Estate Recovery: Sections 1902(a)(18) and 1917(b)(1) of the Act require States to pursue estate recovery when a Medicaid beneficiary received medical assistance under the State plan: 1) in cases where a lien has been imposed under the State’s lien authority, and 2) for recipients age 55 and over, who received nursing facility services, home and community-based services, or related hospital and prescription drug services. States may optionally seek recovery to pay for costs of other approved State plan services provided to those 55 and over, except Medicare cost sharing paid on behalf of Medicare Savings Program beneficiaries on or after…
In April 2011, as part of its 2012 budget resolution, the U.S. House included a proposal to reduce Medicare spending by transforming the program into a system sometimes called "premium support" or vouchers. Such an approach also has been a central element of other proposals by national leaders seeking to reduce the federal deficit and national debt. This Kaiser Family Foundation brief reviews the evolution of the premium support concept, examines key policy decisions and issues that would affect its impact, and considers the implications for both Medicare and beneficiaries' out-of-pocket spending. It looks at several key issues, including…
As we and our loved ones age, we put a lot of effort (and resources) into making sure a hospital bed is available when needed. New research shows that while that hospital bed may sometimes be necessary, getting up and out of it as quickly as possible is key to recovery. As it turns out, the hospital bed is a huge contributor to old-age infirmity, as studies prove that bed-rest and immobility slow healing and stunt recuperation. A recent New York Times column, “The New Old Age” covered the results of a study conducted by University of Texas physician, Dr….
A national Medicaid study projects Maryland's Medicaid program underfunds the actual cost of providing skilled nursing care by $64.8 million annually. Maryland's long-term care leaders today expressed deep concern for the impact potential further cuts to Medicaid would have on the state's poor and elderly. "The gap between the actual cost of providing skilled nursing and rehabilitation care and what Medicaid pays continues to widen," warned Joseph DeMattos, president of the Health Facilities Association of Maryland (HFAM). "Our lawmakers in Annapolis must carefully consider the substantial shortfall in funding that long-term care providers are already operating in when making…
In this article, MarketWatch’s Robert Powell takes on the problems and the hype surrounding Social Security and Medicare, as well as what they mean to you. The article first moves to cut through the media-created frenzy and outline some of the reasons why the situation isn’t so bad and that it’s important not to panic (you may also want to read a related article on retirement fears, also from MarketWatch: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/dont-let-fear-ruin-your-retirement-2011-05-23.) A few of the tips: continue working at least until your full retirement age, or to age 70 if possible, keep your skills up to date, and be sure…
Who knew that question would even be asked, let alone become so politically charged? The popular media today frightens people with blaring headlines that Social Security is bankrupt, and you are unlikely to receive a dime … countered by reassuring comments that the system has a multi-trillion-dollar surplus. So – which is it? Is Social Security a pipe dream, a shell game, a bankrupt program from which you will never receive benefit? Or is it a social safety net for those whose working years are over? A recent Morningstar article tries to answer those questions, and provides insight as to…
If you have an elderly loved one living in a nursing home, especially if they suffer from dementia, you may want to double-check their prescription medications. A recent government audit on Medicare spending shows some rather alarming practices in regard to the use of powerful atypical antipsychotic drugs. As The New York Times reports, nearly 1 in 7 nursing home patients, nearly all of them with dementia, are given powerful antipsychotic drugs even though the drugs are not approved for such use and are known to increase the risk of death, especially in patients with dementia. Ostensibly, the purpose of…
If you were counting on tapping the equity in your home to help finance your retirement, you may have reason to worry. A recent issue of SmartMoney points out, “With home prices falling for nearly five years, many American must consider what to do with their homes should prices continue to collapse and the equity in their homes, if they are still lucky enough to have any, disappears completely.” If you are a Baby Boomer with an eye toward retirement, your plans may be taking quite a beating right now. Warnings about shortfalls in social security and Medicare, rising health…
If you or a loved one are enrolled in Medicare, you might want to take advantage of some of the free preventive care screenings now available. Starting this year, seniors enrolled in Medicare no longer have to pay for more than a dozen tests and other preventive health care services. These benefits, which also include an annual wellness exam, are part of the new federal health-care law. But big crowds are not lining up for the free mammograms or colonoscopies. Why not? Well, honestly, some of the tests are unpleasant and most people would prefer not to undergo a colonoscopy…
If you (like most of us) were counting on Medicare to provide for your health care needs in retirement, it seems you may be standing on shaky ground. Medicare’s sustainability has been questioned for some time, and as the country turns toward the business of debt reduction Medicare cuts seem inevitable. The future of Medicare and Medicaid, as well as the source, quality, and type of care that seniors receive is in the hands of politicians now, so you may want to keep a weather eye on Capitol Hill. I’ve previously directed your attention to the House Republican plan for…
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