(As reported by the Medicare Rights Center, a non-profit advocacy group for older Americans) [Sept. 19, 2013]
“Medicare is ending.”
False. The ACA is not replacing Medicare, and Medicare has grown stronger as a result of the ACA. In fact, the ACA adds eight years to the solvency of Medicare’s Part A Trust Fund, increasing guaranteed benefits to 2026, 10 years longer than before the ACA.
“Seniors on Medicare must buy more health insurance to comply with the ACA.”
False. Seniors will not be required to purchase more health insurance coverage to comply with the ACA. Further, Medicare beneficiaries will not need to purchase health insurance in the new marketplaces.
“Medicare beneficiaries will pay more for their medications under [the ACA].”
False. While the Part D premium will increase slightly for Medicare beneficiaries with higher incomes (individuals with annual incomes over $85,000 or couples with annual incomes over $170,000), the majority of Medicare beneficiaries have already started paying less for their prescriptions. Over time, the ACA closes the prescription drug coverage gap, or doughnut hole, and according to a recent CMS press release, more than 6 million seniors had saved over $7 billion on prescription drugs at the end of June 2013.
“Medicare beneficiaries won’t be able to see their current doctors.”
False. Nothing in the ACA expressly changes the doctors that Medicare beneficiaries can see.
Contrary to a Wall Street Journal story reporting that the number of doctors opting out of Medicare increased from 3,700 in 2009 to 9,539 in 2012, a new Health and Human Services (HHS) study shows the number of physicians accepting new Medicare patients rose by one-third between 2007 and 2011 and is now higher than the number of physicians accepting new private insurance patients. [USA Today, 8/22/13]
“Medicare premiums are rising.”
False. The ACA has not contributed to the rise in Medicare premiums. In fact, Medicare costs are rising more slowly as a result of provisions in the ACA.
