Consumer Reports recently came out with a new guide to Medicare. It’s designed to highlight 6 important aspects of Medicare coverage that relate to health care reform changes. The guide covers:
- New sizable Part D drug discounts for people who reach the coverage gap, known as the donut hole.
- Medicare’s expansion of FREE preventive care services.
- New limits on annual out of pocket costs when in a Medicare Advantage plan.
- Possible reduction in MA plan benefits as Medicare decreases their payments to these plans.
- Medicare Part B and D premium cost increases for beneficiaries with high incomes.
- New Annual Election Period (AEP) dates where beneficiaries can enroll into, disenroll from and/or switch Medicare Advantage and Part D plans (October 15 – December 7).
It also covers what one needs to know before signing up for Medicare, and lists resources and contacts of agencies/organizations who can be of assistance with Medicare questions and advocacy issues. In addition, our very own Bonnie Burns, CHA’s Training and Policy Specialist, is quoted on pages 12 -13.
Download the 16 page guide, Medicare: 6 Things You Need to Know (PDF) for the details. Consumer Reports has another report, The Affordable Care Act: The First Year (PDF), that’s all about health care reform and includes info on Medicare changes.
Visit ConsumerReports’ website to access additional health insurance and healthy living related information.
