Medicare Turns 50!

Medicare turns 50!! Prior to 1965 when then president Lyndon Johnson signed Medicare and Medicaid into law, many elderly Americans, as well as the nation’s poorest families, were forced to depend on charity for their healthcare needs – either that or go without treatment at all. The emergence of Medicare and Medicaid brought about rapid change – prompting dramatic drops in infant mortality rates and infectious diseases such as influenza and pneumonia. Since then, Medicare and Medicaid have: Filled gaps in healthcare for the elderly and for low income individuals. Transformed care for millions of seniors and people with disabilities. Produced positive, long lasting healthcare results. Now, 50 years later, Medicare and Medicaid are essential elements of the nation’s health care system. Today, Medicare covers more than 55 million Americans, most of whom are 65 years or older. Medicaid, a joint federal and state program, provides health coverage to more than 4.6 million low income older Americans; nearly all of whom are also enrolled in Medicare, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). At the time these programs were signed into law, about half of older adults had no health care coverage. Over the past five decades, Medicare and Medicaid have become essential to the care of older adults and ensuring they have the opportunity to live healthy lives. Medicare serves about 1.7 million older Americans and individuals with disabilities receiving skilled nursing and rehabilitative care. Medicaid is the largest payer of long term services and supports. About 63% of nursing center patients and 19% of assisted living residents rely on Medicaid on any given day for their care. CMS has just released undated Medicare enrollment numbers, showing that more than 55 million Americans are covered by Medicare. In 1966, approximately 19.1 million Americans were covered by Medicare. In 2012, there were nearly 52 million beneficiaries covered by Medicare. Today’ enrollment numbers represent a 3 million person increase during the last three years as the Baby Boom generation has started to retire, CMS says. Community meetings to learn more about Medicare Health Insurance have been planned. TOPIC: Understanding Medicare Plan Choices for 2016 Get updates and learn about the changes to Medicare, the Medicare Health Plans, Medicare Part D, NYS EPIC, and “Extra Help” Low Income Subsidy Program. The Medicare Open Enrollment Period is from October 15th to December 7th, 2015. Information is presented by representatives of the Niagara County Office for the Aging, NYS EPIC Program, and Medicare Advantage Plans Representatives. Medicare Advantage Plan Sales Reps will be present to provide enrollment assistance. DATE LOCATION TIME October 16, 2015 North Tonawanda Senior Center 110 Goundry St., N. Tonawanda 9:30 am October 28, 2015 Lewiston Senior Center 4361 Lower River Rd., Lewiston 9:30 am October 29, 2015 The Dale Association Senior Centre 33 Ontario St., Lockport 9:30 am