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The Affordable Care Act and New Hampshire's Seniors
Updates: The New Health Law at Work for Seniors
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The Affordable Care Act and New Hampshire's Seniors
The Affordable Care Act means seniors have more security and quality in their health coverage. It means they will have regular access to preventive services at no cost to them, and that they will not face gaps in coverage due to the Medicare donut hole. It means that every senior will know that they will be the ones in control of their health care—not insurance companies. New provisions include:
Making prescription drugs affordable for seniors
Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, 14,156 people with Medicare in New Hampshire received a $250 rebate to help cover the cost of their prescription drugs when they hit the donut hole in 2010. In 2011, 13,187 people with Medicare received a 50 percent discount on their covered brand-name prescription drugs when they hit the donut hole. This discount resulted in an average savings of $621 per person, and a total savings of $8,187,145 in New Hampshire. By 2020, the law will close the donut hole.
Covering preventive services with no deductible or co-pay
In 2011, 163,746 people with Medicare in New Hampshire received free preventive services – such as a free annual wellness visit and screenings for bone density, diabetes, and certain cancers. And 54 million Americans with private health insurance gained preventive service coverage with no cost-sharing, including 279,000 in New Hampshire. This provision means health problems can be detected and treated earlier.
Cracking down on waste, fraud and abuse in Medicare
The Affordable Care Act cracks down on waste, fraud and abuse in Medicare. It provides an additional $300 million for stronger enforcement and gives the government more authority to increase oversight o companies participating in Medicare and Medicaid. In fiscal year 2010 alone, the federal government recovered a record $4 billion in health care fraud prevention and enforcement efforts.
Ending Medicare overpayments to insurance companies
The Affordable Care Act ends Medicare Advantage overpayments to private insurance companies. In 2009, payments for Medicare Advantage plans were 14 percent higher than what traditional Medicare would spend for similar beneficiaries.
Providing expanded Medicaid services and options for home care
According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, the Affordable Care Act provides “states with new options for offering home and community-based services through a Medicaid state plan.” It also establishes the “Community First Choice Option in Medicaid to provide community-based attendant supports and services to individuals with disabilities who require an institutional level of care.” States will receive a higher federal matching rate to help with the costs of the program, which provides an incentive for states to consider expanded home and community based services in Medicaid.
Updates: The New Health Law at Work for Seniors
Medicare Advantage Premiums Down, Enrollment Up. Medicare Advantage premiums have fallen by 7 percent on average and enrollment has risen by about 10 percent since this time last year, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced last week. “The Medicare Advantage program is stronger than ever,” Secretary Sebelius said. “Premiums are down on average, enrollment is up, and thanks to the Affordable Care Act we have unprecedented new tools to ensure that seniors and people with disabilities are getting the best value out of their coverage.” For a press statement and to find the most recent Medicare Advantage and Part D contract and enrollment data, visit: http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2012pres/02/20120201a.html
Donut Hole Closing: Health Reform Law Saves $2.1 Billion for 3.6 Million Americans with Medicare. Nearly 3.6 million people with Medicare saved $2.1 billion on their prescription drugs in 2011 thanks to the Affordable Care Act according to data issued last week by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The new report reveals that NH residents with Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage saved $8.2 million or $620 per senior through the Coverage Gap (donut hole) Discount Program, which began in 2011. HHS estimates that the average person with Medicare will save nearly $4,200 by 2021 because of the new law.
For a press statement and linked reports including, the full report on Medicare Beneficiary Savings and the Affordable Care Act, state-by-state savings figures for donut hole savings, a fact sheet about donut hole savings, and the report regarding savings those with Medicare will see over time, visit: http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2012pres/02/20120202a.html
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