Many of the provisions under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) such as preventive services, cheaper prescriptions, and free wellness checks benefit seniors. If the healthcare law is repealed, many of the benefits seniors receive can be taken away. However, this does not necessarily mean your loved one’s quality of life will be affected.
Roseville home care experts are available to provide high-quality care to seniors on an as-needed basis. From assistance with mobility and exercise to providing transportation to the doctor’s office and social events, there are a variety of ways professional caregivers can help your aging loved one continue to live independently. If you’re concerned about how repealing the ACA could affect your loved one, here’s what you need to know.
The Donut Hole
The “donut hole” is a coverage gap that makes it difficult for seniors to get the prescriptions necessary to remain healthy. Seniors receive assistance paying for medications, up to a specific dollar amount. After that amount is reached, seniors have to pay for the remainder of the prescriptions on their own, which is nearly impossible due to high prices. The ACA is closing that donut hole over the next few years, but the healthcare law provides seniors with the financial assistance necessary to purchase medications until the gap is entirely closed. This includes name-brand prescriptions. Repealing the ACA would keep the donut hole open, making it hard for seniors to get the medications they need at an affordable price.
Medicare Fraud
Seniors are often the target of scams and deceptive actions of healthcare companies and organizations. Some people steal Medicare numbers from seniors, and some physicians misuse the Medicare numbers they have access to. Under the ACA, millions of dollars are invested to fight against this type of fraud. The healthcare law also has provisions to attack any person who attempts to defraud the system. If the ACA is repealed, the money invested to prevent fraud could be cut, which puts seniors at a higher risk of being affected by Medicare fraud.
Preventive Care
Before the Affordable Care Act (ACA), insurance plans did not have to offer seniors preventive care without out-of-pocket costs for cancer screenings, mammograms, diabetic screenings, flu shots, and other tests. After the ACA was passed, seniors were able to receive these screenings without a copay or deductible fee. Seniors were also eligible for at least one free physical each year, where they are given the opportunity to speak with a doctor about ongoing health issues or concerns. Seniors had a better chance of staying healthy due to these screenings, but repealing the ACA would require them to pay for these preventive screenings and checkups out of pocket.
Trust Fund Protection
Since the ACA was established, the future of Medicare has been better. Prior to the ACA, healthcare experts feared the Medicare Trust Fund would become bankrupt and would be unable to fund the Medicare program. Due to the new regulations established under the law, the fund’s outlook began to increase significantly. This is due to legislation remaining committed to reducing waste, billing errors, and abuse within the Medicare system. If the ACA is repealed, the trust fund may not remain solvent, and seniors may lose access to health insurance.
Even if the ACA is fully repealed, there are other options available for senior health and wellbeing. In Roseville, CA, respite care is a great help to many families. Caring for a senior loved one can be overwhelming at times, which puts family caregivers at risk for burnout. However, an in-home caregiver can take over your loved one’s care, allowing you the time you need to focus on your own health, maintain a full-time job, or care for other members of your family.
If you are the primary family caregiver for a senior loved one living in Roseville, 24-hour care is available if your loved one’s health has become too difficult to manage without professional expertise. At Home Care Assistance, we take measures to help seniors prevent illness and injury by assisting with exercise and mobility, preparing nutritious meals, helping with bathing and other personal hygiene tasks, and much more. Get in touch with one of our friendly Care Managers today at (916) 226-3737 and create a tailored care plan for your aging loved one.