Health Nov 26 Fewer plans, less choice for low-income seniors shopping Medicare drug coverage Next year, a premium increase may mean some low-income Medicare drug beneficiaries must pay a larger share for their medicine.
Health Jul 13 Officials propose new rules for nursing home care After nearly 30 years, the Obama administration wants to modernize the rules nursing homes must follow to qualify for Medicare and Medicaid payments.
Health Apr 23 Officials weighing options to hold down Medicare costs for hospice Medicare officials are considering changes in the hospice benefit to stop the federal government from paying twice for care given to dying patients. But patient advocates and hospice providers fear a new policy could make the often difficult decision to…
Health Jun 06 New $30 million study will examine devastating senior falls More than 18,000 seniors died as the result of falls in 2010, and thousands more are injured every year, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The nation’s largest and most intensive study of how to best…
Health May 01 Medicare wants to stop paying twice for hospice patient drugs New Medicare guidance taking effect today aims to stop the federal government from paying millions of dollars to hospice organizations and drug insurance plans for the same prescriptions for seniors. But the changes may make it more difficult for dying…
Health Mar 03 Note-takers volunteer to help the elderly during doctor visits It used to be difficult for Edith Couturier, an 85-year-old resident of the District of Columbia, to explain to her adult children on the West Coast all the details of her medical appointments. But now she doesn’t go alone —…