Submission Medicare Healthcare Program

Running head: HEALTH SCIENCE 1
Health Science
Student’s Name:
Instructor’s Name:
Name of University:
Course Number:
Date of Submission

HEALTH SCIENCE 2
Medicare Healthcare Program
Medicare is a federal health insurance program offered for the senior adults aged 65 years
and above and the younger adults with disabilities. The program is also for individuals with End-
Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). Medicare health program consists of four parts namely Part A to D
(Medicare, no date).
Medicare Part A
This part covers hospital care in a nursing facility, more so the cost incurred for inpatient
stays and hospice care. This part costs up to $458 per month for the year 2020, however, each
service has varying costs depending on the number of stays.
Medicare Part B
This part covers outpatient care, some doctor services, preventive services, and
medication cost. Part B has a standard premium of $144.60 per month.
Medicare Part C
This part is also called Medicare Advantage and usually includes Parts A, B, and D
Medicare Part D
This part consists of prescription drug coverage to original Medicare and cost plans. The
monthly premium of part D depends on the yearly income of the patient.
Expected outcomes
Medicare health program is expected to improve access to quality healthcare services to
the senior adults and the disabled and thus improve their quality of life and life expectancy
(McCall & Cromwell, 2011).
Target Population

HEALTH SCIENCE 3
The program targets the senior adults aged 65 years and above, young adults with
disabilities, and for those diagnosed with ESRD.
The Role of The Nurse in Providing Input for The Design
A nurse plays a critical role in ensuring the program design is effective. Nurses can make
help in strategic planning and advice by organizing how the different parts of the program will be
implemented. For example, nurses can plan on how different patients will be handled in different
parts of the program. Additionally, they can offer advice/recommendations based on the patient
responses. This can be used to modify or develop policies for optimal healthcare services. For
example, nurses can recommend the inclusion of some age group who frequently inquire of
healthcare services and yet not included in the healthcare program (Everett et al., 2013; McHugh,
Brooks Carthon & Kang, 2010).
My role as an advocate for the target population for Medicare
My role as an advocate for senior adults is to monitor and supervise nursing care procedures,
give medication to patients, change dressings and offer recommendations on healthful living and
practice. My input into the design decisions includes recommending policy changes based on the
patient needs. Thus, I impact the design by making it relevant to the current healthcare needs of
the patients.
Role of The Nurse in Healthcare Program Implementation
Nurses have a significant role in the implementation of the Medicare health program.
They are responsible for managing the senior adults with acute illness by offering help for
behavior change and by modifying their medications for prevalent complications such as blood
pressure among others.