Jun 03 Should I be paying for this? And more of your Medicare questions By Philip Moeller You can't sleep. Your doctor prescribes you a durable medical device to help—one that Medicare usually covers. But what do you do when the bill falls on you?… Continue reading
May 21 As they lay dying: Medicare rules rob voiceless ALS patients of the ability to communicate By Philip Moeller In early 2014, Medicare changed some of its rules and effectively took away the ability of many people with ALS to communicate. Despite upcoming changes, the current limitations are still being felt by patients and their families. Continue reading
May 13 Don't make this Medicare mistake: COBRA is not like employer health insurance By Philip Moeller COBRA can provide continuation of health insurance for 18 months up to 36 months and can be a literal lifesaver for people who lose their jobs and health coverage. What it does not do, however, is take the place of… Continue reading
May 06 Here's what you need to know about the serious backlog of Medicare appeals By Philip Moeller There is a serious issue here, but its direct impact on Medicare beneficiaries is perhaps not so great. Continue reading
May 01 Medicare reveals how much it spends on prescription drugs for Americans By Jordan Rau, Kaiser Health News The data show that 14 drugs cost the federal government and Medicare beneficiaries more than $1 billion each, accounting for nearly a quarter of Medicare prescription drug spending in 2013. Most of those drugs are used to treat chronic conditions… Continue reading
Apr 23 Officials weighing options to hold down Medicare costs for hospice By Susan Jaffe, Kaiser Health News 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… Continue reading
Apr 18 Rare bipartisanship breaks out on Capitol Hill By Erica Werner, Associated Press On Iran, Medicare, education and trade, Republicans and Democrats have come together to make deals, and that's something rarely seen lately. Continue reading
Apr 14 Congress OKs bill reshaping Medicare doctors' fees By Alan Fram, Associated Press WASHINGTON -- Conservatives hated that it's expected to swell federal deficits over the coming decade. Liberals complained that it shortchanged health programs for children and women. But after years of complaints and failed efforts, huge majorities of both parties in… Continue reading
Apr 13 5 things to watch as Congress returns from a 2-week break By Charles Babington, Associated Press Congress reconvenes Monday after a two-week recess, and plunges immediately into a fierce debate over how to control Iran's nuclear program. Lawmakers also will decide whether to confirm a new attorney general and whether to stabilize payments for Medicare treatments. Continue reading
Apr 11 Break over, Congress faces fights over Medicare, Iran By Associated Press Racing the calendar, Senate leaders are pushing toward congressional approval of a bipartisan compromise that reshapes how Medicare pays physicians as lawmakers return from a spring break tangled up in domestic and foreign policy disputes. Continue reading