Affordable Care Act Ensure A Range Of Services For The Rural Elderly

Given that there is a shortage of physicians nationwide it is important to expand the scope of mid-level practitioners such as nurse practitioners and physician’s assistant, who are pivotal in treating the mass influx of patients, especially in underserved areas. Rural communities tend to be poorer, and unable to afford to hire enough physicians, and many rural Americans are less well insured, driving the cost of treatment up (RHF, 2015). The lack of resources and funding in underserved areas means even less incentive for physicians to practice in rural areas. Mid-level practitioners are trained to treat patients with low-level illnesses, provide care to patients with chronic and acute diseases, as well as refer patients with more complex issues

One of the trends that is consistent between Pennsylvania and Kentucky is the discrepancy between physicians available in rural areas versus urban areas. For example, in Pennsylvania in 2012 for every 100,000 persons in an urban area of the state there was 273 physicians available. While in the rural areas per every 100,000 in population there was only 150 physicians. (2012 Pulse of Pennsylvania’s Physician and Physician Assistant Workforce, 2014). The reason behind this trend is simple, the larger the area the greater the financial opportunities. Also urban areas tend to have larger hospital facilities that provide access to well-equipped facilities, with lab services, radiology departments, staffed surgical suites, new medical devices to assist in surgery such as laser and robotics, and updated imaging devices. (Johnson and Cooper, 1982). These statistics highlight the need to institute methods that will attract providers to the rural areas. Whether this is through scholarship programs for those who intend to work in a rural area upon graduation, accepting federal funds to expand rural hospitals and improve technology, accepting federal funds to expand Medicaid programs, or a combination of all three providers need incentive to move into the rural areas. The standard of care needs to be consistent across the state no matter what area a patient lives in.

“By expanding loan benefits and increasing residency programs, Open Door Community Health Centers will be able to attract a highly qualified pool of candidates to our area creating more access for healthcare, a diverse clinical experience, and incentivize providers to remain on the rural North Coast and become active community members.”

In order to more fully delve into this issue, this literature review will be focusing on three main areas of study as it applies to the topic of Medicare/Medicaid reimbursement and its relation to the Affordable Care Act. These areas of focus will include

The healthcare system should be fully aware and educated on the increasing population rate that is rating at a very fast pace. Therefore, the organizations should create a medical financial budget that is always flexible. Flexible budgets permit the organizations to adjust their budget for modifications within their work setting. Also, a flexible budget allows the business to have a way out (Davoren, 2016). Also, the health care organization should have enough staff on board who can always work anytime and go to any location to work such as rural areas where the greater portion of the elderly population who demands more medical attention lives (Meeting the Primary Care Needs of Rural America: Examining the Role of Non-Physician Providers, 2016).

In 1965 the first Aging American’s Act was passed. This legislation was part of Lyndon Johnson’s Great Society reform. In passing this legislation nearly 50 years ago, the government created a new department the focused on the rights and needs of the gaining population called the United States Administration on Aging. The original legislation was complete with seven titles. The articles include Title I—the Declaration of Objectives for Older Americans; Title II—Establishment of Administration on aging; Title III—Grants for state and community programs on aging; Title IV—Activities for health and independence, and longevity; Title V—Community service senior opportunities act; Title VI—Grants

Such data suggests that rural areas were actually better off in terms of medical care prior to the enactment of the Affordable Care Act than they are now. Before ACA implementation, the rural population was significantly more likely to be covered by Medicaid (21%) or other public insurance (4%) than the metropolitan population (16% and 3%, respectively). Therefore, while urban individuals on average had more healthcare benefits due to the nature of their insurance provider, since Medicaid made up some of the gap in employer-sponsored coverage in rural areas, the uninsured rate was similar in rural and urbans populations prior to the ACA (Figure 2).

Seniors who fall under a coverage hole will start getting some help. Some are saying that seniors may lose Medicare benefits they now enjoy, but that is not true. The health reform act will not cut guaranteed benefits; a person will still be able to maintain the coverage they want. Americans on Medicare will receive free preventive care without co- payments or deductibles. Seniors will also receive $250 to help pay for their prescriptions. There will also be alternatives to nursing home placement, such as day-service programs, home-care aides, meal programs, senior centers and transportation services. A public, voluntary long-term care insurance program known as the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports, have enrolled individuals who have substantial daily needs to receive at least $50 a day. This money is to be used to defray the costs of services such as home care, family caregiver support, and adult day-care or residential care.

Affordable care act is a law that was passed in March of 2010 to help decrease health care cost and make it more affordable for all Americans. The affordable care act is set to decrease the number of uninsured Americans, qualify more for Medicare and Medicaid, increase the quality of care, promote prevention, extending funding for the children, and help with funding in the communities. The goal for affordable care act is to have everyone insured, no matter what income class you are in. The affordable care act is there to insure everyone so that prevention will increase. It will increase by being able to get check ups and children being able to receive vaccination. If you are not able to qualify for Medicare or Medicaid there

The Elder Justice Act was passed on March 23, 2010 as part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) as the first piece of federal legislation to allow funds to address elder abuse, neglect and exploitation nationwide (Federal Laws, 2015). Part I of the Elder Abuse Act is the Elder Justice Coordinating Council made up of federal government representatives charged with the responsibility of coming up with programs for the promotion of elder justice. They have to provide recommendations to the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services on the issues of abuse, neglect and exploitation of the elderly. Then there are 27 professionals from the general public who are to give recommendations to the Coordinating Council as well. Part II of the Elder Justice Act talks about funding and enhancing long-term care. Long-term care is important because you need programs committed to training long-term staff,

Title I. “Quality. Affordable Health Care for All Americans” (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services). This title states that the American people as well as small business owners will have the freedom of controlling their health car. It is supposed to premium costs by providing billions of dollars in tax relief. The act is also supposed to reduce the cost of what people pay for doctors’ visits by capping those expenses and requires that the insurance plans pays for one hundred percent of the visit. Americans that are satisfied with their current insurance plan will be able to keep theirs. According to the bill, no one will be forced to change their current plans. Americans without health care coverage will be able to choose from a variety of plans that work best for them. This will also be part of a new competitive market, where every member of congress also receives their insurance plans from. Although small business owners do not have the right to choose the plans for their employees, they will receive a tax relief for providing health care for their employees. The act bans insurance companies from denying people due to their previous medical condition or their financial credibility. Title one sets the overall horizon on what the affordable care act is supposed to do.

On 3/23/2010, President Obama signed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act into law, one of the most difficult reforms of the United States medical system in the last forty four years. The Affordable care act changed the non group insurance market in the U.S., regulates that residents have health care coverage, greatly expands public insurance & subsidizes private insurance, raises revenues from a variety of new taxes, & reduces and

The Affordable Care Act set forth millions of dollars to address the problems and concerns that are associated with existing physicians shortages. The Affordable Care Act also has provisions that are aimed to improve the education, ongoing training as well as to help with the recruitment of nursing, physicians, doctors as well as other health care personnel. In addition, there are provisions in place that help to increase workforces’ cultural competency, enhance faculty training of healthcare professionals, and diversity. The provisions also play a vital role because of the fact they are put into place to examine innovative reimbursement and care delivery models that highlight primary care services value and offer in improvement in the patient care coordination.

The Older Americans Act (OAA) funds critical services that keep older adults healthy and independent—services like meals, job training, senior centers, caregiver support, transportation, health promotion, benefits enrollment, and more. The Act is overdue for reauthorization—and Congress needs to seize this opportunity to update and renew its commitment to these programs and those they serve. To ensure America’s aging population is able to maintain and live healthy lives provisions are needed to the current OAA. These provisions include:

Invest in senior care by implementing a National Seniors Strategy which includes housing plans, pension protection, a National Dementia Strategy etc.