Medicare and More High Quality Choices | Michigan Elder Law Center

Not only do people with Medicare have more high quality choices but the performance of Medicare Advantage plans is also improving. HHS also released the 2013 quality ratings for Medicare health and drug plans on the web-based Medicare Plan Finder. During Medicare Open Enrollment, people with Medicare can use the star ratings to compare the quality of health and drug plans options and select the plans that best suite their needs for 2013.

In 2013, people with Medicare will have access to a wide range of plan choices, including more four and five star plans than ever before.

• People with Medicare will have access to 127 four-or-five-star Medicare Advantage plans. Currently, these serve 37 percent of Medicare Advantage enrollees, and may attract more with their improved quality ratings. In 2012, people with Medicare had access to 106 four or five star plans, which only served 28 percent of enrollees.
• People with Medicare will be able to access 26 four or five star prescription drug plans, which currently serve 18 percent of enrollees. In 2012, 13 four or five star plans are serving only 9 percent of enrollees.

As a result of provisions in the Affordable Care Act, Medicare is doing more to promote enrollment in high quality plans and alert beneficiaries who are enrolled in lower quality plans. Currently, people with Medicare enrolled in consistently low performing plans (those receiving less than 3 stars for at least the past 3 years) will receive notifications to inform them that they can switch to a higher quality plan if they choose to do so. Also, 5-star plans are rewarded with the ability to continuously market and enroll beneficiaries throughout the year.

The Affordable Care Act phases out the Medicare prescription drug coverage gap also known as the ?donut hole.? In 2013, people with Medicare who reach the ?donut hole? will receive approximately 53 percent off the cost of brand name drugs and 21 percent off the cost of generic drugs. In addition, Medicare beneficiaries will continue to benefit from Medicare-covered preventive services at zero cost-sharing, including a yearly Wellness visit.

For details about the 2013 Part C and D Plan Quality Ratings:
http://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Prescription-Drug-Coverage/PrescriptionDrugCovGenIn/PerformanceData.html.

Medicare Open Enrollment runs from October 15th through December 7th.

For more information about Open Enrollment, please visit: http://www.cms.gov/Center/Special-Topic/Open-Enrollment-Center.html?redirect=/center/openenrollment.asp.

?

Attorney Christopher J. Berry is a Metro Detroit?estate planning?and?elder law?lawyer who helps families, seniors, veterans and business owners with their important legal needs. Oakland County?estate planning lawyer, Christopher Berry is a partner in the Bloomfield Hills law firm of?Witzke Berry?PLLC. Mr. Berry practices in the areas ofestate planning, business, probate, veterans benefits &?Medicaid planning. Follow Christopher on Twitter@chrisberryesq

Source: http://michiganelderlawcenter.com/medicare-more-high-quality-choices/

nh primary david crowder band natalie wood van halen annalynne mccord billy the kid neville