Individuals covered under Medicare will be eligible to receive this year’s flu shot without co-pays or deductibles, according to health officials. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act mandates that those with Medicare and private health plans receive flu vaccine coverage, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said. This...
Tag: Medicare
Smoking Cessation Programs Covered by Medicare
People with Medicare who are diagnosed with a smoking-related disease, including heart disease, cerebrovascular disease (stroke), multiple cancers, lung disease, weak bones, blood clots, and cataracts can get coverage for smoking and tobacco use cessation counseling. These diseases account for the bulk of Medicare spending today. People with Medicare who...
Medicare Spending Hikes Linked to Chronic Conditions
An article in Health Affairs reports that annual increases in Medicare spending are the result of treatment of chronic conditions such as diabetes, arthritis, and hypertension. The report further says that Medicare spending increases in the past were due to inpatient hospital services, especially for heart disease. Heart disease ranked...
Cutting Medicare to nursing homes is poor healthcare policy
Here is a guest blog from McKnight’s that again shows how nursing homes are being ignored in the health care reform debate. My opinion has been clear and consistent. Aging in place is great. BUT…this country is ranked 37th in the World Health Organization and the latest study on obesity...
Medicare Advantage at a Disadvantage?
Facing five percent cuts and a watchful eye from the Obama administration, Medicare Advantage programs are starting to cry poor saying it could result in premium increases for beneficiaries. The Obama administration and Democrats have criticized the Republican-backed Medicare Advantage programs because they cost 14% more on average to care...
Doctors Fleeing Medicare So Shop Around Before You Become Eligible
Following up from yesterdayÛªs post comes news that doctorÛªs are fleeing Medicare. According to the New York Times, some physicians including internists and many specialists are no longer accepting Medicare, either because they have opted out of the insurance system or they are not accepting new patients with Medicare coverage....