“Even If You Have Medicare, You’ll Still Pay Thousands Out-Of-Pocket For Health Care,” by Howard Gleckman, Forbes

Quote: “One of the biggest misconceptions seniors have about health care is this: I have Medicare so don’t need to worry about medical costs in old age. It is a dangerous mistake. Not only does traditional Medicare generally not pay for long-term supports and services (either at home or in a nursing home), but it doesn’t pay for a significant chunk of medical treatment. And while most seniors purchase Medicare Supplement (Medigap) insurance to top up their basic Medicare, even they may incur significant out of pocket health care costs. A new report by the Kaiser Family Foundation finds that in 2016, the average Medicare beneficiary spent $5,460 in premiums and other out-of-pocket costs in 2016.”

 

LTC Comment (from Stephen A. Moses, President, Center for Long-Term Care Reform):

Still like “Medicare for All?” What about turning long-term care financing over to the government as this author prefers?