Guide to Health Reform (Part 2): The Affordable Care Act passed by Congress and signed by President Obama this year contains some important benefits for Medicare recipients. If you reach the coverage gap this year and enter the Part D “donut hole”, you will receive a one-time $250 rebate check if you are not already receiving Medicare Extra Help.  This rebate is the first step toward closing the Medicare prescription drug coverage gap.

Cut waste, fraud and abuse.

Guide to Health Reform (Part 1): Each year the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announces planned payment increases or decreases to contracting Medicare Advantage plans.  In 2009, Medicare announced a 4.8% decrease in payment that resulted in several hundred health insurance companies canceling their contracts, raising premiums and increasing copayments - - forcing millions of seniors to find new coverage. Democrats have claimed all along that privately administrated Medicare Advantage plans are wasteful and have made them a prime target for major cuts. Many seniors across the country have already felt the impact of targeted cuts to Medicare.  Health Reform promises to further reduce payments to Medicare Advantage Plans, Doctors and Hospitals.  This will be accomplished by reducing the dollar amount of each "fee-for-service" and supplement it with a payment program based on "quality".  These cuts will undoubtably have an impact on the premiums and cost sharing in existing Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement policies.