What’s New in Medicare

With healthcare costs at a never-before high, it is not surprising that the common man on the street is all the more curious to learn about the contents of the various health policies that the government announces from time to time. Right now, the question on everybody’s lips is “What’s new in Medicare?” When quizzing about what’s new in Medicare, people actually want to know the changes in the policy that have been made for 2012.

While attempting to answer the question “What’s new in Medicare,” the following crucial policy modifications must be mentioned:

• Revised Enrollment Periods: Medicare policy changes entail that you can now enroll for both drug and health care plans

• Zero Co-Payment for Preventive Medical Services: While answering the question, “What’s new in Medicare,” it is worth mentioning that beginning 2011, no co-payment needs to be made for a host of preventive medical services like flu shots, breast and prostate cancer screenings, Pap smear tests, colonoscopies, and bone density tests. A yearly “wellness” examination is also included in the package. However, you will need to pay the doctor’s fees and the hospital charges for all the above-mentioned tests, except the wellness examination.

Improvements in the Medicare Advantage: When listing what’s new in Medicare, it is crucial that you take note of the improvements brought about in the Medicare Advantage “managed care” plans. The policy holders will now to have to shell out only a 20% co-insurance from their pockets for chemotherapy and kidney dialysis. In fact, the chemotherapy costs will be included within the hospitalization charges if it is administered at the hospital. On the other hand, skilled nursing care will cost only $100 in the first 100 days and at the rate of $146 per day from the 21st to the 100th day.

While trying to gather as much information as possible about what’s new in Medicare, it also helps to know that prescription drugs henceforth will cost less if you have enrolled under the Part D prescription drug benefit.

And now that you know what’s new in Medicare, you must have realized that the best healthcare facilities in the California region are all the more affordable. We, at PrimeMedical, have state-of-art diagnostic and treatment facilities to help you or a loved one lead a fulfilling life. Call us at 310-548-0201 to schedule an appointment.

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