The new Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA)–otherwise known as healthcare reform–brought relief to many senior citizens for whom preventive care is so critical to their good health. PPACA brings many advantages for seniors on Medicare, one of which is annual preventive care exams. Preventive care on an annual basis means early identification of disease and greater opportunity for treatment and recovery.

Beginning in September, 2010, new Medicare insurance plans and some current plans (specific changes must be made in order for them to be qualified) will begin coverage for specific services like colonoscopy and mammography. Seniors who show evidence they need the tests, and whose doctors order them, will be able to get the services. Beginning in January 2011, other requirements fall away and the services will be available as preventive care with no copay or deductible applied.

Many elderly have been subjected to high copays and deductibles for preventive care services like colonoscopy and mammography. Some were not covered at all. Older adults have a much higher risk of developing cancer, diabetes, aging-eye disease, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, depression, than the younger generations; as a result, the need for preventive services increases with age. Improved coverage means older and more vulnerable seniors will have access to preventive services starting in 2011.

Seniors and their medical professionals are now free to make appropriate choices about medical care based on the need for preventive services, not whether or not the elder can pay for the service. Many senior citizens have had to choose between food and shelter or medical care; they are on poverty level fixed incomes. They will no longer have to make this abhorrent choice, thanks to healthcare reform and affordable coverage for everyone.