Can Medicare Supplemental Health Insurance Pick Up Where Medicare Leaves Off?April 2008
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) proposed new rules this week that would add nine conditions to the list of those that won't be reimbursed to hospitals. But if hospitals aren't getting reimbursed, and Medicare isn't paying for it, will the burden fall on those with adequate
medical insurance?
As fears of shrinking coverage and enrollment, combined with a growing population of aging baby boomers, lead to new concerns regarding the viability of Medicare, many older Americans are turning to Medicare supplemental health insurance to fill in the gaps in their coverage. Now, with nine new conditions not covered by Medicare, we have to wonder if those with more medical insurance will pay the price, either in higher doctor's bills or in higher premiums.
Some of these conditions would definitely be seen as the fault of the hospital should they befall the individual during their stay. These include surgical site infections following certain elective procedures, vascular infections that result from improper use of catheters, and treatments associated with any object being left in the body during surgery.
But there are others that seem to be far more common than that, and it's not clear whether Medicare supplemental health insurance would be necessary to protect the patient from complications caused by deep vein thrombosis, delirium, or a collapsed lung.
CMS argues that these new rules will save $50 million annually over the next 3 years, but what will it cost those who can't afford extra medical insurance?
Of course, hospitals will treat sick patients regardless of their insurance situation, but with many hospitals straining already to deal with the medical debt that piles up from treating the uninsured, it isn't clear how they'll be able to absorb new costs.
For those who can afford it, now might be a good time to purchase
Medicare supplemental health insurance that will cover these things should they befall the consumer. For those who can't afford more medical insurance, the future is disturbingly unclear.
Facts on:
Medicare Supplemental
Did you know...
From the year 2000 to the year 2030, the number of people on Medicare is expected to rise by another 38 million people?
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And in terms of obesity, smoking, and alcohol abuse, too often those people who suffer from such behavioral problems don't have access to affordable health insurance, so they aren't getting the kind of support, advice, and feedback from doctors that could save their lives, and minimize their medical bills.
This is why it's so important to get medical insurance coverage that offers regular checkups. Of course, we all know that this is easier said than done. Shopping online and comparing rates helps, but finding affordable health insurance that does its job is still a frustrating endeavor for millions of Americans.
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