Medicare Buz

Our study shows a mortality reduction associated with state Medicaid expansions to cover adults. Using state-level differences in Medicaid expansion as a natural experiment avoids the confounding between insurance and individual characteristics (e.g., poverty or health status) that plagues cross-sectional observational studies. These results build on previous findings that Medicaid coverage reduces mortality among infants and children3,4 and are consistent with preliminary results of a randomized, controlled trial of Medicaid in Oregon, which showed significant improvement in self-reported health during the first year (although objective measures of health are not yet available and 1-year mortality effects were not significant and were imprecisely estimated).
Source: firedoglake.com

Video: What is medicaid?

CBO: If States Opt Out of Medicaid Expansion, $84B Saved

Trying to put a truly accurate number on the effects of various states joining or not joining the Medicaid expansion is difficult at best, and not something I care that much about. What I care about is how many people have health insurance and access to competent, timely medical care. States that opt out of the Medicaid expansion are knowingly, intentionally killing some number of people. It really is that simple. By ensuring that millions of people will not have health insurance, the Republicans are guaranteeing that some of those people will die — unnecessarily and prematurely. They are also guaranteeing that some number of Americans will face financial ruin as a result of their inability to afford the medical care they need. Both outcomes are the result of selfish and immoral people — Republicans.
Source: crooksandliars.com

Expanding Medicaid Reduces Death Rates

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Source: dmarron.com

Businesses will push Perry to rethink Medicaid expansion

So, contrary to what The Supreme Court says (a branch that unconstitutionally expounds the Constitution ale cart and is actually NOT the final arbiter as to what the Constitution means, anyway, which is made plain in the Constitution if they bother to actually study, understand and support it), any tax for the purpose of providing healthcare to INDIVIDUALS is utterly unconstitutional on its face for that reason alone; and, no State, whatsoever, has a right to accept money from the “Federal” government for objects outside its legitimate authority and constitutional bounds. And, since providing health care to individuals (not to mention governing individuals in the first place) is NOT one of the few enumerated and limited powers granted to it in the Constitution and is plainly repugnant and contrary to its FUNDAMENTAL purpose and existence, and since all officers and agents of a State are sworn by solemn oath to uphold and support the Constitution of the United States, Texas, regardless what some of the people might want, has a DUTY and OBLIGATION, as do all States, to reject all moneys fur such purposes offered by the Federal government and to defend its State, and the citizens thereof that compose said State, from the “Federal” government trying to unconstitutionally collect any revenue from within the jurisdiction for such repugnant and “Federal” unconstitutional objects as Heath Care for the general masses, above all, any individual segment(s) of the whole according to arbitrary politically motivated tests.
Source: nbcnews.com

Study: Medicaid Expansion Has Potential To Be A Lifesaver

McClatchy Newspapers: Medicaid May Help People Live Longer, Study Indicates As states consider whether to expand their Medicaid insurance programs for the poor under President Barack Obama’s health care law, new research indicates the decision may have life-and-death consequences. A study published Wednesday in the New England Journal of Medicine indicates that residents of states that expand coverage will likely live longer, be healthier and have better access to medical care. Researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health – who compared states that voluntarily expanded their Medicaid programs over the last decade with neighboring states that did not – found mortality rates were more than 6 percent lower in states with more generous coverage (Levey, 7/25).
Source: kaiserhealthnews.org

San Antonio women support Medicaid expansion in Texas

Olga Kauffman of the National Conference of Jewish Women stressed that Texas has the highest uninsured rate, with about 25 percent of the population uninsured, almost six million people. The women believe the Affordable Healthcare Act could reduce that number by 50 percent, providing healthcare to three million people.
Source: latinalista.com

New Resources Available on Medicaid Expansion in Wake of Supreme Court Decision

Study Finds Evidence of Reduced Mortality in Expansion States. A study published today in the New England Journal of Medicine details the results from a three-state study examining the impact of Medicaid eligibility expansions on mortality. The researchers looked at all-cause, all-population mortality in Maine, Arizona, and New York for a period 5 years before and 5 years after those states’ Medicaid expansions. They compared this data with mortality in control states and found that the Medicaid expansions were associated with a relative mortality decline of 6.1%, or 2,480 fewer deaths per year for every 500,000 people added to the Medicaid rolls. Expansion states also experienced a 21% reduction in delayed care because of cost and a 3% increase in self-reported “excellent” or “very good” health. The researchers cautioned that limitations in the data make it difficult to know whether Medicaid expansions in other states will achieve the same results. However, this study adds to earlier research from Oregon’s Medicaid expansion showing evidence of the health benefits of Medicaid coverage.
Source: mentalhealthcarereform.org

The Politics Being Played In Louisiana’s Medicaid Fake ‘Crisis’

First, it is a myth that the uninsured loosen a barrage onto hospital emergency rooms. In fact, it is not the uninsured who over-utilize hospitals as primary care vehicles – they are only slightly more likely to use them as privately-insured folk – but Medicaid patients. And in a state whose policy until recently was to encourage Medicaid clients to visit its own hospitals, this would exaggerate even more this inefficient tendency. But with the advent of the Bayou Health program that steers deliberately about three-quarters of all Medicaid clients to non-state primary care givers outside of hospitals of any ownership, this should decrease demand on hospitals. Which is all well and good because hospitals aren’t there to provide primary care, only the far fewer cases where more intense medicine needs to be practiced.
Source: thehayride.com

Why Perry made the right call on Medicaid

Finally, the governor should reconsider his decision to allow the federal government rather than the state to set up and manage the health insurance exchange. Because eligibility for Medicaid can shift several times in one year — a national study estimates more than one-third of adults with family incomes below 200 percent of the federal poverty level will experience a shift in eligibility within six months — the gatekeeper to the exchange will have to make countless decisions about whom to admit and whom to reject. It’s better for Texas if that decision-maker answers to the state.
Source: ncpa.org

Disease Management Care Blog: Medicaid Is Better Than Nothing

That’s the DMCB conclusion after reading this hot-off-the-presses New England Journal article on Mortality and Access to Care among Adults after State Medicaid Expansions. Three states (Maine, Arizona and New York) in the 2000-2005 time frame increased Medicaid eligibility to mostly include childless adults meeting a variety of poverty thresholds.  The authors compared changes (“pre-post”) in publicly available death rates and health status statistics in these “intervention” states to neighboring states that acted as quasi-experimental ”controls (New Hampshire for Maine, Nevada and New Mexico for Arizona and Pennsylvania for New York). Over time, new Medicaid enrollees were slightly older (40.6 years vs. the average of 40 years), more likely to be male (57% vs. 49% in the general population), nonwhite (27% vs. 20%) and in fair or poor health (20% vs. 11%). What was interesting was that the authors compared the county-level changes in mortality for the entire state population, not just Medicaid enrollees.  Using standard statistical methods to account for baseline differences, the authors found that adjusted all-cause mortality for the intervention states declined by 19.6 per 100,000 versus the control states.  Since it takes time for Medicaid enrollment to actually increase after a change in eligibility, the authors also examined the impact over time. They found a strong statistically significant correlation between growing Medicaid enrollment and mortality. Medicaid expansion was also associated with decreases in rates of patient surveys showing that there was “delayed care” and increases in self-reported excellent or good health status. The obvious conclusion of the study was that expanding Medicaid eligibility allows persons who are otherwise without insurance to access the health system and receive care for conditions that would otherwise kill them. The DMCB finds the results convincing and should inform the debate in some states about the life-saving merits of expanding Medicaid. Critics could quibble that unknown factors not captured by the study could have accounted for the observed differences (did pumping more Medicaid money into the system enrich hospitals, enabling them to provide a higher level of care?) and that association does not prove causality (could booming state economies lead to a healthier population, while a generous Medicaid expansion had nothing to do with it?). DMCB questions: 1) This study doesn’t compare Medicaid insurance vs. commercial insurance.  If there were a way to use the commercial markets (for example, vouchers), would patients far better?  There is research that suggests the answer could be yes. 2. A cruel but important question: how much did it cost?  Expanding Medicaid did not save money, it cost and it would be interesting to know the cost per person, per person-year or per quality adjusted life year.
Source: blogspot.com

Republicans: Delay Medicaid expansion

>>* FRAUD: Stiffer penalties must be instituted for fraud and extraordinary measures must be taken to prevent it, Republicans say. The biggest expense in medical fraud is not on the recipient end,… You nailed that one cleaner than I’ve seen it done before. Soon as measures are up that would actually detect and prevent fraud Republicans will scream Anti-Bidness regulations. The main fraud deterrent they could do is enhanced whistle blower laws. No need to expand the bureaucracy just make it simple and safe to file a whistle blower complaint. Include stiff penalties and punishment for those in government who willfully impede a whistle-blower complaint and prosecution. My late friend in Dallas who began a new career by auditing Medicare payments to a Medical firm blew the whistle on them when he discovered systemic overcharges by the physicians group. He notified the physicians group twice and they persisted in over charging. He filed a whistle-blower complaint. He had to hire a lawyer just to deal with the weasely government lawyers who wanted to punish him. That was during the last Bush regime. He finally got his 2.1 million which was a percentage of what he saved Medicare then six months later he passed away. People have no idea of how insidiously corrupt the Bush-Cheney regime was.
Source: arktimes.com

Page not found : HIV Health Reform

ADAP advocacy aids.gov aumag.org Bridge to 2014 California Healthcare Reform comments to HHS Congress Deficit Reduction Dual Eligibles essential health benefits exchange fact sheet federal budget federal implementation healthcare reform health care reform & prevention health reform & HIV 101 HHCAWG HLS/TAEP Medi-Cal Questions Medicaid Medicare National HIV/AIDS Strategy news.medill.northwestern.edu PCIP private insurance public input quality regulations reimbursement rates Ryan White CARE Act Sebelius seniors SHARP sign-on letter Spanish Speaking Resources state advocates state implementation Super Committee supreme court Texas toolkits webinar women
Source: hivhealthreform.org

Giving up Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B is necessary, because it allows the person to sign with the insurance company that is selling the medicare -advantage-plan. This is a potentially dangerous sacrifice, considering the insurance company is not obligated to renew their contract with Medicare each year. If the insurance company did drop out of their medicare-advantage contract, you would be dis-enrolled from that medicare-advantage-plan.
Source: floridahealthinsurancebroker.com

Video: Medicare Supplement Plans | Questions about Medicare Supplement Plans

United American Medicare Supplement Insurance Quotes

Fortunately, United American is one of those companies.  At present, they offer some of the lowest priced High Deductible F Plans across the state.  That is great for seniors who want a low priced Medicare insurance plan with a reasonable deductible.  (As of 2012, the HD Plan F deductible is $2,070 yearly.)
Source: ohioinsureplan.com

I Am On Medicare, Am I Covered Outside the Country?

If you have purchased a supplemental plan, like Plan F, than you are covered outside the United States for up to 60 days, up to $50,000.00.  After 60 days, you are uncovered.  The Medicare Supplement plans are great for people who make short trips out of the U.S. each year.  If this sounds like you, then there is no need to worry, you are covered.  In fact, each time you enter and exit the country, your 60 days start over, so you can take multiple trips a year and feel confident your Medicare Supplement Plan will take care of you as long as your hospital stay does not exceed $50,000.00.
Source: americaninsuranceforexpats.com

Why Medicare Supplemental Plans Are Very Essential to Secure Your Life

Medicare Supplemental Plans have been really beneficial to those people, who have been of 65 years as well as over of 65 years. These skeleton yield we each kind of trickery to be fast in becoming different illness caring marketplace. These skeleton have been identified by a letters offering as A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M as well as N. Nowadays, Plan F is really great choice to keep your illness secure as well as comfortable. However, there have been most great skeleton though we should select a right choice for carrying prolonged tenure word for most years. If we have been requesting any plan, we should not be confused some-more for word skeleton with glorious offers inside of reduced duration of time. You should take recommendation from word agent, who will yield we correct as well as applicable report so which we will be means to select a right word devise accessible in a market.
Source: healthinsurance-sandiego.com

The Senior Insider: Turning 65? You’re in good company!

If you’re turning age 65 this year, you’re in good company. Around 10,000 Baby Boomers turn 65 every day. Celebrities with milestone age 65 birthdays this year include Tommy Lee Jones, Susan Sarandon, Iggy Pop, Dolly Parton, Donald Trump, Glenn Close, Stephen King, Diane Keaton and Rob Reiner, just to name a few!  I’m not sure if they’re thinking about Medicare, but you should be. It’s a big piece of your retirement  plan. For all the facts on Medicare, Medicare Supplements, Medicare Prescription Plans and more, plan to attend my class, “Getting Started with Medicare.” You can find a complete list of classes listed by county at www.mutskoinsurance.com/seminars.  Upcoming classes in August include:
Source: blogspot.com

Medicare Supplement Plans

Start by adding your zip code on the senior Medicare supplements page and compare free quotes from a list of  carefully selected insurance companies.  We aren’t talking small companies you’ve never heard of …… we are talking AARP Anthem Blue Cross just to name a couple.  
Source: peanutbutterandwhine.com

With health care expenses soaring by means of the roof covering, the price of wellbeing insurance policies premiums are increasing at the same time. Wellbeing insurance coverage is usually a necessity, even so, whenever you consider the expenses of one go to for the emergency room, surgical procedure to collection a damaged bone, scans, lab and also other expenses. When your budget is minimal, how are you able to maintain the prices of your health insurance policies premiums lower? You can find many steps you’ll be able to require to reduce your well being insurance policies charges and nevertheless sustain enough healthcare coverage whenever you have to have it.   Very first step is always to contemplate what health insurance policies options you’ve got. Does your employer provide a group health care bonus? Several employers (and/or labor unions) supply health advantages to full-time workers. Group wellbeing insurance policies is usually the most affordable way to obtain medical insurance plan; an employer can negotiate with health and fitness insurance companies to get a group health and fitness prepare at more affordable rates. In addition, a lot of employers will compensate component in the premium, lowering your wellbeing insurance policy value even further. An additional consideration is regardless of whether your wife or husband has wellbeing protection accessible by way of their employer? If so, evaluate your well being added benefits prepare to that within your partner, and determine which well-being plan could be the much better invest in. It could be achievable to have one husband or wife carry household wellness insurance policies insurance plan as well as the other drop their wellness positive aspects. Several employers have several well-being insurance policies possibilities, so review these programs in addition. Choose the health strategy that greatest meets your demands with the cheapest charge.   If no wellbeing insurance coverage is accessible via your employer, there are other solutions to attain well being insurance policies insurance plan. Individual and family members personal health insurance plan insurance policies are obtainable. Look and examine rewards and premiums from each health insurance plan approach. In case you along with your spouse and children are commonly wholesome, the newest Well-Being Financial savings Account (HSA) might be really worth consideration. The HSA can be an account that enables you to avoid wasting tax-free money in your professional medical/well-being expenses. Much like An individual Retirement life Accounts (IRA), you might be constrained in the amount that you happen to be authorized to contribute every yearautism health; even so, while using HSA, withdrawals for well-being expenses aren’t penalized, and no tax is paid on the withdrawal. When paired that has a health insurance plan plan that has substantial deductibles and lower costs, the HSA may be ideal to suit your needs. Lower your expenses inside the HSA for deductibles and co-pays, and you’re arranged.   For individuals in excess of sixty five or completely disabled, Medicare is available via the federal authorities. The original Medicare can be an 80/20 plan (they shell out 80% of eligible expenses along with the insured pays 20%) with an annual deductible and also a month to month top quality. Supplemental well-being ideas are offered to protect this deductible and co-pay back. These supplemental health plans are commonly exclusive plus the insured pays a premium. Furthermore for the original Medicare prepare, you will find Medicare HMOs. In these Medicare HMO wellbeing plans, the Medicare high quality is paid for to an HMO to supply positive aspects for the insured. HMO options are extra restrictive in that individuals should get care through a network service provider, but frequently these ideas protect far more prescription prescription drugs and preventive consideration than authentic Medicare does.   Just lately some employers have provided reduced premiums to workers who don’t smoke cigarettes. That is presently a controversial topic for some, but it certainly may perhaps get started a pattern. Inside potential, employers and their health and fitness insurance coverage companies could supply lowered premiums for personnel who retain regular excess weight, work out often, and receive selected wellness added benefits. Maintaining a healthy and balanced way of living lowers the risk towards the wellbeing insurance plan business that they will be spending major bucks in wellness attention straight down the street. And well being insurance policy, as every other insurance policy, is all about threat.   Bottom line: planning without the need of well-being insurance policy protection can be a major chance for you. Uncover wellness protection that you can find the money for just in case Murphy arrives knocking at your door!
Source: deltaboogie.net

Video: Medicare HMO

The respiratory system Help Can be obtained For Senior citizens Together with COPD8285754

Because HMOs Carry on and Drop Coverage regarding Seniors – Right now Over 5 hundred, Sufferers – Those Demanding Expensive Respiratory Medication, Help and Homecare Companies are definitely the Toughest Strike A single Patient Supporter, Geriatric Providers of The usa, offers Relief to Made their victim Patients Via a Distinctive, Generally No-Cost Software Greater than 536, 1000 US seniors are scrambling to discover new doctors or perhaps new coverage since their health programs terminated their Medicare insurance managed-care providers, based on a Nonrenewal Record issued through the Centers for Medicare insurance ; Medical aid Services for that 12 months 2002. One of the hardest hit are generally seniors in Los angeles (84, 000), California (59, 000), Missouri (55, 000), N. j. (53, 000), The state of texas (46, 000), and also The state of michigan (31, 000), who’ll be losing insurance within the coming 12 months. Even people that have continuing coverage confront substantial premium walks and dwindling substance benefits. Specifically hard hit is going to be those that have chronic illnesses for instance respiratory illness, which will bear the brunts an excellent source of medication and health care fees.
Source: multiverse.net

With Approach of Medicare Annual Enrollment, We Answer Your Questions !!!

Market Press Release

About AvMed Health Plans AvMed has been providing health care coverage to Florida citizens and businesses for over 40 years. AvMed is one of only a few health plans in the United States that enjoys dual “excellent” accreditation status for both its Commercial and Medicare health plans from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), the nation’s top health care quality evaluator. AvMed offers health coverage options to large and small employers in most major markets around the state; Medicare Advantage products in Broward and Miami-Dade counties, and Individual coverage in Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties. For more information about AvMed, visit http://www.avmed.org.
Source: groupdefinedbenefits.com

Video: AvMed Medicare-Dance Hall

2012 Great Park Summit to Focus on the Future of Miami

About the Miami-Dade Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department: Nationally accredited, a three-time winner of the NRPA National Gold Medal Award and winner of the 2009 Florida Governor’s Sterling Award for excellence in management and operations, Miami-Dade Parks is the third largest county park system in the United States, consisting of 260 parks and more than 12,825 acres of land. It is one of the most unique park and recreation systems in the world. Made up of more than just playgrounds and athletic fields, it also comprises out-of-school, sports-development, and summer-camp programs; programs for seniors and people with disabilities; educational nature centers and nature preserves; environmental restoration efforts; arts and culture programs and events; the renowned Zoo Miami and the Deering Estate at Cutler; the Crandon Tennis Center, home of the Sony Ericsson Open; golf courses; beaches; marinas; campgrounds; pools; and more. For information about Miami-Dade Parks call 3-1-1 or visit www.miamidade.gov/parks.
Source: fitzness.com

AvMed/JHS Bring Cost Effective Health Care to Medicare Members at Jackson South Community Hospital

Effective today, AvMed Health Plans and Jackson Health System will begin providing Medicare Advantage benefits to eligible recipients at Jackson South Community Hospital. AvMed Medicare Choice HMO offers its members a vast array of health care benefits, including hospital, medical, and prescription coverage, all with low or no co-pays or coinsurance.
Source: cutbusinessexpenses.com

AvMed Health Plans and Wax Custom Communications Receive Bronze at 2010 Mature Media Awards

PRLog (Press Release) – Aug 16, 2010 – Miami, August 10, 2010– AvMed Health Plans received a bronze medal at the 2010 National Mature Media Awards, the nation’s largest awards program that annually recognizes the best marketing, communications, educational materials and programs for adults age 50 and older. AvMed’s Medicare Enrollment Kit won a bronze medal in the Brochure/Booklet category. The Medicare Enrollment Kit is an annual piece distributed before the Medicare enrollment period, aimed at educating consumers on AvMed’s Medicare plans and benefits and guiding them in their decision making process. “We’re proud that the work we create with AvMed has been honored at the National Mature Media Awards,” said Bill Wax, president and founder of Wax Custom Communications. “These awards recognize the uniqueness of our work with each of our clients and the quality team we have here at Wax.” About Wax Custom Communications:
Source: prlog.org

AvMed Health Plans and Wax Custom Communications Partner in the Publication of ASPIRE

Aspire features information and updates about AvMed’s Medicare Advantage plan, along with practical information designed to help customers enhance their overall health and wellbeing. “The magazine was titled Aspire because we felt it was the perfect word to sum up our attitude towards health,” said Winston H. Lonsdale, Vice President and Chief Medicare Executive, AvMed Health Plans. “The word aspire means to have a great ambition, an ultimate goal, a strong desire, a willingness to strive. In this magazine, our goal is to inspire and support our customers as they optimize their health.” Created especially for Medicare members, Aspire includes profiles of healthy seniors and articles aimed at promoting longevity and healthy living. “Our goal is to encourage readers to use the many member benefits already offered to them,” said Lonsdale. Those benefits include a new affiliation with the SilverSneakers® Fitness Program, discounted Weight Watchers™ memberships and discounts on acupuncture, massage therapy and complementary medicines to improve their health. AvMed has also implemented new initiatives to provide additional services to their members, including the improvement of their Personal Service Representative (PSR) program. Wax, who partnered with AvMed to publish Aspire, has worked with AvMed for 20 years, starting with the publication of one title and evolving into a wide range of integrated marketing products. “AvMed has always been known for its personalized, caring approach to healthcare,” says Bill Wax, president and founder of Wax Custom Communications. “Aspire represents an outstanding opportunity for AvMed to convey information to help members take charge of their own health and wellness.” About 5011a086153ef Founded in 1987 by Pulitzer Prize nominated photojournalist Bill Wax, Wax Custom Communications is a full-service custom publisher and integrated marketing firm based in Miami, Fla. A member of the Custom Publishing Council and the American Marketing Association, Wax is active in business sectors including health, finance, insurance, education, technology and telecommunications. About AvMed Health Plans AvMed is a Florida based not-for-profit HMO and one of the state’s leading HMO providers, serving more than 200,000 members in the state of Florida. Founded in 1969 as a health care system for pilots in the Miami area, AvMed (short for “aviation medicine”) now serves non-pilots as well, with offices throughout Florida. AvMed’s policies include employer group HMO, Medicare HMO, and point-of-service plans; the company also offers onsite health-related seminars. AvMed’s Disease Management Program provides assistance to members with congestive heart problems, asthma and high-risk pregnancies; its On Call phone line offers free health information around the clock.
Source: seerpress.com

One of the key questions voters will have to ask themselves in November is whether or not Mitt Romney’s experience as a business man– he started rich and made himself richer– is the kind of experience that would be beneficial for the country. Keeping in mind that the last two Republican businessmen elected president were the two most disastrous presidents, especially in terms of the economy– Herbert Hoover and George W. Bush– voters have to ask themselves if, in the end, Romney was much more than just a con man with a good teeth-whitening job. The video above, made by Republicans, for Republicans was a response to one of Romney’s unending lies about his past, this time about his public denial that Bain did any work with the government like Medicaid and Medicare. Now, as these Republican operatives working to nominate Newt Gingrich, reported, “we learn that Bain, under Romney’s ‘supervision,’ purchased and ran the Damon Corporation, who pled guilty to Federal conspiracy charges as a result of tens of millions of dollars in systemic Medicare fraud committed under Romney’s and Bain’s control. Damon was fined over $119-million which was, at the time, the largest criminal healthcare fine in Massachusetts history and Mr. Romney’s participation was characterized in 1996 by Corporate Crime Reporter thusly: ‘As manager and board member of Damon Corp, Mitt Romney sits at the center of one of the top 15 corporate crimes of the 1990′s.” It may look like a Democratic Party hit piece but Blood Money: Mitt Romney’s Medicare Scandal was made by Republicans and paid for by none other than Romney’s now #1 funder, Vegas/Macau Organized Crime figure Sheldon Adelson. This is the quintessential Mitt Romney and his Bain business model– ruthlessly cheating everyone else to get richer and richer. It’s why Romney and crooks like him oppose government and oppose regulation. His business experience is clear– it’s why he’s been known as a predator and a vulture capitalist for his entire career in the business world. And it’s why Bain Capital is so universally hated. And it’s why his presidential campaign is being financed by the people– and corporations– that are spending hundreds of millions of dollars to get him into the White House. This film is a clear indictment of a con man who, in effect, is just a smoother version of Florida Governor Rick Scott. Romney bilked Medicare of millions of dollars to enrich himself. Is that the kind of president we should ever consider. Gingrich warned America. But Gingrich was a flawed messenger. It’s hard to watch this short film without a sense of panic about how close this presidential contest has become and how close we are to hiring a vampiric criminal to lead the nation. When Romney sold his medical fraud company– just before the company got hit with the largest criminal healthcare fraud fine ever levied in Massachusetts history– Bain made a $12 million profit (of which Romney personally pocketed $473,000) while thousands lost their jobs, he company went bankrupt and American taxpayers were bilked for another $40 million so Romney and his partners could get richer.
Source: blogspot.com

Video: Dick Morris TV; Lunch ALERT! The Ryan Budget and Medicare — A Solution

False balance and the Medicare scare : CJR

Trudy, excellent piece. I do wish, though, you had pointed out the insidious role of the “fact checkers,” notably PolitiFact, in enabling the news media in this bogus, false-equivalence coverage of the Medicare issue. PolitiFact’s most recent piece got a key fact wrong. It said the latest Ryan Medicare plan would cap Medicare spending at GDP plus 1%. In fact, Ryan’s budget bill — which the House passed earlier this year and which supersedes Ryan’s “bipartisan” Medicare proposal with Democrat Ron Wyden– would cap Medicare spending at GDP plus .5%, a difference which adds up fast. In addition, Henry Aaron has pointed out that talking with Ryan’s staff, it’s not clear whether that cap would apply to Medicare spending in total or to per capita Medicare spending, which makes a huge difference because if you cap total Medicare spending without adjusting for the large increase in Medicare enrollment over the next 20 years, you get a really really big cut in per capita Medicare spending, which would mean much poorer coverage. PolitiFact and the other “fact checkers” have consistently called the Democrats’ statements about Ryan’s and Romney’s Medicare proposals last year and this year false, when they are quite factually accurate. The NY Times, in its recent story quoting Romney saying Obama’s statement was dishonest that Romney’s Medicare proposal was a “voucher” plan, cited PolitiFact saying Obama’s ads were “mostly false.” In fact, as Trudy notes, Romney’s and Ryan’s proposals, which are quite similar, are precisely voucher plans. PolitiFact also missed the fact that Ryan’s proposal is no longer “bipartisan” because Wyden reportedly has refused to support it, on the basis that the GDP plus .5% cap is too low, Ryan’s plan would raise the Medicare eligibility age to 67, and Ryan’s block granting of Medicaid would hurt Medicare dual eligibles.
Source: cjr.org

Daily Kos: New Commonwealth Fund Report: By all metrics, Medicare outperforms private insurance

A couple of the previous commenters used the example of Medicare being secondary to a private policy.  So, I want to add our situation which is slightly different. When we turned 65, our private insurer specified that in order to continue coverage we needed to enroll in Medicare Part B (as well as the default Medicare Part A) and name Medicare as the primary provider. For a few years, my wife would complain occasionally about the amount deducted from her Social Security to pay for Medicare.  No more. While on a blood thinner, my wife developed a subdural hematoma – bleeding inside the skull but outside the brain.  It was serious by the time it was discovered and she had to be taken by helicopter (we live in a rural area) to the nearest trauma center 70 miles away.  That night, they removed a section of her skull and suctioned off the bleeding, cauterizing the leaking veins.   She was recovering well, when a few days later she had a stroke.  If you ever have a stroke, try to arrange for it to happen in a hospital, especially a trauma center.  The care she received was excellent and within a week, she was in a rehab facility for intensive physical, occupational, and speech therapy.  Now, she’s home and in her third month of outpatient therapy.  Her recovery has been amazing. All through this, though, I had no need to worry about expenses as the doctors shuttled in and out of her room.  I cannot imagine the additional stress on families that aren’t fortunate enough to have the coverage we have. I noticed a couple of things – The providers (hospitals and doctors) all charge a high amount, then Medicare set the approved fee much lower (about one third to one fourth the original bill) and paid 80%.  Our private insurance picked up the remaining 20%. Our total out of pocket was $42 for the wheel-chair taxi from the hospital to the rehab facility. Because Medicare was the primary payer and set the lower fee, the private insurance was saved significant bucks by only having to pay 20% of Medicare rates. (It left me wondering if those that want to privatize Medicare are really being paid by the hospitals because of Medicare’s lower reimbursement rates.) I think that because we were fully covered, my wife’s condition attracted lost of specialists.  She was seen daily by the intensive care specialist, the hospitalist, the neurosurgeon, the neurologist (different guy), the cardiovascular surgeon, and the cardiologist, as well as being evaluated several times by speech and physical therapists before any therapy started. After she was stable and well on the road to recovery, I took the time to comb through the medical bills, even though both insurers were covering everything.  I felt that I had a responsibility to assure that there weren’t any duplicate or fraudulent charges – my small part in trying to Medicare costs low. We are not religious, so I don’t have a deity to thank.  But I am thankful to all of those planners and politicians that put medical facilities and Medicare in place.
Source: dailykos.com

Medicare Part D Resource for you by Mature Health Center

Some categories of beneficiaries are not bound by the lock-in rules and may enroll or disenroll from a PDP plan in other than the AEP. An individual may at any time, during a designated Special Election Period (SEP), discontinue the election of a PDP plan offered by an PDP organization and change his or her election to original Medicare or to a different PDP plan. Examples of situations which may entitle an individual to an SEP include the termination or discontinuation of a plan, a change in residency out of the service area, the organization violating a provision of a contract or misrepresenting the plan’s provisions, or the individual meeting other exceptional conditions as CMS may provide. CMS has also designated an SEP for individuals entitled to Medicare A and B and who receive any type of assistance from Title XIX (Medicaid), including full-benefit dual eligible individuals, as well as those eligible only for the Medicare Savings Programs. This SEP lasts from the time the individual becomes dually eligible until such time as they no longer receive Medicaid benefits. Individuals who are eligible for an SEP under the guidance for Part D enrollment and disenrollment may use that SEP to also make an election into or out of an MA-PD plan. from Medicare.gov, Prescription Drug Coverage (2012), Prescription Drug Coverage: Basic Information (2012) Return to top
Source: stewardshipmatters.net

Obama, Democrats drag ‘GOP will kill Medicare’ lie out of mothballs

Democrats and the president are hardly in a position to cast stones in any case. Obamacare, which as far as they are concerned is a done deal, inflicts far more harm on “Medicare as we know it” than the Ryan plan. In its current form, the health care law siphons off $500 billion in savings from Medicare over the next ten years to pay for other programs created by the law. Defenders of the law will insist it has built-in offsetting provisions, such as paying hospitals less when patients are quickly re-admitted after being discharged. It’s hard to see how they would package this type of cost-cutting measure in a form that makes it palatable to seniors.
Source: hotair.com

The 2013 Medicare Surtax: What it Means for You

The key to minimizing this new surtax is to reduce your net investment income.  Among the investment choices you may want to consider are tax-free municipal bonds, tax-deferred annuities, and non-income-producing real estate, as well as certain trust strategies.  (There are also Medicare surtax implications for trusts and estates but that discussion is beyond the scope of this blog.)  As always, you shouldn’t let the tax tail wag the investment dog.  Your investment choices should, first and foremost, reflect your long-term financial objectives; tax implications are a consideration, not the driving force.
Source: brintoneaton.com

Medicare Supplement Insurance Boynton Beach Fl

Giving up Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B is necessary, because it allows the person to sign with the insurance company that is selling the medicare -advantage-plan. This is a potentially dangerous sacrifice, considering the insurance company is not obligated to renew their contract with Medicare each year. If the insurance company did drop out of their medicare-advantage contract, you would be dis-enrolled from that medicare-advantage-plan.
Source: floridahealthinsurancebroker.com

Issa accuses HHS of using Medicare pilot to ‘buy’ election for Obama

In implementing the 2010 Affordable Care Act, CMS has been reducing federal subsidies to Medicare Advantage, or the Part C program, for approved private health plans, now used by some 28 percent of seniors, or 13 million people. The redirected funds are being used in part to experiment with a “quality bonus payment” pilot program that rewards private health plans that expand benefits in such areas as wellness and customer service and thereby raise their CMS rating to one of the top two on a five-star quality system.
Source: govexec.com

American College of Physician Executives Testifies Before House Subcommittee on Medicare Payment System Challenges

ACPE was one of six physician organizations invited by Chairman Wally Herger (R-CA), ranking member Rep. Pete Stark (D-CA) and other members of the Subcommittee to comment on the SGR and the fiscal challenges it represents. The SGR was originally created by Congress to help keep the Medicare budget from growing faster than the economy as a whole, but it has frequently become the target of criticism as lawmakers are repeatedly forced to make short-term fixes.
Source: seopressreleases.com

Mad Medicare Centre offers free screening for people in Ablekuma

Dr Akuamoah-Boateng said non-communicable diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide and accounted for 63% of deaths, adding that the total deaths of 2008 were 57 million out of which 36 million were as a result of non-communicable diseases.
Source: vibeghana.com

Washington state has 1.2 million people enrolled in the existing Medicaid program. Medicaid payment to providers is only 40% of the amount private insurance pays. Most doctors are not able to cover their overhead with Medicaid reimbursements, let alone earn an income. The ACA will add 320,000 to 520,000 more people to Medicaid in Washington state. Although on paper they will have “health insurance,” Medicaid enrollees will experience limited access to care, just like our current Medicare patients. The expansion of Medicaid will also add a new financial burden to Washington state taxpayers.
Source: flannerypubs.com

Video: Medicare Spending Per Beneficiary Measure National Provider Call – February 9, 2012

Medicaid expansion will boost Washington state’s economy

But there are also important economic benefits of expanding Medicaid for both our communities and job market that Washington policymakers should be proud of. For the first several years of the expansion, the federal government will pay for 100% of the cost of the expanded Medicaid coverage (tapering and eventually holding at 90%).  This means that much-needed federal dollars will be flowing into communities across the state, bringing increased access to health care and jobs.
Source: thestand.org

Medicare Birthday Party event » 11th Legislative District Democrats

On July 28th, Medicare celebrates its 47th Birthday. Medicare, Social Security and Medicaid are the “crown jewels” of our national social insurance system. Despite widespread public support, politicians in Wasshington DC want to privatize or outright eliminate Medicare, and severely cut Medicaid and Social Security..  WA State Alliance for Retired Americans (WASARA) & Physicians for a National Healthcare Program-Western Washington (PNHP) will join with others to call for the protection of these programs.
Source: 11thlddems.org

States saying no to Medicaid expansion could see downside

Medicaid is a giant federal-state health insurance program for the poor, now mostly covering children, mothers and disabled people. The expansion in Obama’s health care overhaul was originally expected to add roughly 15 million uninsured low-income people, mainly adults without children, who currently are not eligible in most states. Washington would pick up the entire cost for the first three years, with the federal share then dropping to 90 percent. The Medicaid expansion accounts for about half the total number of uninsured people projected to get coverage under the law.
Source: columbiamissourian.com

The New Medicaid Coverage Gap

Medicaid expansion under the ACA was intended to include all of the folks below 133% of FPL.  Currently, most states have a mix of eligibility for Medicaid.  Alaska, Washington and Idaho, for instance, offer no Medicaid coverage for childless adult males through Medicaid.  (In Washington, the Basic Health Plan exists as a safety net for cohorts like this.)  Each of the states covers children and pregnant women, but to varying degrees.  A full chart of eligibility on a state by state basis can be found here.
Source: stateofreform.com

New Washington State Medicaid managed care contract takes effect on July 1; SSI clients to be phased in

The Health Care Authority does not discriminate and provides equal access to its programs and services for all persons without regard to race, color, gender, religion, creed, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, age, veteran’s status or the presence of any physical, sensory or mental disability.
Source: wa.gov

Cantwell Highlights Need for Medicare Payment Reform to Expand Access to Care, Build WA Primary Care Workforce

“Frankly, people in our region are very frustrated that we deliver care that way and get less reimbursement and less people want to go practice there. And somebody can go practice somewhere else where they can run up the bill to the American taxpayer,” Cantwell continued. “But just to assume that they are healthier and that someplace else is sicker and we should just pay more is not going to work. …So if you have any comment on that Dr. Stream? …And [also on] what we need to do for graduate medical education to really get that workforce plugged in.”
Source: gorgenewscenter.com

Deaths Fell in States That Expanded Medicaid, Harvard Study Says

Three states that expanded Medicaid in 2001 and 2002, New York, Arizona and Maine (BSTIME), collectively saw a 6.1 percent decline in the death rate for people age 20 to 64 compared to neighboring states, according to the study published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health, led by assistant professor Benjamin Sommers, found larger reductions among minorities and low-income people.
Source: ibytes.net

States saying no to ‘Obamacare’ could see downside

FILE – In this June 7, 2012 photo, Texas Gov. Rick Perry speaks during the Texas Republican Convention in Fort Worth, Texas. For Perry, saying “no” to the federal health care law could also mean turning away coverage for up to 1.3 million people. (AP Photo/LM Otero, File)
Source: washingtonexaminer.com

States Seek Medicare Data to Keep Fraudulent Providers Out of Medicaid

For example, ambulance companies charge the Medicaid program millions of dollars every month to take elders and adults with disabilities to local emergency rooms. Once they arrive at the hospital, Medicare pays for their bills. Without access to Medicare claims and payment data, states have no way of confirming that those ambulance rides actually ended up at an emergency room. Texas officials recently pieced together enough evidence to find that their Medicaid program had been repeatedly defrauded by ambulance operators who were reimbursed for rides that never occurred.
Source: govtech.com

The new healthcare law can be made easy in the beautiful state of Nebraska!Click to understand its effects on Medicare! http://www.medicaresupplementsmadeeasy.com/2012/medicare-supplement-articles/medicare-health-care-reform-nebraska.php
Source: medicaresupplementsme.com

Video: Nebraska and Medicare Supplements

[WATCH]: Nebraska and Medicare Supplements

Currently more than 1.7 million people reside in Nebraska. For many going on to Medicare and retiring can be a confusing and frustrating time. Medicare Supplements Made Easy does just that, we make it easy to learn about the different plans in your state and at any time you can call the 1 800 218 7935 number to speak with a live Medicare Expert. Dont hesitate call or click
Source: wordpress.com

New Nebraska Network:: Johanns Votes To End Medicare As We Know It

Now that would be interesting to know, since it didn’t get one Dem vote in either the House or Senate.  Bob probably thinks it doesn’t tax & spend enough, so he’d be against it before he’d vote for it.   At least the “Ryan plan” made an attempt at addressing the fiscal problems facing the country.  Not nearly enough IMHO but a start.  The President’s proposed budget just ignored all the fiscal issues period.   Cosmic Bob has already defined his position on fiscal matters…”if you aren’t for raising taxes, you’re part of the problem” sums it all up.  That’s probably the most honest thing he’s ever said while campaigning.  
Source: newnebraska.net

Higher Payments Are No Cure For Doctor Shortage

The committee concluded that Medicare beneficiaries in some geographic pockets face persistent access and quality problems, and many of these pockets are in medically underserved rural and inner-city areas. However, geographic adjustment of Medicare payment is not an appropriate approach for addressing problems in the supply and distribution of the health care workforce. The geographic variations in the distribution of physicians, nurses, and physician assistants and local shortages that create access problems for beneficiaries should be addressed through other means.
Source: nebraskaruralhealth.org

Objective Conservative: U.S. Chamber Not Wasting Money on Nebraska Given

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has been no wall flower when it comes to expressing its feelings about replacing liberal anti-business U.S. Senators this season and is spending money to back up its feelings. What we find interesting is that they aren’t bothering to spend any money in Nebraska against the would-be third U.S. Senator for the State of New York.   We’ve said before that money for Kerrey’s campaign would start drying up as folks read the polls and assessed the possibility of his winning.    Apparently, that works for those opposing liberal senators and would-bes a well since they also know that come December Cosmic Bob will be picking up stakes and heading back to New York City with wife and son…. From the U.S. Chamber:
Source: blogspot.com

Vermonters enrolled in Medicare save $1.5 million on prescription drugs in …

In a joint statement, Leahy, Sanders and Welch said, “This is good news for Vermont seniors and individuals with disabilities who too often have to make tough decisions when it comes to paying their bills or taking their medications, especially in a tough economy. There is much more to be done but this is a positive step in the right direction.”
Source: us-senators.com

Medicaid expansion could help cover uncompensated costs (AUDIO)

The Nebraska Hospital Association reports annual net patient revenue of $4.9 billion. Hospitals in the state absorb $890 million in uncompensated care. Care given to those who cannot pay and bad debt both are included in that figure. The association also includes what it considers the “undercompensated” care provided by Medicare and Medicaid. Compensation from the federal Medicare program falls 13% short of actual cost, according to the association, with the state-run Medicaid program falling 26% short.
Source: nebraskaradionetwork.com

Rural Health Clinics Ineligible for EHR Medicare Incentives

The Social Security Act that was the foundation for Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) EHR Incentive Programs exclude rural health clinics (RHCs) from receiving incentives under Medicare because they bill under Medicare Part A. “In Nebraska, rural health clinics are huge. We have close to a 130–140 providers who are signed up with us in rural health clinics,” says Searls. Medicare Part A covers benefits for hospital and skilling nursing home care; conversely, Medicare Part B deals with payments to doctors and outpatient services. Those receiving Social Security when they turn 65 are automatically enrolled in Part A. It is this distinction that prevents RHCs from receiving Medicare incentives in Nebraska:
Source: ehrintelligence.com

1 important aspect of getting a great healthcare Strategy, Medicare or elsewhere is making certain it is possible to get prescription medication coverage. You never truly realize the full level and also worth of prescription medicine coverage right up until you really require prescription drugs. since we have reviewed With so many Medical health insurance Program holders and Medical health insurance shoppers, the expense of prescription medication continues to go up also it rises because the expenses of the medication on their own go up.
Source: co.cc

Video: Do I Have to Repay Medicare or Medicaid? | Virginia Accident Lawyer James Parrish

Speak Out: Should Virginia Opt Out of Medicaid Expansion?

To Kathy, Let’s break it down: 1."It doesn’t matter what his source is", Unfortunately thats a GOP theory. 2."there are simply not enough doctors and nurses to cover everything", Sounds like a "Job Creator" to me and we all know how much the Right likes them.. 3."They should have written a simple basic plan". Well "they" had 60 years, time’s up. 4."catastrophic to everyone and basic medical care to those who could not afford it" and the middle class is left out again.The poor already have healthcare and the rich can afford he high deductibles. 5. "Instead, we have free birth control" The scurge of the Left, Unfortunately a weak arguement at best. I love that the right hates birth control at the same time hates helping poor Mothers and children. 6 "Cuts to Medicare Advantage are slated to start this year", why don’t you tell us HONESTLY, what those cuts are, possibly things that will be unnecessary under the new healthcare bill? 7."These cuts will affect almost everyone who relies on Medicare for coverage". More fear tactics from the Right. Are you insinuating the left would cut benefits to the elderly? that sounds like a Right Wing plan to me. 8."I suggest you do your homework. We do need reform, but this bill is a mess". Unfortunately for my conservative friends, I do my homework. If you don’t like "the mess" tweek it! 9. In the mean time PEOPLE LIVE, not that it matters to the do nothing GOP leadership.
Source: patch.com

Virginia news: But it does not “make cuts” from Medicare.

We can still kill off Obamacare,” (July five, page Asix), if you can afford to purchase health insurance and simply refuse to do so because you are not “willing” or “prepared” to do so, you are essentially a freeloader whose refusal to purchase insurance means that costs of premiums are higher for those of us who do take this personal responsibility. Why should I pay a higher cost of insurance every year because you choose not to do so? It has been estimated that the cost of the uninsured (who can afford it) adds approximately $one,zero per year to those of us who do buy insurance.I also take issue with the author’s statement that the “mountain of regulations on doctors and institutions” will be passed on to consumers in forms of higher cost. These regulations were put in place to ensure that waste and costs will be reduced in the long term, as well as changes to ensure that now the insurance companies have to spend at least eighty cents of every dollar on actual patient care costs, not administrative overhead and company profits.That’s not a bad thing now, is it?The author’s statement that is most egregious is that the health care law takes dollars away from Medicare. The law aims to slow future growth in Medicare spending, and some of the changes will increase Medicare spending to help cover prevention services and to fill the so-called doughnut hole, a gap in prescription drug coverage. But it does not “make cuts” from Medicare.The author did make one statement that I totally agree with: “… the stakes for November have risen beyond what any one of us could imagine and it is up to us to rise to meet them.”The stakes are that we can revert back to the bad old days with Mitt Romney as president and a Republican Congress where the health of the middle class and the poor are ignored in favor of more tax cuts for the wealthy.Has anyone seen a Republican plan to address health care — not just talking points, but a real plan? Or, we can re-elect the president and elect more Democrats to the House and Senate who will continue to work toward improving this Affordable Care Act, which admittedly is in need of improvement, but at least it is starting our country in the right direction.LAURIE TILLETTDanville
Source: blogspot.com

Affordable Health Insurance In Virginia

Choosing a health insurance policy depends purely on case-to-case basis. There cant be a generalization about a product which might be suitable one and all. Though a group of people can choose one type of health insurance plan, but ideally, it should be dealt individually. The idea of health insurance is to provide financial security in case of health emergencyif it is generalized, health insurance loses this very objective.
Source: zsnare.com

Obama, Democrats drag ‘GOP will kill Medicare’ lie out of mothballs

Democrats and the president are hardly in a position to cast stones in any case. Obamacare, which as far as they are concerned is a done deal, inflicts far more harm on “Medicare as we know it” than the Ryan plan. In its current form, the health care law siphons off $500 billion in savings from Medicare over the next ten years to pay for other programs created by the law. Defenders of the law will insist it has built-in offsetting provisions, such as paying hospitals less when patients are quickly re-admitted after being discharged. It’s hard to see how they would package this type of cost-cutting measure in a form that makes it palatable to seniors.
Source: hotair.com

Glen Allen, Virginia – Just like some group health insurance plans, Medicare plans offer an enrollment period during which senior citizens become eligible for Medicare products or, if previously enrolled, can select different products. The Medicare Annual Enrollment period runs from October 15 to December 7 this year. There is certain information you should be armed with prior to entering into the shopping process, including background knowledge on each product. The team at Financial Group of Virginia, a leading provider of health Virginia insurance, discusses some of the issues that have raised questions among senior citizens:
Source: briefingwire.com

Video: Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan Basics

Q1Medicare.com Updates Online Tutorial with Tips to Help Beneficiaries Navigate the Medicare.gov Plan Finder

The Plan Finder tutorial also illustrates the two options for people who do not want to enter any medications into the Plan Finder, but still want to see an overview of the available Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage plans. Medicare beneficiaries who do not use any prescription medications can skip the Plan Finder drug-entry step and the pharmacy selection step, going directly into an overview of all Medicare Part D plans or Medicare Advantage plans in their area sorted only by total annual premium costs. On the other hand, people who are unsure of their prescription needs can also skip the drug-entry step by choosing to enter their drugs later and the Medicare.gov Plan Finder will assign each Medicare plan with an estimated annual prescription drug cost based on the users default value of good health. If desired, users can then change their general health status to get a better estimate of annual drug costs under each Medicare plan.
Source: necommblog.com

Medicare Drug Discounts At Risk If Court Strikes Health Law

Voluntary drug coverage was added to Medicare in 2006, but consumers and advocates have been eager to get rid of the coverage gap. Insurance coverage stops when the beneficiary and the insurer together have spent $2,930 for prescription drugs, excluding monthly premiums. Under the health law, beneficiaries then get a 50 percent discount on brand-name drugs and 14 percent on generics drugs. When the beneficiary alone has spent a total of $4,700, coverage restarts. At that point, the beneficiary picks up 5 percent of the costs.
Source: kaiserhealthnews.org

How do I Quit Medicare Advantage?

The 5-star rating system is used by Medicare to monitor plans and ensure that they meet certain quality standards.  The ratings also make it easier for someone on Medicare to compare plans based on quality and customer service. “Low performer” icons are placed next to the names of plans that have received less than three stars for the past three years.  The star rating system considers 53 quality measures, such as success in providing preventive services, managing chronic illness, and keeping consumer complaints to a minimum.
Source: ehealthinsurance.com

Know your Medicare rights

If you have Medicare Advantage, your plan materials describe how to get emergency care. You don’t need permission from your primary-care doctor (the doctor you see first for health problems) before you get emergency care. If you’re admitted to the hospital, you, a family member, or your primary-care doctor should contact your plan as soon as possible. If you get emergency care, you’ll have to pay your regular share of the cost, or co-payment. Then your plan will pay its share.
Source: ocregister.com

Gap in Medicare Rx is expensive

The donut hole presumably refers to a gap in coverage when the Medicare prescription drug costs for beneficiaries in certain levels. In 2006, the Part D covered 75 percent of drug costs up to $ 2,250 on top of their elders monthly premiums. Coverage then stops until you reach the coast around $ 5,100 in a calendar year, after which the plan pays 95 percent of all drug costs.
Source: djcriticalhype.com

It’s neither. It’s just the law of the land at the moment. Our country’s history is fraught with laws passed that were thought to be the spark of the Apocalypse. Laws have come and gone and we are still here. Now those who take the practical approach to a changing political backdrop are those who in the end profit from those changes. Healthcare reform is here. What we need to do is look at it as it all comes to light and a better understanding, and then act accordingly.
Source: investmentu.com

Video: Medicare vs Medicaid

VP Joe Biden Stands Behind Medicare & Medicaid to Ensure Retirement Security

July 30th marks the 47th anniversary of Medicare and Medicaid. Last week, Vice President Joe Biden, in an address to 100 community leaders representing millions of seniors and their families from across the country, reinforced President Obama’s commitment to preserving these two programs on which we all rely. What was apparent from the Vice President’s remarks was the stark contrast in values between the Administration and Republicans in Congress, who continue to launch assaults on older Americans by forcing through dangerous proposals that will end Medicare and Medicaid as we currently know them. These proposals will force millions of seniors and individuals with disabilities to pay far more for health care out of family budgets already stretched much too thin in retirement.
Source: seiu.org

The Truth About Medicare/Medicaid and Social Security: Ok What Do We Do Now?

Medicare and Medicaid, in conjunction with Social Security, need to be redesigned incorporating the true economic realities of today, and the lessons learned about our economy from prior years.  Both programs need to become a true safety net, not a replacement for personal accountability.  Most Americans are living longer and reportedly healthier lives. The retirement age needs to be extended significantly. Also, and most importantly, income and asset eligibility tests need to be established.  Full coordination of care and benefits need to become mandatory across all available sources in order to reduce fraud, abuse, and duplications of services (estimated at as much as sixty cents on the dollar).  Medicare and Medicaid also need to be combined into one national safety-net program and focus also needs to be placed on eliminating the duplication of expenses for the fifty-eight state and territory infrastructures that exist to administer the funds.
Source: wordpress.com

Medicare vs. Medicaid EHR incentives: What’s best for your practice?

Beyond the fact that Medicare EHR programs are federally-run and Medicaid is handled through each state, there are different incentive opportunities and meaningful use criteria that need to be met. Remember that practices can’t use both, but do have the opportunity to switch from one to the other before 2015. With that in mind, both EHR novices and those already in either of the programs should browse through requirements for each and decide which is the best fit for their practice. InformationWeek’s white paper titled “Medicare or Medicaid: Getting on the right path to Federal EHR incentives” outlines a few of the major differences.
Source: ehrintelligence.com

UnitedHealth: Higher Earnings Despite Pressuers On Medicare, Medicaid Business

Bloomberg: UnitedHealth CEO Says Profit Pressures Squeezing Plans UnitedHealth Group Inc., the biggest U.S. health insurer, declined after Chief Executive Officer Stephen Hemsley said profit margins are being squeezed in its Medicare and Medicaid plans. … While UnitedHealth raised its 2012 profit forecast, the company is still coping with “minimal” rate increases in Medicare, the U.S.-backed plan for the elderly and disabled, Hemsley told analysts today on a conference call. He said the Minnetonka, Minnesota-based insurer may also consider pulling out of Medicaid markets in states where rates “aren’t sustainable” (Nussbaum, 7/19).
Source: kaiserhealthnews.org

What Is the Difference between Medicare and Medicaid?

Medicare eligibility is not based on income; it is available to all citizens over the age of 65. It is also available to younger persons based on disability or condition. Medicaid is based on income, only those who meet the eligibility income level are eligible for Medicaid. The poverty level is used to determine eligibility, but in addition, a person must fall into one of the following coverage groups: children, pregnant women, parents of eligible children, seniors and individuals with disabilities. In addition to covering individuals who meet financial requirements, in some states Medicaid covers individuals who cannot otherwise afford insurance.
Source: bradeninsurance.com

Can A New York Ambulance Operator Be Charged With Medicaid Fraud?

For example, an owner of an ambulance service might falsify records in order to bill Medicaid or Medicare for the transportation of patients who are able to walk, and whose transportation is not medically necessary. He might also create false records for services that were not provided at all. Any of these activities may result in investigation and charges of health care fraud. If there is more than one person involved in the Medicare or Medicaid fraud scheme, conspiracy charges may also be brought against the participants.
Source: jpdefense.com

Your Health Care: Understanding Medicare & Medicaid

Navigating the health care system can be challenging for anyone, but for the more than 9 million people who are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid, it can be especially difficult.   Medicare and Medicaid have similar names but are actually very different programs. People who are eligible for both, known as “dual eligibles,” must understand the differences in eligibility requirements and coverage details in order to access the health care services that are available to them. This is especially important for the 60 percent of dual eligibles who suffer from multiple chronic conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease. Getting the health care coverage they need to appropriately manage their conditions is critical to their well-being.   The 118,000 dual eligibles in Arkansas and their caregivers should take the following steps to help simplify their health care experience and get the best care available.   1. Understand the differences in coverage and eligibility between Medicare and Medicaid.   Medicare is a program managed by the federal government that provides health care benefits to people age 65 and older and disabled individuals. Medicare covers medical care services such as physician visits, hospital stays and prescription drug costs.   Medicaid is a health care benefits program managed by the Arkansas state government. Unlike Medicare, each state sets its own guidelines regarding Medicaid eligibility and services. For those enrolled, Medicaid pays for most long-term care as well as Medicare deductibles, co-payments and other health care costs that beneficiaries would otherwise pay for out of pocket.   2.  Explore health care options in Arkansas that provide adequate support for dual eligibles.   For dual eligibles, the coordination of benefits between Medicare and Medicaid can be confusing, as beneficiaries typically have separate membership cards and different points of contact for their benefits questions. One option to address this challenge that has risen to the forefront of Arkansas efforts in recent years is what’s known as a Medicare Advantage Special Needs Plan.   Offered by private companies, these plans can be chosen in place of traditional Medicare. Special Needs Plans support dual-eligible individuals by serving as a single entity that coordinates all aspects of care. These plans focus on the unique needs of dual eligibles, offering customized care and support to manage their complex health care needs. Specialized services available with Special Needs Plans may include in-home visits, social support services and help when transitioning home from the hospital.
Source: thecitywire.com