Medicare and Obamacare

Will Obamacare have an effect on Medicare?  There is considerable confusion over the topic not only among those eligible for the benefit but also among social workers and other professionals.  Here I will address the most significant issues.

• Enrollment for Obamacare (Affordable Care Act/ACA) begins October 1, 2013 and runs through March 2014.  Open enrollment for Medicare begins October 15, 2013 and ends December 7, 2013.  Do I need to sign up for coverage under ACA?  Medicare beneficiaries do not need to enroll in coverage under the ACA.  In fact, if they are satisfied with their current coverage they need do nothing for that coverage to continue.  
• Will Medicare be ending?  Medicare is not ending and there are no current plans for Medicare to end.
• Will I have to pay the "penalty" if I don;t sign up for coverage?  Medicare is health insurance and meets the requirements for health coverage under the ACA.  There will be no penalty for Medicare beneficiaries.
• Do I need to get Medi Gap or Part D coverage through ACA enrollment?  State  health care exchanges will not be offering Medi Gap or Medicare D coverage.  Those who call looking for that type of coverage will be referred back to Medicare.
• Will my medications cost more under the ACA?  Maybe.  If you are single and make more than $85,000.00 per year or married and together make more than &170,000.00 you might be paying more for Part D coverage.  Any other increases will be program increases not directly associated with the ACA.
• Will I be able to continue seeing the doctors I choose?  Yes.  There are no new limitations to Medicare coverage.
• Will my Medicare premium increase?  Most likely, but this increase is the typical annual increase in Medicare and is not associated with the ACA.

Medicare is reportedly working on a booklet for Medicare beneficiaries to answer these and other questions.  Plans are to have them out to consumers sometime next month.  

If you are not happy with your current Medicare coverage, or if you want to make changes to your coverage, make sure to take advantage of the open enrollment period as you normally would.

Confusion and misunderstandings of this scope provide a very attractive opportunity for health coverage scams.  Be cautious of phone calls, mail, door-to-door sales, and electronic contact.  Though all of these may be employed by legitimate companies marketing their coverage, there is no need for a person on Medicare to take any action as the ACA is implemented.