This year, the withdrawals will affect 327,000 elderly and disabled people in nearly every state during the coming millennium beginning January 2000.
Click here for a list of areas affected in selected states. According the Health Care Financing Administration, the federal agency that governs the insurance program, HCFA can't force an HMO to continue contracts.
Americans who have depended on the Medicare+Choice plan will still be covered by original Medicare, and other managed care options like Medigap are available. Check the Medicare site for more specific information about what Medicare covers.
If your health coverage will be affected by HMO withdrawal, you should have received a letter from HCFA. You still have several resources to use to answer any lingering questions and to help you make new health care choices:
And keep these tips in mind:
- Unless you've made an early decision, your current HMO is required to cover you until Dec. 31, 1999.
- You have until Nov. 30, 1999, to enroll a new managed care plan, if one is available, or to go back to original Medicare.
- You will probably be able to continue to see the same doctors, since most physicians accept regular Medicare, but check with your doctor to be sure. If you enroll in a new HMO, you'll need to select a new primary care physician.
- If you're hospitalized after Jan. 1, 2000, but started treatment before Dec. 21, 1999, you will be covered for the full course of your treatment. If you're using oxygen, wheelchairs, or home-based medical care covered by a withdrawing HMO, call the phone number shown on your Medicare HMO ID card and ask for Utilization Management (UM) for help in making the transition.
Have you had trouble finding affordable health insurance? Send your questions and anecdotes to HMO Headaches at insurance@ibsys.com
