Medicare Supplement Insurance Being Monitored
Posted on June 22nd, 2011
Medicare supplement insurance is an important aspect of the Medicare program, and it’s crucial that quality is kept up to ensure beneficiaries are getting the best care while costs are kept reasonable. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 doesn’t aim to eliminate Medicare supplements or Medicare Advantage plans but funding may be reduced and eventually eliminated. The big question is whether or not these cuts are leading up to an eventual elimination of Medicare altogether but many experts do not believe this is the case.
Health care reform has been in the spotlight for over a year and Medicare is always on the list of topics being discussed. Measuring Medicare has become even more important to reign in costs. The score of quality is closely being monitored and the health care industry is competing for the best rating. The scores are based on 36 topics over 5 categories including screenings, chronic condition management, customer service, complaints and responsiveness. They consider how claims are handled and look at how satisfied Medicare beneficiaries are. They obtain information through surveys, clinic details, plan information and observations.
According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, approximately 11.1 million people were enrolled in Medicare Advantage Plans throughout the nation. This turns out to be about one fourth of all Medicare beneficiaries so obviously this is a much needed program. Time will tell how health care reform will ultimately affect Medicare supplement plans and Medicare Advantage, but the overall goal remains the same. They want the highest quality healthcare with the lowest possible costs. It’s a constant balancing act and it’s going to be tough. Hopefully the beneficiaries aren’t the ones who end up sacrificing in the end.
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Tags: Insurance, Medicare Supplement, Medicare Supplement Insurance, Supplement Insurance
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