Tags: Alzheimer's, alzheimers disease, Compassionate Allowance Initiative, deborah dolan, elder care, geriatric care, kevyn burger, senior blog, Senior Life, senior life transitions, Senior Transitions, social security administration, social security disability, SSA
Posted on November 22nd, 2010
We’ve been hearing so much about health care reform how is it effecting the elderly population? Deborah Dolan and Kevyn Burger discuss the health care reform, changes in Medicare, the “donut hole”, resources for more information and help.
Links from Podcast:
Senior LinkAge Line – 1-800-333-2433
Free to call! The Senior LinkAge Line® can help simplify the complex issues and decisions you face every day as a senior, Baby Boomer, Medicare beneficiary, caregiver or someone trying to reduce their prescription drug costs.
Tags: affordable health care act, changes to medicare, donut hole, health care, Health Care Reform, healthcare, insurance donut hole, Medicare, medicare donut hole, Medicare Part D, medications for the elderly, Prevention, senior linkage line, the donut hole
Posted on August 24th, 2010
In one way or another, we’ve all felt effects of the down economy, but seniors who are financially dependent on Social Security (and those who plan to be) are especially vulnerable. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius recently spoke about what we can expect in the future for Social Security and Medicare. She reported that there is actually more money flowing out of Social Security than there is flowing into it. This is the first time that this has happened in the US, and it has occurred six years earlier than financial experts projected.
One major reason that Social Security has taken such a hit is job loss. Because of the high unemployment rates, payroll tax revenues have been reduced for the program. Despite these problems, the trustees of President Obama’s health care legislation program predict the Social Security funds will dry up in 2037 –the same date that was projected last year. The Social Security Commissioner, Michael Astrue, believes that there is no reason to worry about total loss of the funds because continuing tax revenue will still cover more than 75 percent of all benefits even after exhaustion of the trust fund. What does this mean for the aging population?
“It’s never too late to sit down with a financial planner to discuss not only your finances, but also how today’s economic downturn will affect your children’s and grandchildren’s futures,” said Deborah Dolan, Advocate on Aging. “Take advantage of early warning signs of financial distress and make sure you have a financial plan that works best for you.”
Tags: adovcate on aging, aging population, cspan, deborah dolan, deborah dolan advocate on aging, future for social security and medicare, health and human services secretary kathleen sebelius, Health Care Reform, healthcare reform, Medicare, president obama's health care legislation program, socia security commissioner Michael Astrue, social security, social security funday will dry up
Posted on June 11th, 2010
As I listened to President Obama define some of the changes created by the Affordable Care Act, my heart sang for the seniors I have worked with and currently work with who cannot afford their medications, who too often choose between food or their prescriptions. While there are many provisions that will aid our elders in obtaining quality care – annual preventive screenings and exams being another – closing the donut hole of the Part D Prescription coverage is pivotal to affordable healthcare for millions.
Important points I heard:
- Benefits begin this month, the same year the bill was passed into law, to begin closing the coverage gap. Not next year or in two years, but in June of 2010! The rebate checks will be sent beginning June 18th!
- The unspoken fact is that if a senior has dropped into the donut hole in June, this person has seriously high prescription drug costs. Many of the people I work with hit the coverage gap late in the year. For 2010 that coverage begins when prescription drug costs paid by you and your drug plan reach $2,830.01. According to CMS’ Medicare & You for 2010 (page 65), your yearly deductible ($310 for 2010), your coinsurance or copayments, and what you pay in the coverage gap all count toward this out-of-pocket limit. The limit does not include the drug plan’s premium or what you pay for drugs that are not on your plan’s formulary.
- The coverage gap will close completely by 2020.
- Guaranteed Medicare benefits you earned through employment will not change nor will eligibility requirements.
- The law provides for expanded efforts to reduce by half waste, fraud and abuse in the Medicare system. We all have a role to play in this effort but few of us take the time to review our Medicare Summary Notices or to question what is being charged for services.
- Reimbursement for the right services; quality instead of quantity; defining where are we getting value for our money and where are we not.
- Working toward prevention of healthcare crisis through paying for proactive measures such as consultations with professionals who can help us manage our personal health issues.
- Incentivizing more medical students to pursue becoming primary care physicians through loan forgiveness programs and increases reimbursements.
- Subsidizing COBRA premium payments during this time of high unemployment.
As a nation, our government is given the responsibility of creating the greatest good for the greatest number of Americans. No one bill can cover every unique situation yet this bill has tackled some of the very large, costly healthcare issues. I am hopeful that through the Affordable Care Act, we have started to turn the tide of one of our nation’s biggest problems.
Tags: : prescription drug coverage, affordable care act, aging advocate, caring for elderly parent(s), COBRA, COBRA healthcare, elder advocate, healthcare issues, Medicare, Medicare Part D, Part D Prescription coverage, President Obama, seniors advocate
Posted on June 8th, 2010
 Watch and listen (live streaming) to President Barack Obama and the U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius as they speak with seniors on health care reform through a presentation and question and answer session telecast live from a senior center in suburban Washington, DC.
On: CSPAN
Date: Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 P.M.
The following information was taken from CMS brochure (Product N. 11467) recently mailed to Medicare recipients.
Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of Health & Human Services writes:
“The Affordable Care Act passed by Congress and signed by President Obama this year will provide you and your family greater savings and increased quality health care. It will also ensure accountability throughout the health care system so that you, your family, and your doctor – not insurance companies – have greater control over your care.”
What Stays the Same
The guaranteed Medicare benefits currently received by thousands of Americans will remain the same. During open enrollment this fall, beneficiaries will have a choice between Original Medicare and a Medicare Advantage plan.
Improvements Beneficiaries Will See Right Away
Prescription Drugs (Part D Coverage):
- If you enter the “donut hole” in 2010, you will receive a one-time, $250 rebate check.
- You must not be eligible for Medicare Extra Help
- The first checks will be mailed in mid-June 2010
- While you are in the donut hole, you will continue to receive a $250 rebate check in 2010
- In 2011 if you reach the donut hole, you will receive a 50% discount when buying Part D-covered brand-name prescription drugs. (Please note that generic drugs are not included in this benefit.)
- Over the next ten years, you will receive additional savings until the coverage gap (donut hole) is closed in 2020.
What Will Change – Important New Benefits in 2011
- In 2011 you can get free preventive care services like colorectal cancer screening and mammograms.
- You can get a free annual physical to develop and update your personal prevention plan based on your current health needs.
The new law preserves and strengthens Medicare through fighting fraud, reducing payment errors, waste and abuse. Savings from these efforts will be returned to the Medicare Trust Fund to strengthen Medicare for years to come. Whether you are a Medicare beneficiary or oversee a loved one who receives Medicare benefits, take the time to review each Medicare Summary Notice. If you suspect an overpayment for any reason, notify Medicare or your State Health Insurance Assistance Program. It is important to the future of Medicare that these funds are recovered.
For more information about the new health care law, visit www.medicare.gov, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP).
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