Expanding Medicare Benefits Seniors

Medicare is the federal health insurance that applies to senior citizens and youngers individuals with a disability that prohibits them from working. Because this is an insurance that applies almost universally to senior citizens, all senior care decisions will need to take Medicare into account at some point or another, even if insurance is not going to cover specific aspects of care.

 

Back in April 2018, it was announced that there would be some changes to what is covered via Medicare Advantage, and for the most part, these are all good changes. The changes have come about because of some changes to the language of the rules that govern these plans, effectively expanding what is covered by the private insurance companies that supply these types of plans. More services will be covered than before, although it’s not quite clear yet what this is going to do to the premiums at this early point in the changes.

 

Expanded coverage by Medicare Advantage plans is a good thing overall, but it does not necessarily impact everyone in the same way. For example, not everybody uses a Medicare Advantage plan to help supplement the basic coverage that a Medicare Part A and B plan will cover. In 2017, only about a third of Medicare enrollees used an advantage plan (often referred to as a Part C plan). While that number is expected to go up for 2018, it certainly will not reach as high as it could.

 

The expansion of Medicare Advantage plans will ultimately be a good thing for seniors.

 

A good way to approach Medicare Advantage is to consider whether or not it is going to make care less expensive for yourself or someone that you love. There will be a monthly or yearly premium associated with this privatized Medicare extension, but it will reduce the cost of some of the expenses that Medicare’s Parts A and B do not cover. If that monthly premium plus the discount on services is less than what would normally be spent over the course of each year, then the plan is probably helpful. If your loved one does not qualify for Medi-Cal, then this is definitely something that is worth looking into. Get in touch with a financial professional to learn more about this and come up with a plan to reduce healthcare costs more effectively.

 

Knowing what your family’s needs are is an important first step here. That’s what we do here at Paradise In-Home Care, although in a different direction. While insurance certainly plays a role in what we do, we are more concerned with providing for your loved one’s needs on a day to day basis. Every individual that we work with is unique, and has their own personal set of needs and desires. A customized approach to senior care is what your loved one deserves, and this is exactly what we do. If you are looking for senior care for a loved one, please feel free to give us a call and see if our in-home care services align with what you’re looking for. We can schedule a free consultation and learn more about how we can help you to meet your goals.

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