Health care reform will not diminish Medicare benefits

The Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, also known as the Partnership Center at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, has produced a brochure on the Affordable Care Act, signed into law by President Obama in March, which it sent recently to Medicare beneficiaries across the country to alleviate any concerns about the new law and make them aware that the guaranteed Medicare benefits they currently receive will remain the same.

The brochure, available in both English and in Spanish, details the benefits and cost savings available to people with Medicare through the Affordable Care Act. More information is also available at www.medicare.gov under “What's New?”

Here is a summary of some of the key information in the brochure:

• The Affordable Care Act includes a one-time tax-free rebate check of $250 if a Medicare beneficiary falls into the donut hole, or coverage gap, for prescription drug costs and isn't receiving Medicare Extra Help. These rebate checks are now being mailed to beneficiaries. People with Medicare who have already hit the coverage gap should expect to receive their check within 45 days. If a beneficiary is enrolled in their State Pharmacy Assistance Program (SPAP), they are still eligible to receive the rebate.
• Beginning January 1, 2011, beneficiaries who are in the coverage gap will receive a 50 percent discount on Part D-covered brand-name prescription drugs.
• Also beginning next year, a beneficiary can get free preventive care services, such as colorectal cancer screening, mammograms and annual physicals.
• If someone who is eligible does not receive a rebate check or has additional questions, they should contact Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE or visit www.medicare.gov. TTY users should call (877) 486-2048.

The brochure was designed both to educate beneficiaries and to protect them from potential scam artists and fraud by providing them with information about the new law. Importantly, the brochure reminds beneficiaries to get information about Medicare from a trusted source. Reinforcing that message will help ensure that Medicare beneficiaries do not fall victim to unscrupulous individuals looking to take advantage of the current changes to perpetrate scams.

For more information about the Affordable Care Act, visit www.healthreform.gov. Conference calls to answer questions concerning the Affordable Care Act and highlight new tools for healthy communities will be announced in the center’s weekly newsletter for faith and community-based organizations. Sign up for the Partnership Center's newsletter at www.hhs.gov/partnerships.