Medicare Blog

how would a voucher program work for seniors instead of medicare

by Dr. Jalon Wunsch Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago

In such a voucher system (sometimes called premium support), traditional Medicare would disappear. Instead, government would give seniors a subsidy they could use to buy private insurance. But such a plan could never succeed without a robust individual insurance market.

In such a voucher system (sometimes called premium support), traditional Medicare would disappear. Instead, government would give seniors a subsidy they could use to buy private insurance.Mar 21, 2011

Full Answer

Should Medicare be replaced by a voucher system?

In such a voucher system (sometimes called premium support), traditional Medicare would disappear. Instead, government would give seniors a subsidy they could use to buy private insurance. But such a plan could never succeed without a robust individual insurance market.

Will Democrats send millions of seniors cash vouchers to buy Medicare?

Senate Democrats are weighing sending millions of seniors up to $1,000 cash vouchers so they can purchase new Medicare benefits next year. Democrats want to produce tangible benefits in people's lives ahead of next year's midterms.

How much do health care vouchers go to seniors?

In contrast, only 80 cents on every dollar goes to medical care in the individual insurance market, where seniors would be taking their vouchers. Prior to the new health care reform law, the number was even lower.

What is the voucher model for health care?

The voucher model -- which essentially gives seniors a check and sends them off into the private marketplace -- is based on the notion that competition, facilitated by a free market, will bring down the cost of health care.

What is a voucher system for Medicare?

A voucher system would provide a set amount of money for each beneficiary to purchase private insurance – this would eliminate Medicare as we know it. Further, according to the Congressional Budget Office, the proposed voucher plan would double out-of-pocket costs for people with Medicare.

Which Medicare plan is best for low income seniors?

The Best Medicare Supplement Plans for Low-Income SeniorsCigna Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans : Best Overall Plans.Aetna Medicare Supplement Plans : Widest Range of Coverage.Mutual of Omaha Medigap Plans : Best Customer Service.State Farm Medicare Supplement Insurance : Best Bundled Discounts.More items...•

Which is the cheapest health insurance for senior citizens?

Read on to learn more about the best insurance policies for senior citizens with the lowest premiums.Star Health Red Carpet: ... National Insurance Varistha Mediclaim: ... Oriental Insurance HOPE: ... Bajaj Allianz Silver Health: ... New India Assurance Health Insurance:

How do I qualify for dual Medicare and Medicaid?

Persons who are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid are called “dual eligibles”, or sometimes, Medicare-Medicaid enrollees. To be considered dually eligible, persons must be enrolled in Medicare Part A (hospital insurance), and / or Medicare Part B (medical insurance).

What is the critical question of Medicare?

HA: A critical question is whether enrollees will be able in the future to afford coverage as good as Medicare provides. If the cost of health care rises less than five percent, enrollees will continue to enjoy coverage with no loss of benefits.

What was the health care system like in the mid-1990s?

In the mid-1990s, it was a different world in health policy. The Clinton health plan had just gone down and general health care spending was rising faster than Medicare spending. It seemed like vouchers might go somewhere. They were a chance to reform one part of the system. Today everything is different.

Can you use a voucher to buy Medicare?

Recipients could use that voucher to buy private insurance or to buy into traditional Medicare coverage. If enrollees chose a more costly plan, they would have to pay the diffierence themselves. If they chose a less costly plan, they could pocket the difference. The voucher would be reduced for upper income enrollees.

Is a voucher tied to health insurance?

If the voucher is tied to overall health costs, there is little or no risk. But under most so-called ‘premium support’ plans, the voucher is tied to an index that has in the past grown much more slowly than the cost of health care. That gap adds up fast, and can quickly erode coverage.

Can Medicare vouchers be used for private insurance?

In the case of Medicare, the check would have to be used in one of two ways. It could be signed over to an insurance company to buy private insurance. Or, if the plan allows it, the voucher can be returned to the government to pay for traditional Medicare. The voucher would cap Medicare’s growth in spending.

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