How Medicare and Medicaid could change for you in 2018

It was a rough ride in 2017 for the health care policy in the U.S. Even though the Obamacare repeal didn’t happen, the ACA individual mandate was killed by the GOP tax law. This is a change in the federal law the will impact millions of Americans in the years to come, more so those who are 50 – 64 years of age. Starting in 2019, those in this group will see jumps averaging $1,500 in their health insurance premiums found in an AARP study.

Medicaid covers Americans who are poor, seniors, and the disabled and the affects will have an impact all throughout the U.S. In the coming year, Medicaid will not be the only federal program faced with changes. Medicare will also be impacted by the new tax policy. Here are some of the changes to Medicaid and Medicare that may affect you in 2018.

Retroactive coverage ending will leave Iowans to pay for emergencies. A Medicaid feature which saves massive debts for people by allowing them to receive coverage for 3 months of retroactive coverage. For the poorest Americans this is a safeguard in covering past hospital treatment and visits which would have qualified for Medicaid.

It is unfortunate that the Trump administration approved ending the retroactive coverage at the request of the state affecting low income parents and children over one year of age, seniors, ACA expansion adults, and people who have disabilities.

Additional affects to Medicare will be caps for physical therapy. Indian will also begin rollbacks in 2018. Requests for Medicaid beneficiaries to have work requirements were made by 7 states. Penalties for Medicare patients experiencing abuse in homes will be reduced by the Trump administration. Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker requested approval for required drug testing for Medicaid applicants. Trump administration is requesting the same for childless adults. Automatic cuts for Medicare would follow since the tax cuts will increase the deficit. Maine state hopes to limit its enrollees with asset tests and account information since voters approved the Medicaid expansion. Those with high medical expenses may have deductions for amounts exceeding 7.5%. A few states could be heading for a Medicaid referendum to bridge the gap for people making too much for Medicaid yet unable to afford an ACA plan.