You may find several of these sites or documents useful as you sift through the enormous amount available:
- Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator
- How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Private Patient or Health Advocate?
- After a Diagnosis, Someone to Help Point the Way
- Seniors and the Information Gap
- The Joint Commission Releases New Speak Up™ Video on Important Role of Health Care Advocates
- www.elderlawanswers.com
- www.cms.gov
- www.healthcare.gov/law (Information on the Affordable Care Act of 2010)
- www.benefitscheckup.org (National Council on Aging)
- www.aap.org/advocacy/staccess.htm
- www.aap.org/advocacy.html
- dcoa.dc.gov (Washington, D.C. Office of Aging)
- www.childrensnational.org/education
- www.aginginplace.org
- www.Ppag.org
- www.healthinsurance.org
- www.agingwithdignity.org (Five Wishes)
This guide was created in order to answer some of the most often-asked questions about the new health care reform bill, titled the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which was signed into law in 2010. Each year the bill is slated to roll out new provisions that affect individuals, businesses, insurance companies, health care providers, and the government. This easy-to-read guide will help seniors, their families and the professionals who work with them navigate the complexities of how healthcare reform affects seniors.While it is possible that the bill will be modified over the years, whether by lawmakers or by the courts, it is important to understand the approaching provisions and what they mean for you. Many people will be affected in areas such as federal income taxes, adjustments in existing health care coverage, access to health care coverage, access to information, and requirements of employers.
The topics covered within include:
- How will my Medicare benefits change?
- What happens to my Medicare Part D coverage?
- How are my income taxes affected?
- What new assistance is available for long-term care?
- How are seniors protected against abuse under health care reform?
- Is there a timeline for when all of these take effect?
- Where can I go for more information?