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How Americans Embrace Medicare Reform

9 Responses

1. Ann Miller RN MHA, on July 2, 2012 at 9:58 AM said:

   Medicare Pay Woes are Medical Practices’ Top Challenge: Survey

   The sustainable growth-rate formula calls for slashing physician Medicare payments by more than 30% on Jan. 1, 2013. Uncertainty over whether that cut will take effect is the No. 1 concern of medical practice managers, according to the MGMA-ACMPE’s fifth annual survey on the challenges of running a group practice. The MGMA-ACMPE, formerly the Medical Group Management Association, invited its members via e-mail to participate in an online survey ranking 54 daily challenges on a five-point scale. The 1,252 respondents identified “managing finances with the uncertainty of Medicare reimbursement rates” as their most intense daily professional challenge.

   Other top five challenges for medical practice managers included preparing for payment models that “place a greater share of financial risk on the practice,” preparing for the transition to the ICD-10 diagnostic and procedural codes, rising expenses, and participating in the federal incentive program for the meaningful use of electronic health-record systems.

   Source: Andis Robezieks, Modern Healthcare [6/26/12]

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2. Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA CMP™, on July 4, 2012 at 12:18 PM said:

   JAMA Forum: How Medicare Solves Private Plans’ Problems and Vice Versa

   For some reason, when it comes to health insurance, most people seem to think either private plans in competition are best or a government option, like Medicare, is preferable. Few seem to recognize the benefits of the coexistence of private and public alternatives.

   http://newsatjama.jama.com/2012/06/21/jama-forum-how-medicare-solves-private-plans-problems-and-vice-versa/

   In fact, each plan type can help the other perform better than it would have if it were the only option. So, please enjoy this essay by colleague Austin Frakt PhD.

   Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA CMP™
   http://www.CertifiedMedicalPlanner.org

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3. Ann Miller RN MHA, on August 21, 2012 at 4:34 PM said:

   Medicare Website Redesign Complete

   A redesign of the medicare.gov website is now complete, making content more accessible and easier for beneficiaries, their families, and caregivers to understand.

   Today’s redesign, announced by Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Acting Administrator Marilyn Tavenner, supports CMS’s commitment to provide better customer service.

   The new site will allow most users to find the content they’re looking for directly from the home page. These features include:

   • A search for whether a specific test, item, or service is covered under original Medicare;
   • The ability to get customized information based on a beneficiary’s specific situation;
   • Quick links to replace a lost Medicare card, find a Medicare Advantage or prescription drug plan, and get help with healthcare costs.

   Ann Miller RN MHA
   via PMNews #4,546

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4. Sandy, on October 25, 2012 at 8:49 PM said:

   A major change is coming to Medicare

   A new lawsuit settlement will [may] end a Medicare policy that deprives chronically ill people of needed care.

   http://money.msn.com/health-and-life-insurance/article.aspx?post=4b6eafb1-26bb-484a-8f45-fb16fe92aec4

   Here’s the Medicare rule most folks didn’t even know existed until a lawsuit settlement dealt it a death blow last week. Medicare will not pay for skilled nursing care or therapy for patients who are not expected to get better.

   http://news.yahoo.com/landmark-medicare-settlement-could-change-lives-185613705.html

   Sandy

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5. Sandy, on December 5, 2012 at 10:55 AM said:

   Hiking Medicare Age Opposed by Left, Right

   Proposals to increase the eligibility age for Medicare drew fire from across the political spectrum during a Washington meeting of some debt negotiation leaders. Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT), chairman of the powerful Finance Committee, said during the Fix the Debt Conference that he favored targeting the growth in healthcare costs instead of “shifting costs to seniors.”

   Neera Tanden, president of the liberal Center for American Progress, agreed with Edmund Haislmaier, a senior research fellow at the conservative Heritage Foundation, that increasing the Medicare eligibility age would just shift the cost of their care to other systems. Tanden said employers would cover much of the shifted cost, while Haislmaier expected a cost shift to younger and healthier buyers in coming health insurance exchanges.

   Source: Rich Daly, Modern Healthcare [12/4/12]

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6. Janine, on December 10, 2012 at 4:42 PM said:

   Possible Medicare Changes

   Are these on the horizon?

   http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2012/12/10/five-ways-raising-eligibility-could-change-medicare/

   Janine

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7. Ann Miller RN MHA, on December 12, 2012 at 12:07 PM said:

   Of Medicare Age

   Did you know [think] raising the Medicare age of eligibility will make seniors pay more for their Medicare? An essay be Austin Frakt PhD:

   http://theincidentaleconomist.com/wordpress/did-you-know-raising-the-medicare-age-of-eligibility-will-make-seniors-pay-more-for-their-medicare/

   Ann Miller RN MHA

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8. Sandy, on July 28, 2014 at 6:43 PM said:

   Medicare hospital fund to last 4 years longer

   Medicare’s finances are looking brighter, the government said recently. The program’s giant hospital trust fund won’t be exhausted until 2030 – four years later than last year’s estimate.

   http://money.msn.com/business-news/article.aspx?feed=AP&date=20140728&id=17810736

   Meanwhile, Social Security’s massive retirement program will remain solvent until 2034, although disability benefits are in more immediate danger.

   Sandy

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9. Ann Miller RN MHA, on July 16, 2016 at 3:33 AM said:

   Medicare UPDATE 2016: MACRA Could Be Delayed

   CMS Acting Administrator Andy Slavitt told lawmakers that the agency is considering delaying the start date for Medicare payment reform, which is set to go into effect Jan 1, 2017.

   Testifying before the Senate Finance Committee, Slavitt said the CMS is concerned that some physicians, particularly at small practices, may not be ready for the changes under the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act that replaced the much-maligned sustainable growth-rate formula.

   Several medical groups, including the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Family Physicians, and the Medical Group Management Association, have encouraged the CMS to delay MACRA.

   In his opening testimony, Slavitt said the CMS is open to alternative measures that will achieve the agency’s objectives, which include patient participation and reducing reporting burdens for practices.

   Source: Shannon Muchmore, Modern Healthcare [7/13/16]

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