The passage of the Affordable Care Act in 2009 resulted in some improvements to Medicare coverage, including preventive care coverage and drug coverage. Here are the changes in more detail:
Drug Coverage– Beginning January 1, 2011, individuals who reach the gap of Part D prescription drug coverage automatically get a discount of 50% on covered brand-name drugs. The Affordable Care Act gradually closes the gap in drug coverage; this has come to be referred to as the “donut hole.” Medicare recipients covered under Part D will save 7% on generic drugs as while in Donut Hole. The discount for brand-name and generic drugs will gradually increase through 2020. For example, in 2015 will pay 45% for brand-name and 65% for generic drugs. In 2020 they will pay just 25% for both brand-name and generic drugs.
Preventive care coverage– As of January 1, 2011 certain preventive services are covered under Medicare when services are sought from participating healthcare providers. This includes “Welcome to Medicare” wellness visit during the first 12 months of Part B coverage, as well as tobacco use cessation counseling, and, if certain criteria are met, bone mass measurement, cervical cancer screening (including pelvic exams and Pap smears), cholesterol screening and other cardiovascular screenings, colorectal cancer screening (excluding barium enemas), diabetes screening, flu, pneumonia, and hepatitis B shots, mammograms, medical nutrition therapy, prostate cancer screenings, glaucoma tests, and more. Visit the medicare.gov site for more information.
A qualified insurance agent can answer any questions you might have about the changes to Medicare under the Affordable Care Act. Benefits Packages has licensed, experienced insurance agents to help you choose from your California Medicare options. Visit our website for a quick quote, or call us today at 1-800-356-3615.