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ElderLaw Attorneys Propose Medicare LTC Benefit

Tue, 04/18/2000 - 11:00pm — Karen Stevenson
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The National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys has published a white paper stating their position on long term care reform. In this paper, they say they believe there must be a comprehensive reform of our long-term health care system to insure access to quality and cost efficient long-term health care for all Americans. The purpose of the white paper is to identify the key components to the long-term care system, analyze the problems that exist within its current structure and make recommendations for government representatives to consider in their policy-making efforts.

They propose that long term care be financed by a system of Social Insurance to be called "Medicare Part D." In this program, each beneficiary would be entitled to a pool of money (they suggest $200,000) to be used as needed, not just for nursing homes but for any type of long term care. In their program, Medicare would pay 80% of the cost of care, after a significant deductible has been paid by the individual (they suggest $10,000). After the pool of money is exhausted, the beneficiary would pay for additional services needed either privately or through private insurance. The current Medicaid program would be retained for those unable to afford the deductibles or to purchase private insurance.

They propose that this benefit be financed with an additional payroll deduction, in the same way that Medicare Part A benefits are currently financed.

The National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys has published a white paper stating their position on long term care reform. In this paper, they say they believe there must be a comprehensive reform of our long-term health care system to insure access to quality and cost efficient long-term health care for all Americans. The purpose of the white paper is to identify the key components to the long-term care system, analyze the problems that exist within its current structure and make recommendations for government representatives to consider in their policy-making efforts.

They propose that long term care be financed by a system of Social Insurance to be called "Medicare Part D." In this program, each beneficiary would be entitled to a pool of money (they suggest $200,000) to be used as needed, not just for nursing homes but for any type of long term care. In their program, Medicare would pay 80% of the cost of care, after a significant deductible has been paid by the individual (they suggest $10,000). After the pool of money is exhausted, the beneficiary would pay for additional services needed either privately or through private insurance. The current Medicaid program would be retained for those unable to afford the deductibles or to purchase private insurance.

They propose that this benefit be financed with an additional payroll deduction, in the same way that Medicare Part A benefits are currently financed.