Several parts of the bill (which looks like it is certain to pass) will take effect almost immediately. Insurance companies will not be able to impose annual or lifetime caps on benefits. Also, insurances will be required to provide FREE preventive care visits.
Medicare IS an insurance for seniors and the disabled. Medicare HAS annual caps on convalescent care of up to 100 days, as well as hospital days.
Medicare only allows 1 preventive mammogram every two yrs, 1 pap smear every three yrs, and a prostate exam every two years. Other than that, there is NO preventive office visits.
If the govt. intends to play fair to private insurance companies Medicare MUST be forced to allow patients with UNLIMITED hospital and convalescent care, the same as it's imposing on them. In addition, ALL Medicare recipients should be allowed FREE annual visits. This means that Medicare must overlook their Part B deductible, and pay at 100%, and not the 80% would be paid for on covered services.
These changes, as well as others will unfortunately run Medicare out of business, but what's fair for the govt. to impose on the insurance companies is only fair if they too abide by them.
Also, insurance companies will be FORCED to accept everyone and anyone who applies. Medicare should also be forced to do so!!
I hope EVERYONE gets the word out that these changes will effect Medicare as well, and if the govt. hides behind the robe of "We don't have to..." then the Federal govt. should be sued over the matter.
So, PLEASE!! Help me and others get the word out that this Healthcare reform is going to be a bigger mess, legally to the govt than they anticipated.
Thanks
Bob