National Patient Advocate Foundation Medicaid/Medicare

5th Anniversary of Medicare & MedicaidMore Info

Medicare and Medicaid mark their 45th anniversary on July 30th, 2010. These two programs have provided critical access to healthcare services for millions of Americans and will continue to serve as a vital safety net for vulnerable individuals for years to come. The “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act” (PPACA) signed into law in March 2010, included significant improvements to both programs that will help strengthen their solvency and provide enhanced protections and access for beneficiaries. Key provisions in the Affordable Care Act related to Medicare and Medicaid include:
Provides a $250 rebate check for Medicare Part D enrollees who hit the ‘donut hole’ in 2010 — effective calendar year 2010;
Provides Medicare beneficiaries a 50 percent discount on brand-name drugs and biologics purchased in the donut hole – effective 2011;
Eliminates the Medicare Part D donut hole by 2020;
Provides a free, annual wellness visit and personalized prevention plan services for Medicare beneficiaries and eliminates cost-sharing for preventive services – effective January 1, 2011;
Improves the Part D low-income subsidy by changing its calculation thereby increasing the number of Part D plans available with zero premium – effective in 2011;
Eliminates overpayments to private Medicare Advantage plans;
Extends Medicare solvency by 12 years without reducing benefits by promoting primary care and coordination of care;
Increased Medicaid eligibility to 133 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL) for all non-elderly individuals – effective 2014.