The New Jersey Star-Ledger recently ran an article highlighting the important changes in Medicare spurred by the Health Care Reform Act signed into law in March of 2010. These changes are especially important for the baby-boomers, 10,000 of whom become eligible for Medicare daily now.

Federal health care reform has taken aim at correcting Medicare coverage gaps in the purchase of prescription drugs. Now, when  Medicare beneficiaries find themselves in such a dilemma, they are entitled to  a 50% discount on brand-name drugs and a 7% discount on generic drugs. The  Reform Act will increase these discounts gradually until 2020, when the  coverage gaps are scheduled to be eliminated entirely.

Contrary to popular belief, the Reform Act will not  discontinue Medicare Advantage plans. Advantage plans provide coverage in areas  such as vision and hearing for no additional cost. Because Original Medicare plans  do not include coverage in these areas, Advantage plans will continue to serve  a great need for millions of Medicare recipients.

For more information on Medicare, visit www.medicare.gov.