To make it easier to compare the quality and affordability of health care from doctors and hosiptals, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has drafted new rules. Medicare information on both cost and quality is now going to be provided by the CMS.
Under the new rules, organizations meeting certain qualifications will be given permission to access patient-protected Medicare data to produce public reports about the health care services of clinics, doctors and hospitals. These reports will combine Medicare and Medicare Supplement Insurance claims data with private sector claims data to point out which health care providers give the most cost-effective and highest-quality services. This strategy is a part of the health care reform law aimed at enhancing health care, making people pro-active about their health, and driving down health care costs.
How Will Transparency Change Health Care?
Making health care claims more transparent, can broaden consumer understanding about the performance of doctors and other providers. Imagine being able to pick your surgeon based on survival and recovery rates after his past surgeries.
Transparency can be just as critical when it comes to Medicare Advantage Plans and Medicare Supplement Insurance. Did you know that Medigap Plans are standardized by law to offer pre-set benefits? The same cannot be said about Advantage Plans, though, you’ll have to scrutinze benefits, such as which medications each plan covers.
Can Transparency Help You Make The Most Of Medicare?
To be sure you have the coverage you’ll need demands deciphering Medicare’s benefits and comparing that to your regular doctor and hospital bills. Then, look for one of several Medicare Advantage Plans or Medicare Supplement Insurance plans that can pick up any left-over healthcare expenses. Once you’ve decided what additional coverage you’ll need and which plan can best fill in Medicare’s gaps, you’ll need to research how prices compare for that plan.
There’s still little transparency when it comes to how Medigap Insurance plans are priced. Research shows that certain people unfortunately pay hundreds of dollars more than others for the exact same benefits. To compare rates, check out rates from several insurance companies or use an online website to help you compare rates from various insurance companies by running quotes on multiple plans with a single quote request. This is a free service and the quotes are precise. It’s a quick way to narrow down the selection of various plans.
If you have a pre-existing health condition, your best opportunity to get coverage with low rates comes during special open enrollment periods, such as when you turn 65. During open enrollment, Medigap Insurance plans rates cannot be increased based on your health history. In addition, Medicare Advantage Plans or MA plans are known for accepting all pre-existing health conditions except End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). The more you learn about Medicare, Advantage plans and Medicare Supplement Insurance, the better chance you have to get coverage that fits your situation at a low rate.