Medicare pay patches persist as medicine demands long-term fix

The latest plan would delay the pay cut until Oct. 1. Some physicians say they are getting tired of repeatedly being taken to the brink.
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Medicare pay formula needs repair, Sebelius says

Rep. Michael Burgess, MD, and Surgeon General Regina Benjamin, MD, also spoke at the annual AMA conference. Topics included health reform, obesity and violence prevention.
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Medicare gets tough on CT scans

THE Medicare watchdog has expressed “alarm” over the widespread and unnecessary ordering of high-radiation CT scans that can trigger cancer.
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James A. Jaeger: Health reform foes distorting reform’s impact on Medicare

Dear Editor: Unfortunately, many people speaking out against health care reform distort the facts to convince Americans, particularly older adults, that such reform would be harmful. Perhaps the worst distortion is the claim that the reform bills will drastically cut Medicare.
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More Than 90,000 on Medicare Could Be Missing Out on Prescription Aid

By ROBIN WILLIAMS ADAMS The Ledger More than 90,000 Medicare beneficiaries in Florida could be missing out on help with their prescriptions.
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Many on Medicare Could Get More Help

By ROBIN WILLIAMS ADAMS The Ledger LAKELAND | More than 90,000 Medicare beneficiaries in Florida could be missing out on help with their prescriptions. That’s the number thought eligible for, but not enrolled in, an Extra Help program that provides assistance with Part D prescription drug plan costs. Some also may be able to get help with Part B premiums.
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Boucher won’t support health reform with Medicare cuts

U.S. Rep. Rick Boucher, D-Va., said Friday he could not support health care reform legislation that includes heavy cuts to Medicare, a position he has held since his first vote against the package and his party’s move to push legislation through Congress.
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Getting the most from Medicare and other programs

Are people getting the most from programs like medicare and medicaid? The Central Illinois chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association held an educational forum today to cover some of the lesser known aspects of those programs.
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BCH Skilled Nursing Facility in dispute over Medicare

The Boone County Hospital’s Skilled Nursing Facility, located on the third floor of the hospital, will not be able to participate in the Medicare program effective March 31, citing under-utilization – a basis the Boone County Hospital says is not included in the Medicare requirements.
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Dentists ‘exploiting’ Medicare scheme

dental health experts say the Federal Government has failed to stop dentists from rorting the Medicare dental scheme.
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Is Medicare Protected As Overhaul Lingers?

If Congress passes ObamaCare, should retirees be on guard? Not necessarily, says Susan Berson, senior health care industry attorney at the Washington, D.C., law firm Mintz Levin and former general counsel for senior markets at insurer UnitedHealth Group.
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Vital Signs: Depending on Medicare as payment cuts loom

Every year or so, Medicare patients and the doctors who treat them go through a ritual of guessing whether physicians’ Medicare payments will be cut, possibly reducing access to care for seniors.
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Farmington Hills physician convicted for Medicare fraud

A Farmington Hills-based physician was convicted Thursday in connection to his role in an $18.3 million Medicare fraud scheme, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan.
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Hospital looks to improve Medicare payments

IRON MOUNTAIN – Dickinson County Healthcare System is talking with U.S. Rep. Bart Stupak in an effort to boost its Medicare reimbursements. At a hospital board meeting Thursday, John Schon, DCHS administrator/chief executive, presented a summary of a recent conference call involving several hospital board members, county board members and Rep. Stupak, D-Menominee.
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Medicare to cover OVA1 test

Vermillion, Inc. today announced that Medicare will cover OVA1™, a test to help assess the likelihood that an ovarian mass is benign or malignant. Highmark Medicare services is the CMS contractor that will process Medicare claims for OVA1. Yesterday Highmark announced its decision to cover this new service.
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