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‘Changes in Medicaid, Medicare in the offing’
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Posted on Oct 03 2011
Office on Aging director Rose Mondala informed congregates of the Aging Center last week about possible changes in Medicaid and Medicare programs following a visit from the programs’ representatives.
Medicaid is a federal health program for low-income U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents and is jointly funded by state and federal governments while Medicare provides health insurance coverage to people who are aged 65 and over; to those under 65 who are permanently physically disabled or who have a congenital physical disability; or to those who meet other special criteria.
“I’m giving you a little heads up that there might be changes coming down but we don’t know yet what these changes are for sure,” Mondala told some 50 senior citizens on Thursday.
Mondala told Saipan Tribune that she met with one official from Medicaid and two from Medicare who all visited the Aging Office last Sept. 28.
According to Mondala, the Medicaid and Medicare officials “just checked” on the man’amko at the center and “visited the hospital and every clinic on island.”
Mondala could not, however, provide details on what actually transpired during her meeting with the officials. She did point out, though, that there’s “no need to panic” among senior citizens who benefit from either or both programs.
“We just have to wait. The feds are moving in slowly but surely. I don’t want you to panic. They will let us know later of any changes,” said Mondala.
As she addressed the senior citizens last week, Mondala asked who among them were green card holders. Some seven hands shot up and the director encouraged them to apply for U.S. citizenship if they have been green card holders for at least five years.
