America spent 17.3% of its gross domestic product on health care during 2009 (1). If you break that down by using an individual level, we spend $7,129 per person each year on health than some other country in the world (2). With 17 cents of every dollar Americans spent keeping our country healthy, it's no wonder the government is determined to reform the system. Despite the overwhelming attention medical care becomes in the media, we all know very little about where that money comes from or the actual way it gets into the system (and rightfully way we spend on medical is insanely complex, to put it mildly). This convoluted method is the unfortunate result of a few programs that make an effort to control spending layered in addition to one another. What follows can be a systematic try and peel away those layers, letting you become the best medical care consumer as well as an incontrovertible debater when discussing "Health Care Reform." Medigap Plans E, H, I, and J are eliminated by Medicare, however people who find themselves currently signed up for these plans will be allowed to continue in them with no changes. Two benefits that are also being eliminated will be the At-Home Recovery benefit, along with the Preventative Care benefit, since these were dependant on Medicare being completely underused by beneficiaries. Those who are going to plans prior to June 1st. 2010 that contain either of these benefits will be permitted to keep using them.Other important changes include the addition of the Hospice benefit to all Medicare Supplement Plans, because it will be described as a core advantage of all Medigap Plans. Even though the tastes seniors view the rewards connected with subscribing to Medicare Part B, quite a few tend not to seek out Medigap insurance and even Medicare advantage plans. Think about a situation where you just retired, and now have Medicare for medical insurance rather than the coverage you'd at work. Do you recall when you're able to just go to the hospital and pay a $50.00 copy? Sadly, with Part B Medicare, you'd pay much more. Even if you have only one or two x-rays taken after falling, the whole er charge is going to run around $4,000. If you need advice about your Medicare choices, the California Department for your Aging website is the place to see. As part of the national network of State Health Insurance and Assistance Programs (SHIP), this can be a website you can travel to to obtain information about your nearest HICAP (Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program) office. So here we have been at this crossroads. People are yelling about socialism along with the 'governments take over' of health care. But with the increasing cost of medical assistance, shouldn't the us government either get out of the 'care' business - social security, Medicare, children's health - or care for everyone? No one dares to touch the "third rail" of social security or Medicare, while it's as much socialized as whatever else being proposed.

All You Need to Know Regarding Medicare Supplement Insurance