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The passage of the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA) brought sweeping changes to the Medicare system and healthcare options for seniors across the country. Most notable for Medigap beneficiaries - representing 1 in 4 Medicare enrollees - is the law's creation of the Part D outpatient prescription drug benefit and two new standard Medigap plans, K and L.
As Medigap policyholders examine their options, the Coalition to Promote Choice for Seniors will continue to work to ensure that they retain access to the Medigap benefits they have come to enjoy.
Seniors Are Making the Medigap Choice
Annual surveys have repeatedly shown that the security and peace of mind provided by Medigap rates most important for seniors. In fact, according to a national survey of Medigap enrollees conducted in April 2005, seniors rate Medigap higher than Medicare and Social Security and over 80% would recommend Medigap to a friend.
Data from the 2002 Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey also shows that Medicare beneficiaries with some form of private coverage - including Medigap, Medicare Advantage, or employer-based plans - report better health status and received more preventive care than those with Medicare alone. For more surveys and studies on the impact of Medigap, click here.
Support Policies that Promote Choice for Seniors
The Coalition is committed to protecting seniors' access to the Medigap coverage they have come to rely on to help contain out-of-pocket healthcare expenses. We pledge to work with you to ensure that seniors continue to have the peace of mind provided by Medigap.
One strategy that we support is the inclusion of Medigap premiums as Health Spending Account (HSA) qualified medical expenses. Currently, individuals who are over age 65 may not use HSA funds to purchase a Medigap plan. Allowing individuals to purchase Medigap coverage with funds from HSAs would particularly benefit the many Medicare beneficiaries who may have no other source of health care coverage.
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