Confusion Over Health Insurance Marketplaces

Dr. Stefanacci is an associate professor of health policy and public health at the University of the Sciences, Philadelphia, PA. He is a practicing internist and geriatrician, with more than a decade of experience as a medical director. He served as a Health Policy Scholar for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. In addition Dr. Stefanacci serves as Chief Medical Officer of The Access Group. For complete biography, visit http://www.gradschool.usciences.edu/faculty/stefanacci-richard.

It is important for geriatric providers to know that their Medicare patients do not need to sign up for anything through the Health Insurance Marketplaces (HIMs) formerly known as exchanges. In fact, Medicare beneficiaries are prohibited from participating in the plans being offered through the HIM. CMS has been so concerned by the confusion that the October Medicare & You Handbook has a section to clarify this for beneficiaries. Here is a recent article from Kaiser Health News explaining this.