Medicare will be more user-friendly this year. The Affordable Care Act addressed several problems the older generation was having with the program. In 2013, these provisions kick in.
One is free preventative services (including help to stop smoking) to make us healthier. Also, we’ll get a much clearer summary of benefits (larger print, understandable language, definitions of terms used). It will contain other useful information, as well, like how to read it and report what we feel is fraud. Next, the “donut hole” that people who use the prescription drug plan have been facing shrinks. It will take another seven years to close, but at least it’s getting smaller. In addition, mental health coverage is increasing. If you go to a psychiatrist, for example, your co-pay will be less, and many of the prescriptions he writes for you to treat your mental disorder will now be covered.
Of course, with all the improvements to the program, we’ll have to pay a little more this year. Our premiums will increase by a few dollars per month. However, I think those few dollars added up for a year will be a small amount compared to what I would have had to pay for the added services, meaning I’ll save money and get better care. I like that idea.
I am encouraged by your summary of improvements. I am going to be eligible in June and have not been hearing encouraging news for the future of Medicare.
Doom and gloom scenarios are being set up, I think, to bolster various political agendas as we enter “discussions” (IF they learn to communicate) among our lawmakers about the Debt Ceiling.