Medicare News Blog http://www.medicarenews.net A news blog on all things Medicare. Sat, 18 May 2013 05:00:00 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Angelina Jolie’s Disclosure http://www.medicarenews.net/angelina-jolies-disclosure-05-2013.htm http://www.medicarenews.net/angelina-jolies-disclosure-05-2013.htm#comments Sat, 18 May 2013 05:00:00 +0000 medicare poster http://www.medicarenews.net/?guid=817bc16176799516adffe95cb877fe8c Public awareness is raised, as are concerns about insurance coverage for preventive mastectomies.

]]> http://www.medicarenews.net/angelina-jolies-disclosure-05-2013.htm/feed 0 The Murky World of Hospital Prices http://www.medicarenews.net/the-murky-world-of-hospital-prices-05-2013.htm http://www.medicarenews.net/the-murky-world-of-hospital-prices-05-2013.htm#comments Fri, 17 May 2013 05:00:00 +0000 medicare poster http://www.medicarenews.net/?guid=04c7dfaeaeb2eb3f852deb7a57e2e04a Consumers need a clearer picture of costs to make rational decisions about medical care.

]]> http://www.medicarenews.net/the-murky-world-of-hospital-prices-05-2013.htm/feed 0 New Jersey Hospital Leads List for Highest Billing Rates http://www.medicarenews.net/new-jersey-hospital-leads-list-for-highest-billing-rates-05-2013.htm http://www.medicarenews.net/new-jersey-hospital-leads-list-for-highest-billing-rates-05-2013.htm#comments Fri, 17 May 2013 05:00:00 +0000 medicare poster http://www.medicarenews.net/?guid=73d481b52760a3b6b0692e1ede3bbb06 The Bayonne Medical Center charged Medicare the highest amounts in the country for nearly one-quarter of the most common hospital treatments, a New York Times analysis of 2011 data shows.

]]> http://www.medicarenews.net/new-jersey-hospital-leads-list-for-highest-billing-rates-05-2013.htm/feed 0 Acting Chief Wins Confirmation to Run Medicare and Medicaid http://www.medicarenews.net/acting-chief-wins-confirmation-to-run-medicare-and-medicaid-05-2013.htm http://www.medicarenews.net/acting-chief-wins-confirmation-to-run-medicare-and-medicaid-05-2013.htm#comments Thu, 16 May 2013 05:00:00 +0000 medicare poster http://www.medicarenews.net/?guid=a01e748fa21d4d8dc8bf5b4b7a92ef3f The vote was 91 to 7 for Marilyn B. Tavenner, acting leader of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services since December 2011.

]]> http://www.medicarenews.net/acting-chief-wins-confirmation-to-run-medicare-and-medicaid-05-2013.htm/feed 0 Estimated Health Costs in Retirement Drop http://www.medicarenews.net/estimated-health-costs-in-retirement-drop-05-2013.htm http://www.medicarenews.net/estimated-health-costs-in-retirement-drop-05-2013.htm#comments Wed, 15 May 2013 05:00:00 +0000 medicare poster http://www.medicarenews.net/?guid=19608dd1f098e42fce49f894d38cc507 An annual estimate of medical costs in retirement fell this year, Fidelity Investments says, but the overall cost remains daunting.

]]> http://www.medicarenews.net/estimated-health-costs-in-retirement-drop-05-2013.htm/feed 0 Estimated Health Costs in Retirement Drop http://www.medicarenews.net/estimated-health-costs-in-retirement-drop-05-2013.htm http://www.medicarenews.net/estimated-health-costs-in-retirement-drop-05-2013.htm#comments Wed, 15 May 2013 05:00:00 +0000 medicare poster http://www.medicarenews.net/?guid=19608dd1f098e42fce49f894d38cc507 An annual estimate of medical costs in retirement fell this year, Fidelity Investments says, but the overall cost remains daunting.

]]> http://www.medicarenews.net/estimated-health-costs-in-retirement-drop-05-2013.htm/feed 0 Conservatives and Health Care Costs http://www.medicarenews.net/conservatives-and-health-care-costs-05-2013.htm http://www.medicarenews.net/conservatives-and-health-care-costs-05-2013.htm#comments Wed, 15 May 2013 05:00:00 +0000 medicare poster http://www.medicarenews.net/?guid=5e026b281b9289d0246b0a2cd990b021 No, the slowdown in cost inflation hasn’t undercut the conservative position on health care reform.

]]> http://www.medicarenews.net/conservatives-and-health-care-costs-05-2013.htm/feed 0 Conservatives and Health Care Costs http://www.medicarenews.net/conservatives-and-health-care-costs-05-2013.htm http://www.medicarenews.net/conservatives-and-health-care-costs-05-2013.htm#comments Wed, 15 May 2013 05:00:00 +0000 medicare poster http://www.medicarenews.net/?guid=5e026b281b9289d0246b0a2cd990b021 No, the slowdown in cost inflation hasn’t undercut the conservative position on health care reform.

]]> http://www.medicarenews.net/conservatives-and-health-care-costs-05-2013.htm/feed 0 For Republicans, Incentives to Strike a Budget Deal With Obama http://www.medicarenews.net/for-republicans-incentives-to-strike-a-budget-deal-with-obama-05-2013.htm http://www.medicarenews.net/for-republicans-incentives-to-strike-a-budget-deal-with-obama-05-2013.htm#comments Wed, 15 May 2013 05:00:00 +0000 medicare poster http://www.medicarenews.net/?guid=e9cdf1204f106d97a992226fb953e1bf Delaying steps to rein in Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid means delaying significant attempts to curb the size of the government.

]]> http://www.medicarenews.net/for-republicans-incentives-to-strike-a-budget-deal-with-obama-05-2013.htm/feed 0 Why Hospital Charges Vary So Much http://www.medicarenews.net/why-hospital-charges-vary-so-much-05-2013.htm http://www.medicarenews.net/why-hospital-charges-vary-so-much-05-2013.htm#comments Tue, 14 May 2013 05:00:00 +0000 medicare poster http://www.medicarenews.net/?guid=4edf905866faa199ba2abed2711eb9f0 Two doctors and a former hospital executive respond to a front-page article.

]]> http://www.medicarenews.net/why-hospital-charges-vary-so-much-05-2013.htm/feed 0 My Lucky Stroke http://www.medicarenews.net/my-lucky-stroke-05-2013.htm http://www.medicarenews.net/my-lucky-stroke-05-2013.htm#comments Mon, 13 May 2013 05:00:00 +0000 medicare poster http://www.medicarenews.net/?guid=5efb1606c086c4fe2fc1ea9654abf836 A lucky stroke reveals big gaps in how our health care system diagnoses and treats the country’s biggest source of disability.

]]> http://www.medicarenews.net/my-lucky-stroke-05-2013.htm/feed 0 American Health Care as a Source of Humor http://www.medicarenews.net/american-health-care-as-a-source-of-humor-05-2013.htm http://www.medicarenews.net/american-health-care-as-a-source-of-humor-05-2013.htm#comments Fri, 10 May 2013 05:00:00 +0000 medicare poster http://www.medicarenews.net/?guid=eaf1aeb8fd4152f68da24fc4531d260f How American hospitals reach their pricing policies could make you laugh, if you’re not a patient, an economist writes.

]]> http://www.medicarenews.net/american-health-care-as-a-source-of-humor-05-2013.htm/feed 0 The Health Law and Its Incentives http://www.medicarenews.net/the-health-law-and-its-incentives-05-2013.htm http://www.medicarenews.net/the-health-law-and-its-incentives-05-2013.htm#comments Fri, 10 May 2013 05:00:00 +0000 medicare poster http://www.medicarenews.net/?guid=fa4d516e9b52307827d8fd15944aaf46 0510LETTERS thumbStandard The Health Law and Its IncentivesReaders respond to a column by Ross Douthat, “What Health Insurance Doesn’t Do.”

]]> http://www.medicarenews.net/the-health-law-and-its-incentives-05-2013.htm/feed 0 Hospital Billing Varies Wildly, U.S. Data Shows http://www.medicarenews.net/hospital-billing-varies-wildly-u-s-data-shows-05-2013.htm http://www.medicarenews.net/hospital-billing-varies-wildly-u-s-data-shows-05-2013.htm#comments Wed, 08 May 2013 05:00:00 +0000 medicare poster http://www.medicarenews.net/?guid=0c2bf1ca5bef37050f8928686ee697c8 Data being released for the first time shows that hospitals charge Medicare wildly differing amounts for the same procedure, often far above what Medicare typically reimburses.

]]> http://www.medicarenews.net/hospital-billing-varies-wildly-u-s-data-shows-05-2013.htm/feed 0 Hospital Billing Varies Wildly, U.S. Data Shows http://www.medicarenews.net/hospital-billing-varies-wildly-u-s-data-shows-05-2013.htm http://www.medicarenews.net/hospital-billing-varies-wildly-u-s-data-shows-05-2013.htm#comments Wed, 08 May 2013 05:00:00 +0000 medicare poster http://www.medicarenews.net/?guid=0c2bf1ca5bef37050f8928686ee697c8 Data being released for the first time shows that hospitals charge Medicare wildly differing amounts for the same procedure, often far above what Medicare typically reimburses.

]]> http://www.medicarenews.net/hospital-billing-varies-wildly-u-s-data-shows-05-2013.htm/feed 0 Tom Harkin’s Political Jockeying http://www.medicarenews.net/tom-harkins-political-jockeying-04-2013.htm http://www.medicarenews.net/tom-harkins-political-jockeying-04-2013.htm#comments Thu, 25 Apr 2013 05:00:00 +0000 medicare poster http://www.medicarenews.net/?guid=44961dae6f5a5f19bffe7cd4851e9e96 Why is the Senate Democrat holding up Marilyn Tavenner’s nomination to head the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services?

]]> http://www.medicarenews.net/tom-harkins-political-jockeying-04-2013.htm/feed 0 Tom Harkin’s Political Jockeying http://www.medicarenews.net/tom-harkins-political-jockeying-04-2013.htm http://www.medicarenews.net/tom-harkins-political-jockeying-04-2013.htm#comments Thu, 25 Apr 2013 05:00:00 +0000 medicare poster http://www.medicarenews.net/?guid=44961dae6f5a5f19bffe7cd4851e9e96 Why is the Senate Democrat holding up Marilyn Tavenner’s nomination to head the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services?

]]> http://www.medicarenews.net/tom-harkins-political-jockeying-04-2013.htm/feed 0 A Confirmation Too Long Delayed http://www.medicarenews.net/a-confirmation-too-long-delayed-04-2013.htm http://www.medicarenews.net/a-confirmation-too-long-delayed-04-2013.htm#comments Tue, 23 Apr 2013 05:00:00 +0000 medicare poster http://www.medicarenews.net/?guid=09d9f34bf0022bc8c6203637d928d443 There is no good reason to deny Marilyn Tavenner a unanimous endorsement to be administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

]]> http://www.medicarenews.net/a-confirmation-too-long-delayed-04-2013.htm/feed 0 Obama’s Budget Revives Benefits as Divisive Issue http://www.medicarenews.net/obamas-budget-revives-benefits-as-divisive-issue-04-2013.htm http://www.medicarenews.net/obamas-budget-revives-benefits-as-divisive-issue-04-2013.htm#comments Sun, 14 Apr 2013 05:00:00 +0000 medicare poster http://www.medicarenews.net/?guid=17a97c28b0ef7dcf525cc9200a2290c7 President Obama’s proposal to trim future Medicare and Social Security benefits as part of a deficit compromise could force Democrats to take an uncomfortable stand on a measure that is unpopular with their base.

]]> http://www.medicarenews.net/obamas-budget-revives-benefits-as-divisive-issue-04-2013.htm/feed 0 Obama’s Budget Revives Benefits as Divisive Issue http://www.medicarenews.net/obamas-budget-revives-benefits-as-divisive-issue-04-2013.htm http://www.medicarenews.net/obamas-budget-revives-benefits-as-divisive-issue-04-2013.htm#comments Sun, 14 Apr 2013 05:00:00 +0000 medicare poster http://www.medicarenews.net/?guid=17a97c28b0ef7dcf525cc9200a2290c7 President Obama’s proposal to trim future Medicare and Social Security benefits as part of a deficit compromise could force Democrats to take an uncomfortable stand on a measure that is unpopular with their base.

]]> http://www.medicarenews.net/obamas-budget-revives-benefits-as-divisive-issue-04-2013.htm/feed 0 Bold on Both Ends http://www.medicarenews.net/bold-on-both-ends-04-2013.htm http://www.medicarenews.net/bold-on-both-ends-04-2013.htm#comments Fri, 12 Apr 2013 05:00:00 +0000 medicare poster http://www.medicarenews.net/?guid=02b10bdeca548a4592073bc7c4c4cd7c Brooks New thumbStandard Bold on Both EndsPresident Obama’s budget is admirable for its ideological compromises but cuts out the resources needed to address some pressing social problems.

]]> http://www.medicarenews.net/bold-on-both-ends-04-2013.htm/feed 0 Obama Budget Opens Rift for Democrats on Social Benefits http://www.medicarenews.net/obama-budget-opens-rift-for-democrats-on-social-benefits-04-2013.htm http://www.medicarenews.net/obama-budget-opens-rift-for-democrats-on-social-benefits-04-2013.htm#comments Thu, 11 Apr 2013 05:00:00 +0000 medicare poster http://www.medicarenews.net/?guid=55ca5e0108a7f8a88a657f62e22703ef BUDGET 2 thumbStandard Obama Budget Opens Rift for Democrats on Social BenefitsPresident Obama’s gamble in making concessions to Republicans on Medicare and Social Security drew anger from those to his left. But others in his party see such changes as necessary.

]]> http://www.medicarenews.net/obama-budget-opens-rift-for-democrats-on-social-benefits-04-2013.htm/feed 0 The President’s Budget http://www.medicarenews.net/the-presidents-budget-04-2013.htm http://www.medicarenews.net/the-presidents-budget-04-2013.htm#comments Thu, 11 Apr 2013 05:00:00 +0000 medicare poster http://www.medicarenews.net/?guid=309296e02cc92a6590c0d6182d73f664 The plan for 2014 includes a troubling cut to Social Security and other better ideas that put Republicans on the spot.

]]> http://www.medicarenews.net/the-presidents-budget-04-2013.htm/feed 0 Budget Embodies Obama’s Vision for Remaking Economy http://www.medicarenews.net/budget-embodies-obamas-vision-for-remaking-economy-04-2013.htm http://www.medicarenews.net/budget-embodies-obamas-vision-for-remaking-economy-04-2013.htm#comments Thu, 11 Apr 2013 05:00:00 +0000 medicare poster http://www.medicarenews.net/?guid=9646151fc2041d957db9d6baef440ef2 President Obama used his spending plan to sketch out an economic future for the United States built on manufacturing, education, alternative energy, infrastructure and science.

]]> http://www.medicarenews.net/budget-embodies-obamas-vision-for-remaking-economy-04-2013.htm/feed 0 Three Obama Nominees Encounter No Opposition at Senate Confirmation Hearings http://www.medicarenews.net/three-obama-nominees-encounter-no-opposition-at-senate-confirmation-hearings-04-2013.htm http://www.medicarenews.net/three-obama-nominees-encounter-no-opposition-at-senate-confirmation-hearings-04-2013.htm#comments Wed, 10 Apr 2013 05:00:00 +0000 medicare poster http://www.medicarenews.net/?guid=b7e5b746c2e63c95509716d82f2db7c1 CONFIRM thumbStandard Three Obama Nominees Encounter No Opposition at Senate Confirmation HearingsThe president’s nominees to run Medicare and Medicaid, the Energy Department and the Office of Management and Budget appeared to be on track to win committee approval.

]]> http://www.medicarenews.net/three-obama-nominees-encounter-no-opposition-at-senate-confirmation-hearings-04-2013.htm/feed 0 Medicare and Big Business http://www.medicarenews.net/medicare-and-big-business-04-2013.htm http://www.medicarenews.net/medicare-and-big-business-04-2013.htm#comments Tue, 09 Apr 2013 05:00:00 +0000 medicare poster http://www.medicarenews.net/?guid=9bcd1a119599ae11d30ff03648eafbda The chief executives of Caesars Entertainment and A.T.&T. respond to a front-page article.

]]> http://www.medicarenews.net/medicare-and-big-business-04-2013.htm/feed 0 Insurance and Freedom http://www.medicarenews.net/insurance-and-freedom-04-2013.htm http://www.medicarenews.net/insurance-and-freedom-04-2013.htm#comments Mon, 08 Apr 2013 05:00:00 +0000 medicare poster http://www.medicarenews.net/?guid=620cd6059ca1c971f7eccead9b97a5a6 Krugman New thumbStandard v2 Insurance and FreedomIs health coverage the death of liberty?

]]> http://www.medicarenews.net/insurance-and-freedom-04-2013.htm/feed 0 Obama Budget Is Dismissed by G.O.P. and Attacked by Left http://www.medicarenews.net/obama-budget-is-dismissed-by-g-o-p-and-attacked-by-left-04-2013.htm http://www.medicarenews.net/obama-budget-is-dismissed-by-g-o-p-and-attacked-by-left-04-2013.htm#comments Sat, 06 Apr 2013 05:00:00 +0000 medicare poster http://www.medicarenews.net/?guid=f786c95b6ee1eb678e79748a7164fe99 Speaker John A. Boehner accused President Obama of holding entitlement programs hostage for tax increases while some liberals vented their own anger over the plan.

]]> http://www.medicarenews.net/obama-budget-is-dismissed-by-g-o-p-and-attacked-by-left-04-2013.htm/feed 0 In Obama Budget, Social Programs Face a Cutback http://www.medicarenews.net/in-obama-budget-social-programs-face-a-cutback-04-2013.htm http://www.medicarenews.net/in-obama-budget-social-programs-face-a-cutback-04-2013.htm#comments Fri, 05 Apr 2013 05:00:00 +0000 medicare poster http://www.medicarenews.net/?guid=168dafd0652660ffc016b59d9bea7623 President Obama will take the political risk next week of presenting a budget plan that proposes cuts to Social Security and Medicare, in an effort to compromise with Republicans.

]]> http://www.medicarenews.net/in-obama-budget-social-programs-face-a-cutback-04-2013.htm/feed 0 NYT > Medicare 1969-12-31 19:00:00 http://www.medicarenews.net/nyt-medicare-1969-12-31-190000-04-2013.htm http://www.medicarenews.net/nyt-medicare-1969-12-31-190000-04-2013.htm#comments Thu, 04 Apr 2013 21:43:34 +0000 medicare poster http://www.medicarenews.net/?guid=63a65265e1859826ea4e73f78cd91d16 http://www.medicarenews.net/nyt-medicare-1969-12-31-190000-04-2013.htm/feed 0