Medicare

Following a hospitalization, it’s not unusual for an older patient to require skilled nursing help. Many people prefer to receive that help at home, rather than go to a rehab center or skilled nursing facility. In theory, if a physician says this assistance is medically necessary, Medicare is supposed to…

Medications are a fact of life for most seniors, but with Medicare Part D, the costs of those medications can usually be managed- but not always. Sometimes, for example, Medicare denies coverage for a medication, which could lead to enormous out-of-pocket expenses if the decision stands. Luckily, there is an…

Undoubtedly everyone is aware of the turmoil currently surrounding efforts to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act and to alter other aspects of our health care system.  Seniors and those approaching the Medicare sign-up age may feel they are protected from most of this maelstrom. In fact, Speaker Paul…

Approaching age 65 is an important and perhaps ambivalent milestone: it certainly represents a new stage of life, at least when it comes to health care. For 65 is the usual age at which most people become eligible for Medicare. For those of you or your loved ones approaching 65,…

Physicians have historically been uncomfortable initiating conversations about end-of-life care with their patients. Such communication requires tact, sensitivity and, of course, time. In 2016, however, physicians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants were given the authority to bill Medicare to conduct these challenging discussions, thus allowing providers to carve out discreet time…

Most seniors rely on Medicare to pay for their medical care. But for some 10 million low income seniors, help for medical costs also comes from Medicaid. With Medicaid coverage, such seniors receive assistance with not only small, out-of-pocket medical expenses but also the major costs of long-term nursing home…