, it gradually closes the dreaded “doughnut hole” prescription coverage gap, improves preventive care and puts a new emphasis on trying to keep seniors struggling with chronic diseases in better overall health.

But it also cuts funding for popular private insurance plans offered through the Medicare Advantage program. About one-quarter of seniors have signed up for the plans, which generally offer lower out-of-pocket costs. That’s been possible because the government pays the plans about 13 percent more than it costs to cover seniors in traditional Medicare. As the payments are scaled back, it could trigger an exodus from Medicare Advantage.

read more

Related articles by Zemanta

• Health overhaul: Immediate change, long term steps (seattletimes.nwsource.com)