Bill O’Boyle: Medicare touts high-quality offerings with release of its Star Ratings

Oct. 13--WILKES-BARRE -- The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) this week released its Star Ratings for the 2019 Medicare Advantage and Part D prescription drug plans.

"Medicare Advantage enrollees will continue to have access to high-quality plans while plan choices are increasing and premiums are declining," said CMS Administrator Seema Verma. "Along with the steps the Trump Administration has taken to maximize competition and lower out-of-pocket prices, we are committed to empowering Medicare beneficiaries to make informed choices in choosing high-quality plans that best fit their health needs."

In 2019, Medicare Advantage will be offering approximately 600 more plans with the number of plans available to individuals to choose from increasing from about 3,100 to about 3,700 nationwide. In addition, more than 91 percent of people with Medicare will have access to 10 or more Medicare Advantage plans. On average, Medicare Advantage premiums in 2019 are estimated to decrease by 6 percent to $28, from an average of $29.81 in 2018.

As part of CMS's recently launched eMedicare initiative, Medicare.gov will feature an improved "coverage wizard" to help users compare options at a deeper level to decide if Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage is right for them. CMS will also provide a stand-alone, mobile optimized out-of-pocket cost calculator that will provide information on both overall costs and prescription drug costs.

Each year, CMS publishes the Part C and Part D Star Ratings to measure the quality of Medicare Advantage and Part D prescription drug plans. In 2019, most areas across the country will have Medicare Advantage and Part D plans with four or more stars.

Approximately 45 percent of Medicare Advantage plans that offer prescription drug coverage will have an overall rating of four stars or higher in 2019.

Enrollees in stand-alone Medicare Part D prescription drug plans will also have access to high-quality plans. In 2019, approximately 31 percent of stand-alone prescription drug plans will have a rating of four stars or higher. The majority of enrollees are in stand-alone prescription drug plans with 3.5 stars or higher.

The Star Ratings system helps people with Medicare, their families, and their caregivers compare the quality of health and drug plans being offered. Medicare health and drug plans are given a rating on a 1 to 5 star scale, with 1 star representing poor performance and 5 stars representing excellent performance. Medicare beneficiaries can compare health coverage choices and the Star Ratings through the online Medicare Plan Finder tool available at Medicare.gov (http://www.medicare.gov).

CMS also recently launched the eMedicare Initiative that aims to modernize the way beneficiaries get information about Medicare and create new ways to help them make the best decisions for themselves and their families.

Medicare open enrollment for 2019 health and drug plans begins Oct. 15 and ends Dec. 7.

Those eligible should look at their coverage choices and decide the option that best fits their health needs. They can visit Medicare.gov, call 1-800-MEDICARE, or contact their State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). Those people with Medicare who do not wish to change their current coverage do not need to re-enroll.

For more information on the 2019 Medicare Advantage and Part D Star Ratings, including a fact sheet: http://go.cms.gov/partcanddstarratings.

To view the premiums and costs of 2019 Medicare health and drug plans: https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Prescription-Drug-Coverage/PrescriptionDrugCovGenIn/index.html.

Mullery votes to help more

seniors afford prescriptions

HARRISBURG -- Thousands more senior citizens would be eligible for the state's prescription assistance program under legislation that passed the House of Representatives this week, according to state Rep. Gerald Mullery, D-Newport Township.

Mullery said senior citizens should not be forced to choose between paying for their prescriptions and buying groceries. He said the state's PACE and PACENET programs are virtual lifesavers for many Pennsylvanians.

PACE provides low-cost prescriptions to those 65 or older who earn up to $14,500 for single people and up to $17,700 for married couples.

House Bill 270 would enhance the additional tier of assistance for moderate-income people, known as PACENET, by increasing the income limit from $23,500 to $27,500 for single people and from $31,500 to $35,500 for married couples.

According to estimates from the Pennsylvania Department of Aging, more than 14,000 people would be eligible for benefits if the bill becomes law, including hundreds more in Luzerne County.

The legislation now moves to the state Senate for consideration.

For more information, call or stop by Mullery's offices at 156 S. Market St., Nanticoke, 570-740-7031, or at 407 Centre St., Freeland, 570-636-3500.

PACE and PACENET are funded by proceeds from the Pennsylvania Lottery.

DePasquale: Pa. must

prioritize mental health

HARRISBURG -- In observance of World Mental Health Day, Auditor General Eugene DePasquale this week urged Pennsylvanians to take advantage of available mental health services and seek immediate help if facing a crisis.

The national Suicide Prevention Hotline number is 1-800-273-8255.

"A recent report by the federal Centers for Disease Control noted a stunning 34 percent increase in Pennsylvania's suicide rate between 1999 and 2016," DePasquale said. "Most troubling, suicide is the second leading cause of death among Pennsylvanians aged 15 to 34."

DePasquale noted the recent Pennsylvania School Safety Task Force Report identified a need to improve mental health services offered to younger Pennsylvanians.

"Six times, in six vastly different schools, students came forward to describe feelings of helplessness and anxiety about inadequate mental health services. It is our job to heed those concerns," DePasquale said. "When it comes to the safety of Pennsylvania's students, the importance of mental health cannot be overstated."

Data from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention indicates that on average, one Pennsylvania resident dies from suicide every four hours. In addition, nearly three times as many people die each year of suicide than of homicide.

Health experts suggest that if you suspect someone is suicidal, speak to them in a private setting and take them to the Emergency Room immediately if they say they are considering or planning self-harm.

For someone who is not in imminent danger, help them to make an appointment to see a mental health professional as soon as possible. Ask them not to act on any self-harm impulses before getting professional help.

To learn more, visit Prevent Suicide PA online at www.preventsuicidepa.org.

Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.

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