32 The Courier sun • health • OCTOBER 1, 2015 for breaking news visit www.couriersun.com ▶health Medicare Advantage rates will be stable this year Individuals receiving health insurance coverage through Medicare Advantage should see stable rates this year, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The CMS estimated that the average Medicare Advantage premium will decrease by 31 cents next year, from $32.91 on average in 2015 to $32.60 in 2016. The majority of Medicare Advantage enrollees (59 percent) will face no premium increase. “Seniors and people with disabilities continue to experience stable premiums in Medicare health and drug plans while benefiting from a transparent and competitive marketplace,” said Sean Cavanaugh, CMS deputy administrator and director of the Center for Medicare. “Medicare Advantage and prescription drug plans remain affordable and provide high-quality care.” Access to the Medicare Advantage program is projected to remain strong, with 99 percent of beneficiaries having access to a plan. In addition, in 2016, more Medicare Advantage plans will offer supplemental benefits for enrollees, such as dental, vision and hearing benefits. Between 2010, when the Affordable Care Act was enacted, and 2016, premiums are expected to decrease by nearly 10 percent and enrollment is projected to increase by more than 50 percent to approximately 17.4 million enrollees, which represents about 32 percent of the Medicare population. At the same time, beneficiaries are receiving higher-quality care. About 65 percent of Medicare Advantage enrollees are currently enrolled in plans with four or more stars for 2016, a significant increase from an estimated 17 percent of enrollees in such plans in 2009. Premiums in the Medicare Prescription Drug Program (Part D) will also be stable next year, it was noted. The average basic Medicare prescription drug plan premium is expected to be $32.50 per month. People with Medicare are also seeing reduced costs through both savings on covered brand-name and generic drugs and access to certain preventive services at no cost sharing. Since the passage of the Affordable Care Act, which closes the prescription drug “donut hole” over time, more than 9.8 million people with Medicare have saved over $17.6 billion on prescription drugs through July 2015 as a result of the discounts in the donut hole and rebates in 2010, for an average of $1,796 per beneficiary. Close to 50 percent of Medicare Part D prescription drug plans have received four or more stars from user reviews, according to CMS. These plans serve about one-third of prescription drug plan enrollees, compared to 27 percent of enrollees in plans with four or more stars in 2009. The Annual Election Period for Medicare health and drug plans begins on Oct. 15 and ends on Dec. 7. Plan costs and covered benefits can change from year to year. Medicare beneficiaries should look at their coverage choices and decide what options best meet their needs. Beneficiaries who need assistance can visit www.medicare.gov, call 800-MEDICARE, or contact their State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). Beneficiaries who are satisfied with their current coverage do not need to do anything. For more info on the premiums and costs of 2016 Medicare Advantage and Part D plans, visit https://www. cms.gov/Medicare/Prescription-Drug- Coverage/PrescriptionDrugCovGenIn/ index.html. THE ART OF ELDER LAW For more than 30 years the elder law firm of Ronald Fatoullah & Associates has been providing New Yorkers with legal solutions that protect, relieve and endure for generations. Our dedicated attorneys are skilled in the art of giving legal advice and are accomplished in elder law, Medicaid eligibility, estate planning, trusts, estate mediation, wills, asset protection, guardianships, probate and most issues associated with the challenges of aging. Our distinguished reputation is based on a commitment to the highest ethical and professional standards and our core values of honesty, integrity, and excellence. “We won’t settle for anything less”. 1-877- ELDER LAW 1-877-ESTATES Queens • Long Island • Manhattan • Brooklyn ATTORNEY ADVERTISING
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