This is really important to me personally, since I will be retiring at the end of this year and my husband and I will switch from employer provided health insurance to Medicare.
HOW THE NEW HEALTH REFORM LAW BENEFITS SENIORS
Provides relief to seniors who fall into the Medicare “doughnut hole” to help you cover the cost of prescriptions Already, the first round of $250 rebate checks are in the mail to help seniors who have been hitting the gap in Medicare Part D prescription coverage. Next year, prescription drug prices will be cut in half for seniors who hit the coverage gap.
Protects guaranteed Medicare benefits
Guaranteed benefits are protected regardless of whether you are in Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage. You’ll also see new benefits and cost savings to help ensure you get the care you need.
Makes preventive care and annual physicals for seniors free of charge
Currently, seniors are forced to pay as much as 20 percent of the cost of preventive services such as colorectal cancer screenings and mammograms.
Curbs costs and strengthens Medicare by cracking down on fraud and waste
Reform will cut the rate of fraudulent Medicare payments in half by 2012, extending the life of the Medicare Trust Fund by 12 years and curbing costs for seniors.
Prevents insurance companies from instituting unreasonable rate hikes that pad their profits and increase Medicare costs for seniors The new law strengthens the administration’s and states’ ability to combat unfair insurance premium rate hikes.
Promotes affordable long-term care options for seniors
Reform institutes a voluntary program to help seniors and people with disabilities get support to remain in their homes for as long as possible.
Protects seniors by helping to eliminate elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation Health reform provides funding for projects that provide greater protection to those in long-term care facilities and requires the immediate reporting of suspected crimes to law enforcement officials.
Improves quality of care in nursing homes
The new law creates a standardized complaint form for residents and establishes a nationwide program for background checks of nursing home employees.
