Many Seniors Happy with Medicare Coverage

During the past few months the frenzy about Medicare has heated up substantially, especially as lawmakers in Washington have passed a healthcare reform bill that will most likely include some changes to Medicare as a result.

Unfortunately, there are two things common when it comes to change: the people who have been complaining the loudest about what they have are the most upset when they think there could finally be changes – especially if the changes affect them; and many of the changes that have not been described in much detail or are confusing are assumed to be changes for the very, very worst, rather than the assumption that there might be changes for the better.

This is the situation with Medicare.  There are naysayers, scaremongers and others out there that are creating a doomsday atmosphere for the 45 million individuals enrolled in Medicare, rather than allowing lawmakers to fill in the blanks, come up with revisions and a final bill and see what ends up happening. 

After all, their children and grandchildren will be affected by these changes as well as everyone else.  Though they are trying to fix the current situation which has run rampantly out of control for the past eight years, they are also trying to create and save a system so that there will be coverage that is viable and solid for future generations.

Many seniors have made it clear that though they would like to see more benefits or different benefits through Medicare, they are happy with what they have and grateful to have it.  The main things they are unhappy with are the fact that premiums through private companies for Medicare Advantage are too high and that the infamous “donut hole” where coverage through these companies stops and an individual has to start paying their own bills to the tune of a couple of thousand dollars, are impossible for them to pay for.

It just so happens that some of the main things that seniors who are receiving Medicare benefits are worried about are the very things that lawmakers are trying hard to remedy.  They are pushing insurance companies and working with Medicare itself to close the donut hole.  They are also trying to limit what insurance companies can charge for Medicare Advantage.

There are always plusses and minuses when it comes to any program – whether it is a government program or a program through a private insurer.  Regardless, most individuals on Medicare feel it is a good program that helps them get medical care that they otherwise could not afford.  Let’s hope that lawmakers can shore the program up where it needs to be and at the same time work to save the budget.

Filed under: General-Medicare