The Effects of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act on Medicaid: Will Seniors Have More Long-Term Care Options and an Easier Application Process?

Analyzes the effects of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) on the elderly, especially those who reside in nursing homes. Discusses the background of Medicaid and the different parts of Medicare, and then outlines the standard application process to qualify for Medicaid and the difficulties with this system. Then lists several parts of the PPACA that are relevant to seniors either living in long-term care facilities or about to apply for Medicaid, and illustrates the amendments to the Tax Code and the process to close the Medicare Part D “doughnut hole.” Finally, discusses several approaches to implementing systems that will streamline the application process currently used in other states, and concludes with the positive and negative implications of the health reform bill.