Category archives: Medicare
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2 months ago
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In mid-February, a cluster of residents at the Seattle-area nursing home, Life Care Center of Kirkland, came down with a respiratory illness and fever. On February 28, a 73-year-old female resident tested positive for coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Over the next month, the coronavirus swept throu... [read more]
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3 months ago
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The spread of the coronavirus to nursing home residents has caused the federal government to direct nursing homes to restrict visitor access, and many assisted living facilities have done the same. While the move helps the residents stay healthy, it can also lead to social isolation and depression. ... [read more]
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3 months ago
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With coronavirus dominating news coverage and creating alarm, it is important to know that Medicare and Medicaid will cover tests for the virus.
The department of Health and Human Services has designated the test for the new strain of coronavirus (officially called COVID-19) an essential health b... [read more]
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3 months ago
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To protect its workers and the public during the coronavirus pandemic, the Social Security Administration (SSA) has suspended face-to-face service at its field offices and hearings offices nationwide until further notice. Payments to the nearly 70 million Social Security beneficiaries will not be af... [read more]
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4 months ago
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As part of its response to the coronavirus pandemic, the federal government is broadly expanding coverage of Medicare telehealth services to beneficiaries and relaxing HIPAA enforcement. This will give doctors the ability to provide more services to patients remotely.
Medicare covers teleheal... [read more]
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4 months ago
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The 2020 census is starting soon, and seniors need to be counted. This may be more of a challenge this year because for the first time, the census will be completed largely online.
The U.S Constitution mandates that the federal government conduct a census every 10 years. Information from the cens... [read more]
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5 months ago
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Recognizing the huge problems caused by opioid addiction in the United States, Medicare is adding a new outpatient opioid treatment benefit, paying for methadone and related treatment in certain facilities.
Under a new rule taking effect in January 2020, Medicare will now provide payment to o... [read more]
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6 months ago
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Medicare does not offer much in the way of dental benefits. To get dental coverage, you need to purchase separate and often costly dental insurance or sign up for a Medicare Advantage plan that includes dental care. Advocates for Medicare beneficiaries are arguing for a change.
Common dental ... [read more]
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6 months ago
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The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released the 2020 federal guidelines for how much money the spouses of institutionalized Medicaid recipients may keep, as well as related Medicaid figures.
In 2020, the spouse of a Medicaid recipient living in a nursing home (called t... [read more]
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7 months ago
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After small or no increases the past couple of years, Medicare’s Part B premium will rise sharply in 2020. The basic monthly premium will increase $9.10, from $135.50 a month to $144.60.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced the premium increase on November 8, 2019. N... [read more]
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9 months ago
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Medicare's Open Enrollment Period, during which you can freely enroll in or switch plans, runs from October 15 to December 7. Don't let this period slip by without shopping around to see whether your current choices are the best ones for you.
During this period you may enroll in a Medicare Pa... [read more]
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11 months ago
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Hospice care is supposed to help terminally ill patients maintain their quality of life at the end of their life, but two new government reports find that serious problems in some hospices may be actually causing harm to hospice patients. The reports propose that additional safeguards are needed.
... [read more]
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