Several politicians weighed in on the new Medicare prescription drug benefit in The Hill, a Capitol Hill newspaper. (Medical News Today) Senator Chuck Grassley (pictured), the lone Republican in the group, says although some claim the new drug benefit program is complex, having choices will ensure that beneficiaries will get the best plan for their needs. Grassley added that the Medicare call center is available 24 hours a day. Senator John Kerry, the Democrat from Massachusetts, … [Read more...] about Sen. Grassley: “Beneficiaries have significant rights and protections under the new program.”
Japanese Company Cuts Benefits for U.S. Retirees
In a move that will likely be the subject of many angry letters and op-eds, Nissan, the Japanese car manufacturer, has announced it will cut health insurance and pension benefits for U.S. employees to "remain competitive." From Medical News Today: Nissan informed workers with manufacturing jobs that, starting at age 65, they will receive an annual stipend to supplement Medicare coverage instead of receiving supplemental health care coverage from the company. A Nissan spokesperson said … [Read more...] about Japanese Company Cuts Benefits for U.S. Retirees
Kaiser Resources for Long Term Care Providers
KaiserEDU.org has posted information of interest to long term care providers: long term care financing and Medicaid 101. You may review the tutorials and Power Point slides at this link. The site also features a Q&A section for people with questions about Medicare. In light of Medicare's new prescription drug program, this web site should prove helpful. An excerpt Q: I've heard a lot about the "doughnut hole" in the new Medicare drug benefit. Can you help me understand what it is and how … [Read more...] about Kaiser Resources for Long Term Care Providers
State of the Union – Medicare/Medicaid
The State of the Union address is an overview of the current condition of the nation, not an in-depth analysis of economic, social, or cultural issues. However, I believe Medicare's controversial new prescription drug program is important enough to warrant a brief comment or two. Unfortunately, the president didn't mention it at all. The new drug program has received widespread criticism from beneficiaries, doctors, and providers who say the program is confusing and complicated. (See the … [Read more...] about State of the Union – Medicare/Medicaid
Hurricane Katrina Waivers, Computer Updates
The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) has released a new provider letter with information on waivers for Hurricane Katrina evacuees. You may access it here (PDF). This past September, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) approved a waiver that allowed Hurricane Katrina evacuees in Texas to enroll in the waiver program through January 31, 2006. In response to providers' questions about beneficiaries whose eligibility is expiring, DADS stated that … [Read more...] about Hurricane Katrina Waivers, Computer Updates
Get On The Drug Train!
Saturday Night Live does Medicare Part D. Click here to watch. (You will need Windows Media, Real Player or something similar to watch) (HT Healthy Blog) … [Read more...] about Get On The Drug Train!
Medicare Drug Program Opinion Round-up
Medical News Today rounds up opinions from major newspapers on Medicare's new (and confusing) prescription drug program. A large part of the problem is government bureaucracy. From the Los Angeles Times (free registration): Pharmacists are having trouble finding out which plan people are enrolled in, forcing some to leave pharmacies empty-handed. The most desperate are showing up at emergency-room doors hoping to get the medication they were promised. Meanwhile, waits on help lines set … [Read more...] about Medicare Drug Program Opinion Round-up
CMS Hires Staff to Deal with Medicare Drug Program Confusion
Despite innumerable news stories, op-eds, and general negative reaction about the new drug program, CMS apparently didn't anticipate delays in filling prescriptions for Medicare beneficiaries. Some beneficiaries have had to pay for prescriptions themselves, and some pharmacies have "loaned" medication until CMS fixes the mess. Larry Kocot, an adviser to CMS Administrator Mark McClellan, said some of the problems were caused by the late December rush to enroll in the prescription drug … [Read more...] about CMS Hires Staff to Deal with Medicare Drug Program Confusion
Medicare Goes to Court
Medicare's controversial new prescription drug program has been taken to court. A federal district judge has ruled that federal courts have no authority to order the continuation of existing drug benefits to people with Medicare who are losing Medicaid drug coverage. Robert M. Hayes, president of the Medicare Rights Center and one of the plaintiffs in the case, said the health and safety of the nation's oldest, poorest and frailest Americans "rests squarely with the Bush Administration." … [Read more...] about Medicare Goes to Court
Medicare Therapy Cap
The American Physical Therapy Association has announced that Medicare therapy services will be subject to two caps. Physical therapy and speech language pathology will have a combined cap of $1,740 and a separate cap for occupational therapy, all effective on January 1, 2006. Just as Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries, doctors, and certain long term care providers have complained about Medicare's reportedly confusing new prescription drug program, physical therapists have issues with the new … [Read more...] about Medicare Therapy Cap
