Health insurance improvements in 2019

Changes range from the end of the coverage period to the extended benefits of the Medicare Advantage plan

Now 53, Medicare has a higher satisfaction rate among its 60 million members than almost any other form of health insurance. He is about to improve. Here are seven improvements to Medicare that will take effect in 2019. Some of the changes will www.myaarpmedicare.com    affect all beneficiaries, while others will only apply to those who choose Medicare Advantage plans.

Donut hole

An expensive component of the Medicare Part D drug plan requires members with high prescription drug costs to pay more for their medications after reaching a certain level of spending in a year. This creates a coverage gap, also known as an "uncovered period". Once the expenses borne by the beneficiary reach a second threshold, it enters a catastrophic coverage and pays much less. Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), donut closure was planned for 2020. However, the congressionally approved spending bill in March will close the period of non-coverage of brand-name drugs. 2019. The gap will be bridged for generic drugs by 2020.

Missing therapy cap

Early Medicare beneficiaries will not have to pay the full cost of outpatient physical therapy, speech therapy, or occupational therapy, as Congress has permanently revoked the limit that historically provides limited coverage for these services .

Better information

Medicare updates the manual that it sends to beneficiaries each fall. It will include checklists and organizational charts to facilitate the decision on coverage. The online Medicare Plan Finder tool will be easier to use and an improved "coverage wizard" will help registrants compare their costs and coverage options between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage.

More telemedicine

Medicare is constantly expanding the availability of telehealth programs that allow patients to see a doctor or nurse by phone or online. In 2019, he will start covering telehealth services for people with end-stage renal disease or while treating a stroke.

Medicare Made Easy: your guide to opening an inscription

Lifestyle support

Beginning in January, Medicare Advantage plans can cover home-delivered meals, physician transportation, and even home security features such as grab bars and wheelchair ramps. . To be covered, a health care provider will have to recommend benefits such as home safety improvements and prepared meals.

Home help

Medicare Advantage plans will also have the option of paying for help from home-based caregivers, who can help beneficiaries in their  daily activities, such as clothing, food and personal care. These benefits represent a revised and broader definition of the traditional requirement that Medicare services be primarily health-related.

Plan the test units

The new regulations will allow people to try an Advantage plan for up to three months and, if they are not satisfied, switch to another Medicare Advantage plan or choose to enroll in the original Medicare plan. Congress called for this flexibility in treatment law of the 21st century, designed to accelerate innovation in medical care.