August 2005: What’s New in Medicare

Starting 2006, Medicare will have a new structure to assist seniors and disabled patients in covering health care costs. We are entering the new era of Medicare Advantage with extended coverage, subsidized prescription drugs, and emphasis on prevention. Some of the drawbacks are a more complex program that requires informed patients, and as in the old version, some out-of-pocket expenses. Medicare Advantage aims to improve the quality of lives of our seniors while reducing PR government expenditures in health care via the health care reform plan. In this issue, find out how this program will impact Puerto Rico.