Treatment FAQ

at age 76, when you most need it most, you are not eligible for cancer treatment under obamacare

by Elinor McKenzie Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Does Medicare cover a 76 year old under Obamacare?

Under Obamacare, patients 76 and older must be admitted to the hospital by their primary care physicians in order to be covered by Medicare. MEDICARE AT AGE 76 Hope all of you who count of Medicare to take care of you into your golden years have a back-up plan.

Does Obamacare require hospital admission for patients 76 and older?

Obamacare does not require that patients 76 and older must be admitted to the hospital by their primary care physicians in order to be covered by Medicare. Under Obamacare, patients 76 and older must be admitted to the hospital by their primary care physicians in order to be covered by Medicare.

Does Medicare require a primary care physician to admit patients 76 or older?

Nothing in the text of the Affordable Care Act requires that a primary care physician admit patients 76 or older in order for their hospital care to be treated under Medicare.

Does ACA require a primary care physician to admit patients to hospitals?

This alarmist warning claims a provision of the Affordable Care Act [ACA] (commonly known as “Obamacare”) supposedly requires that a primary care physician must admit patients of age 76 and older to a hospital in order for those patients’ hospital costs to be covered by Medicare.

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Does the Affordable Care Act cover cancer treatment?

Key Features of the Affordable Care Act Health plans must cover essential health benefits including cancer treatment and follow-up care. Health plans must also cover check-ups and preventative services (e.g., cancer screenings, including mammograms and colonoscopies), and there are no co payment or deductible costs.

Should an 80 year old have chemo?

First, there is no reason to deny older people adequate cancer therapy — surgery, chemotherapy, radiation — based on age alone. Individualization is critical; one size does not fit all! While one 80-year-old may tolerate a standard course of chemotherapy perfectly well, the next may not.

Can you be denied insurance for cancer?

Cancer and the Affordable Care Act Plans that comply with the Affordable Care Act in the United States cannot deny you health coverage or discriminate against you in any way if you have a pre-existing condition, including cancer. So even if you have cancer, your health insurance company cannot kick you off your plan.

Is chemotherapy recommended for elderly?

Elderly patients should be given the option of chemotherapy for responsive advanced cancers. As with younger patients they make their decision balancing any predicted positive outcome against the treatment's adverse effects that, even if temporary, will impact upon their quality of life.

Should a 75 year old have chemo?

Even when you are healthy, your body will most likely respond differently to treatment than a younger person's body. For example, older adults are more likely to have serious side effects from chemotherapy. But age should not be the only factor in your treatment decisions. Cancer treatment can help people of any age.

Can a 75 year old survive chemotherapy?

In most cases, it does not. A healthy older person often has the same chances of responding to treatment or being cured than a younger one. Even for patients with more health issues chemotherapy may help decrease cancer symptoms and growth, and help people live better and longer.

Can I be denied health insurance because of a pre-existing condition?

Health insurance companies cannot refuse coverage or charge you more just because you have a “pre-existing condition” — that is, a health problem you had before the date that new health coverage starts.

Does cancer count as a pre-existing condition?

A pre-existing condition is a health problem you had before the date that your new health coverage starts. Pre-existing conditions include epilepsy, cancer, diabetes, lupus, sleep apnea, and many more.

Can cancer patients be denied treatment?

Medical Necessity Certain forms of cancer treatment may also be denied as not medically necessary. Although insurance companies steadfastly maintain that they do not practice medicine, they may question your doctor's judgment and deem certain medications or therapies, even if FDA-approved, as unnecessary.

Should an 80 year old have radiation therapy?

It has been suggested that psychosocial support during and after radiation therapy may improve overall quality of life. We found that in our patients who were age 80 or older, radiation therapy could be safely administered with both curative and palliative intent.

What is the life expectancy after chemotherapy?

During the 3 decades, the proportion of survivors treated with chemotherapy alone increased from 18% in 1970-1979 to 54% in 1990-1999, and the life expectancy gap in this chemotherapy-alone group decreased from 11.0 years (95% UI, 9.0-13.1 years) to 6.0 years (95% UI, 4.5-7.6 years).

When should you not do chemotherapy?

Cancer treatment is at its most effective the first time that it's used. If you've undergone three or more chemotherapy treatments for your cancer and the tumors continue to grow or spread, it may be time for you to consider stopping chemotherapy.

What age do you have to be to be covered by Medicare?

Under Obamacare, patients 76 and older must be admitted to the hospital by their primary care physicians in order to be covered by Medicare. MEDICARE AT AGE 76 Hope all of you who count of Medicare to take care of you into your golden years have a back-up plan.

What age do you have to be to be admitted to a hospital?

This alarmist warning claims a provision of the Affordable Care Act [ACA] (commonly known as “Obamacare”) supposedly requires that a primary care physician must admit patients of age 76 and older to a hospital in order for those patients’ hospital costs to be covered by Medicare.

Is Medicare a part of the ACA?

Medicare coverage for hospital care is governed not by the ACA, but by provisions of the Social Security Act that establish the criteria for Medicare Parts A and B, and by rules and guidelines provided by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

Is Medicare covered by a hospital?

You need the kind of care that can be given only in a hospital. The hospital accepts Medicare.

How many parts of Medicare are there for cancer?

The type of policy you have can also play a role in your Medicare cancer coverage and how much you'll have to pay out-of-pocket. There are four parts of Medicare, referred to as Part A, Part B, Part C and Part D.

When is the best time to buy Medicare Supplement Insurance?

The best time to purchase Medicare Supplement Insurance is when you are first eligible — during your open enrollment period. Your Medigap open enrollment period begins the month you are both 65 and enrolled in Medicare Part B. If you are over the age of 76, you may have missed your Medigap open enrollment period.

What is Medicare Advantage?

Medicare Advantage Plans Cover Cancer Treatments and Can Offer Additional Benefits. Medicare Part C ( Medicare Advantage) is an alternative to Original Medicare sold by private insurance companies. Medicare Advantage plans must provide at least the same coverage as Original Medicare, but sometimes include additional benefits like vision or dental.

Does Medicare cover cancer treatment after 76?

Does Medicare Cover Cancer Treatment After Age 76? Though there may be a deductible or copay involved, Medicare does cover cancer treatment and preventative screenings, including for beneficiaries age 76 and up.

Does Medicare Advantage cover cancer?

Some Medicare Advantage plans may also offer benefits such as home modifications designed to help you age in place, which Original Medicare doesn't cover. Many Medicare Advantage plans also offer prescription drug coverage, which can include cancer treatment medications.

Does Medicare cover out of pocket costs?

Medicare Supplement Insurance. Even as comprehensive as Medicare coverage is, it doesn't cover all of your out-of-pocket costs. Medicare Supplement Insurance plans help cover some of your out-of-pocket Medicare costs for chemotherapy and other cancer treatments, including deductibles, coinsurance and copayments.

Does Medicare cover prostate cancer?

The amount that Medicare will cover for cancer treatments can vary based on the type of cancer you have (such as breast cancer or prostate cancer) and the type of treatment plan prescribed by your doctor. The type of policy you have can also play a role in your Medicare cancer coverage and how much you'll have to pay out-of-pocket.

Does Medicare cover cancer treatment?

Medicare health insurance provides fairly comprehensive cancer treatment. This includes services like chemotherapy and cancer screening, as well as surgery and hospital stays. Medicare coverage will vary depending on the type of Medicare you have, especially when it comes to drug coverage.

Medicare coverage for cancer screenings and tests

There are a variety of types of cancer screenings that your healthcare provider may suggest as part of preventive coverage. This includes diagnostic screenings like mammograms to detect breast cancer, as well as other forms of testing, such as barium enemas for colorectal cancer.

Medicare coverage for cancer treatment

Medicare Part A hospital insurance is dedicated to covering inpatient care. Most often this means hospital care, but it can also refer to other types of inpatient services, such as skilled nursing facilities (SNF), hospice care, and home health care.

Durable medical equipment

Durable medical equipment refers to any equipment that is medically necessary to help treat a disease. This includes items like wheelchairs and canes as well as oxygen tanks and blood sugar monitors. If you need DME as part of your cancer treatment, the most important thing is to be mindful of where you purchase it from.

Medicare Advantage and cancer treatment coverage

Medicare Advantage, also known as Medicare Part C, allows you to receive your Medicare coverage through a private insurance company. All Part C plans are required by law to provide at least the same level of coverage as Original Medicare (Parts A and B).

Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug Plans

Some Medicare Advantage plans come bundled with prescription drug coverage. This is very convenient for some, but others may be able to find a standalone drug plan that better suits their needs.

Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage and cancer treatment

Although most Part C plans offer prescription drug coverage, Part D plans are still more common because two-thirds of beneficiaries choose to stick with Original Medicare.

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