The Affordable Healthcare Act free essay sample

Abstract This paper explores the anticipated affects of The Affordable Healthcare Act, on Medicare coverage and the overall cost of medical care. This paper will serve to provide a succinct overview of the expected changes. The Affordable Healthcare Act: Analysis of the Affects on Medicare Coverage and Medical Care Cost For many decades there has been mounting concern over the cost of healthcare, the availability of coverage, and the future of Medicare. Few agree exactly as to what is the best plan of action. Nevertheless, most people do believe that something has to be done about the current state of affairs regarding healthcare. The trend has been ballooning cost, reduced coverage availability, and skyrocketing indigent care. While the American population struggled to cover the expenses related to caring for an ever aging and chronically ill population. Although The Affordable Healthcare Act may not be everyone’s chosen solution to these problems, it is the law. We will write a custom essay sample on The Affordable Healthcare Act or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Therefore, we must become familiar with it, and learn ways to make these legislative changes mutually benefit both patients and the healthcare industry. Medicare is health care for the aged; a federally administered system of health insurance available to persons aged 65 and over. For most elder Americans, Medicare is the only means by which they can receive coverage for health services. It’s no wonder that many become very apprehensive about changes to this program and the coverage. According to Medicare.gov (2013): Medicare isn’t part of the Health Insurance Marketplace established by ACA, so you dont have to replace your Medicare coverage with Marketplace coverage. No matter how you get Medicare, whether through Original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage Plan, you’ll still have the same benefits and security you have now. Many Medicare recipients have been afraid of the changes the Affordable Healthcare Act would have on their coverage. Although the government has ensured that Medicare will be strengthened by  reform, there are many proposed cuts to what Medicare will cover for certain services. This may indirectly affect Medicare recipients due to a lower Medicare participation rate by many physicians. Physicians already feel Medicare’s coverage is low based on their standard, further cuts may mean less providers accepting Medicare. One of the primary goals of The Affordable Healthcare Act is to reduce healthcare spending. One area the government seeks to reduce expenditures is in the direct cost of medical services. This is a divisive issue, due to the personal nature of healthcare. On one side healthcare providers fear that cuts will mean less revenue, they are joined by patients that fear cuts will result in less care. On the other side the government and insurance providers struggle to reign in the ever escalating cost of healthcare. The government has made it known that cuts will be made; they say these cuts will be in fraud, waste, and abuse. Nevertheless, providers are already up in arms about reductions in Medicare pay they are beginning to experience. Regardless, of which side is taken a solution was definitely needed. Recent OIG reports have revealed that for decades many physicians and facilities have blatantly abused the system costing the government and thereby the American people billions of dollars in fraud, waste, and abuse. Conclusively, the Medicare fund is expected to not only remain intact but to see additional programs focused on preventive care and wellness. Overall the cuts will be to medical care overall, and the amount paid for specific services. The short term effect is reduced spending; however, it’s difficult to say how this will affect the availability of service in the long term.