This week we are reading about Cigna’s new Medicare Advantage CMO discussing Medicare Advantage plans and Covid-19, the overwhelming number of seniors who want Medicare to add dental coverage, and how much Meidcare beneficiaries could expect to pay for a hospital stay due to Covid-19.
Cigna’s new Medicare Advantage CMO talks about growth plans, Covid-19 | Med City News | March 20, 2020
Dr. Gina Conflitti was names chief medical officer of Cigna’s Medicare Advantage business on March 5. In her first month on the job, she shared her plans for Cigna’s MA plans and how they’re handling the Covid-19 pandemic.
Read the FAQs on MedCityNews.com here.
93% of People Over 65 Want Medicare to Add Dental Coverage | Futurity | March 25, 2020
Nearly all older Americans support adding dental coverage to the Medicare program that covers most people over age 65, according to a new national poll. The poll also reveals how often costs get in the way of oral health for older adults. Ninety-three percent of people between the ages of 65 and 80 who responded to the new poll favor including dental coverage in traditional Medicare. The percentage dropped to 59%, however, when researchers asked if they’d favor it even if they had to pay more for their Medicare benefits.
Read the full press release on futurity.org here.
How Much Could Medicare Beneficiaries Pay For a Hospital Stay Related to COVID-19? | KFF | March 24, 2020
As the coronavirus continues to spread, the number of people on Medicare admitted to the hospital for COVID-19 related illness is expected to rise, mainly because older people are at higher risk of getting seriously ill if they get infected. According to the CDC’s analysis of preliminary data, 45% of all hospitalizations and over half (53%) of intensive care unit (ICU) admissions are for people ages 65 and older. While only a relatively small share of adults who test positive for coronavirus are expected to get sick enough to be hospitalized, those who do could face significant out-of-pocket costs for their hospital stay, and many people on Medicare already face relatively high out-of-pocket healthcare costs.