7 Ways Medicare for All is Different Than Original Medicare
Everyone keeps talking about “America’s healthcare crisis” by which they generally mean “skyrocketing costs that people can’t afford to pay” even if they have health insurance (millions don’t).
Many solutions have been proposed that include the word “Medicare” in the title, such as “Medicare for All.”
That’s because Medicare – while not perfect by any means – is the most affordable, hassle-free health insurance plan out there.
Medicare blows private health insurance out of the water when it comes to controlling the cost of healthcare, efficiently paying claims and providing access to a nationwide physician network. (96% of American doctors accept Original Medicare.)
If you’re already on Medicare, or hope to be someday, you likely wonder how Medicare for All would be different than Medicare.
We actually have two current pieces of legislation – both introduced in 2019 – that define what Medicare for All is and how it would work.
Rep. Pramila Jayapal introduced the The Medicare for All Act of 2019 (H.R. 1384) in the House of Representatives. Sen. Bernie Sanders introduced his version of The Medicare for All Act of 2019 (S. 1804) into the U.S. Senate.
These bills give us a very good idea of what Medicare for All is, and how it’s different from Medicare. Let’s take a closer look at 7 surprising differences!
Difference #1: Universal Coverage
Medicare for All would cover all residents of the United States.
Medicare mainly covers American seniors, and persons with certain disabilities including permanent kidney failure.
Difference #2: No Age Restriction
Medicare for All would cover you for life, no matter if you’re rich or poor, sick or well, married or single, employed or not. If you’re a resident of the United States, you would be covered.
Medicare generally only covers you when you’re age 65 or older.
Difference #3: Broader Coverage
Medicare for All would include coverage for prescription drugs, dental, vision and hearing.
Medicare doesn’t cover those essential needs.
Difference #4: No “Patient Share” of Costs
Medicare for All would not have any coinsurance, deductibles or copays.
Medicare currently has a 20% coinsurance, plus deductibles and copays.
Difference #5: Includes Long-Term Care
Medicare for All would include coverage for long-term care.
Medicare offers very limited long-term care under specific circumstances.
Difference #6: Prohibits Health Insurer Interference
Medicare for All would not allow private health insurance companies to reduce coverage, limit access to doctors or otherwise attempt to profit from people’s need for health care. Private health insurers could only offer coverage that is not already included in the Medicare-for-All legislation.
Medicare currently permits private health insurers to profit from “Medicare-like” plans (called “Medicare Advantage” plans) that reduce people’s access to health care. They also allow insurers offering prescription drug coverage to issue policies that limit people’s access to medicines prescribed by their doctors.
Difference #7: Negotiated Prices
Medicare for All would require that prices for prescription drugs and medical equipment be negotiated so that Americans would enjoy the same affordable access to these medical necessities that people in other countries do.
Medicare does not have the authority to negotiate the prices of prescription drugs and medical equipment.
Conclusion
Medicare for All sounds great, right? But serious questions remain.
How expensive will it be? How will we pay for it? Who will it cover, and for what? Will I wake up one day and suddenly not have any insurance?
If you want to learn more, check out our post on Five False Fears About Medicare for All!
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NEED TO KNOW IF I HAVE MEDICARE COVERAGE
If you have not signed up for Medicare, you probably do not have the coverage. Here are contact numbers so you can call Medicare about your status:
If your issue needs to be addressed within 10 days, you should call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
1-800-MEDICARE is available 24 hours, 7 days a week, including some federal holidays.
TTY/TTD users can call 1-877-486-2048.