Stories have recently appeared in the press about Medicare beneficiaries blindsided by fees for physical exams they expected to be free of charge. The cause: patients failed to understand the difference between a physical exam and Medicare’s Free Annual Wellness…
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Beginning in 2020, people enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans who have chronic illnesses will be covered for certain supplies and services not previously covered. Examples include bathroom grab bars and wheelchair ramps; and services such as home meal delivery, at-home…
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New Medicare cards are on the way. Starting in April 2018, new Medicare cards will be mailed to 60 million Medicare beneficiaries. Mandated by the Medicare Access and Chip Reauthorization Act of 2015, the new cards will not display your…
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Since the launch of the Medicare program in 1965 and until today, the agency has issued ID cards bearing the beneficiary’s Social Security number. This was not particularly problematic years ago. But today, the tsunami of identity theft has made…
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Thousands of people across the nation hold long-term care policies from Penn Treaty Insurance Company. The company and its American Network Insurance subsidiary have been in dire financial straits since at least 2001. With the company short the $4 billion…
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Medicare beneficiaries must be covered for skilled rehabilitation services if the services help the beneficiary maintain his/her level of functioning and prevent disease progression. Medical improvement is not necessary for coverage. This was made clear in the Jimmo v. Sibelius…
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In Florida, the average annual cost of a private room at a long-term nursing facility now hovers upwards of $90,000 annually, with a semi-private room around $83,000. With the oldest Baby Boomers turning 70 and the escalating incidence of chronic…
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SEE NOVEMBER 10, 2016 STATUS UPDATE ON THE NEW CMS RULE. CLICK HERE. Pre-dispute binding arbitration clauses will no longer be permitted in nursing home admissions contracts, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has ruled. The new rule goes…
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What hospital to go to? You will get more help with your decision now. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has just released its new rankings for 3,617 hospitals nationwide. Originally scheduled for earlier this year, the release…
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Are you one of the many Florida residents relying on Medicare to pay your way if you ever need nursing home care? Depending on what you mean by “nursing home,” you, your family and your pocketbook could be in for…
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