Republicans want to repeal the following health reform benefits:
For people who are overcharged for insurance premiums:
What Will Be New: Insurers will be required to send rebates to consumers if they do not spend at least 85% (large-group insurers) or 80% (small-group insurers) of premium money on health care.
What to Do: Rebate checks should be coming in the mail automatically.
For seniors struggling to pay for brand-name drugs:
What Will Be New: Medicare Part D recipients who are in the donut hole will get a 50% discount on covered brand-name drugs and a 7% discount on covered generic drugs if Part D is the primary payer.
What to Do: The discount will apply immediately at the pharmacy.
For seniors struggling to pay for preventive care:
What Will Be New: Medicare will now cover preventive care with no copays or deductibles
What to Do: See the list of covered services or See details on the USPSTF recommendations
For primary care providers:
What Will Be New: Medicare will pay 10% more to eligible primary care providers. Primary care is defined as those in family medicine, internal medicine, geriatrics, and pediatrics; this includes PA's, NP's, and clinical nurse specialists.
What to Do: To qualify for the bonus, 60% of Medicare charges must be for primary care services. (Note: Doctors for America does not have at present have a position on these provisions, there has been some discussion that the 60% threshold needs to be adjusted as it will leave out many primary care providers.)
For general surgeons practicing in rural areas:
What Will Be New: Medicare will pay 10% more to eligible rural general surgeons who perform major surgical procedures.
What to Do: To be eligible for the incentive payment, you must be enrolled in Medicare as a general surgeon and practice in a Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA). Read more and find links to get more information.
For those who are concerned about Medicare staying sustainable:
What Will Be New: Medicare will stop paying private insurance companies extra to provide the same level of care that traditional Medicare provides.
What to Do: Nothing.
For those who think we need innovative ways to deliver care:
What Will Be New: The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services is launching a website for its new CMS Innovation Center that will work with the private sector to improve quality and lower costs.
What to Do: Stay tuned for upcoming opportunities to get involved.