What Health Reform Means for Seniors

Thank you for joining our webchat on how health reform will help America’s seniors with HHS Secretary Sebelius, Assistant Secretary for Aging Kathy Greenlee, and Principal Deputy Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Marilyn Tavenner.

If you missed it, or would like to watch it on demand, you can find it here.

This was the second in our webchat series about what health reform means for you. We know many Americans have questions about the new law and we’re committed to delivering accurate information so you know what is true and what is false.

As Secretary Sebelius, Marilyn Tavenner, and Kathy Greenlee made clear, some of the most important early benefits of the new health reform law go to older Americans. This year, seniors who face the gap in Medicare coverage known as the “donut hole” will get a $250 rebate check to help cover the cost of their prescription drugs. Over time, reform will completely close the donut hole. By June 23, we’ll establish a reinsurance program for early retirees that will be available to businesses around the country. This critical program will make it easier for companies to offer health benefits to their retirees. Starting next year Medicare will begin offering preventive care with no cost to beneficiaries, making screenings and check-ups much easier and affordable for older Americans.

Those are some of the benefits you will see in the months ahead and over time, reform will do even more to strengthen Medicare. Reform makes important investments that will help fight waste, fraud and abuse and includes new provisions that will improve the quality of care. Combined with other important changes, reform will extend the life of the Medicare Trust Fund by 9 years.

We received hundreds of great questions last week. While we couldn’t get to all of them, we were able to respond to many from our email and live via twitter. For the questions we couldn’t get to during the chat, please visit the “Your Questions Answered” section of our website where we’ll be adding new questions and answers. 

And don't miss our live web chat this week with Nancy-Ann DeParle, the Director of the White House Office of Health Reform. 

Submit your questions in advance to Healthreform@hhs.gov, or live during the webchat to our email or our Twitter feed: @HHSGov. 

Here are a few great questions that you asked last week. 

Question: I’m covered by a Medicare HMO which served my health very well. Will I be able to maintain the same coverage I have after health insurance reform is implemented?

Answer: Unfortunately there has been a lot of misinformation about Medicare Advantage plans. Seniors have a choice when they turn 65 and beyond, enroll in the traditional Medicare plan or enroll in a Medicare HMO or Medicare Advantage Plan. Medicare Advantage plans will continue to offer services to beneficiaries. Companies right now choose whether to offer Medicare Advantage plans. Some may make the business decision to exit the market, but nothing in health reform forces these plans to stop offering benefits and services. 

Question: I cannot get Medicare until I am 62. I do not have health coverage. I cannot get health coverage because I have a pre-existing condition. Do I get a piece of this new health care plan?

Answer: Absolutely. Beginning this year, you will be eligible to receive coverage through the new temporary high-risk pool program. Today, too many insurance companies reject Americans with pre-existing conditions or charge exorbitant rates. The high-risk pool program will offer these individuals access to affordable insurance and in 2014 there will be a new market that will prevent insurance companies from eliminating anyone with preexisting conditions. We will have more details regarding the high-risk pool program in the weeks ahead. You can read about the first step we have taken here.