How will Obamacare effect those of us on Medicare?

[obbn]

Hello Everyone,

Usually I’m up on the latest when it comes to politics, but have to admit I’ve dropped the ball when it comes to Obamacare. For those of us that have Medicare (disability in my case) what if any changes will there be? Is it necessary for us to “sign up” for anything or does Medicare continue as is?

[RealityChuck]

Medicare continues, with a few improvements. You shouldn’t have to do anything different than what you usually do for it.

[obbn]

@RealityChuck

Medicare continues, with a few improvements. You shouldn’t have to do anything different than what you usually do for it.

Thanks

[SanDiegoTim]

Include in “improvements” the significant future funding reductions in the Medicare programs as well as Medicare Advantage program. Subscribers will not see and rate changes. However, payments to suppliers (doctors, hospitals, etc.) will be cut back. The result will be fewer suppliers willing to render services to Medicare recipients. Just this week, two hospitals announced this policy and, not coincidentally, there is a move afoot to ban doctors from refusing to render service to Medicare recipients.

Some improvement, eh?

[Senegoid]

I belong to a major California HMO. (No need to mention names, which (as evidenced in another thread a few weeks ago) everyone already knows.) I have a Medicare Advantage plan through them.

They have advised me that there will be no changes. I assume that means: No changes visible to me.

Actually, there have been some changes visible to me, that seem to be for the better. There are more prophylactic (preventative) procedures available for FREE (no co-pay) now, it seems. I had my long-procrastinated colonoscopy several weeks ago – NO co-pay! Annual flu shots are FREE – but this HMO has been doing that for years anyway.

However, the monthly premium (in addition to the Medicare Part B premium) and a variety of co-pays are going up a little bit this coming January 1, but I didn’t see anything really sticker-shocking in their new price list.

[The_Niply_Elder]

@SanDiegoTim

Include in “improvements” the significant future funding reductions in the Medicare programs as well as Medicare Advantage program. Subscribers will not see and rate changes. However, payments to suppliers (doctors, hospitals, etc.) will be cut back. The result will be fewer suppliers willing to render services to Medicare recipients. Just this week, two hospitals announced this policy and, not coincidentally, there is a move afoot to ban doctors from refusing to render service to Medicare recipients.

Some improvement, eh?

Let’s hope that the Medicare reimbursement rates keep dropping, as healthcare providers are charging at least twice as much as they should.

[Fotheringay-Phipps]

@SanDiegoTim

Include in “improvements” the significant future funding reductions in the Medicare programs as well as Medicare Advantage program. Subscribers will not see and rate changes. However, payments to suppliers (doctors, hospitals, etc.) will be cut back. The result will be fewer suppliers willing to render services to Medicare recipients. Just this week, two hospitals announced this policy and, not coincidentally, there is a move afoot to ban doctors from refusing to render service to Medicare recipients.

The good news is that most political observers think these funding reductions will not ultimately be implemented. Won’t help the deficit, but could ameliorate the anticipated provider shortage.

[SanDiegoTim]

“The good news is that most political observers think these funding reductions will not ultimately be implemented. Won’t help the deficit, but could ameliorate the anticipated provider shortage.”

I’d say there’s a very good chance this will turn out to be the case. IMHO, the administration knew these cuts would never happen. Writing them into the bill was just a horseshit tool to pretend the bill was prudently financed.

The electorate had better wise up, and do so soon. It’s amazing, and worrisome, what people fall for, and not just from any one political party.