Some seniors harbor misconceptions about how the new health insurance exchanges opening under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act will affect their Medicare coverage, according to a survey conducted by Express Scripts, a pharmacy benefit management company.
The national survey of Americans aged 65 and older found one in five believe they can enroll in a medical or prescription drug insurance plan through the exchanges, even though those older than 65 aren't eligible. Additionally, 29 percent falsely believe the healthcare reform law raises the Medicare eligibility age, and 17 percent believe the health plans sold through the exchanges could replace their Medicare coverage completely, according to the survey. Only 46 percent said they felt knowledgeable about reform.
In order to combat misconceptions about Medicare and healthcare reform, federal officials have begun a campaign to keep beneficiaries away from the new insurance marketplaces. Medicare plans won't be involved in the new marketplaces, and the program's enrollees won't see their benefits change.
The 2014 "Medicare & You" handbook that 52 million beneficiaries will receive this fall will explain Medicare beneficiaries don't need to bother with the exchanges.
More Articles on Health Insurance Exchanges:
Medicare Officials Tell Beneficiaries to Stay Away From Exchanges
CMS Issues Marketplace Guides for Providers, Patients
PPACA to Benefit Retirees Too Young for Medicare