The Pros And Cons Of Medicare

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The PPACA started changing the country’s health care system landscape almost from the moment it was signed into law in March 2010. It has already expanded coverage for young adults, outlawed lifetime limits on what health insurance will cover, lowered the costs of drugs for seniors on Medicare, and expanded access to preventive care for patients of all ages.
The major transformation will be coming in 2014 when almost all Americans will have access to affordable health insurance. Insurers will have to offer policies to anyone who applies, including people with expensive pre-existing medical conditions. Additional changes will be gradually implemented through 2020.
Effective October 1st, 2013, Americans started signing up for health care coverage under the PPACA.
What does this mean for people who receive Medicare? If you or someone you know receives Medicare coverage, the good news is that the PPACA will have no effect on Medicare benefits. Medicare eligible people don’t need to do anything during Open Enrollment period that started October 1st. Medicare is not part of the Health Insurance Marketplace, so if you are a Medicare beneficiary, you don’t need to replace your Medicare coverage with Marketplace coverage. No matter how you get Medicare, whether through original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage plan, you may keep the same benefits you have now.
If you don’t have Medicare and you need health insurance or know someone who does, you can find out more at www.healthcare.gov/marketplace/individual/#state=new-jersey or call toll-free 1-800-318-2596.
The PPACA added certain Medicare preventive services, like mammograms or colonoscopies, without charging people for the Part B coinsurance or deductible. You also can get a free ye...

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...te of New Jersey requiring Medicare Part D prescription coverage for all eligible NJREA members.
Appeal process - The PPACA requires all plans to provide an effective process to appeal any decisions and to establish an external review process. If an insurer refuses to pay a claim for a medical service that you think should be covered, you have a right to appeal the denial. You can appeal directly to the provider and ask the plan to reconsider the denial. Other legal options may also be available. If the plan says no, you may be protected by “external review,” which allows you to ask an independent third party expert to help resolve the dispute with your health plan. If the external reviewer says the claim must be paid, your health plan will have to cover it.
Adult dependent coverage - Children can stay or be added to on their parents’ health insurance until age 26.

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