Category: Medicare

Please save Medicare benefits

… benefits the way we know them. Currently, Medicare is a “defined benefit” program that guarantees a certain level of health coverage for all beneficiaries. It pays for about 80 percent of doctor and hospital visits. Many in the U.S. House and Senate …

Discount Drug Mart and iMedicare Announce New Partnership

Discount Drug Mart is dedicated to implementing innovative pharmacy software services to provide customers with superior patient care. The partnership between iMedicare and Discount Drug Mart will expand the current pharmacy service offerings to assist patients with evaluating Medicare plan options based on their specific medications and needs.

Dave Brat On Obamacare: The Repeal Vote Is Bigger Than Health Care

Fiscal hawk Republican Rep. Dave Brat of Virginia said repealing Obamacare is bigger than just fixing the nation’s health care policy – it could help preserve entitlements for future generations. Brat, a member of the House Freedom Caucus, noted while President Barack Obama assured his landmark health-care legislation would drive down costs, it has done the opposite, which is taking its toll on entitlement programs.

Negotiating drug prices

… (formally, consumer surplus) to beneficiaries due to tightening Part D formularies to the level found in the Veterans Health Administration (VA). (A formulary is a list of drugs covered by a health plan.) We measure formulary generosity as the …

Proto Script Pharmaceutical Corp. Highlights Strong Revenue Growth in …

This Contract authorizes PSP Homecare to provide durable medical equipment , including high-quality mobility equipment to customers completely through Medicare insurance within numerous Competitive Bid Areas across California and Nevada. The Contract was issued under the Medicare Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies Competitive Bidding Program.

Repealing Obamacare faces these 7 challenges

… believe that they can repeal Obamacare and roll back the clock. It won’t happen. Here’s why. 1. Millions will lose health insurance. Pre-Obamacare, nearly 20 percent of Americans went uninsured, and this disproportionately affected lower-income …

Senate splits 49-49 on amendment based on Trump’s entitlements campaign promise

An amendment drafted by Sen. Bernie Sanders , using language that Donald Trump used to assure voters he would not cut Medicaid, Medicare or Social Security, won 49 votes Tuesday , with Sen. Susan Collins joining every Democrat and independent to vote yes. Sanders was clear on the purpose of the amendment, one of several messaging efforts that have become part of the 115th Congress’s slow-motion debate over repealing the Affordable Care Act.

Ap Fact Check: Despite woes Obamacare not in ‘death spiral’

As congressional Republicans prepare to repeal the health law, they are working to portray it as a mess of Democrats’ making, and themselves as the ones who will clean up that mess. In the process they are exaggerating the law’s very real problems, according to health care experts, who largely believe that the Affordable Care Act’s troubles with high prices and lack of competition could be addressed with bipartisan solutions.

Whata s Goina On

… will begin at 11:30 a.m. with the meeting to follow. Guest speakers will be Connie Pettyjohn (director of Retiree Health Care, Kentucky Retirement Systems) and Tracey Garrison (account executive group Medicare, Humana). Any retiree (and their …

Expensive ride

I recently had to have an ambulance ride to the local hospital, staffed by unpaid volunteers. The dispatcher also sent a paramedic from Canandaigua.

The battles over Obama’s legacy begin

… has the power to repeal ACA, but political realities dictate that they can’t cut off millions from access to health insurance without replacing it with something comparable – or, as Trump vaguely has promised, “something terrific.” A lot of people …

Arbitration battle continues: CMS files appeal against injunction

With the days of the Obama administration rapidly waning, federal health officials made one last attempt to hold up a ban on nursing homes pre-dispute arbitration agreements. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services filed a notice Thursday to appeal a judge’s decision that allowed arbitration agreements to stay in place.

Honor day by serving the aging

American will pause Jan. 16 for a national holiday and a day of remembrance, namely Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Martin Luther King Jr. dedicated his life to creating and fostering equal rights for African-Americans, and he died during his efforts to make his dream a reality.

Governor, legislators ready for the 2017 session

They face uncertainty as it’s unknown how big changes at the federal level could affect the state policy, particularly in the area of health care. “You tell me what the changes are, and I’ll tell you how we react,” said House Speaker Scott Bedke, R-Oakley.

Is there a doctor in the House? There are two in the Senate

This week, two came aboard – one Democrat and one Republican – and their real-world experience could come in handy with health care shaping up as a dominant issue before the Legislature. Republican Scott Jensen, 62, comes from a conservative district in Chaska and is a family practice doctor with his own clinic.

Cheers & Jeers

JEERS: In regard of our recent cost of living adjustment of 0.3% in 2017. This week I received a letter of social security benefits informing me of my increase of $2.10 monthly.

Retirement Weekly: Retirement research

… Reducing the Price of Employing an Older Worker Improve Labor Market Outcomes by Socioeconomic Status? Evidence from Health Insurance Premium Restrictions This advertisement is provided by Bankrate, which compiles rate data from more than 4,800 …

Retirement Weekly: Investments for retirement

… exchange-traded funds focused on distinct sectors of the economy. The consumer discretionary, energy, financials, health care, industrials, information technology, materials, consumer staples and utilities ETFs select investments from Standard & …

Household Employee Taxes: What NOT To Do

If you hire domestic employees – or household employees – such as nannies, gardeners, or senior caretakers, you are required to pay and withhold social security and Medicare taxes. You will have to obtain an Employer Identification Number as well as provide each employee with a W-2 no later than January 31st.If you have an accountant or payroll service to help you out, filing taxes for domestic employees should be easy.

Medicare Failed To Recover Up To $125 Million In Overpayments From Private Insurers

A Medicare Advantage plan run by Independence Blue Cross, headquartered in Philadelphia, was among those audited for overcharging by the federal government. Six years ago, federal health officials were confident they could save taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars annually by auditing private Medicare Advantage insurance plans that allegedly overcharged the government for medical services.

The ‘Delicate Dance’ of Replacing Obamacare

Although the Affordable Care Act, commonly known as Obamacare, is considered the most significant and comprehensive overhaul of the American health care system since the 1960s, when Medicaid and Medicare were established, it has been the target of reform virtually since its enactment in 2010. Last year, the words “repeal and replace” became the mantra of Republican congressional leaders looking to dismantle the legislation and was a key talking point for Donald Trump while on the campaign trail.