The original Medicare was signed into law by Lyndon B. Johnson on July 20th, 1965. The Social Security Act brought health insurance to a group most at risk for poverty at the time. In 1972, Medicare expanded to certain individuals under 65. A few years later in 1973, the HMO Act delivered money for the development of Health Maintenance Organizations (HMO’s). With federal standards in place, HMOs were able to provide benefits to Medicare beneficiaries.
During the 1980s, Medicare began to flourish. Medicare Supplements were brought under federal oversight and freedom of choice waivers were born. In 1987, OBRA enhanced protections to those in nursing homes. In 1988s the largest changes in Medicare occurred with improved hospital benefits, more covered services, and a cap on patient liability.
Medicare took some big steps towards the new millennium in the 1990’s. In 1996 the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act passed. This created new programs within Medicare and moved to improve the system of Medicare. Medicare.gov went live in 1998 with a new toll free number 1-800-Medicare just a year later.
The 2000’s hit with better outcomes for Medicare beneficiaries. Benefits Improvements and Protection Act (BIPA) reduced copayments while also improving care. Coverage became even more innovative by introducing The Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act (MMA). Part D Drug Plans were rolled out in 2005 as a part of this act.
With the passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) in 2010, more than 25.7 million beneficiaries received a preventative screening by 2011. Today we have seen more quality of care improve, better reimbursement of providers, and the addition of protections to Medicare beneficiaries.
