In fiscal year 2010, Medicare spending totaled $524 billion, accounting for 20 percent of national health expenditures, 15 percent of the federal budget, and 3.6 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP).
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The Cost of Medicare
In 2008, Medicare spent $9,100, on average, for each Medicare beneficiary. Miami, Florida was the most expensive city for Medicare, with an average cost per Medicare beneficiary of $18,199 in 2008. Honolulu is one of the least expensive cities for Medicare.
Annual Physical Now Covered by Medicare
As part of the Affordable Care Act, Medicare now covers annual wellness visits and will provide payment for the creation of a personalized prevention plan. Many screening tests will be provided at no cost to the patient.
Hospice Cost for Medicare
Hospice agencies receive $142.91 per day in payment from Medicare. Payment is the same no matter the level of care that might be required by patients with different needs.
Medicare Beneficiaries Can Lodge Complaints Over Care
People on Medicare can make complaints against providers. A new Medicare rule will require doctors and other providers of care to tell patients how to lodge their complaints.
2.8 Million Baby Boomers Eligible For Medicare in 2011
In 2011, 2.8 million baby boomers will turn 65 and become eligible for Medicare.
The Future of Medicare?
Under Congressman Paul Ryan’s plan, current Medicare beneficiaries and those 55 and older would get Medicare as it exists today. For everyone else, eligibility would begin at 69 and-a-half, and there would be a “standard Medicare payment” for the purchase of private health coverage.
Health Care Reform Law and Medicare
The Health Care Reform Law will affect Medicare in many ways. Cuts to Medicare Advantage plans and increases for primary care doctors are just some of the changes. The list is from The Medicare Rights Center.
Reagan on Medicare in 1962
In 1962 Ronald Reagan was a spokesman for groups opposed to the introduction of Medicare. Socialism and the loss of personal freedom were the battlecry of the opposition to Medicare. A Medicare bill was defeated in 1962. Click on the video link.
Medicare Advantage cuts according to AHIP
October 2009: America’s Health Insurance Plans released the following statement at the end of September, 2009 regarding the impact of proposed cuts to Medicare Advantage: FACT: The impact of proposed cuts to Medicare Advantage (MA) would vary greatly depending on how the cuts are structured and where a senior happens to live. The House legislation [...]
Humana accused of scare tactics by CMS
CMS has launched an investigation of Humana after questions were raised over letters it sent to its beneficiaries on the subject of health reform. Officials are looking into the issue of whether Humana used scare tactics when it reached out to Medicare Advantage members and took a stand on health reform legislation.
Enrollment in Medicare Advantage high in some states
If Medicare Advantage plans impose higher premiums and higher co-payments for servcies, over 10 million people enrolled in these plans will be affected. In some states the numbers are quite high.
Scare Tactics Target Seniors
I got a call the other day from a client who is 88 years old. He had received a mailing from friends in Georgia that was 11 pages of misinformation about health care/health insurance reform plans being debated in Congress. Needless to say, this information scared him and his wife.
Medicare HMO’s in 1996: a model for savings
In a 1996 New York Times article, Tucson, AZ Medicare HMO plans were touted as a model for saving Medicare dollars, and 42 percent of seniors in Pima County were enrolled in such plans.
AHIP Report: High Out-of-Network billing
A May 2009 AHIP survey showed out‐of‐network physicians in Arizona billed between 670 and 1,670 percent of the Medicare fee for that service in 2008.
Small Increase for 2010 Part D Premiums
Part D drug premiums are expected to rise about $2 in 2010.
