The Sandwich Generation and Obamacare
With so much talk about The Affordable Care Act, also known as “Obamacare,” many of us in the Sandwich generation are wondering how this law will impact not only the healthcare of ourselves and our children, but also that our of elderly parents. Most of us are still learning how the changes in government guidelines will impact our coverage but a good rule of thumb, every year, is to familiarize yourself with any changes in your existing healthcare coverage. Given the changes in government mandated healthcare, some of the areas that you should review include:
Coverage of your Primary Care Physician-with some physician’s groups opting out of certain insurance carrier’s plans, check to make sure your physician or practice is still eligible to provide services in your insurance plan network.
Copay-Your copay amount or coverage for specific services may have changed for 2014 so check to make sure you know what you are responsible to pay for each service such as Emergency Care, preventative care and specialty services. Check to see how urgent care coverage is classified and covered in your plan.
Deductible-Review your deductible to see what may have changed based on the option you chose for 2014. Check to see if the deductible is per family or if each person covered has to meet a deductible prior to coverage implementation. This is referred to as a “True Family Deductible,” meaning that if you have one or more dependents enrolled on the plan, you will need to meet the full family deductible before coinsurance applies.
Health Savings Plans and Flexible Spending Accounts-A Health Savings Plan and Flexible Spending Plan allows you to set aside pretax dollars for future medical needs. These plans can also assist in meeting the deductible if you have one through your employer.
Free Services-Check to see what free services may be available through your insurance carrier such as a 24/7 Nurse line or wellness services like stress management, weight management or smoking cessation support.
As individuals in the sandwich generation care for both our children and elderly parents we continue to navigate through the changes in the Affordable Care Act, it will benefit to be familiar with our current coverage and options that may exist in changes in the upcoming years.
“This blog post originally appears on Demos Health Publishing Company’s blog. Read more by this author on her Demos Health Expert Page.”
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Kimberly McCrone Wickert – Eldercare Editor: Kimberly holds a Master’s Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from Wright State University and is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor who has worked with individuals in the field of rehabilitation for more than 20 years. Kimberly is co-author of The Sandwich Generation’s Guide to Eldercare: Concrete Advice to Simultaneously Care for Your Kids and Your Parents (Demos Health, October 2013.) She has experience volunteering and working in long term care facilities and, along with her husband, is the primary caregiver of her mother-in-law. Kimberly has also worked as an adjunct professor at Kent State University in the Rehabilitation Counseling Program.
