Walden reviews changes in Medicare
Sunday, April 25, 2004 9:15 AM PDT
Larry Meyer Argus Observer ONTARIO
The Medicare modernization legislation passed by Congress in December is bringing the program into the 21st Century, according to Congressman Greg Walden, R-Oregon, and will benefit senior citizens and rural health providers.
Walden was in Malheur County Friday to conduct a seminar on the changes in Medicare and address county Republicans during a dinner at the Boulevard Grange. The seminar was hosted by Wellsprings Assisted Living Facility.
"We passed landmark legislation which I think will be of great benefit for seniors around the country especially for access to health care in rural areas," Walden said. "This legislation contains probably the best health care package in the last decade."
Lack of proper reimbursement, Walden said, has been a major issue for rural hospitals.
He said rural hospitals were paid considerably less per Medicare patient compared to reimbursements made to urban hospitals. This caused budgetary problems, an issue Walden said he heard in communities all over his district.
The new Medicare legislation requires urban and rural hospitals be treated equal, raising the amount paid to rural hospitals, he said.
As an added measure, Walden said rural and urban physicians were about to receive a reduction in what in the amount they received as reimbursement for each Medicare patient. Because doctors said the reduction would force them to turn away Medicare patients, Congress reversed the reduction and added a 1.5 percent increase in payments.
Also, for people under 65, the legislation provides for health saving accounts which will allow people to set aside money in special accounts for health care needs not covered by insurance. Unlike some existing programs, Walden said these new accounts will roll over and build. Earnings are tax free and withdrawals are tax free, he said.
Beginning in 2005, people enrolling in Medicare Part B, will be eligible for a one-time initial wellness physical exam, Walden said.
In an attempt to hold down costs, as well as provide benefits, Walden said the program will also begin paying for more preventative measures, treatments and screenings.
"Its building on other preventative procedures," he said.
According to Walden, beginning in May, seniors will be able to sign up for discount cards, which will be offered by private companies under contract with Medicare. The cards can help save 10 percent to 25 percent on prescription drugs. There will be an annual enrollment fee of $30 and the program is voluntary. If a person is already involved in a program which provides the same are betters benefits, they can and are urged to stay with it.
There will be more than one discount card available and the Medicare Web site will provide a guide to choosing a Medicare-approved drug discount card, a directory of participating physicians and, beginning Thursday, a comparison of drug prices and discounts offered by drug discount card sponsors. The Web site is www.medicare.gov. Walden warned the law forbids discount cards being sold by telemarketers or door-to-door, so any such pitches are a fraud. Applications for discount cards can be done through the mail or online, he said.
Low income seniors may also qualify for a $600 credit on the card in addition to the regular discounts.
Starting in 2006, the discount cards will be phased out and all people with Medicare will be able to enroll in plans which cover prescription drugs. Benefits will vary and there will be extra help for people with low incomes and limited assets. Some people will only have to pay a small co-payment, Walden said, and others will get help paying the premiums and deductible.
"It's your choice," Walden said of whether people use the Medicare plans or stay with their existing insurance or retirement benefit programs.
mike may wrote on Oct 28, 2009 12:47 AM: