Earlier this week we provided insight on the healthcare provisions that are already in effect under the Affordable Care Act that came into law in 2010. In this post we will address some of the provisions that are scheduled to be implemented in 2011.
However, it should be noted that there is still much debate among our Congressional leaders about which of the still-to-be-implemented provisions will actually stand. Regardless, this post should give seniors, caregivers, and physicians a better understanding on what is scheduled to be the next wave of healthcare reform in 2011.
- A new law requires that health plans reinvest 85% of the dollars they earn through premium payments on healthcare services and healthcare quality improvement. For health plans sold to individuals and small businesses, 80% of premium dollars must be spend on healthcare services and healthcare quality improvement. This is in hope that added transparency will lessen the increases in premium charges.
- The CLASS program establishes a national, voluntary insurance program for purchasing community living assistance services and supports.
- Seniors will be entitled to free preventative care services such as personalized prevention plans and Annual Wellness Exams that now include screening for cognitive decline.
- There will be new funding to support the construction and expansion of services for community health centers.
- The Community Care Transitions Program will help high risk Medicare beneficiaries who are hospitalized, avoid unnecessary readmissions to the hospital by helping them coordinate care and find services in their own communities.
- The new Community First Choice Option allows States to offer at-home and community based options for disabled individuals, rather than institutional care.
- Medicaid Health Homes creates a State option that permits certain Medicaid enrollees to designate a provider as a health home and also provides the States taking the option with a 90% federal matching of two-years for home related services.
- Income-related Medicare Part B premiums will be frozen for 2011-2019 at the 2010 level, resulting in more people paying income-related premiums.
- Medicare Part D premium subsidies will be reduced for those with incomes above $85,000/individual and $170,000/couple.
