Medicare Expansions and Changes - Essay Example

In 1972, the US congress widened the coverage of eligibility, to allow the coverage of the younger people that were permanently disabled and those suffering from terminal illnesses like an end-stage renal disease. The expansion was made, following the realization that the case of the terminally ill and the disabled was worse than that of the aged (Medicare.gov 2014). The impacts included that the young who were disabled to receive social security disability insurance among other health benefits.      

            During 1997, and later in 2003, the association between Medicare and HMOs was formalized, which allowed for the coverage of almost all drugs. However, the expansion took effect in 2006. The expansion was made, following the realization that the costs of drugs were a major burden to the consumers of healthcare services (Medicare.gov 2014). The impact of the expansion was that those seeking coverage for drug costs could get the service.

            In 1982, the government widened coverage to cover hospice benefits, which would aid the aged. Two years later, in 1984, hospice coverage was made permanent. The expansion was made due to the deficiencies in access to hospice services. The impact of the expansion included that the seekers of hospice services received coverage (Rosenblatt, Andrilla, Curtin & Hart, 2006).

            In 2001, Medicare was expanded to cover younger patients suffering from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The expansion was made, following the realization that the needs of these patients were as intense as those of the aged (Medicare.gov 2014). The impacts of the expansion included that the people suffering from ALS received coverage.

            The Coordinating Care and Lowering Costs expansion was implemented on 1st March 2010. The expansion covered the widening of the Federal Coordinated Healthcare office, which coordinates policy for the beneficiaries of both Medicare and Medicaid (Medicaid, 2014). The reason for the expansion was the realization that dual-eligible beneficiaries did not have complete access to high-quality, seamless healthcare services and that the services were highly cost-effective. The impact of the expansion was that the services accessed by dual-eligible beneficiaries were of high quality and highly cost-effective (Medicaid, 2014).

            The “improving care and lowering costs expansion” became effective in January 2011. The expansion covered the establishment of the Center for Medicare and Medicaid innovation (the innovation center). The innovation center was supposed to help with the testing, evaluation, and communication of the best solutions that can cater to the needs of the diverse consumers of healthcare services (Medicaid, 2014). The solutions are formulated and discussed over by the wide array of healthcare innovators operating within the country. The expansion was developed and implemented, following the realization that the service delivery and service delivery systems in operation were not friendly to improving the quality of healthcare services (Joynt & Jha, 2012). The impacts of the expansion included that the establishment of the center led to an improvement in the service and payment delivery systems in operations, which was responsible for the improvement of the quality of healthcare services and also a reduction in the costs of care (Medicaid, 2014).

            The expansion of Medicare Telehealth Services of 2014 was made to improve the background information for Medicare Part A and B. The expansion was implemented to widen the coverage of Medicare healthcare services starting in the year 2014 (Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 2014). The expansion was implemented following the realization that the face-to-face visits required from patients undermined the capacity of healthcare professionals to attend to more patients, and the patient’s ability to meet the condition was limited by the need to transit to the healthcare facility (Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 2014). The impact of the expansion was that the seamlessness and the convenience of service delivery were improved, among both patients and the healthcare service professionals (Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 2014).          

            The Affordable Care Act extension took effect in 2014, after being signed into law in March 2010. The expansion was made to enforce the reforms that would allow more Americans to access health insurance starting in 2014. The reason for the expansion was the acknowledgment that the choices available to Americans, for coverage were limited (HCA, 2014). The deficits addressed through the expansion include those applying for coverage over an online portal and enabling families to enroll in QHP (Qualified Health Plans). The impacts of the expansion include that it will increase the access to care and health insurance to more Americans, starting with the year 2014 (HCA, 2014).