Jul 29 Watch 10:25 After 50 years, how do we ensure Medicare and Medicaid longevity? By PBS News Hour Fifty years since Medicare and Medicaid were established, the programs cover the health care needs of more than 120 million Americans. But new projections underscore worries over long-term sustainability. Judy Woodruff speaks to two former secretaries of the Department of… Continue watching
Jul 29 What the annual Medicare and Social Security reports miss By Philip Moeller Trustees of the Medicare and Social Security programs released their annual reports last week. What wasn't included? How to put these critical senior support programs on sustainable trajectories. Continue reading
Jul 22 Medicare coverage for aging parents' care is not nearly enough By Philip Moeller Medicare does cover skilled nursing care, which can be delivered in a home setting. But its coverage was never designed to be a long-term solution. Continue reading
Jul 16 Home Health Agencies Get Medicare's Star Treatment By Jordan Rau, Kaiser Health News The federal government released on Thursday a new five-star rating system for home health agencies, hoping to bring clarity to a fast-growing but fragmented corner of the medical industry where it’s often difficult to distinguish good from bad. Continue reading
Jul 15 Two seismic shifts in Medicare, and what they mean for you By Philip Moeller Beginning in 2016, doctors will get paid by Medicare for having voluntary consultations with patients and their families about end-of-life medical planning and needs. Medicare will also set standard fees for all hip and knee replacements. Phil Moeller explains what… Continue reading
Jul 13 Officials propose new rules for nursing home care By Susan Jaffe, Kaiser Health News After nearly 30 years, the Obama administration wants to modernize the rules nursing homes must follow to qualify for Medicare and Medicaid payments. Continue reading
Jul 09 Once politically toxic, Medicare plans to cover end-of-life counseling By Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar, Matt Sedensky, Associated Press WASHINGTON — Six years ago, a proposal for Medicare to cover end-of-life counseling touched off a political uproar that threatened to stall President Barack Obama's health care law in Congress. This week, when Medicare finally announced it would make the… Continue reading
Jul 08 This week's trifecta of unpleasant Medicare surprises By Philip Moeller Ready for the unpleasant news? Medicare does not cover long-term care. It does not set which drugs are covered. And lastly, Medicare is not voluntary, but mandatory. Phil Moeller explains how to address such unwelcome surprises. Continue reading
Jul 01 Medicare woes: Why the meds your doctor prescribes are outrageously expensive By Philip Moeller If there's one area of Medicare that needs fixing it's how doctors prescribe medications and the Medicare rules under which we pay for them. While your doctor should know better than to prescribe you a drug that costs an arm… Continue reading
Jun 24 What happens to your Medicare when you marry? By Philip Moeller You may not even need Medicare right now, and contrary to folklore, it is perfectly legal to leave the program if you become newly entitled to employer group health insurance. Continue reading