Medicare News Blog http://www.medicarenews.net A news blog on all things Medicare. Fri, 19 Mar 2010 18:33:27 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 en hourly 1 Florida SHINE program to help elders affected by termination of Medicare Contractor http://www.medicarenews.net/florida-shine-program-to-help-elders-affected-by-termination-of-medicare-contractor-03-2010.htm http://www.medicarenews.net/florida-shine-program-to-help-elders-affected-by-termination-of-medicare-contractor-03-2010.htm#comments Fri, 19 Mar 2010 18:33:27 +0000 http://www.medicarenews.net/florida-shine-program-to-help-elders-affected-by-termination-of-medicare-contractor-03-2010.htm Florida’s SHINE program today launched an extensive public outreach campaign to provide reassurance and free assistance to 55,000 older Floridians who previously received their Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage through Fox Insurance Company.

[Original News Article]

]]> http://www.medicarenews.net/florida-shine-program-to-help-elders-affected-by-termination-of-medicare-contractor-03-2010.htm/feed 0 56% Oppose Medicare Cuts in Health Care Proposal http://www.medicarenews.net/56-oppose-medicare-cuts-in-health-care-proposal-03-2010.htm http://www.medicarenews.net/56-oppose-medicare-cuts-in-health-care-proposal-03-2010.htm#comments Fri, 19 Mar 2010 18:17:34 +0000 http://www.medicarenews.net/56-oppose-medicare-cuts-in-health-care-proposal-03-2010.htm Many individual elements of the health care plan working its way through Congress remain popular, but the cost of the plan and finding ways to pay for it remain key reasons why most voters continue to oppose the proposed legislation.

[Original News Article]

]]> http://www.medicarenews.net/56-oppose-medicare-cuts-in-health-care-proposal-03-2010.htm/feed 0 Despite recommendations, nearly 14% of Medicare beneficiaries with STEMI undergo multi-vessel PCI http://www.medicarenews.net/despite-recommendations-nearly-14-of-medicare-beneficiaries-with-stemi-undergo-multi-vessel-pci-03-2010.htm http://www.medicarenews.net/despite-recommendations-nearly-14-of-medicare-beneficiaries-with-stemi-undergo-multi-vessel-pci-03-2010.htm#comments Fri, 19 Mar 2010 16:12:15 +0000 http://www.medicarenews.net/despite-recommendations-nearly-14-of-medicare-beneficiaries-with-stemi-undergo-multi-vessel-pci-03-2010.htm Nearly 14 percent of Medicare beneficiaries admitted with a primary diagnosis of ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction , despite recommendations from the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association to intervene on only the culprit vessel.

[Original News Article]

]]> http://www.medicarenews.net/despite-recommendations-nearly-14-of-medicare-beneficiaries-with-stemi-undergo-multi-vessel-pci-03-2010.htm/feed 1 3.8% Medicare tax on unearned income proposed http://www.medicarenews.net/3-8-medicare-tax-on-unearned-income-proposed-03-2010.htm http://www.medicarenews.net/3-8-medicare-tax-on-unearned-income-proposed-03-2010.htm#comments Fri, 19 Mar 2010 14:40:52 +0000 http://www.medicarenews.net/3-8-medicare-tax-on-unearned-income-proposed-03-2010.htm Democratic Congressional leaders would raise to 3.8 percent the Obama administration’s proposed Medicare tax on investment income and capital gains to generate an estimated $210 billion to help fund a health-care-overhaul plan.

[Original News Article]

]]> http://www.medicarenews.net/3-8-medicare-tax-on-unearned-income-proposed-03-2010.htm/feed 0 Financial incentives may influence frequency of cataract surgery in Medicare and VA health system http://www.medicarenews.net/financial-incentives-may-influence-frequency-of-cataract-surgery-in-medicare-and-va-health-system-03-2010.htm http://www.medicarenews.net/financial-incentives-may-influence-frequency-of-cataract-surgery-in-medicare-and-va-health-system-03-2010.htm#comments Fri, 19 Mar 2010 14:27:15 +0000 http://www.medicarenews.net/financial-incentives-may-influence-frequency-of-cataract-surgery-in-medicare-and-va-health-system-03-2010.htm Patients seen at private facilities reimbursed by Medicare were more than 550 percent more likely to have routine cataract surgery than those who received their care from the Department of Veterans Affairs, a strong indication that the frequency of cataract surgery may be responsive to financial incentives to either or both the medical facility and the physicians who perform the procedure.

[Original News Article]

]]> http://www.medicarenews.net/financial-incentives-may-influence-frequency-of-cataract-surgery-in-medicare-and-va-health-system-03-2010.htm/feed 0 ServiceLink holds sessions to help residents use Medicare Part D http://www.medicarenews.net/servicelink-holds-sessions-to-help-residents-use-medicare-part-d-03-2010.htm http://www.medicarenews.net/servicelink-holds-sessions-to-help-residents-use-medicare-part-d-03-2010.htm#comments Fri, 19 Mar 2010 12:24:01 +0000 http://www.medicarenews.net/servicelink-holds-sessions-to-help-residents-use-medicare-part-d-03-2010.htm Rochester, is holding sessions for residents who qualify for the Limited Income Subsidy and Medicare Part D in Strafford County from 9 a.m. to noon.

[Original News Article]

]]> http://www.medicarenews.net/servicelink-holds-sessions-to-help-residents-use-medicare-part-d-03-2010.htm/feed 0 Bottom Line: $250 Medicare Checks http://www.medicarenews.net/bottom-line-250-medicare-checks-03-2010.htm http://www.medicarenews.net/bottom-line-250-medicare-checks-03-2010.htm#comments Fri, 19 Mar 2010 04:56:23 +0000 http://www.medicarenews.net/bottom-line-250-medicare-checks-03-2010.htm Now that President Obama has signed the jobs bill, where does that leave the proposed $250 Medicare checks? Dori Marlin has the Bottom Line.

[Original News Article]

]]> http://www.medicarenews.net/bottom-line-250-medicare-checks-03-2010.htm/feed 0 Nelson’s Medicare Advantage deal cut from health care reform http://www.medicarenews.net/nelsons-medicare-advantage-deal-cut-from-health-care-reform-03-2010.htm http://www.medicarenews.net/nelsons-medicare-advantage-deal-cut-from-health-care-reform-03-2010.htm#comments Fri, 19 Mar 2010 04:30:43 +0000 http://www.medicarenews.net/nelsons-medicare-advantage-deal-cut-from-health-care-reform-03-2010.htm Washington House and Senate leaders on Thursday said a provision sparing about 800,000 Floridians from cuts in Medicare Advantage will not be part of the final health care bill, a blow to Sen. Bill Nelson.

[Original News Article]

]]> http://www.medicarenews.net/nelsons-medicare-advantage-deal-cut-from-health-care-reform-03-2010.htm/feed 0 Health Bill Said to Add 3.8% Medicare Tax on Unearned Income http://www.medicarenews.net/health-bill-said-to-add-3-8-medicare-tax-on-unearned-income-03-2010.htm http://www.medicarenews.net/health-bill-said-to-add-3-8-medicare-tax-on-unearned-income-03-2010.htm#comments Thu, 18 Mar 2010 22:14:42 +0000 http://www.medicarenews.net/health-bill-said-to-add-3-8-medicare-tax-on-unearned-income-03-2010.htm March 18 — Congressional leaders are raising to 3.8 percent their proposed new Medicare tax on investment income in the final health-care overhaul plan, a Democratic leadership aide said.

[Original News Article]

]]> http://www.medicarenews.net/health-bill-said-to-add-3-8-medicare-tax-on-unearned-income-03-2010.htm/feed 0 10,000 People Affected By Decision To Drop Medicare Provider http://www.medicarenews.net/10000-people-affected-by-decision-to-drop-medicare-provider-03-2010.htm http://www.medicarenews.net/10000-people-affected-by-decision-to-drop-medicare-provider-03-2010.htm#comments Thu, 18 Mar 2010 20:22:38 +0000 http://www.medicarenews.net/10000-people-affected-by-decision-to-drop-medicare-provider-03-2010.htm New York, NY, March 18, 2010 — Nearly 10,000 Medicare Part D enrollees living in all of New York State’s 62 counties will be affected by a decision of the federal Centers for Medicare & medicaid services to cancel coverage provided through Fox Insurance Company, the New York State Insurance Department said today.

[Original News Article]

]]> http://www.medicarenews.net/10000-people-affected-by-decision-to-drop-medicare-provider-03-2010.htm/feed 0 Medicare patients 5.5 times more likely to get cataract surgery than VA patients, study finds http://www.medicarenews.net/medicare-patients-5-5-times-more-likely-to-get-cataract-surgery-than-va-patients-study-finds-03-2010.htm http://www.medicarenews.net/medicare-patients-5-5-times-more-likely-to-get-cataract-surgery-than-va-patients-study-finds-03-2010.htm#comments Thu, 18 Mar 2010 19:54:27 +0000 http://www.medicarenews.net/medicare-patients-5-5-times-more-likely-to-get-cataract-surgery-than-va-patients-study-finds-03-2010.htm Patients seen at private facilities reimbursed by Medicare were more than 550 percent more likely to have routine cataract surgery than those who received their care from the Department of Veterans Affairs, a strong indication that frequency of cataract surgery may be responsive to financial incentives to either or both the medical facility and physicians who perform the procedure.

[Original News Article]

]]> http://www.medicarenews.net/medicare-patients-5-5-times-more-likely-to-get-cataract-surgery-than-va-patients-study-finds-03-2010.htm/feed 1 Medicare workshop to help seniors offered today in Chico http://www.medicarenews.net/medicare-workshop-to-help-seniors-offered-today-in-chico-03-2010.htm http://www.medicarenews.net/medicare-workshop-to-help-seniors-offered-today-in-chico-03-2010.htm#comments Thu, 18 Mar 2010 18:51:09 +0000 http://www.medicarenews.net/medicare-workshop-to-help-seniors-offered-today-in-chico-03-2010.htm CHICO — To help seniors and adults with disabilities that are new to Medicare learn more about the A, B, C and Ds of the system, a free workshop is planned 1:30-3:30 p.

[Original News Article]

]]> http://www.medicarenews.net/medicare-workshop-to-help-seniors-offered-today-in-chico-03-2010.htm/feed 0 MediCare International offers insurance for all nationalities http://www.medicarenews.net/medicare-international-offers-insurance-for-all-nationalities-03-2010.htm http://www.medicarenews.net/medicare-international-offers-insurance-for-all-nationalities-03-2010.htm#comments Thu, 18 Mar 2010 13:27:05 +0000 http://www.medicarenews.net/medicare-international-offers-insurance-for-all-nationalities-03-2010.htm The Lebanon is an important centre for international workers – Post conflict international health cover hard to arrange – Good hospital facilities can only be accessed with the right cover – MediCare International offers insurance for all nationalities

[Original News Article]

]]> http://www.medicarenews.net/medicare-international-offers-insurance-for-all-nationalities-03-2010.htm/feed 1 As Medicare pay shrinks, some California doctors hike patient fees http://www.medicarenews.net/as-medicare-pay-shrinks-some-california-doctors-hike-patient-fees-03-2010.htm http://www.medicarenews.net/as-medicare-pay-shrinks-some-california-doctors-hike-patient-fees-03-2010.htm#comments Thu, 18 Mar 2010 09:12:05 +0000 http://www.medicarenews.net/as-medicare-pay-shrinks-some-california-doctors-hike-patient-fees-03-2010.htm Kaiser Health News staff writer Christopher Weaver writes about a California cardiology group that has confronted steep Medicare cuts with a tactic that may irk patients who already face soaring health costs.

[Original News Article]

]]> http://www.medicarenews.net/as-medicare-pay-shrinks-some-california-doctors-hike-patient-fees-03-2010.htm/feed 0 Fine-Tuning Led to Health Bill’s $940 Billion Price Tag http://www.medicarenews.net/fine-tuning-led-to-health-bill%e2%80%99s-940-billion-price-tag-03-2010.htm http://www.medicarenews.net/fine-tuning-led-to-health-bill%e2%80%99s-940-billion-price-tag-03-2010.htm#comments Thu, 18 Mar 2010 09:00:00 +0000 http://www.medicarenews.net/fine-tuning-led-to-health-bill%e2%80%99s-940-billion-price-tag-03-2010.htm Building the health care legislation was not some wild shopping spree, but more like a trip to the local fruit stand with a set amount of money in hand and every item clearly marked.

[Original News Article]

]]> http://www.medicarenews.net/fine-tuning-led-to-health-bill%e2%80%99s-940-billion-price-tag-03-2010.htm/feed 0 Kucinich: I’ll still pursue ‘Medicare for all’ http://www.medicarenews.net/kucinich-ill-still-pursue-medicare-for-all-03-2010.htm http://www.medicarenews.net/kucinich-ill-still-pursue-medicare-for-all-03-2010.htm#comments Thu, 18 Mar 2010 07:58:47 +0000 http://www.medicarenews.net/kucinich-ill-still-pursue-medicare-for-all-03-2010.htm Rep. Dennis Kucinich said Wednesday that he will continue to work toward a single-payer program, despite his decision to reverse course and support President Obama’s health care plan.

[Original News Article]

]]> http://www.medicarenews.net/kucinich-ill-still-pursue-medicare-for-all-03-2010.htm/feed 0 Medicare Fraud Costs Taxpayers More Than $60 Billion Each Year http://www.medicarenews.net/medicare-fraud-costs-taxpayers-more-than-60-billion-each-year-03-2010.htm http://www.medicarenews.net/medicare-fraud-costs-taxpayers-more-than-60-billion-each-year-03-2010.htm#comments Thu, 18 Mar 2010 05:21:37 +0000 http://www.medicarenews.net/medicare-fraud-costs-taxpayers-more-than-60-billion-each-year-03-2010.htm A four month “Nightline” investigation into Medicare fraud makes one thing perfectly clear: this is a crime that pays and pays and pays. The federal government admits that a staggering $60 billion is stolen from tax payers through Medicare scams every year.

[Original News Article]

]]> http://www.medicarenews.net/medicare-fraud-costs-taxpayers-more-than-60-billion-each-year-03-2010.htm/feed 1 Medicare System Makes Life Easy for Criminals http://www.medicarenews.net/medicare-system-makes-life-easy-for-criminals-03-2010.htm http://www.medicarenews.net/medicare-system-makes-life-easy-for-criminals-03-2010.htm#comments Thu, 18 Mar 2010 05:21:37 +0000 http://www.medicarenews.net/medicare-system-makes-life-easy-for-criminals-03-2010.htm A four month “Nightline” investigation into Medicare fraud makes one thing perfectly clear: this is a crime that pays and pays and pays. The federal government admits that a staggering $60 billion dollars is stolen from tax payers through Medicare scams every year. Some experts believe the number is more than twice that. Medicare – United States – Medicare fraud – Federal government of the…

[Original News Article]

]]> http://www.medicarenews.net/medicare-system-makes-life-easy-for-criminals-03-2010.htm/feed 1 If Congress permits cuts in Medicare payments, seniors might not get needed care http://www.medicarenews.net/if-congress-permits-cuts-in-medicare-payments-seniors-might-not-get-needed-care-03-2010.htm http://www.medicarenews.net/if-congress-permits-cuts-in-medicare-payments-seniors-might-not-get-needed-care-03-2010.htm#comments Thu, 18 Mar 2010 05:08:16 +0000 http://www.medicarenews.net/if-congress-permits-cuts-in-medicare-payments-seniors-might-not-get-needed-care-03-2010.htm Medicare is scheduled to reduce payments to physicians by up to 38 percent on April 1. Guest columnist Patrick Hugh McClean urges Congress to intervene as it has in years past, otherwise, Medicare patients might have a hard time finding doctors willing to treat them.

[Original News Article]

]]> http://www.medicarenews.net/if-congress-permits-cuts-in-medicare-payments-seniors-might-not-get-needed-care-03-2010.htm/feed 0 Medicare payments for physical therapy have poor prognosis http://www.medicarenews.net/medicare-payments-for-physical-therapy-have-poor-prognosis-03-2010.htm http://www.medicarenews.net/medicare-payments-for-physical-therapy-have-poor-prognosis-03-2010.htm#comments Thu, 18 Mar 2010 04:34:31 +0000 http://www.medicarenews.net/medicare-payments-for-physical-therapy-have-poor-prognosis-03-2010.htm With healthcare legislation stalled in Washington, a cap on coverage may leave half a million patients to shoulder the financial burden or give up on treatment. Glenn McDonald undergoes physical therapy twice a week for a bad back. He’s already had surgery once, and treatment could help him dodge a second date with the scalpel.

[Original News Article]

]]> http://www.medicarenews.net/medicare-payments-for-physical-therapy-have-poor-prognosis-03-2010.htm/feed 0 Jason Alderman: Investigate Medicare Before You Need It http://www.medicarenews.net/jason-alderman-investigate-medicare-before-you-need-it-03-2010.htm http://www.medicarenews.net/jason-alderman-investigate-medicare-before-you-need-it-03-2010.htm#comments Wed, 17 Mar 2010 22:35:09 +0000 http://www.medicarenews.net/jason-alderman-investigate-medicare-before-you-need-it-03-2010.htm Most people are at least somewhat familiar with Medicare, since it’s likely that they or a family member already rely on the government-provided health insurance…

[Original News Article]

]]> http://www.medicarenews.net/jason-alderman-investigate-medicare-before-you-need-it-03-2010.htm/feed 0 Cut looms for Medicare payments to doctors http://www.medicarenews.net/cut-looms-for-medicare-payments-to-doctors-03-2010.htm http://www.medicarenews.net/cut-looms-for-medicare-payments-to-doctors-03-2010.htm#comments Wed, 17 Mar 2010 19:12:17 +0000 http://www.medicarenews.net/cut-looms-for-medicare-payments-to-doctors-03-2010.htm Marketwatch/The Seattle Times reports on the looming 21 percent cut to physicians’ Medicare payments. “The cut was to take effect March 1 until Congress delayed it by 30 days. The Senate then voted last Wednesday to postpone the cut an additional six months as part of a larger bill that extends unemployment benefits. The measure now moves to the House.”

[Original News Article]

]]> http://www.medicarenews.net/cut-looms-for-medicare-payments-to-doctors-03-2010.htm/feed 0 Full Medicare coverage for IVF: CFAS felicitates Quebec government http://www.medicarenews.net/full-medicare-coverage-for-ivf-cfas-felicitates-quebec-government-03-2010.htm http://www.medicarenews.net/full-medicare-coverage-for-ivf-cfas-felicitates-quebec-government-03-2010.htm#comments Wed, 17 Mar 2010 17:12:58 +0000 http://www.medicarenews.net/full-medicare-coverage-for-ivf-cfas-felicitates-quebec-government-03-2010.htm The Canadian Fertility and Andrology Society congratulates Premier Jean Charest and his Government on their announcement of full Medicare coverage for in-vitro fertilization treatments in Quebec.

[Original News Article]

]]> http://www.medicarenews.net/full-medicare-coverage-for-ivf-cfas-felicitates-quebec-government-03-2010.htm/feed 2 Medicare Signup Reaches Deadline Today http://www.medicarenews.net/medicare-signup-reaches-deadline-today-03-2010.htm http://www.medicarenews.net/medicare-signup-reaches-deadline-today-03-2010.htm#comments Wed, 17 Mar 2010 10:02:40 +0000 http://www.medicarenews.net/medicare-signup-reaches-deadline-today-03-2010.htm Today is the deadline for physicians to change their Medicare participation or nonparticipation status.The American Medical Association has developed….

[Original News Article]

]]> http://www.medicarenews.net/medicare-signup-reaches-deadline-today-03-2010.htm/feed 0 Medicare formula adds guesswork for seniors, doctors http://www.medicarenews.net/medicare-formula-adds-guesswork-for-seniors-doctors-03-2010.htm http://www.medicarenews.net/medicare-formula-adds-guesswork-for-seniors-doctors-03-2010.htm#comments Wed, 17 Mar 2010 06:09:49 +0000 http://www.medicarenews.net/medicare-formula-adds-guesswork-for-seniors-doctors-03-2010.htm Every year or so, Medicare patients and the doctors who treat them go through a ritual of guessing whether physicians’ Medicare…

[Original News Article]

]]> http://www.medicarenews.net/medicare-formula-adds-guesswork-for-seniors-doctors-03-2010.htm/feed 0 Medicare payment formula adds guesswork for seniors, doctors http://www.medicarenews.net/medicare-payment-formula-adds-guesswork-for-seniors-doctors-03-2010.htm http://www.medicarenews.net/medicare-payment-formula-adds-guesswork-for-seniors-doctors-03-2010.htm#comments Wed, 17 Mar 2010 06:09:49 +0000 http://www.medicarenews.net/medicare-payment-formula-adds-guesswork-for-seniors-doctors-03-2010.htm Every year or so, Medicare patients and the doctors who treat them go through a ritual of guessing whether physicians’ Medicare…

[Original News Article]

]]> http://www.medicarenews.net/medicare-payment-formula-adds-guesswork-for-seniors-doctors-03-2010.htm/feed 0 Leaders hope to trim Medicare, save HMO benefits http://www.medicarenews.net/leaders-hope-to-trim-medicare-save-hmo-benefits-03-2010.htm http://www.medicarenews.net/leaders-hope-to-trim-medicare-save-hmo-benefits-03-2010.htm#comments Wed, 17 Mar 2010 05:00:49 +0000 http://www.medicarenews.net/leaders-hope-to-trim-medicare-save-hmo-benefits-03-2010.htm Washington — Intent on cutting Medicare costs without pinching senior citizens, the White House and Congressional leaders plan to gradually lower spending on popular plans run by private HMOs.

[Original News Article]

]]> http://www.medicarenews.net/leaders-hope-to-trim-medicare-save-hmo-benefits-03-2010.htm/feed 0 Leaders hope to trim Medicare but save HMO benefits http://www.medicarenews.net/leaders-hope-to-trim-medicare-but-save-hmo-benefits-03-2010.htm http://www.medicarenews.net/leaders-hope-to-trim-medicare-but-save-hmo-benefits-03-2010.htm#comments Wed, 17 Mar 2010 05:00:49 +0000 http://www.medicarenews.net/leaders-hope-to-trim-medicare-but-save-hmo-benefits-03-2010.htm Washington — Intent on cutting Medicare costs without pinching senior citizens, the White House and Congressional leaders plan to gradually lower spending on popular plans run by private HMOs.

[Original News Article]

]]> http://www.medicarenews.net/leaders-hope-to-trim-medicare-but-save-hmo-benefits-03-2010.htm/feed 0 Senior Advocate: Medicare plan affects choice of doctors, hospitals http://www.medicarenews.net/senior-advocate-medicare-plan-affects-choice-of-doctors-hospitals-03-2010.htm http://www.medicarenews.net/senior-advocate-medicare-plan-affects-choice-of-doctors-hospitals-03-2010.htm#comments Wed, 17 Mar 2010 04:23:00 +0000 http://www.medicarenews.net/senior-advocate-medicare-plan-affects-choice-of-doctors-hospitals-03-2010.htm Q: I have Medicare as my health insurance. I am wondering if I have any say in the hospital that I use if I need that level of care. Some friends indicate that I need to go to the local hospital, but others say I can go elsewhere. Are there any rules about where I must or could go?

[Original News Article]

]]> http://www.medicarenews.net/senior-advocate-medicare-plan-affects-choice-of-doctors-hospitals-03-2010.htm/feed 0 Remove niqab to get medicare card, Quebec commission rules http://www.medicarenews.net/remove-niqab-to-get-medicare-card-quebec-commission-rules-03-2010.htm http://www.medicarenews.net/remove-niqab-to-get-medicare-card-quebec-commission-rules-03-2010.htm#comments Wed, 17 Mar 2010 02:42:59 +0000 http://www.medicarenews.net/remove-niqab-to-get-medicare-card-quebec-commission-rules-03-2010.htm A niqab-clad woman must uncover her face to confirm her identity when applying for a Quebec medicare card, the province’s human rights commission says.

[Original News Article]

]]> http://www.medicarenews.net/remove-niqab-to-get-medicare-card-quebec-commission-rules-03-2010.htm/feed 0