Last month's Gallen Newsletter listed the first part of the Healthcare Reform Bill officially named the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that went into effect on September 23, 2010. This was the beginning of reform which has changes related to healthcare each year through 2019. This newsletter will discuss several of the 21 mandates scheduled to go into effect in 2011. A majority of the 2011 mandates do not have a direct impact on our customers. As an example, Grants to establish Wellness Programs, Funding for Health Insurance Exchanges etc.

 Gallen Insurance is committed to keeping our customers aware of those mandates that may have a direct impact on them. The following is a list of several of the 2011 mandates.

• Closing the Medicare drug coverage gap called "The Donut Hole". Requires Pharmaceutical manufacturers to provide a 50% discount on brand-name drugs filled in the Medicare part D coverage gap.
• Begins phasing-in federal subsidies for generic prescriptions filled in the Medicare part D coverage gap.
• Eliminates cost sharing for Medicare-covered preventive services that are recommended by the US Preventive Task Force
• Waives the Medicare deductible for colorectal cancer screening tests
• Authorizes Medicare coverage for a personalized prevention plan, including a comprehensive risk assessment