Medicare managed care plans offer the same services as original Medicare, and sometimes additional benefits. This article will offer an overview of Medicare-managed care plans and explain how they relate to nursing home abuse.
Medicare managed care plans, also called Medicare Part C or Medicare Advantage, are an alternative to original Medicare Parts A and B offered by private companies that have a contract with Medicare. Companies offering Medicare managed care plans need to follow set rules and regulations, such as covering all the same services as original Medicare.Â
Most managed care plans offer additional benefits for services that original Medicare does not include, such as vision, dental, hearing, or prescription drug coverage (Medicare Part D).Â
The types of Medicare managed care plans are similar to the other insurance offerings on the marketplace. These include:
In order to be eligible for a managed care plan, a person must be enrolled in both Medicare Part A and B. To be eligible for Medicare Part A and B, a person must meet at least one of the following criteria:
Original Medicare Part A only covers short-term stays in skilled nursing facilities. It does not cover a long-term stay at a nursing home. Patients requiring long-term stay may need additional health insurance coverage to help pay the cost, such as from a Medicare managed care plan.
No matter the insurance coverage or the length of the stay, all nursing home residents should be aware of the risk of nursing home abuse, or the intentional or unintentional harm of a nursing home patient by nursing home staff. If you or a loved one have experienced nursing home abuse, it is important to contact the relevant authorities immediately.Â
Victims of nursing home abuse may be eligible for compensation for their pain and suffering. For a review of your case, contact a nursing home abuse attorney.