Medicare beneficiaries who need assisted care due to an illness or injury may be surprised to find out what their Medicare actually covers. “First, it is always important to review what nursing care services are covered under Medicare,” suggests Alan Weinstock, insurance broker at MedicareSupplementPlans.com. “Then if you have Medigap along with your original Medicare [...]
Now that the first phase of the Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics and Supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive Bidding Program is underway (as of January 1, 2011), Medicare beneficiaries in nine different areas of the country could see as much as a 32% savings on certain items. “Through supplier competition, this new program set lower payment rates [...]
What with genes, the natural environment, and what we place in, or will not put in, to our bodies, one's eyes can have a toll inside of a myriad of tactics. Glasses are about for what seems like at any time. Contacts happen to be all around to get a much much less degree of [...]
What many people don’t realize is that even though the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) oversee Medicare insurance, Social Security makes the final decision on your eligibility and enrollment status. “You don’t need to be collecting Social Security benefits to be covered by Medicare,” suggests Alan Weinstock, insurance broker at MedicareSupplementPlans.com. “However, it [...]
Everyone knew it would happen one day. All the baby boomers – those born roughly between the years of 1946 and 1964 – are beginning to retire and sign on for Medicare benefits. In fact, it is estimated that there will be 70 million new Medicare beneficiaries over the next 20 years. “If you calculate [...]
It’s a government experiment gone awry. The plan to lower costs and coordinate care for Medicare beneficiaries has failed to save the kind of money that had been hoped for. “The CMS called it the Physician Group Practice Demonstration,” comments Alan Weinstock, insurance broker with MedicareSupplementPlans.com. “It was supposed to be the blueprint for the [...]
The latest word from a new study indicates that while Medicare pays for certain preventive procedures, there are even more that it does not cover and which are recommended by government-appointed health care experts, members of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). “Certain tests, such as colon cancer screenings and mammograms seem to be [...]
It’s that time again when Medicare insurance plans allow beneficiaries to add, drop or change their prescription drug coverage and select a health plan for their 2011 coverage. “Each year Medicare insurance plans change what they cost and what they cover,” notes Alan Weinstock, insurance broker at MedicareSupplementPlans.com. “It’s important that Medicare beneficiaries review the [...]
Back in 2007 a federal lawsuit alleged that Medicare underpayments jeopardized patient care in seven California counties. Now the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that a district court must reconsider the matter. “It looks like Medicare may be underpaying health care providers somewhere between 10% and 25% in some instances,” notes Alan Weinstock, [...]
Doctors are at it again. This time nearly 50% of medical practices in the United States claim they will stop accepting new Medicare patients if scheduled reimbursement cuts take effect. According to Alan Weinstock, insurance broker at MedicareSupplementPlans.com, “The impact to seniors of physicians opting out and not participating in the Medicare program has not [...]
Looking forward to a great New Year? Well, Medicare beneficiaries can make it even better by being proactive and taking control of their health. “Seniors on Medicare,” says Alan Weinstock, an insurance broker at MedicareSupplementPlans.com, “have an amazing number of free or low cost preventive health care options that they can take advantage of. What [...]
It’s on again, off again with regard to whether or not there are a sufficient number of physicians available for Medicare beneficiaries. The latest Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) survey found that 83% of Medicare patients seeking care for illness or injury reported “never” having to wait longer than desired to see a doctor. In [...]
A new study recently found that insurance companies are inadequately reimbursed for drug coverage of Medicare patients with low-income subsidies. To address this issue health insurers have chosen to increase premiums for their Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit plans. The design is to ensure these Medicare premiums are too expensive for low-income Medicare beneficiaries, [...]
Medi-Cal is the Medicaid program in California which provides health coverage to people who meet certain eligibility requirements and have low-income and asset levels. In some cases Medi-Cal recipients also qualify for Medicare. These individuals are called dual eligibles. “If you’re 65 or older and not eligible for Supplemental Security Income, you may be able [...]
There is a law that was passed by Congress nearly 40 years ago that allows only one disease – end-stage kidney disease – to get special treatment. It allows most anyone with this disease to receive treatment nearly free of charge. “All patients whose kidneys have failed, regardless of their age or ability to pay, [...]
Soaking up the sun is a major priority for many when the warm weather finally arrives. Damage to the earth’s atmosphere from pollution continues to change how we are able to spend time outside, and the high intensity of the sun’s UVA and UVB rays can cause severe sunburns and in some cases lead to [...]
Sunny days can sometimes feel like a rarity in the British Isles, causing many people to flock outdoors and enjoy the warmth and summer atmosphere. However, it's important not to underestimate the damage that sun exposure can cause, even if you're only outdoors for a relatively short time. The harmful effects of UV radiation are [...]
With rising cost of Texas health insurance premiums yearly, it’s a good idea to shop every twelve months for a better plan if you currently have health insurance coverage.
In the United States, most companies provide health insurance coverage for all of their employees. If a person is self-employed or if he works for a small company that does not have that option, then he has to consider buying individual health insurance for his health needs.
Men have always grumbled that women get lower rates when it comes to insurance. Interestingly, health insurance differs as women get to pay higher rates than men. What could possibly be the reason?