This week, the podcast takes a dive into some important changes coming down the pike in the Medicare program. For the first time in its history, Medicare will soon begin to pay benefits for some non-medical services that could help improve the health of seniors who are facing major functional limitations. The new benefits are contained in legislation passed by Congress last year called the Chronic Care Act. The law will allow Medicare Advantage plans to pay for things like grocery deliveries, transportation, caregiver support, and retrofitting homes to support older adults with chronic conditions.
Joining me this week to talk about the changes -- and when we can expect to see them cropping up in Medicare plans -- is Dr. Bruce Chernof.
Bruce is the president and CEO of The SCAN Foundation, one of the largest foundations in the country focused solely on improving the quality of life for seniors. The foundation has a special focus on promoting a coordinated, and easy-to-navigate system of high-quality health services for older adults that preserve dignity and independence.
I asked Bruce what these benefits actually will look like, and why they could mark an important change in Medicare. I also asked him why these benefits will be offered only in Medicare Advantage plans, and when we could see something similar rolled out in traditional fee-for-service Medicare.
Finally, I asked for his thoughts on the country’s ailing system of providing long-term care support and services, and how that can be improved.
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Medicare will soon cover some non-medical services