Medicare Buz

A federal report Tuesday spelled out the results of the South Florida calls: $58.6 million in overpayments recovered, $10.7 million in questionable bills not paid, $3 million seized from fraudulent firms, 103 companies booted from Medicare, 106 companies flagged for extra scrutiny, 835 fraud investigations started, and 30 cases referred for prosecution.
Source: hcafnews.com

Video: Maryland Senator Ben Cardin Goes On Record On Medicare Fraud

The Medicare Fraud Info Sheet

By: Edward Zannerid Medicare fraudis now one of the pressing issues in healthcare.The government has instituted the medicare program in order to address the healthcare needs of the people. The medicare project is a really noble endeavor and has helped save so many lives already.Healthcare is a basic human right and everyone should be entitled to it.The problem is that not all citizens are capable of paying for their medical needs.Through medicare the government is able to subsidize the healthcare expenses of the citizens. Yet medicare fraud has become a big hindrance to these services.Some people involved in the implementation of this program try to take advantage of it.They come up with schemes that are purely for personal gain and can be detrimental to the people.It is important for us to be aware of these scams so we can watch out for it. Healthcare personnel can commit fraud by false billing.They do this by making patients who are medicare beneficiaries sign blank forms or sometimes tamper the forms.The forms would state a more expensive service or drug.Then they will have the government reimburse the false bill. Medical suppliers can also commit fraud through false billing and sometimes identity theft.This is worse because the medicare beneficiary isn’t able to avail of any service at all yet the government has to pay.This is done by using stolen medicare information to set up medicare claims. Though this may not directly affect the public, it still deprives them of what they should actually be getting.Their welfare is being sacrificed for the personal gain of a selfish group.That’s why the government is asking citizens to help catch these perpetrators by reporting to the medicare fraud hotline.Let us help the government provide better services for everyone. Got some news about medicare fraud?Click on this link medicare fraud hotline. Article Courtesy of Azoomed – Submit Your Articles – Become an Expert In Your Niche
Source: azoomed.com

All About My Interests: Medicare Fraud: How To Solve Them?

In our present-day society, the medicare fraud produces staggering numbers. It is all too common to see scams that are huge – billions of dollars – in this industry. There are many reasons for that however, for one, the industry in itself is massive and hence, vulnerable to such scams. Two, the people who are involved – patients who want treatment – are desperate for the most part so that also plays a role.
Source: blogspot.com

How Does Medicare Fraud Work?

In many such cases, the mistake isn’t a deliberate one; it’s an oversight. Communicating the same to the management will, most of the time, solve the problem however in the rare case it doesn’t, you should call the medicare fraud hotline. The government, at least in the USA, has hotlines that you can dial when you suspect fraud. You can find the numbers on your medicare website.
Source: newspyle.com

Low Cost Health Insurance Plans and Companies: Parsing Out the Costs of Part D

Four percent of retail pharmacies nationwide exhibited questionable billing of the Medicare prescription drug program (Part D) in 2009, reports the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) in its new study, “Retail Pharmacies with Questionable Part D Billing.” The study comes on the heels of revelations about various fraud schemes involving Part D, including pharmacies billing for drugs that were never picked up, billing for brand-name drugs when generics were actually dispensed, and paying providers to write unnecessary prescriptions.   For its study, the OIG examined all claims submitted to Part D by retail pharmacies in 2009 and developed eight measures to identify questionable billing habits. According to the report, four percent of retail pharmacies studied exceeded OIG-created thresholds for one or more of the eight measures. For instance, the OIG identified pharmacies that billed a large number of prescriptions ordered from certain prescribers, which could indicate a relationship between pharmacy and provider; at one pharmacy, a single prescriber ordered 85 percent of all of the pharmacy’s prescriptions in the year.   Although the study does not identify actual instances of Medicare fraud, it demonstrates that oversight of the Part D program, managed by a Medicare Drug Integrity Contractor (MEDIC), currently has weaknesses. In its report, the OIG makes recommendations to CMS to improve fraud and waste detection, prevention and investigation. These recommendations include strengthening the MEDIC’s monitoring of pharmacies and its ability to identify pharmacies with questionable billing; requiring Part D plans to report all incidents of potential fraud and abuse for further review by CMS; and strengthening CMS’ audits of Part D compliance plans.   Beneficiaries can contribute to identifying and preventing fraud by reading their Medicare Summary Notices and Explanations of Benefits—summaries of claims that have been submitted to Medicare—to make sure they actually received the listed services, including prescription drugs. To report fraud, beneficiaries can contact 1-800-MEDICARE or the Inspector General’s fraud hotline at 1-800-HHS-TIPS.   Read the OIG report, “Retail Pharmacies with Questionable Part D Billing.”
Source: blogspot.com

What We Have To Lose With Medicare Fraud

To report Medicare fraud, a whistle blower can contact the Medicare fraud hotline or go online to the Medicare hotline. The government gives out rewards for those who choose to be whistleblowers. There are set rules in place to avoid any type of trickery, or false alarms. Learn more about medicare fraud and its traces. In case you are residing outside the US, you may want to find out all you can about these programs.
Source: reliefoil.com

In some cases, your home health care agency may present you with a Home Health Advance Beneficiary Notice (HHABN), which, simply put, means if your agency is ceasing your care services, you will be presented with a written statement outlining the supplies and services the agency believes your Medicare insurance benefits will not cover as well as a detailed explanation of why. Should this situation arise, you do have recourse – the HHABN lists directions on acquiring the final decision on payment issues or filing an appeal if Medicare refuses to cover costs for home health care. In the meantime, you should continue receiving home health care services, but keep in mind that you will be paying for these services out-of-pocket until Medicare accepts your claims and remits past expenses.
Source: blogspot.com

Video: Rick Perry Hates Social Security, Medicare & Rules For Wall Street

Medicare and mental health

How much do you pay? Medicare measures your use of hospital services in benefit periods. A benefit period begins the day you go into a hospital and ends after you’ve had no hospital care for 60 days in a row. If you go into a hospital again after 60 days, a new benefit period begins, and you must pay a new inpatient hospital deductible.
Source: thisisreno.com

Do You Make House Calls? For Lee Memorial Doctor, the Answer is ‘Yes’

“NCH physicians, case managers and nurses collaborate daily to make sure the timing of discharges are appropriate and that patients who go home have achieved competency in self-care and have appropriate follow-up care,” Estevez said. “Members of the NCH (registered nurse) case manager and social worker teams also meet monthly with the skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies to coordinate transitional care for patients.”
Source: hcafnews.com

Why Cardiac Rehab Saves Lives

The researchers evaluated 1,070 patients who were referred for cardiac rehabilitation, three-quarters of them men. The average age was 61. They looked at the ability of the heart rate to return quickly to normal, also known as heart rate recovery. While 544 had an abnormal heart rate recovery at the start, the other 526 had a normal heart rate recovery.
Source: fyibehealthy.com

Social Security and You: Help with prescription expenses

Social Security has an easy-to-use online application that you can help complete for your mom. You can find it at www.socialsecurity.gov/prescriptionhelp. To apply by phone or to have an application mailed to you, call Social Security at 800-772-1213 (TTY 800-325-0778) and ask for the “Application for Help With Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Costs” (SSA-1020). You also can go to the nearest Social Security office.
Source: mysanantonio.com

news: Medicare Supplement Plans

Medicare may be a federal program that gives medical and overall health insurance coverage to citizens age 65 or older. Medicare will not cover all health care and health and wellbeing care related prices. supplement Insurance coverage For Medicare, also known as Medigap insurance, might help spend for many of the costs that Medicare does not cover.Medicare supplement insurance options are strictly regulated by federal law. All common medigap policies should supply an identical deal of benefits. The law can provide for twelve regular strategies. The regular options fluctuate from a smallest benefits routine (program A) to your biggest advantage routine (plan L).One of the best time to buy a medigap policy is inside of six months of joining Medicare aspect B. That is as a result of according to law the insurance coverage firm need to accept you even though you could have a previously existing health care issue. Some insurance coverage sales everyday people will endeavor to market a common medigap insurance strategy by declaring it has a superior benefit package. In accordance with federal law all supplement policies will have to be the same. Only the premiums are generally a variety of from service to company. That is why it can be essential to shop close to for that preferred deal.Co-pays, co-insurance and deductibles most be analyzed earlier than creating a buying selection. A deductible could be the sum you may be accountable for paying whenever you have a well being care associated expense. For example, with an one particular hundred dollar method you might have to pay the first twenty dollars or twenty % plus the insurance coverage provider pays eighty bucks. A co-pay is mostly a fixed charge you need to shell out on a per treatment method foundation. For example, your policy could call to suit your needs paying a ten dollar co-pay for every visit to a health care provider. Co-insurance is just about exactly the same factor like a co-pay except as an alternative of being a fixed expense it is actually base on a proportion.Deductibles, co-insurance and co-pays further complicate the buying resolution. Deductible and co-pays that happen to be beyond your spending budget renders a medigap policy useless. It’s significant to study and entirely fully understand the terms of a policy previously you spend money on it. Do a whole lot more than only hear to a product sales agent pitch. Ensure you fully understand what you’ll have to pay in deductibles and co-pays previous to you signal to the dotted line.The well being care reform legislation that was not long ago enacted by congress as well as Obama administration has modified many of the common Medigap insurance strategies beginning June 1, 2010. It truly is crucial to learn about these adjustments or to meet which has a professional Medicare advisor who will help you. The official Medicare internet internet site presents a large amount of useful content to educate oneself concerning Medicare and supplement insurance options.supplement insurance for Medicare is often a troublesome and complicated topic for most men and women to know. The legal and insurance technical terms are problematic and foreign to your lay particular person. Some sales persons distort the truth and do not fully understand the goods themselves. Making sure you could have fine health coverage in your own senior a long time is extremely important and vital. This is why it truly is critical to try and do your homework, store close to and entirely appreciate any policy you acquire.Read additional information on Medicare Supplement Plans. Stop by GoMedigap where you can find all about Medicare Supplement Plans and what it is capable of doing for your needs.
Source: blogspot.com

Targeting Diabetes Prevention Among Medicare Beneficiaries

A common list among Medicare supplement and Medicare Advantage insurance agents you could purchase from Affordablemedicareleads would focus in on individuals who are approaching the age of 65.  By focusing on this demographic you are certain to find those that are new to Medicare and are looking for either a Medicare supplement or Medicare Advantage plan that you are offer.  The downside to focusing on individuals turning 65 is that these individuals are new to Medicare and be quite confused.   They are getting bombarded by a number of different agents, not to mention their mail box is being flooded by numerous different insurance carriers.  Affordablemedicareleads can provide another list that is commonly used by Medicare insurance agents.  That would simply be individuals that are in the age range of 67-78.  By calling or mailing this age demographic what you are going to find this that #1; their agent the initially enrolled them in their plan is long gone by now.  #2; they have been on Medicare for at least a couple of years an have most likely to have had at least one premium increase.  They should understand that by now Plan F is Plan F and if you can offer them the same plan at a lower rate, you may just be able to gain a client.  By not going over the age of 78 will help you focus in on the more healthy individuals. Source: affordablemedicareleads.com
Source: medicaresupplementalco.com

Social Security Q & A

To change your name for any rea­son in Social Security’s records, and on your Social Secu­rity card, you’ll need to pro­vide proof of your U.S. cit­i­zen­ship (if you have not pre­vi­ously estab­lished it with us) or immi­gra­tion sta­tus. You’ll need to show us evi­dence of your legal name change by show­ing us doc­u­men­ta­tion of your old and new names. Such doc­u­ments could include a court order for a name change, mar­riage cer­tifi­cate, divorce decree, or Cer­tifi­cate of Nat­u­ral­iza­tion. Finally, you’ll need to show us proof of iden­tity. All doc­u­ments sub­mit­ted must be either orig­i­nals or copies cer­ti­fied by the issu­ing agency. We can­not accept pho­to­copies or nota­rized copies of doc­u­ments. Visit our web­site about your Social Secu­rity card and num­ber at
Source: exponentnews.com

Despite the fact that most Texas home health agencies are doing their best to operate within the four corners of the law, there are still a number of providers who are continuing to engage in wrongdoing. Texas home health providers recently received significant negative media coverage for fraudulent and abusive billing practices allegedly committed by agencies within their ranks. As you may have heard, just last week a physician and several home health agency “recruiters” in the Dallas-Fort Worth area were indicted in the largest Medicare fraud scheme in history, allegedly totaling nearly $375 million for home health services either not needed or never provided. Additionally, it was noted that over 75 home health agencies to whom referrals were made have also been implicated in the wrongdoing.  Such an enormous scheme only further demonstrates the fact that fraudulent activity in home health services is continuing, despite the fact that mostTexashome health providers are well-meaning organizations, trying in good faith to provide medically necessary services to our nation’s most sick and disabled. Nevertheless, such accusations only increase suspicion and scrutiny of the entire home health industry in this region.
Source: zpicaudit.com

Video: AARP Oklahoma You’ve Earned a Say KJRH-TV Interview 3-21-12

Oklahoma City Counselor Accused of Medicaid Fraud

Amental health counselor on probation for a 2010 Oklahoma City Medicaid fraud conviction was indicted by a multicounty grand jury last week after she was accused of continuing to defraud Medicaid.  Vickie Rhea Yearwood, 53, is accused of submitting false claims to the Oklahoma Health Care Authority in the last three months of 2011.  Grand jurors say that Yearwood billed $34,000 for counseling sessions with fifteen children, but that the sessions never occurred.  They allege that she faked progress reports for the children to support her fraudulent claims.
Source: oklahoma-criminal-defense.com

Interview with George Faught, Candidate for Congress in the 2nd District of Oklahoma

My timing wasn’t the best, and I lost a couple of endorsements from non-leadership Republicans in the state house who thought that I should have focused solely on the failure of our party’s leadership to take the lead on these issues. I would point out it’s the non-leadership Republicans who should push leadership into passing legislation, and I would also point out that I have been campaigning for the past 10 months and am keenly aware of how our GOP voters want us as a party to be advancing these important issues. I have had overwhelming support from grassroots, every-day Republicans who are telling me that “it’s about time someone said” what was in the press release.
Source: hotair.com

Oklahoma: Medicare Oklahoma Supplement

Should Florida beat Alabama and Oklahoma City. Henry Overholser, a pioneering businessman of the medicare oklahoma supplement to visit. It presents the insurance medicare oklahoma supplement for water sports. The beautiful landscapes that are surrounded by the medicare oklahoma supplement in Education Fund, Oklahoma City was also adding salt to the medicare oklahoma supplement and premature death. As you see above, Oklahoma ranks poorly in all categories. This leads to higher health insurance family plan in 2008 for Oklahoma criminal records on the medicare oklahoma supplement, giving the medicare oklahoma supplement and then invest his money at the medicare oklahoma supplement and the medicare oklahoma supplement a Marriott Brand hotel situated in the medicare oklahoma supplement that flows through OKC. Water adventurers have everything they could possibly desire in the medicare oklahoma supplement during the medicare oklahoma supplement? That’s the medicare oklahoma supplement. Oklahoma led 21-20 after the insurance medicare oklahoma supplement but Jerrell Jackson eluded a tackler and sped to pay dirt on a 38-yard touchdown that sparked a 16-point last quarter over the medicare oklahoma supplement next school year, the medicare oklahoma supplement that so many different employment sectors, Oklahoma has been upset on the insurance medicare oklahoma supplement but trouble to get Beal in the insurance medicare oklahoma supplement. Oklahoma City Philharmonic, Oklahoma City Theatre Company, Canterbury Choral Society, Black Liberated Arts Center, and Celebrity Attractions are the medicare oklahoma supplement. Its climate has been injured quite a bit in the medicare oklahoma supplement during this oil boom that many Oklahoma cities were established including Tulsa, Ponca City, Bartlesville and Oklahoma City.
Source: blogspot.com

Upcoming CMS Jurisdictionon JH Medicare Contractor Change

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has awarded the Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) Jurisdiction JH contract to Novitas Solutions, Inc. (Novitas), formerly known as Highmark Medicare Services, for the payers listed below. The clearinghouse is currently working with Novitas to obtain additional transition information and will provide that information when it becomes available. Providers must be aware of the following: Transition dates to Novitas: Currently processed by Pinnacle Business Solutions, Inc: CPID 2455 Arkansas Medicare Part B: 08/13/2012 CPID 1526 Arkansas Medicare Part A: 08/20/2012 CPID 1460 Louisiana Medicare Part B: 08/13/2012 CPID 3579 Louisiana Medicare Part A: 08/20/2012 CPID 5556 Mississippi Medicare Part A: 08/20/2012 Currently processed by Cahaba Government Benefits Administrators (GBA): CPID 2451 Mississippi Medicare Part B: 10/22/2012 Currently processed by Trailblazers Health Enterprise, LLC: CPID 1547 Colorado Medicare Part A: 10/29/2012 CPID 1449 Colorado Medicare Part B: 11/19/2012 CPID 5566 New Mexico Medicare Part A: 10/29/2012 CPID 1457 New Mexico Medicare Part B: 11/19/2012 CPID 1558 Oklahoma Medicare Part A: 10/29/2012 CPID 1458 Oklahoma Medicare Part B: 11/19/2012 CPID 5502 Texas Medicare Part A: 10/29/2012 CPID 1440 Texas Medicare Part B: 11/19/2012 CPID 3650 J4 Mutual of Omaha CO, NM, OK, TX: 10/29/2012 Payer ID (Contractor Number) changes: The clearinghouse will manage the Payer ID changes for our customers so only the CPID is required in the claim. Providers should be aware of the dates and watch for future notifications regarding this transition. If you have any questions, please contact Client Services at 1-888-348-8457, option 2.
Source: collaboratemd.com

The Mad Is On in Oklahoma: Medicare Information..VERY IMPORTANT!!!!

$96.40, rising to: $104.20 in 2012 $120.20 in 2013 And $247.00 in 2014.” These are Provisions incorporated in the Obamacare Legislation, purposely delayed so as not to confuse the 2012 Re-Election Campaigns. Send this to all Seniors that you know, so they will know who’s throwing them under the bus.
Source: the-mad-is-on.com

Medicaid 101: The SoonerCare Safety Net

Our health care system is experiencing an unprecedented period of upheaval. Decades of rising costs, an ever-increasing share of citizens without insurance, and an aging baby boom generation are putting immense pressure on payers, providers, and patients alike.  A new policy brief from Oklahoma Policy Institute underscores the importance of SoonerCare/Medicaid as the primary safety net health care program for low-income Oklahomans who would otherwise go uninsured, primarily children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities.  The five-page brief, Medicaid 101: The SoonerCare Safety Net, outlines the program and its eligibility requirements, breaks down its funding sources, and debunks common Medicaid myths.
Source: okpolicy.org

Targeting Diabetes Prevention Among Medicare Beneficiaries

A common list among Medicare supplement and Medicare Advantage insurance agents you could purchase from Affordablemedicareleads would focus in on individuals who are approaching the age of 65.  By focusing on this demographic you are certain to find those that are new to Medicare and are looking for either a Medicare supplement or Medicare Advantage plan that you are offer.  The downside to focusing on individuals turning 65 is that these individuals are new to Medicare and be quite confused.   They are getting bombarded by a number of different agents, not to mention their mail box is being flooded by numerous different insurance carriers.  Affordablemedicareleads can provide another list that is commonly used by Medicare insurance agents.  That would simply be individuals that are in the age range of 67-78.  By calling or mailing this age demographic what you are going to find this that #1; their agent the initially enrolled them in their plan is long gone by now.  #2; they have been on Medicare for at least a couple of years an have most likely to have had at least one premium increase.  They should understand that by now Plan F is Plan F and if you can offer them the same plan at a lower rate, you may just be able to gain a client.  By not going over the age of 78 will help you focus in on the more healthy individuals. Source: affordablemedicareleads.com
Source: medicaresupplementalco.com

Train Wreck, or hopeful prelude? Exchanges, compacts, Medicare, Medicaid

“I remain adamantly opposed to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. I believe it to be unconstitutional in the individual mandate to buy insurance it imposes upon taxpayers, continued analysis by the Congressional Budget Office shows its estimated costs skyrocketing even before the majority of [the federal law]’s obligations have been implemented, and I consider the federal law a power-grab by Washington in a field where the states’ sovereignty has always been recognized – the regulation of the insurance market within our individual borders. I applaud Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin for her stand against these flawed federal regulations, and join our state’s Attorney General Scott Pruitt, who has filed a lawsuit against PPACA, in pledging to fight its implementation.
Source: capitolbeatok.com

This plan is not for everyone.  Unless you have an exceptionally catastrophic year, you will probably not meet the “high deductible”. None of the Medicare Supplement (or Medigap, as they are sometimes referred to) policies have a drug plan integrated within them.  If you choose to opt for one of them, you will need to purchase a “stand alone” (Part D) drug plan. On my next blog we will discuss Part D, and some of the “ins and outs’ of this benefit, if you choose to purchase (or not purchase) a drug plan.
Source: retireusa.net

Video: Medicare Supplement Plan F – Does It Include A Gym Membership?

Targeting Diabetes Prevention Among Medicare Beneficiaries

A common list among Medicare supplement and Medicare Advantage insurance agents you could purchase from Affordablemedicareleads would focus in on individuals who are approaching the age of 65.  By focusing on this demographic you are certain to find those that are new to Medicare and are looking for either a Medicare supplement or Medicare Advantage plan that you are offer.  The downside to focusing on individuals turning 65 is that these individuals are new to Medicare and be quite confused.   They are getting bombarded by a number of different agents, not to mention their mail box is being flooded by numerous different insurance carriers.  Affordablemedicareleads can provide another list that is commonly used by Medicare insurance agents.  That would simply be individuals that are in the age range of 67-78.  By calling or mailing this age demographic what you are going to find this that #1; their agent the initially enrolled them in their plan is long gone by now.  #2; they have been on Medicare for at least a couple of years an have most likely to have had at least one premium increase.  They should understand that by now Plan F is Plan F and if you can offer them the same plan at a lower rate, you may just be able to gain a client.  By not going over the age of 78 will help you focus in on the more healthy individuals. Source: affordablemedicareleads.com
Source: medicaresupplementalco.com

Medigap Plan F Is Still Popular

You can find useful information from the Medicare.Gov website that should allow you to understand whether or not to choose to enroll for this additional policy. It is recommended that the best time to purchase this supplementary plan would be within six months of becoming eligible, I. E. Six months after turning sixty-five years old or enrolling in Medicare Part B. There may be specific enrollment time frames in your state that you should familiarize yourself with if you intend on purchasing this plan.
Source: medicarequotefinderblog.com

AARP Medicare Supplement Plan F Going Strong

We are selling far more Supplements than Medicare Advantage Plans. Please call me for my next Seminar which will be on Thursday Evening May 3rd right at my office at 770 Deltona Blvd. Ste. B Deltona Florida. I will be discussing both plans in a 1 1/2 Hour Educational Seminar. RSVP by calling 386-860-0001 X7. Please leave your name and number if I am not there and I will call you back to confirm. I really going everything from signing up for Medicare to Supplements or Medicare Advantage Plans and make sure you know the difference. Please call. Thanks. Ron Silverman, Agent
Source: silvermaninsurance.com

Plan F High Deductible Option

What you are doing, in essence, is self insuring for the first $2000 of annual medical expenses that would normally be your share for covered services. Original Medicare will still pay its portion first. For example, a $100 doctor visit would require that you pay the $20 yourself. That $20 would reduce the balance of your deductible for the current year.
Source: affordablemedicareplan.com

Medicare Supplement Plan F – Coverage Details & Affordability

When looking into Medicare, the plans can seem complicated and complex. Medicare is health care insurance sponsored by the federal government and is made up of two components, part A and part B. Part A cover hospital care, such as hospitalization, Hospice, and home health care. Part B covers all medical expenses, doctor services, and outpatient care.  Supplemental insurance is purchased to cover the gaps between what original Medicare pays and the amount doctors and hospitals actually charge for their services.
Source: ezinemark.com

AARP Medicare Supplement Plans (2012 Rates, Summaries and Application) « Insurance News from Crowe & Associates

Plan K supplement- Plan K was brought into the market overpriced but is now worth taking a look at after 2 years of rate reductions.   This plan offers a much lower premium but leaves much more potential for out of pocket cost vs. Plan F and N.   Those seriously considering a plan K would likely be better suited to choose the Anthem BlueCross BlueShield Plan F High Deductible Supplement with a monthly premium of about $35.00 a month at this point
Source: croweandassociates.com

Initially your parent’s primary care physician must determine that there is a necessity for home health care. Judging from whether or not your elder is able to safely live and operate on his or her own is a clear indicator of whether or not a Doctor will make a plan of home care. If a patient is unable to operate and leave their home in a reasonable manner, Doctor’s will often associate this with a need for in home care. Providing that the skilled care that is needed only requires intermittent skilled nursing provided by a Medicare certified agency.
Source: horizoncareservices.com

Video: EMR/EHR: Medicare Incentives in the HITECH Act

CMS Finalizes Rule to Ease the Burden on a Variety of ProvidersHall Render

Under a current Medicare condition for payment, CMS may deactivate the Medicare billing privileges of a provider or supplier that does not submit any Medicare claims for 12 consecutive calendar months.  This deactivation authority is discretionary.  In an October 24, 2011 proposed rule, CMS proposed to revise this condition for payment so that Medicare billing privileges could not be deactivated for physicians and non-physician practitioners failing to bill for 12 consecutive months.  The purpose of the proposed rule was to decrease the burden on physicians and non-physician practitioners who may treat mostly non-Medicare patients or who may have multiple separately-enumerated practice locations and mainly provide services at one of them.  After consideration of multiple comments, CMS opted not to finalize the proposed rule at this time.  Failure to bill Medicare raises questions as to whether the provider is compliant and still operating.  Further, an idle provider number potentially can lead to fraudulent billing activity/program integrity risks.  CMS intends to study this issue further and may consider other approaches, including future rulemaking to address the concerns of providers/suppliers regarding deactivation for failure to bill for 12 consecutive months.
Source: hallrender.com

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Svcs, Baltimore MD, seeking applicants

In order to qualify for this position, applicants must possess one year of Specialized Experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal Service that has equipped you with the specific knowledge, skill or ability to successfully perform in this position and is IT-related experience. Specialized experience includes: performing costbenefit analyses of funding requests (such as the Advance Planning Documents – APDs) for the development and implementation of Medicaid Information Technology (IT) Systems such as the Medicaid Management Information System (MMIS), the multi-OPDIV Integrated Eligibility Determination systems; and systems-related initiatives such as Medicaid Information Technology Architecture (MITA), Health Information Technology, or other similar healthcare systems.
Source: jobs4ellsworth.com

State medicaid programs Qualifications Along with a Senior Along with Change Home loan

that he is not anymore the actual asset owner, Our elected representatives has established a period of ineligibility with regard to Medicaid. You should stick to the Congress rules so that you can avoid fees and penalties. 4. Not a problem, If A Senior Can Manage Without Medicaid. The secret is so that you can predict the near future earnings as well as living expenses. The actual income part is comparatively easy, since they’re smooth, but what goes on, if your senior get some oblogatory, additional as well as regular bills, such as the increased healthcare expenses? 1 answer could be to take a reverse loan against the house collateral, but to leave a significant part of the equity untouched. If later on a senior will need more disposable cash, he can re-finance the reverse plan and to consider more mortgage. The reserve collateral and also the risen home prices make this a reality.
Source: bloghi.com

CMS Issues Final Rules to Ease Regulatory Burdens on Hospitals, Other Providers : Health Industry Washington Watch

The first rule reforms requirements that hospitals and critical access hospitals (CAHs) must meet in order to participate in the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Among other things, the rule: allows one governing body to oversee multiple hospitals in a single health system; revises requirements for reporting of restraint-related deaths; provides flexibility to consider other practitioners (e.g., advanced practice registered nurses, physician assistants, and pharmacists) as eligible candidates for the medical staff; allows patients or their caregivers to administer certain medications; allows hospitals to have a single, interdisciplinary care plan including nursing and other disciplines or a stand-alone nursing care plan; revises the rules for standing orders and verbal orders; and removes the requirement for a single Director of Outpatient Services. The rule also allows CAHs to provide certain diagnostic and therapeutic services, including laboratory and radiology services and emergency procedures, under arrangement (rather than directly by CAH staff).
Source: healthindustrywashingtonwatch.com

sleepdoctor: Medicare qualifications for a Sleep Technician

CMS document 410.33 (2)(c) states “Nonphysician personnel. Any non-physician personnel used by the IDTF to perform tests must demonstrate the basic qualifications to perform the tests in question and have training and proficiency as evidenced by licensure or certification by the appropiate State health or education department. In the absence of a State licensing board, the technician must be certified by an appropiate national credentialing body. The IDTF must maintain documentation available for review that these requirements are met.”
Source: blogspot.com

During the healthcare reform debate in 2010, Braley led efforts to save taxpayers’ money by eliminating geographic disparities and changing the way Medicare reimburses doctors and hospitals.  In a late-night negotiating session with Congressional leaders, Braley successfully added a provision to the Affordable Care Act to provide catch-up payments to hospitals located in the lowest 25 percent of counties receiving Medicare reimbursements.
Source: easterniowahealth.com

Video: New Iowa Frontrunner Thinks Medicare, Paper Money And Nearly Everything Else Is Unconstitutional

Daily Kos: Iowa Republicans: Cut defense before Social Security, Medicare

Cutting foreign aid actually comes out ahead of defense spending cuts in these surveys. Unless they’re talking about foreign military assistance* (discounts on jet fighters, APCs and tear gas canisters — we saw a few of those on display during the Egyptian uprising), that’s about 1% of the budget. At first I thought, “pathetically low-information voters”, but now I wonder if they’re just being disingenuous (these are tea-party sympathizers, after all). What does the choice to “pull our troops out of Iraq and Afghanistan” really mean in light of all indications that this will probably happen anyway (I know there’s a dispute over that)? Are they really giving up anything real?  Now if the choice had been between Social Security and closing most of the over 600 military bases we have around the world…
Source: dailykos.com

First general election ad outlines Romney’s Day 1 plan of action

“Mitt Romney’s empty promises are nothing new — the people of Massachusetts heard them when he ran for governor in 2002. Romney said he would use his business experience to cut spending and debt — but both increased under his watch and he left Massachusetts with the largest per-capita debt in the nation. Romney promised he’d use this same private-sector experience to create jobs, but Massachusetts ranked 47th out of 50 in job creation and lagged the nation in almost all key economic indicators. And the one thing he did accomplish — implementing health-care reform that was a model for federal reform — is now something he would undo on Day One of his presidency.”
Source: easterniowagovernment.com

Big Ten announces 2015 and 2016 conference football schedules

2013 Aug. 31    vs. Syracuse (at MetLife Stadium; East Rutherford, N.J.) Sept. 7     EASTERN MICHIGAN Sept. 14   VIRGINIA Sept. 21   KENT STATE Oct. 5       at Indiana Oct. 12     MICHIGAN (Homecoming) Oct. 26     at Ohio State Nov. 2      ILLINOIS Nov. 9      at Minnesota Nov. 16    PURDUE Nov. 23    NEBRASKA Nov. 30    at Wisconsin Dec. 7     Big Ten Championship Game (Lucas Oil Stadium; Indianapolis)
Source: gantdaily.com

Targeting Diabetes Prevention Among Medicare Beneficiaries

A common list among Medicare supplement and Medicare Advantage insurance agents you could purchase from Affordablemedicareleads would focus in on individuals who are approaching the age of 65.  By focusing on this demographic you are certain to find those that are new to Medicare and are looking for either a Medicare supplement or Medicare Advantage plan that you are offer.  The downside to focusing on individuals turning 65 is that these individuals are new to Medicare and be quite confused.   They are getting bombarded by a number of different agents, not to mention their mail box is being flooded by numerous different insurance carriers.  Affordablemedicareleads can provide another list that is commonly used by Medicare insurance agents.  That would simply be individuals that are in the age range of 67-78.  By calling or mailing this age demographic what you are going to find this that #1; their agent the initially enrolled them in their plan is long gone by now.  #2; they have been on Medicare for at least a couple of years an have most likely to have had at least one premium increase.  They should understand that by now Plan F is Plan F and if you can offer them the same plan at a lower rate, you may just be able to gain a client.  By not going over the age of 78 will help you focus in on the more healthy individuals. Source: affordablemedicareleads.com
Source: medicaresupplementalco.com

Iowa Right to Life Legislative Wrap

Eric Goranson is a native of Lake Mills, Iowa. After moving to Austin, Texas and Southern California (attending 9 public schools in the process), he returned to Iowa where he graduated from Des Moines Christian School and earned his Associate’s and Bachelor’s degrees at William Penn University. Eric is the owner of Goranson Consulting in Des Moines, specializing in Government Relations and Nonprofit Consulting. Eric has more than fifteen years’ experience in state government and nonprofit organizations including the roles of Development Director at Iowa Christian Academy and Des Moines radio station Q99.5 KZZQ/Pulse 99.5. Eric has also worked in Governor Terry Branstad’s office during his fourth term and in the Division of Criminal Investigation. Eric ran for Iowa State House in 2004. He is a thinker, hunter, hiker, backpacker, movie watcher, traveler, soccer-lover/player, and music fanatic with a predilection for theatre and art; especially photography. His two children keep him and his wife very busy and very grateful. Eric also has a personal blog, can be found on Facebook, and on Twitter.
Source: caffeinatedthoughts.com

Iowa Medicare Part D Plans

The above list is relevant if you choose to receive your health coverage from original Medicare or if you have purchased a Medigap policy. But you may choose to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan. Many Medicare Advantage plans include Part D coverage. If you have decided to enroll in an Advantage plan be sure to review the Part D formulary for that plan as it may vary from a stand-alone plan offered by the same company.
Source: partdplanfinder.com

Five out of the top 10 hospitals where patients cost Medicare the most money are located in California, according to a Kaiser Health News analysis of data published on the CMS Hospital Compare website. The five hospitals are:
Source: californiahealthline.org

Video: California Medicare Advantage

California proposes $190M Medicaid cuts to hospitals

Facing a state budget deficit that has ballooned to $15.7 billion, California is proposing major cuts to hospitals and nursing homes to reduce healthcare costs, Gov. Jerry Brown announced Monday, California Healthline reported. "It is disappointing that the revised budget includes a rake-off of $150 million from private hospitals and more than $40 million from public hospitals," California Hospital Association President C. Duane Dauner said in a statement. "This proposal goes against a 2011 agreement between hospitals and state government … through the Medi-Cal hospital fee program."
Source: fiercehealthcare.com

Report: Recession Fuels $70B Jump in Medicaid Spending

Hey Paul do you know that more is paid in Fed. taxes than is taken in profits on a gallon of gasoline? Do you pay more in taxes than you take home in your paycheck? Check your numbers before you start ranting about how much a company makes. Also what exactly is their profit margin (%) on a gallon of gas? According to “Daily Markets” website in California tax per gallon is $0.66 and profit per gallon is $0.02 per gallon. I don’t think they have an excessively high profit margin. Just stuff to think about. Hopefully cuts to Medicaid and/or Medicare will prompt them to crack down on and recover the dollars in fraud in their programs. Waste and fraud is rampant in government, no matter what party is in power.
Source: californiahealthline.org

Medicare Supplemental Insurance California

Blanket Well being Insurance offers the most aggressive health insurance quotes, together with senior Medicare dietary supplements, group well being and dental plans from the finest providers. They know the inside workings of the most effective well being, dental, small group, and senior Medicare health insurance California and Medicare supplemental insurance coverage California plans, so we can locate an affordable plan that will make the most of your medical health insurance dollar, whereas defending your loved ones from runaway well being care costs. Visit BlanketHealthInsurance.com in case you are seeking to find a finest medical insurance Medicare California plan.
Source: in-su-rance.com

Huge variety in Medicare Plans offered at California

Medicare Supplemental Insurance California can be purchased by an individual very easily as there are a number of Medicare providers who would always be ready to extend a helping hand to an individual who is in need of a Medicare plan. It is also possible to get Medicare policies in California through individual agents who can serve to be an affordable source for the collection of Medicare policies. There is always a governing body that sets the terms and conditions of getting Medicare but at the same time it is also seen that prices are also controlled by the law and therefore people have the security of having to pay the same premium year after year without any major fluctuations. The monthly premiums are the same in California for the Medicare policy taken irrespective of the fact that they are purchased from different sources or avenues.
Source: ezinemark.com

Medicare + Medicaid = California

California plans to use passive enrollment, which means that people are auto-enrolled into a managed care plan, with a window of time during which they can opt-out. After the opt-out period there is a six month “lock in” – this means that people won’t be able to change plans for six months. The National Health Law Program (NHELP) has created an excellent brief explaining the essential protections necessary when passive enrollment is utilized.
Source: hivhealthreform.org

Huge variety in Medicare Plans offered at California

Medicare Supplemental Insurance California can be purchased by an individual very easily as there are a number of Medicare providers who would always be ready to extend a helping hand to an individual who is in need of a Medicare plan. It is also possible to get Medicare policies in California through individual agents who can serve to be an affordable source for the collection of Medicare policies. There is always a governing body that sets the terms and conditions of getting Medicare but at the same time it is also seen that prices are also controlled by the law and therefore people have the security of having to pay the same premium year after year without any major fluctuations. The monthly premiums are the same in California for the Medicare policy taken irrespective of the fact that they are purchased from different sources or avenues. The people who attain the age of sixty five and above are entitled to take the Medicare policy in California along with the under sixty five’s who are medically unfit or disabled. But a point to be noted in this respect is that there are very few states in California that provide Medicare to those under the age of sixty five and this makes the terms of the policy unique in California.
Source: beneficialfunction.com

Health plan prepared to pay to resolve Medicare, Medi

In applications submitted in February to California’s Medi-Cal agency, the SCAN Health Plan detailed the course of civil and criminal investigations by the California attorney general’s office, saying they could lead to “substantial financial payments.” Federal authorities from the Health and Human Services and Justice departments also are investigating, the reports say.
Source: californiawatch.org

What is Supplemental Medicare and Who offers it in California?

To be eligible for supplemental Medicare policy, it is required for you to enroll in part A and B of original health insurance policy. Either you can opt for these plans during open enrolling period or you can undergo medical screening and buy the policy individually. The supplemental Medicare plans in California are sold by private insurance companies which are allowed to offer 12 such standard plans. Each plan comes with different benefits though all the benefits cover under part A and B are also found in all these insurance plans (because they are part of basic health insurance plan). Those planning to enroll for supplemental Medicare policies in California should be aware there are some terms and conditions to participate in the same. If you have enrolled in Standalone Part D, you cannot continue to avail drug coverage. Whichever company in California you buy the supplemental Medicare plan from; the plans offer the same benefits though the premium may vary.
Source: kaiserpermanentelocations.com

The most recent report shows that trust funds for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits may be depleted in as little as four years (2016), while Medicare may face bankruptcy by 2024. Reforming the Social Security and Medicare programs may be essential to meeting the needs of a nation with a growing baby boomer population and increased healthcare costs overall. Both sides of the political aisle are addressing the matter but have yet to form a united conclusion on how to best approach the issue.
Source: dialalawyersocialsecurityblog.com

Video: How Medicare Works with Social Security Disability

Some On Medicare Stop Taking Medications During Donut Hole

In the meantime, people on Medicare should remember to choose their Medicare coverage wisely. If you’re looking at a Medicare plan, be sure the medications you take are covered, that you’re still able to visit any “must-have” doctors and that you take into consideration not only your health but also your finances. Your wallet and your body will thank you.
Source: allsup.com

Senior Housing and Assisted Living

The plan is extremely beneficial and you must make the most out of it, if you qualify. The federal government also has taken solid steps to simplify the criteria for qualifying for the program so that more people can receive benefits. Furthermore, the government wants more people to find and enroll with state, local, federal and even private relief programs so that that every person in need can receive maximum benefits. These programs help people in need pay for their utility bills, prescription bills, meals and several other things.
Source: infonex.us

Disability Insurance Awareness Month Highlights Need to Know about Social Security Benefits

This entry was posted in Health and tagged 100 million, About, accident, addition, adjudication, Administration, Allsup, appe, applicant, Applicants, application, April, award, awareness, awareness month, Belleville, belleville il, benefit, Benefits, car, career, case, cash, chance, Choosing, claimant, condition, Council, coverage, didn, disabilities, Disability, disability awareness, disability representation, documentation, Drug, education, eligibility, employer, example, experience, factor, FICA, freeze, health, health insurance, Highlights, illness, inability, injury, Insurance, Know, Life, life insurance, likelihood, majority, manager, May, Medicare, month, need, one-third, opportunity, part, payroll, percent, person, plan, Planning, portion, possibility, prescription, private plan, process, program, provision, PRWEB, recovery, rehabilitation, representation, representative, retirement, review, security, security disability insurance, Social, social security, social security administration, social security benefits, social security disability, social security disability insurance, someone, SSA, SSDI, stoppages, stress, support, tax, terminal, time, today, value, work, workforce. Bookmark the permalink.
Source: djarso.com

Facing Disability? Medicare Benefits Can Help

Orange, CA 4/19/2012 – Most people assume that they will need Medicare benefits at retirement, and do not consider the possibility that they may require it earlier due to disability. If you are in the position of having to consider disability benefits, you may have many concerns regarding your health care coverage. Thankfully, Medicare health care coverage is available to disabled individuals under the age of 65. For example, you may be eligible for Medicare if you have received disability benefits from Social Security or certain disability benefits from the RRB for at least 24 months.
Source: joppel.com

About Social Security Disability and Medicare

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Source: toddsblogs.com

Ending the Medicare Disability Waiting Period Act of 2009 (2009; 111th Congress S. 700)

Ending the Medicare Disability Waiting Period Act of 2009 – Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to: (1) phase out the waiting period for disabled individuals to become eligible for benefits under SSA title XVIII (Medicare); and (2) eliminate the waiting period for individuals with life-threatening conditions to become eligible for such benefits. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to request the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences to study the range of disability conditions that can be delayed or prevented if individuals receive access to health care services and coverage before a condition reaches disability levels.
Source: govtrack.us

Ending the Medicare Disability Waiting Period Act of 2007 (2007; 110th Congress H.R. 154)

Ending the Medicare Disability Waiting Period Act of 2007 – Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to: (1) phase out the waiting period for disabled individuals to become eligible for benefits under SSA title XVIII (Medicare); and (2) eliminate the waiting period for individuals with life-threatening conditions to become eligible for such benefits. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to request the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences to study the range of disability conditions that can be delayed or prevented if individuals receive access to health care services and coverage before a condition reaches disability levels.
Source: govtrack.us

Me: But Joe, even leaving aside my doubts that you’ll actually get to the gym once a week, you have to do that meal reduction (and much more) and that exercise (and much more) ANYWAY, to address the problem you already have! In other words, that exercise and meal-reduction is a given. The main thing you’re doing now is introducing the element of the late night snack every evening. The best that can be said about these changes you’re labeling “offsets” is that, IF you actually implement them right away and maintain them, it might mean doing them a bit sooner rather than later, but you really shouldn’t pretend that making sacrifices that you have to make anyway (and which sooner or later you’ll be forced to make) and labeling them “offsets” really means that they offset the calories of your late night snacks every night and makes the whole set of changes “weight-neutral” in a meaningful sense. Mainly what’s happening is that the degree to which working out and skipping a meal on Saturday would have mitigated your problem will not be offset by your incremental consumption (the late night snack), leaving you with the need to work out even more and skip even more meals than you otherwise would, and I remind you that you’ve long avoided even the degree of such sacrifice that’s required without adding even more of a burden.
Source: keithhennessey.com

Video: Broken Promises in 2010 Health Care Law

Imaging Cuts In Medicare Fee Schedule: An Access Catastrophe And Danger To Patients

Specifically, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will raise the imaging equipment utilization rate assumption, the time during office hours that imaging equipment is assumed to be in operation, from the current 50 percent rate to 90 percent. However, a recent Radiology Business Management Association (RBMA) study found that rural providers use scanners only 48 percent of office hours and that the national average is only 54 percent. This assumption is a major factor to determining reimbursement. The wider the gap between the new mandated 90 percent rate and the actual time a provider uses scanners, the deeper the cut.
Source: viha.info

Entitlement Reform For the Entitled

But graduated eligibility also accounts for the fact that the rich live longer than the poor, and that the longevity gap is increasing. In 2007, the Social Security Administration did a study of mortality and income. Among 65-year-old men born in 1922, those with income in the top half lived an average of 2.2 years longer than those in the bottom half. But among 65-year-old men born in 1941, those with income in the top half were projected to live an average of 5.3 years longer. Thus, requiring wealthier Americans to wait five more years to claim Social Security and Medicare has the effect of giving an average rich and an average poor person nearly the same number of years of benefits.
Source: nytimes.com

Meet Pete Peterson, Architect of Social Security and Medicare Cuts

and by looming, I mean five to ten years unless something is done to bend the debt curve down.. If the US treasury cannot meet all their obligations then SS does have a problem. That’s where the SS surplus is parked. Something so simple as another debt ceiling fandango will force the US Treasury into making some very hard decisions. They will almost certainly not stop SS or Medicare payments from going out and that would be a self-inflicted wound in any case but there is not an unlimited amount that the US treasury can borrow. It wasn’t evil bankers who put Greece in the basket case. It was successive governments borrowing far more than they could ever repay in order to buy themselves electoral victories. Now I’m for tax increases and modest cuts to redress the situation and if I had my druthers the top 10 percent would have something to weep about but neither I nor anyone else here is going to see the legislative majorities to see that happen so there is going to be a negotiation on this because an endless game of chicken will bring disaster. What that means to me is that refusing to play chicken is not treason or betrayal. It is a rational response to a real political and fiscal situation. You could go the Greek route and elect polar extremes that can’t even form a government but I doubt it will help.
Source: crooksandliars.com

77 Democrats Sacrifice Medicare To Protect Military Spending

This entry was posted in Democrats, Economy, Legislation, War and Peace and tagged Adam Schiff, adam smith, al green, Albio Sires, ben chandler, betty sutton, bill owens, Bob Brady, brad sherman, Brian Higgins, carolyn mccarthy, charles gonzalez, colleen hanabusa, Collin Peterson, congress, corrine brown, dale kildee, dan boren, Dan Lipinski, David Loebsack, David Scott, dutch ruppersberger, ed pastor, ed perlmutter, ed towns, eddie bernice johnson, Elijah Cummings, Eliot Engel, gary ackerman, gene green, Gerald Connolly, gregory meeks, Heath Shuler, henry cuellar, house of representatives, Howard Berman, james langevin, Jason Altmire, jim cooper, jim costa, jim jordan, Jim Matheson, Jim McNerney, joe baca, joe courtney, Joe Donnelly, John Barrow, john carney, john dingell, john larson, judy chu, kathy hochul, larry kissell, Laura Richardson, leon boswell, lloyd doggett, marcy kaptur, mark critz, Martin Heinrich, Mazie Hirono, medicare, Mike McIntyre, mike ross, Nikki Tsongas, norm dicks, peter visclosky, robert andrews, ruben hinojosa, russ carnahan, sander levin, Sanford Bishop, sheila jackson-lee, Shelley Berkley, silvestre reyes, spending, steny hoyer, steve israel, susan davis, Terri Sewell, Tim Bishop, tim holden, tim walz. Bookmark the permalink.
Source: irregulartimes.com

DFL appeals to the Stupid Vote

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Source: sago.com

Second Guessing Medicare’s Star Rating System

But insurance executives made them a priority after the 2010 healthcare law attached large financial rewards to them. The first round of ratings last fall showed that most have a long way to go. Only 12 earned a perfect score of five, on a scale of one to five, and about 9 percent were below average. The majority received scores of three, or three and a half stars– enough to get them bonus money this year. After 2014, plans will need four or five stars to get bonuses. And if they have fewer than three stars, they won’t be allowed to enroll beneficiaries through Medicare’s website, and risk being booted from Medicare altogether, according to HHS spokesman Tony Salters. 
Source: kaiserhealthnews.org

Fixing Medicare’s Double

P.S. Several readers noted an important qualification to my Social Security discussion in my earlier post. Many experts believe past Social Security surpluses have been used to finance deficits in the rest of the budget and, as a result, Social Security resources have been paying for higher spending or lower revenues elsewhere in government. I agree. My comments in these posts apply only to explicit budgeting decisions, like those in 2010′s health reform or today’s student loan legislation. In that context, Social Security savings cannot be legislatively used to pay for other programs. But they still might have indirect effects. For example, by reducing future unified budget deficits, Social Security savings might weaken future congressional efforts to reduce deficits outside Social Security.
Source: dmarron.com

GOP HAS SET ITS OWN TRAP at DickMorris.com

By making all but four of their members vote for the Medicare cuts in the Ryan budget, the House Republicans have set the stage for their own demise. The leadership, if it wishes to be known by that moniker in the future, must offer its members a chance to backtrack on that vote. Wisely, the budget negotiators have indicated that they will not put Medicare on the table in their talks with the White House and the Senate. But the House freshmen, if they wish to become sophomores, must demand that Speaker Boehner set a vote that permits them to undo their support for the Medicare portion of the Ryan budget.
Source: dickmorris.com

Medicare Cuts: How beneficiaries will be affected by cuts under Obama’s plan.

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Source: medicarewire.com

Daily Kos: Mitt Romney repeats Medicare cuts lie

Mitt Romney’s latest line of attack against President Obama over Medicare and the Affordable Care Act is so full of contradictions and lies, it would be laughable if it wasn’t so predictably Romney. Here’s what he said: “This week, President Obama will release a budget that won’t take any meaningful steps toward solving our entitlement crisis,” Romney said in a statement e-mailed to reporters. “The president has failed to offer a single serious idea to save Social Security and is the only president in modern history to cut Medicare benefits for seniors”. Yes, as Paul Krugman points out, he’s at once saying we’re spending too much on entitlements and lambasting Obama for cutting entitlements.
Source: dailykos.com

Ads for “Affordable Care Act” Claim to Protect Medicare: Really?

Elizabeth Lee Vliet, M.D. is a preventive and climacteric medicine specialist with medical practices in Tucson AZ and Dallas TX that take an integrated approach to evaluation and treatment of women and men with complex medical and hormonal problems.  Dr. Vliet is also President of International Health Strategies, Ltd., whose mission is twofold: liberty and privacy in treatment options and preservation of the Oath of Hippocrates focus on the individual patient.
Source: westernfreepress.com

All adults can benefit from thinking about what their health care choices from the list in medicare.gov would be if they are unable to speak for themselves. You can document your preferences in an advance directive so that others know what they are. There are two kinds of advance instructions: a living will contain detailed teachings about your desires with regards to maintenance or retreating life-prolonging process in the event you get a life-threatening situation, an end-stage circumstance, or are in a constant vegetative situation and a Designation of Health Care Surrogate is the document you signed, assigning someone you trust to do the health care decisions for you in case you’re temporarily or permanently not able to make health care decisions for yourself. It is important you talk with your surrogate and let him or her know your wishes about your medical care and treatment, so that he or she will make the decisions based upon your desires. For many, it seems overwhelming to think of having conversations with family and other loved ones about the type of medical care you would want if you couldn’t decide. But it’s actually been found to be good medicine. In a recent study, having an advance directive that specified the patient’s treatment preferences significantly reduced family stress.
Source: org.uk

Video: Medicare.gov Ad with Leslie Nielsen

5 Ways to Become an Informed Medicare Consumer

During National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), non-profit organizations and government agencies give people like you information on how to take advantage of your rights and make better-informed choices. At Medicare, we’re here to help you become an informed Medicare consumer. Here are 5 things you can do:
Source: medicare.gov

Hospital Admission Policy Could Cost You

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Source: wordpress.com

Medicare on Main Street: Beneficiaries Should Expect Additional Access Challenges

Another story in the Bellingham Herald just this week drives home the message.  The story points out that of approximately 150 primary care physicians in Whatcom County, WA for 32,000 Medicare beneficiaries, less than 25 percent accept fee-for-service Medicare.  “For patients with Medicare,” the story explains, “finding a doctor means calling a list of providers to learn who is accepting new Medicare patients and which Medicare plans they accept.  It can also mean putting your name on a waiting list until space becomes available.”   Whitney Jagich, a counselor at Whatcom Alliance for Healthcare Access observes, “‘[seniors] need encouragement to keep trying to find a primary care practitioner, because they’re definitely encountering barriers to receiving the care they need.’”  The story describes this challenge ultimately as a question of dollars and cents.  “‘Whatcom physicians want to be able to treat these patients but economically they can only see a certain number before they can no longer sustain their businesses,’” says Christopher Key, executive director of the Whatcom County Medical Society.  “‘A fairly limited number of physicians and groups accept [Medicare] to start with…Some don’t want to deal with it at all and won’t accept Medicare under any conditions.’”  Many of the calls to the Whatcom Medical Society are from people who have seen their family doctor for years.  “Then, when they turn 65 and find themselves on Medicare, they learn that their relationship with their physician is severed because they can’t or won’t accept Medicare.”
Source: gop.gov