Health care law changing behavior

[one...two...tree 2,762]

WASHINGTON – More than 2.65 million Medicare recipients have saved more than $1.5 billion on their prescriptions this year, a $569-per-person average, while premiums have remained stable, the government plans to announce today.

That's because of the provision of the health care law that put a 50% discount on prescription drugs in the "doughnut hole," the gap between traditional and catastrophic coverage in the drug benefit, also known as Part D.

And, as of the end of November, more than 24 million people, or about half of those with traditional Medicare, have gone in for a free annual physical or other screening exam since the rules changed this year because of the health care law.

"We're very pleased with the numbers," Jonathan Blum, director of the Center for Medicare, told USA TODAY. "We found the Part D premiums have also stayed constant, despite predictions that they would go up in 2012."

The Department of Health and Human Services announced in August that 2012 Medicare prescription drug plan premiums would average about $30 a month, compared to $30.76 in 2011.

Starting this year, seniors who reach the doughnut hole in prescription benefits receive a 50% discount on name brand prescription drugs. Drug companies must provide the discount to participate in the prescription plan. Before the health care law took effect, Medicare patients had to pay full price for their prescriptions once they reached the gap in coverage.

The prescription data are through the end of October.

Seniors are becoming more engaged in their care, Blum said, citing the hundreds of forums Medicare has conducted about the changes. "The sentiment is that Medicare is trying to keep them healthy and out of the hospital," Blum said.

Preventive benefits aren't free, because taxpayers are paying for them, says Michael Cannon, health policy studies director for the Cato Institute, a libertarian think tank. "There is no such thing as a free lunch," he said.

Robert Moffit, a senior fellow at the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, said the services may help catch diseases early. But it's too early to tell if the overall savings in Medicare will justify the costs of the preventive care. "This should prove to be a worthwhile experiment."

It's too early to determine if the wellness exams are catching health problems early and therefore preventing hospital trips, Blum said. However, he said, insurance premiums have not risen as much as in previous years.

http://www.usatoday....-law/51663580/1

Edited December 6, 2011 by Mister Fancypants

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

WASHINGTON – More than 2.65 million Medicare recipients have saved more than $1.5 billion on their prescriptions this year, a $569-per-person average, while premiums have remained stable, the government plans to announce today.

That's because of the provision of the health care law that put a 50% discount on prescription drugs in the "doughnut hole," the gap between traditional and catastrophic coverage in the drug benefit, also known as Part D.

And, as of the end of November, more than 24 million people, or about half of those with traditional Medicare, have gone in for a free annual physical or other screening exam since the rules changed this year because of the health care law.

"We're very pleased with the numbers," Jonathan Blum, director of the Center for Medicare, told USA TODAY. "We found the Part D premiums have also stayed constant, despite predictions that they would go up in 2012."

The Department of Health and Human Services announced in August that 2012 Medicare prescription drug plan premiums would average about $30 a month, compared to $30.76 in 2011.

Starting this year, seniors who reach the doughnut hole in prescription benefits receive a 50% discount on name brand prescription drugs. Drug companies must provide the discount to participate in the prescription plan. Before the health care law took effect, Medicare patients had to pay full price for their prescriptions once they reached the gap in coverage.

The prescription data are through the end of October.

Seniors are becoming more engaged in their care, Blum said, citing the hundreds of forums Medicare has conducted about the changes. "The sentiment is that Medicare is trying to keep them healthy and out of the hospital," Blum said.

Preventive benefits aren't free, because taxpayers are paying for them, says Michael Cannon, health policy studies director for the Cato Institute, a libertarian think tank. "There is no such thing as a free lunch," he said.

Robert Moffit, a senior fellow at the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, said the services may help catch diseases early. But it's too early to tell if the overall savings in Medicare will justify the costs of the preventive care. "This should prove to be a worthwhile experiment."

It's too early to determine if the wellness exams are catching health problems early and therefore preventing hospital trips, Blum said. However, he said, insurance premiums have not risen as much as in previous years.

http://www.usatoday....-law/51663580/1

The Heritage Foundation calls this a "worthwhile experiment"? Did hell just freeze over?

[one...two...tree 2,762]

The Heritage Foundation calls this a "worthwhile experiment"? Did hell just freeze over?

No kidding.

Perhaps some on the Right will start taking ownership/credit for the provisions in it that they originally supported.

[Obama 2012 1,714]

No kidding.

Perhaps some on the Right will start taking ownership/credit for the provisions in it that they originally supported.

one or two people supporting something doesn't mean the "right" or the "left" support anything.

Die hard libtards like yourself know this, but care more about political gain than anything else.

Also CATO is right. There is no such thing as a free lunch and only an idiot would call it "free."

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Also CATO is right. There is no such thing as a free lunch and only an idiot would call it "free."

Of course nothing is "free". But prevention and early detection - while having a cost - may be much less costly than treating a disease in later stages. Which is what this is really all about: cost savings.

[Obama 2012 1,714]

Of course nothing is "free". But prevention and early detection - while having a cost - may be much less costly than treating a disease in later stages. Which is what this is really all about: cost savings.

so you're going to start forcing people to go to the doctor, is that the answer?

"Maybe" is the key word you used there, btw.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

so you're going to start forcing people to go to the doctor, is that the answer?

"Maybe" is the key word you used there, btw.

No, not forcing. Giving the option by emphasizing preventive care and early detection. Like changing the oil in your car rather than waiting until your engine is bust. Simple concept, really.

[slim 1,530]

No, not forcing. Giving the option by emphasizing preventive care and early detection. Like changing the oil in your car rather than waiting until your engine is bust. Simple concept, really.

Only difference is they're using government oil.

Of course people take advantage of "free" stuff. They probably spent millions of dollars to compile this data. They should've just aksed Ms. Johnson's 3rd grade class. "Timmy, Tommy, Margie... do you think people will take something free?"

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Only difference is they're using government oil.

No, that's not the difference. The government just realized that it's cheaper to pay for the oil change than picking up the tab for the new engine. Get it? Man, it's not that difficult. Really.

[AKteacher 104]

Get it? Man, it's not that difficult. Really.

No, it's not that difficult. It's called common sense, which is something that the right-wing idealogues above are just as lacking in as the "libtards" they rail against.

[slim 1,530]

No, that's not the difference. The government just realized that it's cheaper to pay for the oil change than picking up the tab for the new engine. Get it? Man, it's not that difficult. Really.

Until you consider the fact that government shouldn't be in the car business in the first place.

[sly_wolf 199]

Until you consider the fact that government shouldn't be in the car business in the first place.

Lol, are you trying to be funny?

[maning 36]

No, that's not the difference. The government just realized that it's cheaper to pay for the oil change than picking up the tab for the new engine. Get it? Man, it's not that difficult. Really.

Problem is... Republicans will always assume government is always bad. When the government tries to intervene to help out the consumer, they are quick to scream out socialism/communism references. You can't win with them. They will complain about rising health care costs, but when the government tries to do something about it, they scream that it's socialist and impedes on capitalism.

Edit:

See, I just noticed how he just referenced that the government shouldn't be in the "car business." Heh.

Edited December 7, 2011 by maning

[^_^ 5,021]

In the RWN world, the government plain shouldn't be.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

In the RWN world, the government plain shouldn't be.

Thanks to Ayn Rand and her cult followers.