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  30. <item>
  31. <title>Medicare Reforms 2023: A Closer Look at What’s Changing</title>
  32. <link>https://healthgazettezone.com/medicare-reforms-2023-a-closer-look-at-whats-changing/</link>
  33. <comments>https://healthgazettezone.com/medicare-reforms-2023-a-closer-look-at-whats-changing/#respond</comments>
  35. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Ruel]]></dc:creator>
  36. <pubDate>Sat, 23 Sep 2023 10:51:31 +0000</pubDate>
  37. <category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
  38. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://healthgazettezone.com/?p=825</guid>
  39.  
  40. <description><![CDATA[Last year, the Inflation Reduction Act was passed to reduce the federal budget deficit and control inflation in various ways. One significant area affected by this law is healthcare in our country. The federal government has implemented six reforms that change how we interact with Medicare. These changes are designed to make it easier for [&#8230;]]]></description>
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  42. <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-757c71e elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="757c71e" data-element_type="section">
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  48. <style>/*! elementor - v3.21.0 - 08-05-2024 */
  49. .elementor-widget-image{text-align:center}.elementor-widget-image a{display:inline-block}.elementor-widget-image a img[src$=".svg"]{width:48px}.elementor-widget-image img{vertical-align:middle;display:inline-block}</style> <img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" width="1200" height="800" src="https://healthgazettezone.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Medicare-Reforms-post.jpg" class="attachment-full size-full wp-image-836" alt="" srcset="https://healthgazettezone.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Medicare-Reforms-post.jpg 1200w, https://healthgazettezone.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Medicare-Reforms-post-300x200.jpg 300w, https://healthgazettezone.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Medicare-Reforms-post-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://healthgazettezone.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Medicare-Reforms-post-768x512.jpg 768w, https://healthgazettezone.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Medicare-Reforms-post-600x400.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /> </div>
  50. </div>
  51. <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-0dcb09b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="0dcb09b" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default">
  52. <div class="elementor-widget-container">
  53. <style>/*! elementor - v3.21.0 - 08-05-2024 */
  54. .elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-stacked .elementor-drop-cap{background-color:#69727d;color:#fff}.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-framed .elementor-drop-cap{color:#69727d;border:3px solid;background-color:transparent}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap{margin-top:8px}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap-letter{width:1em;height:1em}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap{float:left;text-align:center;line-height:1;font-size:50px}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap-letter{display:inline-block}</style> <p>Last year, the Inflation Reduction Act was passed to reduce the federal budget deficit and control inflation in various ways. One significant area affected by this law is healthcare in our country.</p>
  55. <p>The federal government has implemented six reforms that change how we interact with Medicare. These changes are designed to make it easier for people to access health services and even for more people to afford them.</p>
  56. <p>Let’s look at how these changes affect our lives and those we care about.</p>
  57. </div>
  58. </div>
  59. </div>
  60. </div>
  61. </div>
  62. </section>
  63. <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-d2b7e4a elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="d2b7e4a" data-element_type="section">
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  69. <h3><strong>The six major Medicare reforms are:
  70. </strong></h3>
  71. <strong>Vaccines Coverage (Effective January 1, 2023) </strong>
  72. <p>Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage plans will no longer require out-of-pocket expenses in terms of deductibles, co-insurance, and co-pays for adult vaccines recommended by the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.</p>
  73. <p>This means that these vaccines are free within these healthcare plans. The reform also covers vaccines from your doctor’s office if you have a Part B plan.</p>
  74. </div>
  75. </div>
  76. </div>
  77. </div>
  78. </div>
  79. </section>
  80. <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-a38fc17 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="a38fc17" data-element_type="section">
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  85. <div class="elementor-widget-container">
  86. <strong>Insulin Copay Cap (Effective January 1, 2023)
  87. </strong>
  88. <p>The cost-sharing for insulin products is now capped at a maximum of $35 per month for people with Medicare. This applies to both Part D and Part B coverage. It covers items like injectable insulin, syringes, and gauze in Part D Plan and insulin injected through traditional pumps in Part B Plan.
  89. </p>
  90.  
  91. <p>In addition, there’s also a special enrollment period until December 31, 2023, to make changes to your Part D coverage related to insulin.
  92. </p>
  93.  
  94. </div>
  95. </div>
  96. </div>
  97. </div>
  98. </div>
  99. </section>
  100. <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-64fa41a elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="64fa41a" data-element_type="section">
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  105. <div class="elementor-widget-container">
  107. <strong>Expansion of the Low-Income Subsidy (LIS) or Extra Help Program (Beginning in 2024)
  108. </strong>
  109. <p>Full benefits will be offered to people with Medicare whose incomes are up to 150 percent of the federal poverty level. For reference, 2023’s federal poverty level has been set at $21,870 meaning that you can be eligible for full benefits if your annual income is lower than $22,000 or $30,000 for married couples.
  110. </p>
  111.  
  112. <p>That said, there will be no or reduced deductibles, no premiums, and lower copays for prescription medications.
  113. </p>
  114. </div>
  115. </div>
  116. </div>
  117. </div>
  118. </div>
  119. </section>
  120. <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-6e7b81d elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="6e7b81d" data-element_type="section">
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  126. <p><strong> Elimination of the Five Percent Co-insurance for Part D Catastrophic Coverage (Beginning in 2024)<br /></strong></p><p>In 2022, the catastrophic threshold was set at $7,050, and Medicare Part D beneficiaries typically incurred around $3,000 in prescription expenses before entering the catastrophic coverage phase.</p><p>At that point, you would shoulder 5% of their drug costs until the end of the year. Starting next year, however, the co-insurance burden will be entirely eliminated – <em>effectively reducing it to zero percent – thus capping out-of-pocket costs for prescriptions.</em></p> </div>
  127. </div>
  128. </div>
  129. </div>
  130. </div>
  131. </section>
  132. <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-0234c8e elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="0234c8e" data-element_type="section">
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  137. <div class="elementor-widget-container">
  138. <strong>Annual Cap for Prescription Drug Costs in Part D (Beginning in 2025)
  139. </strong>
  140. <p> Starting in 2025, there will be a maximum limit of $2,000 per year for prescription drug costs in Medicare Part D. This means you won’t pay more than this amount for your prescribed drugs in a Part D plan.
  141. </p>
  142.  
  143. <p>The cap will be adjusted for inflation in later years and excludes prescriptions covered under Part B.
  144. </p> </div>
  145. </div>
  146. </div>
  147. </div>
  148. </div>
  149. </section>
  150. <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-851ae0e elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="851ae0e" data-element_type="section">
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  155. <div class="elementor-widget-container">
  156. <strong>Option to Smooth Out-of-Pocket Prescription Drug Costs (Beginning in 2025)
  157. </strong>
  158. <p>Medicare prescription drug plans, including Medicare Advantage plans with drug prescription coverage, will let patients choose to pay their out-of-pocket prescription costs in monthly installments.
  159. </p>
  160.  
  161. <p> For example, if your prescriptions total $1200, this will be evenly distributed each month. You’ll only be liable to pay $100 monthly. However, this option isn’t automatic; you’ll need to enroll in it.
  162. </p>
  163.  
  164. <p>The United States has the most expensive healthcare in the world, and there is still room for improvement. However, with these new reforms, it doesn’t have to remain costly for commonfolk like you and me.</p> </div>
  165. </div>
  166. </div>
  167. </div>
  168. </div>
  169. </section>
  170. </div>
  171. ]]></content:encoded>
  173. <wfw:commentRss>https://healthgazettezone.com/medicare-reforms-2023-a-closer-look-at-whats-changing/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
  174. <slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
  177. </item>
  178. <item>
  179. <title>One Year Later: The Inflation Reduction Act&#8217;s Impact on Health Insurance</title>
  180. <link>https://healthgazettezone.com/one-year-later-the-inflation-reduction-acts-impact-on-health-insurance/</link>
  181. <comments>https://healthgazettezone.com/one-year-later-the-inflation-reduction-acts-impact-on-health-insurance/#respond</comments>
  183. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Ruel]]></dc:creator>
  184. <pubDate>Sat, 19 Aug 2023 14:59:22 +0000</pubDate>
  185. <category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
  186. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://healthgazettezone.com/?p=522</guid>
  187.  
  188. <description><![CDATA[As we approach the one-year mark of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), it&#8217;s a moment to pause and reflect. This landmark legislation has reshaped the health insurance sector, introducing transformative measures such as capping monthly insulin costs, empowering Medicare to negotiate drug prices, and extending benefits under the Affordable Care Act. For many of you, [&#8230;]]]></description>
  189. <content:encoded><![CDATA[ <div data-elementor-type="wp-post" data-elementor-id="522" class="elementor elementor-522">
  190. <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-757c71e elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="757c71e" data-element_type="section">
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  196. <img decoding="async" width="1200" height="800" src="https://healthgazettezone.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/one-year-later-the-inflation-reduction-acts-impact-on-health-insurance.jpg" class="attachment-full size-full wp-image-549" alt="" srcset="https://healthgazettezone.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/one-year-later-the-inflation-reduction-acts-impact-on-health-insurance.jpg 1200w, https://healthgazettezone.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/one-year-later-the-inflation-reduction-acts-impact-on-health-insurance-600x400.jpg 600w, https://healthgazettezone.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/one-year-later-the-inflation-reduction-acts-impact-on-health-insurance-300x200.jpg 300w, https://healthgazettezone.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/one-year-later-the-inflation-reduction-acts-impact-on-health-insurance-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://healthgazettezone.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/one-year-later-the-inflation-reduction-acts-impact-on-health-insurance-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /> </div>
  197. </div>
  198. <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-0dcb09b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="0dcb09b" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default">
  199. <div class="elementor-widget-container">
  200. <p>As we approach the one-year mark of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inflation_Reduction_Act">Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)</a>, it&#8217;s a moment to pause and reflect. This landmark legislation has reshaped the health insurance sector, introducing transformative measures such as capping monthly insulin costs, empowering Medicare to negotiate drug prices, and extending benefits under the Affordable Care Act.</p><p>For many of you, especially our senior Medicare members, these changes have direct implications. The world of health insurance, with its intricacies and nuances, has seen a wave of reforms aimed at making healthcare more accessible and affordable. As we navigate this evolving landscape, understanding the IRA&#8217;s impact becomes crucial for every American.</p><p>But what does this mean for you personally? How have these reforms translated into real-world benefits and changes in your healthcare experience?<br />In this article, we&#8217;ll examine the most pivotal aspects of the IRA with regards to insurance, shedding light on its significance for individuals and families alike. Together, we&#8217;ll navigate the ongoing implications, ensuring you&#8217;re well-informed and empowered in your healthcare decisions.</p> </div>
  201. </div>
  202. </div>
  203. </div>
  204. </div>
  205. </section>
  206. <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-d2b7e4a elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="d2b7e4a" data-element_type="section">
  207. <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default">
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  211. <div class="elementor-widget-container">
  212. <h3><strong>Historic Strides Made in Healthcare Insurance Under the Inflation Reduction Act</strong></h3><p>The IRA has ushered in a transformative era for healthcare insurance in the United States. One of its standout achievements is the marked reduction in healthcare costs, making medical care and treatments more affordable for a broader segment of the population.</p><p>Moreover, thanks to the Act&#8217;s provisions and enhancements, the nation&#8217;s uninsured rate has reached a historic low. According to the <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2023/08/16/fact-sheet-one-year-in-president-bidens-inflation-reduction-act-is-driving-historic-climate-action-and-investing-in-america-to-create-good-paying-jobs-and-reduce-costs/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">White House&#8217;s official briefing</a>, the uninsured rate has seen a significant decline, ensuring that a larger number of Americans have access to essential healthcare services.</p><p>This progress means that fewer individuals are left without coverage on year on, reducing the number of people who might have to skip medical attention due to financial barriers.</p> </div>
  213. </div>
  214. </div>
  215. </div>
  216. </div>
  217. </section>
  218. <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-a38fc17 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="a38fc17" data-element_type="section">
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  223. <div class="elementor-widget-container">
  224. <h3><strong>How the Inflation Reduction Act Has Affected Medicare and Prescription Drugs<br /></strong></h3><p>For those of you <a href="https://healthgazettezone.com/2020/10/15/the-next-big-thing-in-medicare-annual-enrollment/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">navigating the Medicare landscape</a>, the IRA has ushered in some pivotal changes that you should be aware of.</p><p>Firstly, Medicare now has the leverage to negotiate drug prices directly with pharmaceutical companies, potentially leading to more budget-friendly medications in the near future. By September 1 of this year, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services will reveal a list of ten drugs with negotiated prices, reducing their respective costs.</p><p>If insulin is a regular part of your healthcare routine, there&#8217;s more good news. The Act has set a cap on monthly insulin costs at just $35, a significant relief <a style="font-family: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-family ), Sans-serif; font-weight: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-weight ); font-size: 1rem;" href="https://aspe.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/documents/bd5568fa0e8a59c2225b2e0b93d5ae5b/aspe-insulin-affordibility-datapoint.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">compared to previous prices that could soar up to $400 for a month&#8217;s supply.</a></p><p>And looking ahead to 2025, there&#8217;s an upcoming provision to be excited about: an annual cap on prescription drug costs for Medicare recipients at $2,000.</p><p>This adjustment is set to offer considerable savings, particularly for those with ongoing medical conditions or those undergoing intensive treatments. The 1.8 million seniors with the highest drug expenses, including those undergoing treatment for cancer and other severe ailments, are expected to save an average of $2,500 annually.</p> </div>
  225. </div>
  226. </div>
  227. </div>
  228. </div>
  229. </section>
  230. <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-64fa41a elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="64fa41a" data-element_type="section">
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  235. <div class="elementor-widget-container">
  236. <h3><strong>Inflation Reduction Act Has Freed Up Vaccines to Seniors
  237.  
  238. </strong></h3>
  239.  
  240.  
  241. <p>Vaccines have always played a pivotal role in safeguarding our health, and now, thanks to the IRA, they&#8217;re even more accessible. If you&#8217;re a senior on Medicare or an adult with Medicaid coverage, since January 1, 2023, all recommended vaccines have been available to you at no cost.</p>
  242.  
  243. <p>This change has not alleviated the financial burden and underscored the commitment to ensuring everyone has an equal opportunity to stay protected and healthy – irrespective of income.</p>
  244. </div>
  245. </div>
  246. </div>
  247. </div>
  248. </div>
  249. </section>
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  256. <h3><strong>Inflation Reduction Act Has Helped to Hold Drug Companies More Accountable on Price<br /></strong></h3><p>In the ever-evolving landscape of healthcare, the IRA has introduced measures to keep drug companies in check. One such provision is the rebate system, designed to hold these companies accountable when they increase drug prices at a rate faster than inflation.</p><p>So, how does this work? If a drug company raises the price of a medication beyond the rate of inflation, they are required to pay a rebate to Medicare. This mechanism ensures that these companies think twice before implementing steep price hikes.</p><p>For Medicare beneficiaries, this translates into direct benefits. The rebates collected from these companies are used to lower out-of-pocket costs for seniors. In the past quarter alone, 43 drugs used by thousands of Medicare beneficiaries saw their prices increase too rapidly. Thanks to the IRA, <a href="https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2023/06/09/biden-administration-announces-savings-43-prescription-drugs-part-cost-saving-measures-president-bidens-inflation-reduction-act.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">some seniors have experienced savings of up to $449 per dose </a>on those specific drugs.</p><p>By implementing this rebate system, the Act not only promotes transparency but also ensures that the interests of the public are placed front and center.</p> </div>
  257. </div>
  258. </div>
  259. </div>
  260. </div>
  261. </section>
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  267. <div class="elementor-widget-container">
  268. <h3><strong>Looking Ahead: What the Future Holds for You and Your Insurance</strong></h3>
  269. &nbsp;
  270.  
  271. The Act has already brought about significant changes in its first year of operation, but there&#8217;s more on the horizon, especially if you&#8217;re navigating the world of Medicare or benefiting from the ACA. Here&#8217;s what the future might hold for individuals like you:
  272. <ul>
  273. <li><b>Reduced Out-of-Pocket Costs: </b>Starting in 2024, unexpected medication costs will become less of a worry. The 5% coinsurance for Part D catastrophic coverage will be eliminated. And by 2025, you can rest easier knowing that your Part D out-of-pocket costs will have a cap of $2,000 annually. This is a step towards making healthcare expenses more predictable and manageable.</li>
  274. <li><b>Medicare Drug Price Negotiation: </b>By 2026, Medicare will also have the power to negotiate drug prices directly. This could lead to more affordable medications, ensuring you get the treatments you need without undue financial stress.</li>
  275. <li><b>Extended ACA Subsidies:</b> The<a href="https://healthgazettezone.com/2020/10/12/affordable-care-act-headed-to-supreme-court-again/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> ACA has been a lifeline for many,</a> providing access to essential healthcare coverage. The enhanced ACA subsidies, which have made this coverage more affordable, will now continue through 2025. This means sustained access to affordable healthcare for you and many others.</li>
  276. </ul>
  277.  
  278. <p>As we look to the future, these provisions and others in the Act promise to further shape the healthcare and insurance landscapes. For senior Medicare members and those benefiting from the ACA, the Act&#8217;s ongoing and upcoming changes aim to make healthcare more accessible, affordable, and user-friendly.</p>
  279. </div>
  280. </div>
  281. </div>
  282. </div>
  283. </div>
  284. </section>
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  291. <h3><strong>Staying Informed: The Key to Maximizing Your Health Benefits
  292. </strong></h3>
  293. &nbsp;
  294.  
  295. <p>As we mark the one-year anniversary of the Act, it&#8217;s clear that its provisions have far-reaching implications, especially in the realms of healthcare and insurance. For senior Medicare members and those benefiting from the ACA, understanding these changes is not just beneficial – it&#8217;s essential.</p>
  296. <p>The landscape of health insurance is evolving, with measures in place to make healthcare more affordable and accessible. By staying informed and proactive, you can ensure that you&#8217;re making the most of the benefits available to you. Whether it&#8217;s reduced medication costs, extended subsidies, or other provisions, knowledge is power.</p>
  297. <p>As we move forward, we encourage you to keep abreast of these changes, ask questions, and take an active role in your healthcare journey. After all, these benefits are designed for you, and understanding them is the first step to maximizing their potential.</p>
  298. </div>
  299. </div>
  300. </div>
  301. </div>
  302. </div>
  303. </section>
  304. </div>
  305. ]]></content:encoded>
  307. <wfw:commentRss>https://healthgazettezone.com/one-year-later-the-inflation-reduction-acts-impact-on-health-insurance/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
  308. <slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
  311. </item>
  312. <item>
  313. <title>Georgia Medicaid Update</title>
  314. <link>https://healthgazettezone.com/georgia-medicaid-update/</link>
  315. <comments>https://healthgazettezone.com/georgia-medicaid-update/#respond</comments>
  317. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Ruel]]></dc:creator>
  318. <pubDate>Tue, 24 Nov 2020 10:37:10 +0000</pubDate>
  319. <category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
  320. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://healthgazettezone.com/?p=124</guid>
  321.  
  322. <description><![CDATA[Now that open enrollment for individuals and family insurance coverage through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has begun since November 1st, changes are once again coming to Georgia’s health insurance landscape. The governor of Georgia, Brian P. Kemp, held a news conference on Thursday, October 15, with Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) administrator [&#8230;]]]></description>
  323. <content:encoded><![CDATA[ <div data-elementor-type="wp-post" data-elementor-id="124" class="elementor elementor-124">
  324. <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-7ad38c5 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="7ad38c5" data-element_type="section">
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  330. <img decoding="async" width="1200" height="800" src="https://healthgazettezone.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/medicaid_post.jpg" class="attachment-full size-full wp-image-126" alt="" srcset="https://healthgazettezone.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/medicaid_post.jpg 1200w, https://healthgazettezone.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/medicaid_post-600x400.jpg 600w, https://healthgazettezone.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/medicaid_post-300x200.jpg 300w, https://healthgazettezone.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/medicaid_post-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://healthgazettezone.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/medicaid_post-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /> </div>
  331. </div>
  332. <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-bd99ec0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="bd99ec0" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default">
  333. <div class="elementor-widget-container">
  334. <p>Now that open enrollment for individuals and family insurance coverage through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has begun since November 1st, changes are once again coming to Georgia’s health insurance landscape.</p>
  335.  
  336. <p>The governor of Georgia, Brian P. Kemp, held a news conference on Thursday, October 15, with Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) administrator Seema Verma to announce the federal approval of the Georgia healthcare reform package. This federal government waiver provides a limited Medicaid expansion program, called Georgia Pathways and Access.</p>
  337.  
  338. <p>Using the Section 1115 Medicaid demonstration, waivers provide states with an avenue to test new Medicaid approaches that differ from what is required by federal statutes.</p>
  339.  
  340. <p>The program will begin on July 1, 2021, for the plan year beginning January 2022. Under the plan, people whose annual income is below $12 000 will be eligible for either Medicaid coverage or financial help from the state with employer-sponsored coverage. In order to qualify, individuals must have at least 80 hours per month of participation in some qualifying activity such as job training, education, or volunteer work.</p>
  341.  
  342. <p>“Georgia Access,” the state’s 1332 waiver plan, has two phases. The first is a reinsurance plan, through which the state will reimburse insurance providers for a percentage of high-cost claims. These reimbursements are designed to reduce the cost of premiums for Georgia residents and will go into effect in 2022. Kemp stated this also would reduce marketplace premiums for those who qualify by an average of 10%. Georgia Pathways and Access costs $329 million less per year than a full Medicaid expansion, according to estimates provided by the governor.</p>
  343.  
  344. <p>The second phase of “Georgia Access” will redirect insurance consumers from the current federal healthcare.gov to a new Georgia state website, where the residents will be able to directly purchase insurance coverage from private insurance companies and brokers. The website is expected to go online in 2023. However, some plans on that site will not be “qualified health plans” as required by the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to cover things such as pre-existing conditions.</p>
  345.  
  346. <p>Enthusiastically touting the program, Governor Kemp said the waivers will reform health care in the state, where the uninsured rate is currently 14.8%—one of the country’s highest and well above the national average—making Georgia the state with the nation’s third-highest rate of people without health insurance. The proposal—Georgia Pathways and Access—will help close the coverage gap for hundreds of thousands of Georgians, the governor claimed.</p>
  347.  
  348. <p>Furthermore, according to Kemp, “This bold, innovative approach will lower the uninsured rate, spur competition in the marketplace, enhance the shopping experience for consumers, and improve health outcomes.” Kemp signed the Patients’ First Act into law in March 2019, which allowed the Georgia Department of Community Health to submit waivers to the ACA.</p>
  349.  
  350. <p>As of this past December, Georgia’s Medicaid program had enrolled over 1 million individuals through its managed care Medicaid program, which provides health care to nondisabled adults and children.</p>
  351.  
  352. <p>“The ability to craft innovative solutions to Georgia-specific health care issues provides the flexibility necessary to improve our healthcare delivery systems.” The waivers will allow the state to create its own healthcare access model for more than 1.4 million Georgians, Kemp said.</p>
  353.  
  354. <p>While Kemp’s administration has said that the plans would provide health insurance for more than 400,000 uninsured people, opponents of the health reform package take exception with this optimistic analysis. For example, Georgia Budget and Policy Institute health policy analyst Laura Harker said it would cover only 50,000 people, which is far less than what the governor is predicting.</p>
  355.  
  356. <p>So, for Georgians looking for comprehensive expanded Medicaid under the ACA, only time will tell whether it is indeed what it was hyped up to be.</p> </div>
  357. </div>
  358. </div>
  359. </div>
  360. </div>
  361. </section>
  362. </div>
  363. ]]></content:encoded>
  365. <wfw:commentRss>https://healthgazettezone.com/georgia-medicaid-update/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
  366. <slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
  369. </item>
  370. <item>
  371. <title>The Next Big Thing in Medicare Annual Enrollment</title>
  372. <link>https://healthgazettezone.com/the-next-big-thing-in-medicare-annual-enrollment/</link>
  373. <comments>https://healthgazettezone.com/the-next-big-thing-in-medicare-annual-enrollment/#respond</comments>
  375. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Ruel]]></dc:creator>
  376. <pubDate>Thu, 15 Oct 2020 11:41:06 +0000</pubDate>
  377. <category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
  378. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://healthgazettezone.com/?p=156</guid>
  379.  
  380. <description><![CDATA[The Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) for Medicare beneficiaries begins on October 15 and runs till December 7. During this time, Medicare participants have many options available to them to sign up for or change coverage for the new year with the vast number of plans beginning on January 1, 2021. It is also possible for [&#8230;]]]></description>
  381. <content:encoded><![CDATA[ <div data-elementor-type="wp-post" data-elementor-id="156" class="elementor elementor-156">
  382. <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-7ad38c5 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="7ad38c5" data-element_type="section">
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  388. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1200" height="800" src="https://healthgazettezone.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/the-next-big-thing-in-medicare-annual-enrollment.jpg" class="attachment-full size-full wp-image-158" alt="" srcset="https://healthgazettezone.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/the-next-big-thing-in-medicare-annual-enrollment.jpg 1200w, https://healthgazettezone.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/the-next-big-thing-in-medicare-annual-enrollment-600x400.jpg 600w, https://healthgazettezone.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/the-next-big-thing-in-medicare-annual-enrollment-300x200.jpg 300w, https://healthgazettezone.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/the-next-big-thing-in-medicare-annual-enrollment-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://healthgazettezone.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/the-next-big-thing-in-medicare-annual-enrollment-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /> </div>
  389. </div>
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  391. <div class="elementor-widget-container">
  392. <p>The Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) for Medicare beneficiaries begins on October 15 and runs till December 7. During this time, Medicare participants have many options available to them to sign up for or change coverage for the new year with the vast number of plans beginning on January 1, 2021. It is also possible for them to disenroll from a Medicare plan during this time.</p><p>Yes, it is indeed a crucial time to carefully review the details of your plan and your options and decide which insurance plans will best meet your healthcare needs for the upcoming year, especially since the rush of the holiday season has not begun yet and particularly because of the uncertainties of COVID-19.</p><p>But first, there’s an exciting piece of news! While there are several notable changes to Medicare benefits for 2021, a few are worth highlighting which may improve your Medicare benefits.</p><p>In this Open Enrollment, if you have End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), you can enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan during the annual enrollment period. This change is important because previously there were strict guidelines limiting you from joining a Medicare health plan if you had ESRD.</p><p>It is also noteworthy that Medigap (also called Medicare supplement) Plans C and F are no longer available for purchase by newly eligible Medicare beneficiaries. So consider your options and see which Medigap plan best meets your healthcare needs.</p><p>Likewise, due to the Affordable Care Act, the Part D donut hole no longer exists, but a standard plan’s maximum deductible is increasing to $445 in 2021. and the threshold for entering the catastrophic coverage phase (where out-of-pocket spending decreases significantly) is increasing to $6,550. Previously, most plans with Medicare prescription drug coverage (Part D) had a coverage gap (called a “donut hole”). This meant that after you and your drug plan spent a certain amount of money for covered drugs, you had to pay all costs out-of-pocket for your prescriptions up to a yearly limit. This saved seniors a lot of money.</p><p>Moreover, Medicare Advantage plans will be increasing their telehealth services and coverages. This is primarily due to COVID-19. Telehealth allows you to organize a video conference from your home or office which provides both convenience and protection from unnecessary exposure.</p> </div>
  393. </div>
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  395. <div class="elementor-widget-container">
  396. <h4><b>Medicare Annual Enrollment Period</b></h4><p>So now that you have had a chance to understand some of the exciting and beneficial changes to Medicare for 2021, what can you do during the AEP starting October 15? Among your options are:</p><p>joining a Medicare Advantage (a private alternative to Original Medicare) plan;</p><ul><li>joining a Medicare Advantage (a private alternative to Original Medicare) plan;</li><li>enrolling in a standalone Part D prescription drug plan;</li><li>switching from Original Medicare and joining a Medicare Advantage plan with or without Part D drug coverage;</li><li>buying a Medigap policy, also known as a Medicare supplement plan, which helps pay Original Medicare costs, but it depends on where you live; conditions apply as to who can buy a Medigap and when.</li></ul><p>Similarly, to those of you who currently have a plan, be sure to review your Annual Notification of Change (ANOC), a booklet that you should have received by late September or early October from your plan provider. You will be able to see if the plan you currently have will be available in your service area next year and review any changes to see if the Medicare plan still meets your health insurance needs.</p><p>For others new to Medicare or just looking for coverage options, there are various ways to learn about this coverage. Numerous insurance companies offer seminars, appointments with licensed sales agents, and guidance centers; or, they can simply access plan information on their plan’s website. Others who want to compare various plan options can talk to a health insurance broker or access the websites that are dealing with Medicare enrollment information.</p><p>The most notable among them is the government site medicare.gov where you can view all the Medicare Advantage choices, prescription drug plans, and enrollment options and receive up-to-date information about the changes I discussed earlier. You can even use the Medicare Plan Finder tools to see which insurance company covers your prescriptions or to make a side-by-side comparison of various plan options in your zip code.</p> </div>
  397. </div>
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  399. <div class="elementor-widget-container">
  400. <h4><b>Making changes after the Medicare AEP<br /></b></h4><p>But that’s not all. It must be good to know that you can also make changes after the Medicare AEP which brings you another opportunity to decide on a plan change. The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (OEP) starts on January 1 and runs through March 31 annually. What exactly can you do during the Medicare OEP?</p><ul><li>Change to another Medicare plan during the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period that better suits your needs, on the off-chance that you already have a Medicare plan.</li><li>Drop your Medicare Advantage plan and return to Original Medicare, Part A, and Part B.</li><li>switching from Original Medicare and joining a Medicare Advantage plan with or without Part D drug coverage;</li><li>Sign up for a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan if you return to Original Medicare.</li></ul><p>Similarly, to those of you who currently have a plan, be sure to review your Annual Notification of Change (ANOC), a booklet that you should have received by late September or early October from your plan provider. You will be able to see if the plan you currently have will be available in your service area next year and review any changes to see if the Medicare plan still meets your health insurance needs.</p><p>For others new to Medicare or just looking for coverage options, there are various ways to learn about this coverage. Numerous insurance companies offer seminars, appointments with licensed sales agents, and guidance centers; or, they can simply access plan information on their plan’s website. Others who want to compare various plan options can talk to a health insurance broker or access the websites that are dealing with Medicare enrollment information.</p><p>The most notable among them is the government site medicare.gov where you can view all the Medicare Advantage choices, prescription drug plans, and enrollment options and receive up-to-date information about the changes I discussed earlier. You can even use the Medicare Plan Finder tools to see which insurance company covers your prescriptions or to make a side-by-side comparison of various plan options in your zip code.</p> </div>
  401. </div>
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  403. <div class="elementor-widget-container">
  404. <h4><b>Special Election Period (SEP)<br>
  405. </b></h4>
  406. <p>Now that we have gotten past the OEP, you must know that there are still various reasons you may be able to change your Medicare coverage beyond the other enrollment periods. You may be eligible for what is referred to as a special election period (SEP) which is for certain special circumstances. For instance, Medicare allows changes outside the standard enrollment periods in specific situations that are often out of the Medicare beneficiary’s control, such as Medicare ending its contract with the beneficiary’s plan. Other examples of these situations include, but are not limited to, the following:</p>
  407. <p><ul><li>You have changed your address and moved out of your plan’s service area.</li><li>
  408. You have lost coverage, such as that with your employer or union.</li><li>
  409. You receive both Medicare and Medicaid benefits.</li><li>
  410. You qualify for Extra Help.</li><li>
  411. You live in or are moving to or from an institution such as a long-term care hospital or skilled nursing facility.</li><li>
  412. Your plan has changed its contract with Medicare.</li><li>
  413. You have enrolled in a State Pharmaceutical Assistance Program (SPAP) or lost SPAP eligibility.</li><li>
  414. You dropped a Medigap policy for the first time to join a Medicare Advantage Plan.</li><li>
  415. You have joined a plan or chosen not to join a plan due to a federal employee error.</li><li>
  416. You weren’t adequately informed that your private drug coverage wasn’t as credible as Medicare drug coverage.</li><li>
  417. You have a severe or disabling condition. There’s a Medicare Chronic Care Special Needs Plan (SNP) available that serves people with my condition. I’m enrolled in an SNP and no longer have a condition that qualifies as a special need which the plan serves.</li></ul></p>
  418.  
  419.  
  420.  
  421. <p>So there you have it! These are some of the health insurance coverage options available to you, beginning with the AEP and beyond. If you, or your loved one, are a Medicare member, there is much that is going on which may affect your healthcare insurance choices, especially during this COVID-19 pandemic. Go ahead and let me know about your insurance coverage journey. I hope you find this post helpful and, most importantly, have a successful AEP!</p> </div>
  422. </div>
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  425. </div>
  426. </section>
  427. </div>
  428. ]]></content:encoded>
  430. <wfw:commentRss>https://healthgazettezone.com/the-next-big-thing-in-medicare-annual-enrollment/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
  431. <slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
  434. </item>
  435. <item>
  436. <title>Walmart is Entering the Insurance Business</title>
  437. <link>https://healthgazettezone.com/walmart-is-entering-the-insurance-business/</link>
  438. <comments>https://healthgazettezone.com/walmart-is-entering-the-insurance-business/#respond</comments>
  440. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Ruel]]></dc:creator>
  441. <pubDate>Mon, 12 Oct 2020 11:32:25 +0000</pubDate>
  442. <category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
  443. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://healthgazettezone.com/?p=151</guid>
  444.  
  445. <description><![CDATA[Just days after the upcoming presidential election, the pivotal issue of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) will once again become a key issue of the health insurance debate, only this time, with dire ramifications for millions of Americans already receiving its essential benefits. On November 10th, the Supreme Court will hear arguments for Texas v. [&#8230;]]]></description>
  446. <content:encoded><![CDATA[ <div data-elementor-type="wp-post" data-elementor-id="151" class="elementor elementor-151">
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  453. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1199" height="800" src="https://healthgazettezone.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/walmart-is-entering-the-insurance-business.jpg" class="attachment-full size-full wp-image-154" alt="" srcset="https://healthgazettezone.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/walmart-is-entering-the-insurance-business.jpg 1199w, https://healthgazettezone.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/walmart-is-entering-the-insurance-business-600x400.jpg 600w, https://healthgazettezone.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/walmart-is-entering-the-insurance-business-300x200.jpg 300w, https://healthgazettezone.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/walmart-is-entering-the-insurance-business-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://healthgazettezone.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/walmart-is-entering-the-insurance-business-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1199px) 100vw, 1199px" /> </div>
  454. </div>
  455. <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-bd99ec0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="bd99ec0" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default">
  456. <div class="elementor-widget-container">
  457. <p></p>
  458. <p>Just days after the upcoming presidential election, the pivotal issue of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) will once again become a key issue of the health insurance debate, only this time, with dire ramifications for millions of Americans already receiving its essential benefits.</p>
  459. <p></p>
  460. <p>On November 10th, the Supreme Court will hear arguments for Texas v. California – a case that once again challenges the constitutionality of the ACA. This time, the U.S. Supreme Court will decide two crucial questions: one, whether the unconstitutional individual mandate to purchase minimum essential coverage is severable from the rest of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, and second, whether the Texas Federal district court, which originally heard the case, correctly declared the entire ACA invalid and unenforceable.</p>
  461. <p></p>
  462. <p>What does this mean for you, the health insurance consumer worried about the future of the ACA? Well, with the current political drama of the fast-approaching presidential election, everything! Some pundits say that the attempt to rescind the ACA began with the haunting memory of now-deceased former Senator John McCain’s infamous midnight thumbs-down vote dooming the ACA’s repeal efforts early in the Trump administration. Now, surely, no one knows how the case will end!<br>
  463. Briefly put, in 2017, President Donald Trump signed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, which eliminated the federal tax penalty for violating the individual mandate, starting from 2019. This legislation set in motion a series of events where 20 states sued in a Texas Federal district court, challenging the ACA’s constitutionality.</p><p>
  464. Many state officials supporting the lawsuit mainly argued that because the individual mandate that they stated was a critical feature of the law had been removed, the entire law was deemed invalid. A later ruling by the Federal District Judge Reed O’Connor agreed, declaring that the individual mandate requiring people to have health insurance “can no longer be sustained as an exercise of Congress’s tax power”, thus highlighting the crucial issue of “severability.” Soon after, in December 2019, a three-judge panel from the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit also ruled that the ACA’s mandate was unconstitutional, thus triggering the Supreme Court’s petition by opponents of these rulings.</p>
  465.  
  466. <p>Given the past efforts to unsuccessfully repeal the ACA, in June, the Trump administration agreed with the plaintiff’s claim that the ACA is unconstitutional, further fueling the health insurance debate.<br>
  467. However, many questioned whether it makes sense to push for the demise of the healthcare law while the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread across the country, with dire implications for more than 20 million Americans who have gained insurance and countless others who have gained pre-existing condition protections.<br>
  468. Opponents, including sixteen states and the District of Columbia, together with the Democrat-controlled House of Representatives, have intervened to defend the Act. They argued essentially about how Congress wanted to keep the rest of the ACA in place even without an enforceable minimum coverage provision and that invalidating the law would create havoc about the status of the entire ACA.<br>
  469. Now, with the recent death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and the potential ascendancy to the Supreme Court of conservative firebrand nominee, Amy Coney Barrett could tip the court to a 6-3 conservative majority. Could this be the final death knell for the ACA when the court opinion is finally released early next year?</p> </div>
  470. </div>
  471. </div>
  472. </div>
  473. </div>
  474. </section>
  475. </div>
  476. ]]></content:encoded>
  478. <wfw:commentRss>https://healthgazettezone.com/walmart-is-entering-the-insurance-business/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
  479. <slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
  482. </item>
  483. <item>
  484. <title>Affordable Care Act Headed to Supreme Court Again</title>
  485. <link>https://healthgazettezone.com/affordable-care-act-headed-to-supreme-court-again/</link>
  486. <comments>https://healthgazettezone.com/affordable-care-act-headed-to-supreme-court-again/#respond</comments>
  488. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Ruel]]></dc:creator>
  489. <pubDate>Mon, 12 Oct 2020 11:09:57 +0000</pubDate>
  490. <category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
  491. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://healthgazettezone.com/?p=140</guid>
  492.  
  493. <description><![CDATA[Just days after the upcoming presidential election, the pivotal issue of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) will once again become a key issue of the health insurance debate, only this time, with dire ramifications for millions of Americans already receiving its essential benefits. On November 10th, the Supreme Court will hear arguments for Texas v. [&#8230;]]]></description>
  494. <content:encoded><![CDATA[ <div data-elementor-type="wp-post" data-elementor-id="140" class="elementor elementor-140">
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  501. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1080" height="720" src="https://healthgazettezone.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/affordable-care-act-headed-to-supreme-court-again.jpg" class="attachment-full size-full wp-image-142" alt="" srcset="https://healthgazettezone.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/affordable-care-act-headed-to-supreme-court-again.jpg 1080w, https://healthgazettezone.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/affordable-care-act-headed-to-supreme-court-again-600x400.jpg 600w, https://healthgazettezone.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/affordable-care-act-headed-to-supreme-court-again-300x200.jpg 300w, https://healthgazettezone.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/affordable-care-act-headed-to-supreme-court-again-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://healthgazettezone.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/affordable-care-act-headed-to-supreme-court-again-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px" /> </div>
  502. </div>
  503. <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-bd99ec0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="bd99ec0" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default">
  504. <div class="elementor-widget-container">
  505. <p>
  506. Just days after the upcoming presidential election, the pivotal issue of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) will once again become a key issue of the health insurance debate, only this time, with dire ramifications for millions of Americans already receiving its essential benefits.</p>
  507.  
  508. <p>
  509. On November 10th, the Supreme Court will hear arguments for Texas v. California – a case that once again challenges the constitutionality of the ACA. This time, the U.S. Supreme Court will decide two crucial questions: one, whether the unconstitutional individual mandate to purchase minimum essential coverage is severable from the rest of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, and second, whether the Texas Federal district court, which originally heard the case, correctly declared the entire ACA invalid and unenforceable.</p>
  510.  
  511. <p>What does this mean for you, the health insurance consumer worried about the future of the ACA? Well, with the current political drama of the fast-approaching presidential election, everything! Some pundits say that the attempt to rescind the ACA began with the haunting memory of now-deceased former Senator John McCain’s infamous midnight thumbs-down vote dooming the ACA’s repeal efforts early in the Trump administration. Now, surely, no one knows how the case will end!</p>
  512.  
  513. <p>Briefly put, in 2017, President Donald Trump signed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, which eliminated the federal tax penalty for violating the individual mandate, starting from 2019. This legislation set in motion a series of events where 20 states sued in a Texas Federal district court, challenging the ACA’s constitutionality.</p>
  514.  
  515. <p>Many state officials supporting the lawsuit mainly argued that because the individual mandate that they stated was a critical feature of the law had been removed, the entire law was deemed invalid. A later ruling by the Federal District Judge Reed O’Connor agreed, declaring that the individual mandate requiring people to have health insurance “can no longer be sustained as an exercise of Congress’s tax power”, thus highlighting the crucial issue of “severability.” Soon after, in December 2019, a three-judge panel from the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit also ruled that the ACA’s mandate was unconstitutional, thus triggering the Supreme Court’s petition by opponents of these rulings.</p>
  516.  
  517. <p>Given the past efforts to unsuccessfully repeal the ACA, in June, the Trump administration agreed with the plaintiff’s claim that the ACA is unconstitutional, further fueling the health insurance debate.</p>
  518.  
  519. <p>However, many questioned whether it makes sense to push for the demise of the healthcare law while the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread across the country, with dire implications for more than 20 million Americans who have gained insurance and countless others who have gained pre-existing condition protections.</p>
  520.  
  521. <p>Opponents, including sixteen states and the District of Columbia, together with the Democrat-controlled House of Representatives, have intervened to defend the Act. They argued essentially about how Congress wanted to keep the rest of the ACA in place even without an enforceable minimum coverage provision and that invalidating the law would create havoc about the status of the entire ACA.</p>
  522.  
  523. <p>Now, with the recent death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and the potential ascendancy to the Supreme Court of conservative firebrand nominee, Amy Coney Barrett could tip the court to a 6-3 conservative majority. Could this be the final death knell for the ACA when the court opinion is finally released early next year?</p> </div>
  524. </div>
  525. </div>
  526. </div>
  527. </div>
  528. </section>
  529. </div>
  530. ]]></content:encoded>
  532. <wfw:commentRss>https://healthgazettezone.com/affordable-care-act-headed-to-supreme-court-again/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
  533. <slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
  536. </item>
  537. <item>
  538. <title>Understanding the 2020 election and the Affordable Care Act</title>
  539. <link>https://healthgazettezone.com/understanding-the-2020-election-and-the-affordable-care-act/</link>
  540. <comments>https://healthgazettezone.com/understanding-the-2020-election-and-the-affordable-care-act/#respond</comments>
  542. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Ruel]]></dc:creator>
  543. <pubDate>Mon, 21 Sep 2020 11:56:45 +0000</pubDate>
  544. <category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
  545. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://healthgazettezone.com/?p=172</guid>
  546.  
  547. <description><![CDATA[The 2020 presidential election between Democrat Joe Biden and Republican Donald Trump is fast approaching. So, understandably, many want to know where the two candidates stand on several topics. However, none is more important than the issue of health insurance, especially given the COVID-19 pandemic devastating the U.S. since early February. There is a stark [&#8230;]]]></description>
  548. <content:encoded><![CDATA[ <div data-elementor-type="wp-post" data-elementor-id="172" class="elementor elementor-172">
  549. <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-7ad38c5 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="7ad38c5" data-element_type="section">
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  554. <div class="elementor-widget-container">
  555. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="683" src="https://healthgazettezone.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/iStock-515313856-1024x683-1.jpg" class="attachment-full size-full wp-image-177" alt="" srcset="https://healthgazettezone.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/iStock-515313856-1024x683-1.jpg 1024w, https://healthgazettezone.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/iStock-515313856-1024x683-1-600x400.jpg 600w, https://healthgazettezone.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/iStock-515313856-1024x683-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https://healthgazettezone.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/iStock-515313856-1024x683-1-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /> </div>
  556. </div>
  557. <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-bd99ec0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="bd99ec0" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default">
  558. <div class="elementor-widget-container">
  559. <p>The 2020 presidential election between Democrat Joe Biden and Republican Donald Trump is fast approaching. So, understandably, many want to know where the two candidates stand on several topics. However, none is more important than the issue of health insurance, especially given the COVID-19 pandemic devastating the U.S. since early February.</p>
  560.  
  561. <p>There is a stark contrast between Joe Biden and President Trump on the signature law passed during the Obama years—the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare. This landmark healthcare law has enabled millions of Americans to get insurance coverage. So, what’s all the fuss about, you may ask? Well, Biden wants to expand it while Trump wants to repeal it, a course which he has unsuccessfully pursued since taking office in 2017—no if and/or buts about it.</p>
  562.  
  563. <p>In a nutshell, what are these insurance policy differences? Why does it matter to you, the voter, in these uncertain times where millions of Americans are newly out of work and also newly uninsured? Amid a full-blown COVID-19 pandemic, where over 190,000 Americans have already died, inquiring minds want to know what their health insurance plan will be or whether it is going to be more of the same—absolutely no legislation and more gridlock! The recent untimely death of Supreme court justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg brings further havoc to the health insurance policy debate in the days ahead.</p>
  564.  
  565. <p>Candidate Joe Biden says he wants to expand the ACA with a public option. Overall, Biden sees healthcare as a right and necessity for all Americans. He wants to build on the ACA’s improvements, expand coverage, and fix what’s broken.</p>
  566.  
  567. <p>Most experts on health insurance accessibility agree that adding a public option would result in the most massive expansion of health insurance in U.S. history. How? With Biden’s plan by creating a federal public option available to marketplace-eligible individuals, people with employer coverage, low-income adults in the Medicaid coverage gap, and low-income uninsured in coverage gap states automatically enrolled.</p>
  568.  
  569. <p>Meanwhile, even though many progressives are lukewarm toward the ACA because they wanted Bernie Sanders’ pricey but comprehensive Medicare for All, the consequences for millions who would gain insurance under Biden’s proposed public option are immense.</p>
  570.  
  571. <p>On the other hand, what is Donald Trump’s record on health insurance? As a presidential candidate in 2016, Donald Trump promised that he would repeal the ACA and replace it with something “beautiful.” His main points of this reform would allow taxpayers to deduct their premiums, turn Medicaid over to states in the form of block grants, and allow sales of policies across state lines.</p>
  572.  
  573. <p>As President, Trump has continued his fight against the ACA since his election by pointing out that Obamacare is hurting American families, farmers, and small businesses with skyrocketing health insurance costs. He argues that soaring deductibles and copays have made already costly plans unusable. Similarly, rising costs and a shortage of insurers in many markets have been part of his rallying cry of disapproval. Thus, he says that replacing Obamacare will force insurance companies to compete for their customers with lower costs and higher-quality service. In the meantime, the President uses his executive authority to reduce barriers to more affordable options for Americans, such as the sale of short-term, limited-duration insurance plans.</p>
  574.  
  575. <p>Moreover, just this June, the Trump administration asked the Supreme Court to overturn the ACA—a move that, if successful, would bring a permanent end to the health insurance program popularly known as Obamacare and wipe out coverage for as many as 23 million Americans.</p>
  576.  
  577. <p>Ultimately, Donald Trump has dismantled the ACA even amidst the suffering brought about by the pandemic for American and U.S. businesses. Millions could lose insurance if Trump is reelected and has four more years to attack the law. At the same time, Biden says he wants to reverse the harmful effects of the Trump Administration on the ACA, with a goal of coverage for more than 97% Americans should he be elected.</p>
  578.  
  579. <p>So, if you care about the American people having more access to health insurance, which candidate do you think—Joe Biden or Donald Trump—will protect and expand this goal?</p> </div>
  580. </div>
  581. </div>
  582. </div>
  583. </div>
  584. </section>
  585. </div>
  586. ]]></content:encoded>
  588. <wfw:commentRss>https://healthgazettezone.com/understanding-the-2020-election-and-the-affordable-care-act/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
  589. <slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
  592. </item>
  593. <item>
  594. <title>Why another health insurance news blog?</title>
  595. <link>https://healthgazettezone.com/why-another-health-insurance-news-blog/</link>
  596. <comments>https://healthgazettezone.com/why-another-health-insurance-news-blog/#respond</comments>
  598. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Ruel]]></dc:creator>
  599. <pubDate>Wed, 02 Sep 2020 12:34:26 +0000</pubDate>
  600. <category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
  601. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://healthgazettezone.com/?p=171</guid>
  602.  
  603. <description><![CDATA[My name is Ruel Hanley, and I have been a health/life insurance agent since 2005. While I am not currently working as an active sales agent due to a milieu of health challenges, I wanted to continue being a force for change in another health insurance field venue—thus, this blog! It will provide educational and [&#8230;]]]></description>
  604. <content:encoded><![CDATA[ <div data-elementor-type="wp-post" data-elementor-id="171" class="elementor elementor-171">
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  610. <div class="elementor-widget-container">
  611. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1080" height="721" src="https://healthgazettezone.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/why-another-health-insurance-news-blog.jpg" class="attachment-full size-full wp-image-184" alt="" srcset="https://healthgazettezone.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/why-another-health-insurance-news-blog.jpg 1080w, https://healthgazettezone.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/why-another-health-insurance-news-blog-600x401.jpg 600w, https://healthgazettezone.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/why-another-health-insurance-news-blog-300x200.jpg 300w, https://healthgazettezone.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/why-another-health-insurance-news-blog-1024x684.jpg 1024w, https://healthgazettezone.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/why-another-health-insurance-news-blog-768x513.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px" /> </div>
  612. </div>
  613. <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-bd99ec0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="bd99ec0" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default">
  614. <div class="elementor-widget-container">
  616. </p>My name is Ruel Hanley, and I have been a health/life insurance agent since 2005. While I am not currently working as an active sales agent due to a milieu of health challenges, I wanted to continue being a force for change in another health insurance field venue—thus, this blog! It will provide educational and cutting-edge news stories on various topics in the health insurance field as well as in-depth coverage of healthcare policies. Further, the blog will contain comments and analyses on relevant topics by multiple stakeholders, including a reputed thought leader/professional who has enrolled thousands of people in insurance programs.</p>
  617.  
  618. </p>The healthcare and insurance fields are abuzz with activity now, with COVID-19 presenting the biggest challenge. All of us are facing challenges big and small—the loss of loved ones, the difficulty of wearing masks, physical distancing, job loss, or the inability to dine in at a favorite restaurant, to name a few. I bring this up because none of us expected to be amidst a pandemic right now, so, for me, there wasn’t any time to waste in making the Health Gazette Zone a reality. I have reached out to other health insurance agents and bloggers and conducted tons of research to make this blog interesting and informational. I hope you find the upcoming posts helpful!</p>
  619.  
  620. </p>Despite all this, I am incredibly excited to share with you—my readers—information that encompasses the whole gamut of insurance, including what’s new with Medicare, Obamacare, group insurance, and even disability insurance, through this blog. There will be a health insurance forum, insurance enrollment time ticker, and links to numerous insurance options. I am brimming with ideas, ready to post, and inspired to bring you the latest news in the insurance field. There will also be a guest blog post featuring well-known writers in the health insurance field. We all have so much that we can learn from each other, and I welcome your comments and feedback! So, let the blogging begin! </div>
  621. </div>
  622. </div>
  623. </div>
  624. </div>
  625. </section>
  626. </div>
  627. ]]></content:encoded>
  629. <wfw:commentRss>https://healthgazettezone.com/why-another-health-insurance-news-blog/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
  630. <slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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