Senior Healthcare Legislation
With the change in our Presidential administration, senior healthcare legislation and the repeal/replace plan for Obamacare are significant issues. This legislation has significant impact for several demographics, including people ages 50-64, according to AARP. 
The proposed new senior healthcare legislation includes wording that allows insurance providers to deny coverage for people with pre-existing conditions.
“AARP’s Public Policy Institute reports that 25 million people ages 50 to 64 have a preexisting condition, like cancer, heart disease or high blood pressure, for which they could be turned down for coverage on the individual market if discrimination against them were once again permitted. This could mean, for example, denying lifesaving treatments like chemotherapy and dialysis.” (AARP website, April 14, 2017)
In addition, legislation was recently introduced – State Age Rating Flexibility Act of 2017 – that allows insurers to charge older Americans significantly more for health insurance.
AARP Executive Vice President Nancy LeaMond told FOX Business: “This legislation has a simple explanation — it would be an age tax — charging older Americans not yet eligible for Medicare a penalty of five times what others must pay for health insurance. The term ‘age rating’ is Washington-speak for overcharging older Americans by thousands of dollars for their health care.” (Fox Business website, April 14, 2017)
The Fox Business article goes on to state that under the AHCA, insurers can charge its oldest enrollees up to three times as much as the youngest adult enrollees. The new proposal would change the age rating ratio to 5:1 or even higher. According to a new study from AARP’s Public Policy Institute conducted by the independent actuarial firm Milliman, under this proposal, on average, adults age 60 and older would see their insurance bills go up by $3,200 — making their average annual premium a whopping $17,900.
Assisted Living Services urges all Americans to be aware of current events, including senior healthcare legislation, that could impact your lifestyle and ability to receive healthcare benefits.
