As a family caregiver, one of the things you may do for your aging relative is managing their medical bills. That means dealing with Medicare, a program you might not have had much experience with prior to becoming a caregiver.

Medicare has been around for 53 years, but that doesn’t mean it’s “same old same old” from one year to the next. In fact, there are several changes coming to Medicare in 2019 that family caregivers should know about. Below are some of those changes.

Closing the Drug Gap, or “Donut Hole”

Medicare Part D is coverage for prescription drugs. One of the more expensive aspects of the plan that affects some seniors is requiring those with high prescription drug costs to pay more for medication once their coverage has paid for a certain amount in a year. There is a gap in coverage, called a “donut hole,” that occurs between the time when the senior hits the spending cap and when they have spent so much that catastrophic coverage begins. This gap will be closed for brand-name drugs in 2019. In 2020, the gap will close for generic medications.

Changes to Open Enrollment

There will be an open enrollment period for Medicare Advantage plans from January 1 – March 31. During that time, seniors can choose to drop the Advantage plan and return to original Medicare coverage. They may also:

• Change to another Advantage plan.
• Enroll in a stand-alone Medicare Part D.
• Drop a stand-alone Medicare Part D plan.

Increased Accessed to Telehealth

Medicare coverage for consultations that take place over the phone or Internet have been expanding steadily. In 2019, people who are suffering from end-stage renal disease or who are being treated for a stroke will have access to telehealth services.

Improved Handbook and Other Information

Each year Medicare sends recipients a handbook to help them use their coverage. In 2019, the book will be improved to include:

• Checklists and flowcharts to aid with choosing the right program.
• The online Medicare Plan Finder will be easier to use.
• The online “coverage wizard” will help beneficiaries to better compare costs and coverages.

Therapy Cap Removed

In the past, coverage for speech, occupational, and physical therapy was limited for people on the original Medicare plan. Congress has removed the cap that caused participants to have to pay the full cost of these therapies.

For more information about how caregivers can navigate the complexities of Medicare coverage, visit the official Medicare website at www.medicare.gov.

Sources:  https://www.aarp.org/health/medicare-insurance/info-2018/medicare-changes-2019.html

https://medicare.com/medicare-part-d/how-will-medicare-part-c-and-part-d-change-in-2019/

https://medicare.com/medicare-advantage/new-open-enrollment-period-for-medicare-advantage/

If you or an aging loved one are in need of Caregiver Services in Dix Hills NY or the surrounding areas, contact the caring professionals at Star Multi Care Services today at (631)956-8835. We are the Right Choice for Home Health Care Services!

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Stephen Sternbach

CEO at Star Multi Care Services

With over 35 years of experience, Stephen Sternbach has been the Chairman of the Board of Directors, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Star Multi Care Services since 1987. After the sale of the New York and New Jersey operations of Star Multi Care Services, Sternbach brought the company private where he remains President and CEO of this 40-million dollar company. With Sternbach at the helm, Star Multi Care Services employs more than 650 employees, in six offices throughout Florida, Pennsylvania, Ohio and New York.

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