Health care expert discusses the Affordable Care Act, rising prescription drug costs and the Trump administration's plans for health care reform.
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The latest buzzword now is a single-payer health plan. Another iteration would be Medicare-for-all. Mix in with this is the Affordable Care Act ACA or Obamacare. The ACA covers a large demographic from birth to end of life. Medicare covers the over 65 elderly, and the disabled. Disabled veterans (service-connected) are eligible for medical services at a VA facility, clinic or hospital. Just because you are a veteran does not mean you are eligible for free VA medical services. The Indian Health Service, Department of Defense, and the Federal Employees Health Benefit Plan
The GAO and OPM report: The Department of Defense program is Tricare,
TRICARE is a health program for:
Uniformed Service members and their families,
National Guard/Reserve members includes members of the:
Army National Guard
Army Reserve
Navy Reserve
Marine Corps Reserve
Air National Guard
Air Force Reserve
U.S. Coast Guard Reserve
and their families,
Survivors,
Former spouses,
Medal of Honor recipients and their families, and
Others registered in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS).
"Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) enrollees can choose from a number of health plan offerings depending on where they live. From 2007 to 2015, the median number of plan offerings available in a county increased from 19 to 24. Of the 24 plan offerings in 2015, 19 were available nationwide and 5 were health maintenance organization plans offered in specific geographic areas. Yet despite more available plan offerings in recent years, enrollment has become more concentrated within the largest health insurance carrier in a county. Specifically, the median share of enrollment held by the largest carrier in a county increased from 58 percent in 2000 to 72 percent in 2015. Further, one carrier—the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association—was the largest carrier in 93 percent of counties in 2000 and 98 percent of counties in 2015." Strictly speaking, it is not a government health insurance plan.
This list is a guideline only and patients must verify their eligibility for each plan. Our health system in the United States is a hodge-podge disorganized system. Enrollment eligibility and benefits change each year and the period for enrollment is for a short two month period from October through early December. It is not patient-centric, it's organization is centered around expediency for payors and government entities.
Details are available at the links in the article.
Sally Pipes dispels myths surrounding single-payer health care proposals | Fox News Video
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