FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Top Questions Around the Future of Healthcare
What’s the future of healthcare? What does the pandemic mean for Medicare and your health coverage? Advise Insurance recently hosted a free webinar to address these questions with prominent healthcare leaders including Dr. Scott Gottlieb, former FDA Commissioner and Seema Verma, former CMS Administrator.
The event – Medicare 2021 and Beyond – was hosted in partnership with Summit Health, Intermountain Healthcare, Village Medical and the Henry Ford Health system.
During the virtual event, Advise gathered the following most frequently asked questions related to healthcare insurance coverage, Medicare and virtual telehealth care from the 1,200 attendees and we wanted to share insights for each as a helpful reference to patients.
Q. Will Medicare continue to pay for telehealth or virtual visits when the Covid-19 pandemic levels off, especially psychotherapy services?
A. The expansion of coverage for telehealth services, including psychotherapy was part of the CARES ACT that was designed to help beneficiaries during the pandemic. Medicare has not indicated yet whether any of these expanded services will continue after the pandemic. Some Medicare Advantage plans have built in telehealth benefits that will not expire. If you’d like help looking at your particular situation, Advise Health can arrange a one-on-one complimentary consultation via Advise’s website (AdviseInsurance.com) or by contacting Advise at (877) 253-8180.
Additionally, your healthcare provider will be the best source of information about any services they offer now and will in the future.
Q. Why are Medicare costs so varied? Why is that not more regulated?
A. There actually is a lot of regulation in Medicare costs. Healthcare providers are limited in how much they can charge for any service they offer. Nevertheless, there are variables with respect to costs that are related to where you live and the type of facility you go to for services. Medicare Advantage plans are good at keeping costs more contained as they negotiate rates with provider networks and you pay fixed copayments for most services rather than a percentage of the total cost.
Q. When you first start to use Medicare and have previously existing conditions, does Medicare charge you higher rates?
A. No, Medicare does not charge you higher rates for pre-existing conditions. If you decide to get a Medigap plan, you will not be charged higher rates as long as you enroll within six months of making your Part B effective. If you choose to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan, you will never be charged a higher rate based on your health.
Q. What’s the advantage of Medicare Advantage?
A. Medicare Advantage plans have several advantages over traditional Medicare. Number one, they enable you to get your medical and prescription drug benefits all in one plan for a premium as low as $0. They also help you lower your costs by paying small, fixed copays for services rather than a percentage of cost. Finally, many people enjoy the extra benefits that are offered on Medicare Advantage plans such as dental, hearing, fitness and vision.
Q. How do Medicare and Medicaid work together?
A. For patients who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid, Medicare is your primary insurance and Medicaid is secondary. This means that Medicare covers the majority of your costs and Medicaid will help cover some or all of the costs that would otherwise be charged to you. There are also some special Medicare Advantage plans for people with Medicare and Medicaid that offer a lot of great additional benefits at no extra cost.
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