What Health Care Reform Means For Seniors And Recent Graduates

What does health care reform mean for Medicare recipients and recent college graduates?&nbsp; Insurance Commissioner Kim Holland tells The News On 6. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.newson6.com/Global/story.asp?S=12198655">Tahlequah Administrators Hope Health Care Reform Eases Burden On ERs</a>

Wednesday, March 24th 2010, 11:45 pm

By: News On 6


By Chris Wright, The News On 6

TULSA, OK -- Health care reform continues to cause confusion for Oklahomans both young and old. Some are worried about their Medicare while others wonder when they will be able to place older children on their insurance plans.

Administrators at Tahlequah City Hospital estimate 60 percent of their patients use Medicare. With $500 billion in cuts to the program expected over the next decade, they're concerned about reform.

"I'm really skeptical about how it's going to get paid for, and whether or not there's going to be rationing," said Brian Woodliff, Tahlequah City Hospital CEO.

3/24/2010 Related Story: Tahlequah Administrators Hope Health Care Reform Eases Burden On ERs

State Insurance Commissioner Kim Holland, who has read the entire 2,700 page bill, says seniors have nothing to worry about - yet.

"We can be assured that at least in the immediate, there won't be any changes that will affect them," Holland said.

In fact, there are immediate benefits for Medicare patients who fall into the 'donut hole,' the coverage gap for prescription drugs covered under Medicare. They are eligible for a $250 rebate.

But when the bulk of Medicare reforms go into effect in 2014, Holland expects doctors will be re-imbursed for fewer procedures.

"Some might have to consider not treating Medicare patients, or dramatically reducing the number of Medicare patients, or Medicaid, patients that they can see," said Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner Kim Holland.

On the other end of the spectrum, younger uninsured Oklahomans like Stacy Pettit stand to benefit from the bill this year.

"I've been scrounging from paycheck to paycheck. I haven't been able to find extra dollars that would go towards that," Pettit said.

After graduating from OSU last year, Stacy has been unable to find a full-time job that offers benefits. Starting this fall, she and those in similar situations will be able to remain on their parents' insurance plan until they are 26.

"It's going to be interesting to see how it all plays out, honestly. But yeah, I'll definitely go for that so my entire paycheck won't be going to the doctor," she said.

Commissioner Kim Holland says U.S. Congress can opt not to reduce Medicare reimbursements to doctors. But if that happens, it will likely mean higher taxes for the rest of us.

 

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