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Health Care
Health care is a
growing concern in today's society. Medical care as well as medical
insurance is on a constant rise. This leaves many of us, including
the elderly, children and people with disabilities with no health
care coverage. This leaves only state funded programs such as
Medicaid and/or Medicare to provide health care for them.
At least 70 percent of people over age 65 will require some
long-term care services at some point in their lives. And, contrary
to what many people believe, Medicare and private health insurance
programs do not pay for the majority of long-term care services that
most people need - help with personal care such as dressing or using
the bathroom independently. Planning is essential for you to be able
to get the care you might need. Qualifying for state funded programs
all depends on what program you are applying for.
Medicaid programs are federal and state funded programs that serve
individuals and families who meet financial and other eligibility
requirements and certain other individuals who lack adequate
resources to pay for medical care. The Division of Family Assistance
determines financial eligibility and categorical eligibility and
Medicaid Administration determines medical eligibility when it is
required.
Medicare is a governmental program which provides medical insurance
coverage for retired persons over age 65 or for others who meet
certain medical conditions, such as having a disability.
Medicare was signed into legislation in 1965 as an amendment to the
Social Security program and is
administered by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)
under the Department of Human Services.
Medicare provides medical insurance coverage for over 43 million
Americans, many of whom would have no medical insurance. While not
perfect, the Medicare program offers these millions of people
relatively low cost basic insurance, but not much in the way of
preventative care. For instance, Medicare does not pay for an annual
physical, vision care or dental care.
Medicare is paid for through payroll tax deductions (FICA) equal to
2.9% of wages; the employee pays half and the employer pays half.
There are four "parts" to Medicare: Part A is hospital coverage,
Part B is medical insurance, Part C is
supplemental coverage and Part D is prescription insurance. Parts C
and D are at an added cost and are not required. Neither Part A nor
B pays 100% of medical costs; there is usually a premium, co-pay and
a deductible. Some low-income people quality for Medicaid, which
assists in paying part of or all of the out-of-pocket costs.
Because more people are retiring and become eligible for Medicare at
a faster rate than people are paying into the system, it has been
predicted that the system will run out of money by 2018. Health care
costs have risen dramatically, which adds to the financial woes of
Medicare and the system has been plagued by fraud over the years.
No one seems to have a viable solution to save this system that
saves many people throughout the country. |
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