Congress and the Trump administration are working together
to implement new laws that will extend Medicare coverage to individuals with
multiple chronic conditions. The changes seek to deal with long-term illnesses
that often can build on one another and that an increasing number of Americans
face as they age.
The Chronic Care Act, included in a budget approved by the
White House earlier this year, gave the Department of Health and Human Services
authority to extend new benefits under Medicare, such as social and medical
services, home improvements like wheelchair ramps, transportation to doctor’s
offices, and home delivery of hot meals.
“This is a way to update and strengthen Medicare,” said
Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), who designed and championed the law.
Most of the new benefits will be available for Medicare
Advantage plans, with the intention being that these plans will be tailored to
a patient’s specific needs based on their conditions.
Lawmakers hope that Medicare coverage of comparatively small
and inexpensive items such as infrastructure improvements can save Medicare
money in the long term by reducing costly rehospitalizations.
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