Medicare Pros and Cons: Everything You Need to Know before Enrolling

Published on: 16 February 2019 Last Updated on: 08 August 2019
medicare pros and cons

Given that more than 40 million Americans benefit from what Medicare has to offer, there are many ways for older adults to stay healthy. Those with disabilities or who might be on the edge of the income limits should know the Medicare pros and cons before enrolling. There are plenty of reasons to choose Medicare or something else, so you need to know what suits your lifestyle.

Here are some of the most common pros and cons that people bring up when they’re struggling with this decision.

Pro: Coverage for the Uncovered:

One of the reasons that Medicare is such a powerful coverage tool is that it has offered coverage to millions of people who didn’t have it.

With this program, elder adults are covered and protected from medical catastrophes. With only half a million seniors uninsured from year to year now, it’s made it so that almost no one over 65 has to live without protection.

Because Medicare is for those who need it and have little means, it helps keep more Americans protected than ever.

Without it, elderly Americans would be forced to pay for medical treatment they couldn’t afford. Older people tend to need the most medical care, and so it’s vital that they have affordable and manageable care. Since elderly Americans are often retired, they don’t have the means to keep up with rising medical costs.

People with disabilities get help under Medicare to pay for the challenging costs of care. Without this aid, they would be dependant on caretakers and stuck with few options for care.

Con: There Are Massive Costs to Cover It:

Put all the costs of Medicare together and you’ll find that it costs nearly half a trillion dollars. While this might be a hard figure to quantify, it ends up being 15 percent of all of our federal spending. It’s only going to continue to grow in the future.

While there are several items in the federal budget that we don’t question the cost of, this is one we have to consider in a realistic sense.

The costs of medical care are constantly climbing ever higher and leading to insurmountable bills for the average American. Without any intervention by the federal government, the cost of healthcare and the cost of providing programs like Medicare will take a big cut out of taxes.

Without Medicare, we would have a much bigger tax base. However, we would have people who are constantly sick and in need of care, clinics that are filled to the brim, and elderly people who had no way to care for themselves.

While we could do some work to ensure that the money we have is spent more wisely, for now, we can imagine this money going to education or social justice. While it could help with programs to eliminate poverty, ultimately, more than half of bankruptcies are due to high medical bills.

Pro: Get More with Medicare Advantage:

For people who need more medical care than the average person, there are ways to supplement Medicare.

Those people who find that they’re at the limits of their Medicare coverage can sign up for the Medicare Advantage plan. Enrollment in this program is constantly growing and should be a powerful way for people to cover those massive increases in medical fees.

Paying for private insurance is difficult if you’re in the tax bracket eligible for Medicare. It’s also redundant given that so much of what’s covered by the standard medical plan is wrapped up in Original Medicare. However, with the help of Medicare Advantage, there is now a place for a third component that offers what many healthcare recipients need.

The way this works is that insurance companies provide benefits related to what’s missing from Medicare through a contract with the government. They offer them at competitive rates that are affordable to the average Medicare recipient.

People taking advantage of these plans get everything they expect from Part A and Part B of Medicare but then get more dental and vision benefits. This extension provides some of what’s missing in most of the other parts of this program.

Con: Bad Health Is Expensive:

If you’re in poor health, you have an intimate view into just how expensive healthcare is. Even if you’ve got great insurance, you’ve seen the prices that come on the bill before you get your care deducted. You could be paying double or triple what a healthy person pays every year, even with healthcare.

While you need to have great healthcare, you need to do what you can to stay healthy. Talk to your doctor about preventative care. You’re never too old to take action to lower your healthcare costs and your need for supplemental care.

There are many free preventative care programs that come standard with most Medicare plans. However, you need to take action to make sure you follow your doctors’ recommendations and stay on top of your health. Many people who incur high bills with Medicare suffer from problems that preventative medicine could assist with.

Even though this program costs very little from month to month, you need to manage your costs as they’ll add up on a limited budget. If you’re tight on money, Medicare supplements may be out of reach. This makes it all the more vital to staying on the good side of health.

Medicare Pros and Cons Are Individual:

Because everyone has their own healthcare needs and requirements, Medicare pros and cons vary from person to person. You need to get to know what you need and what you might need in the future before you decide on Medicare or any other insurance policy.

As more people suffer more chronic health issues, check out our guide to watch the trend.

Read Also:

Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.

View all posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related

Medical Malpractice

Common Types and Causes of Medical Malpractice

Medical malpractice is when you sustain an injury because of an error made by the medical professional. It occurs when a professional does not follow the standard of care that needs to be provided to the patient. This carelessness can be caused by medical professionals in several ways as discussed below. In recent years awareness around issues of medical malpractice has spread among communities. People know that institutions, pharma companies and doctors can on occasions prioritize economic and business interests. This is why a growing body of trained personal injury attorneys have come forward to help individuals and families with regards to medical malpractice claims and settlements. If you would like to get in touch with a medical malpractice attorney for your lawsuit, please follow this link. Common Types and Causes of Medical Malpractice: Misdiagnosis Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis is one of the most common types of malpractice in the medical profession. It means failure to identify the illness correctly or on time which has severe outcomes for the patient. The most commonly misdiagnosed diseases include cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Surgical Error Surgeons are most likely accused of malpractice as a probability of malpractice is more than other procedures. Surgeons often make minor mistakes which could prove to be fatal for the patient, for example, puncturing an organ, operating on the wrong side, leaving a surgical instrument in the body, etc. Mistakes could also occur aftercare as well if the patient’s condition is not observed. Infections Hospitals are filled with people carrying different diseases and germs so it is necessary for medical professionals. Negligence in providing proper health care could result in a lawsuit for medical professionals or the institution. You should be informed of the risks you could be exposed to else you have got a lawsuit claim against the medical professionals for malpractice. Anesthesia Anesthesia mistakes are rare but are more dangerous than surgical errors as even a minor miscalculation could lead to permanent injury, severe brain damage or even death. Anesthesia-related errors include injecting too much anesthesia, failing to monitor the patient’s condition or using defective equipment. Medication errors They are the most common type of medical malpractice and can occur in many ways. An error could be made in the prescribed drug by the doctor, prescribing drugs that could cause a reaction, wrong medication to the wrong patient or recommending improper dosage to the patient. If there is an error in the medication chain, from doctor to pharmacist; the patient will be the one who will suffer. Pregnancy / Childbirth Issues in childbirth either with the mother or with the child are very common which are mostly caused by the professional’s negligence. Major types of malpractice during childbirth include excessive bleeding, unusually long labor, negligence in surgery; while performing a cesarean delivery, nerve injury to the baby during labor, etc. These issues expose the mother and the child to several risks. These are the few common types of medical malpractice however there could be many more ways a medical professional can commit an error. You need to be informed of what is being done to you or to a loved one. If unfortunately, you are a victim of medical malpractice, you need to contact a medical malpractice attorney in Miami, FL as soon as possible. The medical professionals and their insurance representatives could coerce you to not file a lawsuit or settle at a very low amount. Read Also:  Home Decor is an Art Itself - Things To Know Make Sure Your Product Hits the Market As Soon As Possible

READ MOREDetails
good oral hygiene

Is It True That Good Oral Hygiene Can Reduce Cancer Risk?

Cancer remains one of the biggest killers in the world. In fact, as the average age of the population increases, so does the number of people dying from cancer. It is the second leading cause of death across the globe, second only to cardiovascular diseases. Oral cancer is deadly, but the patient has to go through a severe, painful procedure during a cancer diagnosis. But a good oral hygiene habit minimizes the chance of cancerous cell growth in the mouth area. Reduce Chances Of Cancerous Growth With Oral Hygiene The good news is that in many cases, cancer can be treated if it is detected early. But, of course, it is even better to identify what increases cancer risk and reduce these factors in our daily lives.  You may be surprised to realize that regular visits to a good dentist, such as this dentist St Leonards, can reduce the risk of cancer. Cancer can spread to any body part like the lungs, uterus, mouth area, neck, and intestine. Every cancer treatment process is painful. But among all areas, the mouth and the neck areas are some of the sensitive parts of the body. Therefore, you can quickly reduce the chances of cancer by maintaining good oral hygiene. Is There Any Connection Between Overall & Oral Health? Your mouth is full of bacteria, the majority of which are beneficial to maintaining the balance in your mouth. Some of the bacteria even help to prevent tooth decay. However, some have less honorable intentions. These are the ones that react with the sugar in your food and create acid. This attacks the tooth enamel and damages it, increasing the risk of cavities. But, it also does something else, it allows bacteria to get into your bloodstream. There is a vast number of blood vessels in and around your mouth. Bacteria in your blood can travel to other parts of your body and cause issues. But, you can build up good oral hygiene habits and control harmful bacteria production. Research suggests that bacteria in your blood can travel to your brain and contribute to developing diseases such as Alzheimer’s. However, research is ongoing. Is Poor Oral Hygiene Linked With Oral Cancer? The more considerable risk at present from poor oral hygiene is oral cancer. Recent studies have shown there is a link between people with poor oral hygiene and oral cancer. It is believed that the harmful bacteria in your mouth can cause healthy cells to ‘go bad.’ This is often the beginnings of cancer and, if left unspotted, will develop into oral cancer. It is more likely to occur if you smoke or chew tobacco and have poor oral hygiene. Your genetic disposition or cancer in your family can also influence the likelihood of it happening. Good oral hygiene is the key to minimize the higher risk of cancer. If you have these types of bad habits like chewing tobacco or smoke, get rid of the habit fast to maintain oral health. How Regular Dental Visits Help? A regular visit to the dentist, at least once a year, will help any issues in your mouth to be spotted early. Your dentist gets a better view of your teeth, gums, and even your throat than you do. If they notice anything unusual or different from usual, they will investigate further.  This will help to ensure any issue is caught early and can be treated. Of course, good oral hygiene reduces the risk. That means brushing your teeth twice a day for at least two minutes each time.  In addition, you should floss daily, and mouthwash can be beneficial. If you have any concerns about your oral hygiene procedures, you should chat with your dentist. They will guide and even show you to help you get it right. It’s in their interests as well as good for your teeth and overall health. Conclusion: Good oral hygiene is not only helping you to keep your mouth clean and hygiene. The overall health benefits of a clean mouth are undeniable. So better take care of your mouth and teeth to keep your body healthy and fit. So how are you planning to minimize the chances of cancerous cell growth? Start with maintaining your mouth health. Read Also: How Cold Weather Affects the Cancer Patients Early Symptoms and Signs of Breast Cancer

READ MOREDetails
Relax

Ways to Relax Yourself after a Long Day of Work

We are sure that you can connect with the feeling of no ounce of energy we invest in your body after a long, tiring day at work. Sometimes, no matter how hard you try, we just can’t seem to unwind at the end of the day after working hard. Your brain is still working at an overdrive thinking about the could haves and would haves. If you ask anyone a way out, they'll simply tell you to leave your job at your office. However, it is better said than done. Read on as we list a few ways in which you can relax and calm physically and mentally. Lie Down on Your Bed and Do Nothing Of course, we were going to start with this tip! You have spent hours at your job sitting in the same position with no rest. Do you feel that strain in your neck and shoulders that is constantly irritating you? It is due to this very reason. Just lie down in your bed or couch, close your eyes, and do nothing. For this purpose, you need to ensure that your bed or couch is comfortable. If it’s not, take the necessary steps to make it comfortable. For your couch, if you feel that your cushions are not good enough, you can use pillows instead. In fact, there are also pillows designed for neck pain relief to effectively help you relax your body. Stay away from clumpy couches as well - not good for your back. If you prefer lying down in your bed, make sure that the mattress is good. Often, long office hours can cause back pain. To get relief, you can buy a mattress designed for back pain as well. In the end, do nothing - just lounge around and try to take the mind of your work. Take a Hot Bath Most of the time, we take short and quick showers to rush to the office – a short hygienic ritual and we’re done. This gives you all the more reason to take a long bath at the end of the day. Soaking in hot water has a therapeutic effect on your mind. The soothing effect of hot baths can help you drastically lower your anxiety levels. In addition to this, it’s also beneficial to regulate the circulatory system as well as lower your blood pressure. The warm wetness surrounding you can be the perfect way to destress yourself, for sure. Indulge in Your Hobby to Enjoy Yourself The dictionary defines a hobby as an activity that is done regularly in one’s leisure time for pleasure. Well, this couldn’t have been after. The reason why you call something your hobby is because you enjoy it, which can also make it a great stress-buster. If you like reading a book, this is the best time to get lost in the world of imaginary characters and powerful plots. If you prefer reading non-fiction too, the inspirational stories can help to instill in you a sense of contentment and positivity. If you like painting, cooking or listening to music, go ahead and indulge! In fact, listening to music can really be one of the best ways to destress after a long day - even research backs this fact! Call Your Friends and Family Thank God for friends and family for being there when we want to vent or share things. We always have a few family members or friends who help us calm down. Maybe it’s their advice, their humor, or just their ability to hear which makes them that perfect refuge. So, when you return home, make yourself comfortable and call your lifeline.  Even if you don’t want to share anything about your day, you can always listen to them recount a funny story from the past or share something amusing that may have happened to them. Try to Meditate You must already be aware of the benefits of meditating. Taking out even ten minutes of your daily schedule can be extremely positive for your body. Your mood, blood pressure, breathing, and your stress levels will all be under control. There are also many meditation applications available on the internet which you can download for this purpose. Just make sure that you are in a noise-free environment where you can relax. Visit the Gym for a Last-Minute Workout If you are health-conscious or like visiting the gym, you might already be aware of the benefits of gymming. If you aren't, before you cross this tip out of the list, hear us out first. According to Mayo College, exercise is actually helpful to reduce stress in multiple ways. Not only do you feel your confidence improve, but due to the secretion of endorphins in the body, you also feel good. The fact that you also are doing something productive makes your mood better as well. Change Into More Comfortable Clothing Formal clothing is usually uncomfortable because you have to wear full suits, shirts, pencil skirts, heels, and whatnot. If you quickly change your clothes into something more comfortable or even nightwear, you’ll be figuratively be shedding off heaps of exhaustion and frustration. Make it a point to follow this because, at first, you might feel a bit lethargic but, it actually is better for your own wellbeing. Not that fashionable, but oh-so-comfy!  Watch Relaxing Videos Online Since the purpose here is to enter into a blissful state away from worry, watching relaxation videos on YouTube can be the best way out. Not only is this completely free of cost, but you get to enjoy nearly any video that you feel can help you recharge your batteries. You can also watch your favorite sitcom, movie, or TV series. A good tip would be to stick to watching comedies. The laughing can be good for your soul and spirit. Seeing your favorite stand-up comedian in action can help you forget about your deadlines, work pressure, and anything that may be weighing you down mentally. Read Also: The Perfect Way For Girls To Unwind And Relax With Their Friends In Brisbane The Best Way In Relaxing Your Feet Why The Best Time To Relax Is When You Don’t Have Time For It

READ MOREDetails