Help needed -- changes to Medicare in the new bill?

[Hell Hath No Fury]

My Mom just called me talking about changes to Medicare under the new bill. Does anyone have a link to a good rundown of what does and does not change with Medicare? And please do not even try to post WH press releases or talking points as impartial facts. I need the real deal.

Thanks -
Hell

[sandnsea]

1. Surely your children have assembled

and are planning her death as we speak, or finding where the death panel will meet.

Don't post info from the White House?? You need the real deal???

:crazy:

Nothing is changing except she'll get more money to cover the donut hole each year until its closed. Absolutely nothing else is changing.

On edit:

Oops, I forgot. There is one other change for patients. They'll finally get totally free annual wellness visits. My dad probably would be alive if he'd gotten that with Medicare.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

3. That's what I though, too --

but Mom was saying something about her Medicare deductible and co-pay going away. :wow: I was floored to say the least, She insisted O had said that in his signing speech. She's ready to cancel her Blue Cross supplimental insurance!

So sorry to hear about your Dad. :(

[sandnsea]

7. For wellness visits, yes

There will be no deductible or co-pays for annual wellness exams.

But she shouldn't cancel her supplemental, you're right about that.

Sorry for the snark.

My dad was the picture of health, healthier than any of us kids. He walked 2 miles a day, watched his diet, etc. But he didn't take his blood pressure meds regularly, and he never had a stress test or anything like that. If he had had just a little more preventative care, they probably would have found blockage and he'd have lived for another 20 years.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

11. I have had two "health annuals" in my life --

Once with my old school primary doctor and once with Kaiser.

My GP gave me a complete physical, including pap smear, breast exam, spine exam chest xray, complete bloodwork, EEG, stress test, and a host of other things. I was covered tip to toe.

When I had my annual with Kaiser I got my temperature taken, weight taken, some basic bloodwork (that did not catch my serious iron and vit. D deficiencies), she palpated my abdomen, and I was sent on my way. I didn't get an EEG or stress test until I had actually passed out while working one day.

I think a thorough annual -- the kind my GP gave me -- could save lives without a doubt. I hope every American gets to have that kind of treatment.

[sandnsea]

14. Agree on that

My husband just got a stress test. I haven't yet. I'm not concerned about my heart, but I do feel like I should have one by now, I'm 52. I'm kind of waiting to test the system, so to speak. Also should have a colonoscopy, right? I'd just like the doctors to treat me as well as they do, oh, the President. Okay, the President's dog, is that too much to ask for?

[Hell Hath No Fury]

16. Yes, it's time for that first colonsocopy!

I think 50 is the year for the baseline colonoscopy, and then every five years after if nothing was found. I had one at 47 due to the anemia findings -- it was really no big deal -- the prep was by far the nastiest bit. They give you so many great drugs during the thing you don't really care if someone is shoving a camera up your butt! :D

And, yes, I think a stress test if definitely in order for you as well. :hi:

[Emit]

2. Try this site

http://www.kff.org/healthreform/7948.cfm

Search around there and you might find some info - they've done a good job keeping up to date about info on HIR/HCR.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

6. Thanks for the link --

So far I am seeing only what I knew to be happening - nothing like what my Mom thinks is happening.

[bain_sidhe]

4. Depends on whether she has traditional Medicare or Medicare Advantage

The "Advantage" plans are losing some of their subsidies (the ones where the gov't pays them more than they pay Medicare for the same things). Advantage plans may - may drop some of the extras they offer.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

5. She's on regular Medicare --

I thought to donut hole was the biggest change to Medicare.

[bain_sidhe]

8. That and the free "wellness" care -

No more deductibles and co-pays for preventative care, although I don't know how they define "preventative."

**edited to say**

Oh, I see above that it's just the one check-up. Still, can be important for a lot of people, and as sandnsea said, could save lives.

[sandnsea]

9. I don't know if it's one check-up or more

For instance, I get a free diabetic check-up, free "woman's" check-up, free mammogram. Whatever I need for my particular situation. I don't know exactly what Medicare will provide for preventative care.

[bain_sidhe]

17. AHA! I found a list

with a hat-tip to Ezra Klein for pointing the way here:

Apparently "preventative care" refers to anything graded "A" or "B" by the National Prevention Task Force. That list can be found here and includes 33 items, including most popular screening like cholesterol, high blood pressure, various kinds of cancer and diabetes, as well as less common things like Sickle-cell, Rh (D) Incompatibility, and Phenylketonuria.

[Change Happens]

12. Make sure she stays on straight Medicare...Advantage plans will take a hit.

[Change Happens]

10. Her Medicare just got much better and stronger. Effective immediately, this year:

She is entitled to free, free means no copays no deductibles wellness exams for regular maintenance and the likes...The donut hole just got smaller, if she gets her $2700 donut hole limit, she will get a $250.00 check from the govt to help her out, if she is on any kind of brand name drugs, the price is now 50% of it used to be. With time the donut hole will close. You mom will keep more of her money, the money she used to pay for HC.

Tell your mom that America is a better place today!

[Hell Hath No Fury]

13. My Mom is very lucky to have --

drug coverage through a former employer. Her medications through the Medicare plan -- even with the new changes -- would bankrupt her.

[Change Happens]

15. Excellent, just make sure they don't trick her into an Advantage Plan

HMO/Advantage sales people come in and talk to older folks who are usually confused about this stuff, they make them sign for things they shouldn't...I work with older adults, all Medicare clients...This stuff goes on all the time.