How healthcare regulations will affect seniors
January 4, 2011
The healthcare reform bill will start to take affect in several ways this year and seniors should be aware of some of the changes that it will have for their medical needs, according to MSNBC.
First of all, the price of medications will actually be reduced. Due to the fact that Medicare will now offer more prescription coverage, some seniors may see savings of up to $1,800 and the average savings is expected to be around $700.
The downside to these savings is that Medicare premiums will rise, particularly for wealthier beneficiaries. Couples making more than $170,000 a year will now pay anywhere between $161.50 and $369.10 for Medicare Part B each month.
However, there will be more emphasis on health as well – seniors can now receive free preventative screenings and vaccinations, as well as a personalized prevention plan and annual wellness exam.
It’s still crucial to save as much money on medical expenses as possible and medical alert systems can help seniors manage their medications. These devices can be programmed to dispense pills at certain times of the day, so older adults are sent a medical alert when it’s time to take different doses.
