If You Are 50 and Over You Have a Huge Stake in these Reforms

On Saturday, November 8th the House approved a rule (in a 220-215 vote) setting parameters for considering Affordable Health Care for America Act H.R.3962 and the Medicare Physician Payment Reform Act of 2009 (H.R.3961). However, a floor vote was not taken on H.R.3961.  The AMA reports that the House is now expected to consider H.R.3961 during the week of November 16, 2009. As originally drafted, H.R.3691 would repeal the now 21.2 percent Medicare payment rate reduction for physician services in 2010 and restructure the sustainable growth rate (or SGR) formula.

Health Insurers Announce Terminations of Medicare Advantage PFFS, PPO and a few HMO plans

Each year, private Medicare insurance plans evaluate their ability to effectively provide Medicare insurance. As the Medicare rules change from time to time (read more), private Medicare insurance companies have to make decisions about whether to continue to offer the same insurance plans, raise premiums, or terminate plans. This year, many private Medicare insurance carriers have made the decision to terminate their Medicare Advantage Private Fee for Service, PPO and even in a few cases their HMO plans. You can expect that the plans that remain will raise premiums and increase the amount of services that require a copay. Bottom line, you'll have less choices and you will pay more – $5 and $60 more – than you paid in 2009.