Medicare in Alabama
Medicare in Alabama - By the Numbers
Medicare provides health insurance coverage for people age 65 or older, or for those under age 65 who suffer from specific medical disabilities. Consider the following Medicare statistics from Alabama:
Percentage of Alabama residents enrolled in Medicare - 17%
Alabama residents enrolled in Medicare Advantage - 172,842
Alabama residents eligible for Medicare Part D - 812,548
Data provided by the Kaiser Family Foundation:
Medicare Enrollment as a Percent of Total Population, 2008
Total Medicare Advantage (MA) Enrollment, 2009
Medicare Beneficiaries with Creditable Prescription Drug Coverage by Type, as of February 2009
Health Care Reform and Medicare
In 2010, the President signed into law the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which includes the following changes to the Medicare program:- Phasing out the "Donut Hole" - More than 8 million seniors in 2007 hit the "donut hole", which is the gap in prescription drug coverage in Medicare Part D. In 2010, beneficiaries who hit the donut hole will receive a $250 rebate. Beginning in 2011, the Act institutes a 50 percent discount on brand name drugs in the donut hole, and the Act will completely close the donut hole for all prescription drugs by 2020.
- Improved Preventive Care - Eliminates deductibles, copayments, and other cost-sharing for preventive care in Medicare, and provides free annual wellness check-ups starting in 2011. Today, seniors must pay 20 percent of the cost of many preventive services and office visits.
Data provided by the US Senate:
"Strengthening Medicare for Our Nation's Seniors" available at
http://dpc.senate.gov/healthreformbill/healthbill91.pdf
Alabama Medicare Resources
Alabama seniors and those eligible for Medicare can also refer to the following resources for additional information on Medicare within Alabama.
Alabama Medicare Savings ProgramsAlabama residents can save money on Medicare each year through savings programs for people with limited income or resources who pay some or all of Medicare's premiums and may pay Medicare deductibles and coinsurance.
Alabama State Health Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program (SHIP)Provides information to Alabama residents about Medicare including assistance on understanding your Medicare rights/protections and how to submit a complaint about medical care or treatment.
Alabama Medicare Insurance Providers
- Aetna
- Humana
- United of Omaha
