Overview of meeting CMS deadlines by Director Rebecca Hilgendorf
Oct. 16, 2009 — Alaskas Division of Senior and Disabilities Services met a major benchmark for improvement of its four Medicaid waiver programs by a Oct. 15 deadline when staff completed overdue needs re-assessments for program participants.
Categories: Medicare And Medicaid Tags: deadlines, Director, Hilgendorf, meeting, Overview, Rebecca
Guidelines to Buy Health Plans in California
When looking to buy health insurance in California, there are many things that a consumer needs to take care. Right from discussing your medical care needs with your family members or colleagues, it i…
Health Insurance
Categories: Insurance News Tags: California, Guidelines, health, Plans
How to Read Music…In One Evening!
Why take months to learn how to read music when you can do it in 3 or 4 hours? When you learn the 3 elements of music — melody, rhythm, & harmony — then combine them into a song, it all makes sense. You wont be great right away, but youll be rolling.
How to Read Music…In One Evening!
Categories: Social Security Tags: Evening, Music…In, Read
Lastest Pension auctions
Pension on eBay:
Gruss aus Platte bei Wiesbaden 1897 Forsthaus Gasthof Pension Germany Postcard
 | US $9.39 (6 Bids) End Date: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 7:48:48 PST Bid now | Add to watch list |
Civil War, U. S. Pension Office Veterans, Pensions cm51
 | US $11.99 End Date: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 7:56:20 PST Buy It Now for only: US $11.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
Funny “Medicare Breast Enhancement” T-Shirt Obamacare
Some recent medicare auctions on eBay:
RARE LOT ACTOR MICHAEL DOUGLAS WALL STREET GORDON GEKKO MONEY HEALTH MEDICARE NR
 | US $3.98 (0 Bid) End Date: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 22:25:00 PST Buy It Now for only: US $5.98 Bid now | Buy it now | Add to watch list |
CCH Medicare & Medicaid Benefits 2011 CCH Editorial Sta
 | US $63.82 End Date: Wednesday Feb-08-2012 2:20:37 PST Buy It Now for only: US $63.82 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
Most popular Retirement Age auctions
Some recent retirement age auctions on eBay:
1976 Press Photo Gray Panthers Protest Retirement Age
 | US $14.88 End Date: Monday Feb-06-2012 22:26:21 PST Buy It Now for only: US $14.88 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
NIB, Discontinued & Retired FIRE HELICOPTER # 7206, 342 pcs, Ages 5-12
 | US $35.98 (0 Bid) End Date: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 19:07:24 PST Bid now | Add to watch list |
Categories: Retirement Age Tags: Auctions, Most, popular, Retirement
Will Medicare Supplement Insurance React to Medicare’s New Cost Cuts?
If you think there’s no hope for bringing health care costs down, think again. Cutting waste in Medicare and preserving it to help seniors for many years to come has been addressed with a new system of competitive bidding.
This change addresses the cost of common medical equipment and supplies that are used to help seniors get the care they need to stay at home, such as diabetic supplies, oxygen equipment and wheelchairs. According to multiple government reports, the fee-based system used in Medicare to pay for such medical equipment for home use not only inflates costs, but is also subject to fraud.
Cutting Costs Nationwide by One-third
Nationwide, the new bidding system is projected to cut costs by an average 32 percent. It’s anticipated that the average savings will be even greater in Florida with a reduction of 34 percent in Central Florida and 35 percent in Southern Florida. These savings can benefit not only seniors, but taxpayers as well. Here’s one specific example: In Central Florida, the cost of an oxygen concentrator averages about $ 173.17 monthly. That could drop to $ 115 a month, but remember that reductions may vary depending on the kind of equipment or supplies as well as by the location. With greater reductions expected in Florida, the $ 127.12 average cost of a hospital bed for a month could fall to just $ 85.79.
Nine Florida metro areas are scheduled to participate in the new bidding system next year, but expansion to many other regions is planned. Once this system spreads across the nation, it’s estimated to save approximately $ 17 billion in a single decade, according to Medicare deputy administrator Jonathan Blum.
Will Medicare Supplement Plans Change?
These and similar savings are anticipated in 2011 unless the industry succeeds in efforts to kill the new bidding system. U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek is trying to stop the bidding system before it gets started. Despite his support in the House, attempts to block the savings are going nowhere in the Senate.
With such drastic reductions in the cost of medical equipment and supplies, the Medicare Supplement industry may feel governmental and public pressure to either lower premiums or expand benefits. After all, if Medicare supplemental insurance spends less in equipment and supplies costs, why not pass at least some of the savings back to “valued” customers?
And the Winner Is…
Medical equipment and supply companies have already submitted bids, and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services are evaluating which winning bidders will be offered contract proposals. Their final decision will come in September so it may take a while to see whether this system will produce lower premiums or increased benefits among Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans.
There’s also the possibility that companies not awarded contracts will succeed in lobbying Congress to thwart the savings. With Medicare already running on empty, that seems like a long shot. Historically, humanity has shown a tendency to ignore reality right up to the bitter end, but with repeated projections that Medicare wasn’t sustainable for the baby boomers generation, corporate America may be forced to compromise.
Don’t Miss Beneficial Changes
This new bidding system, the coming healthcare reform changes and the aging U.S. population may all have an impact on Medicare Supplement Insurance in coming years. One way to stay on top of this and be sure to get the advantage of lower premiums and/or expanded coverage is to request an annual review of these plans.
Agents offer annual reviews to customers and websites make comparing Medigap Plans quick and easy. In the long run, it pays to shop around when your health makes changing plans simple. Compare new plans as they come to market on a regular basis, and you’re more likely to find better values and save more of your hard-earned retirement assets.
By Wiley Long – President, MedigapAdvisors.com – The nation’s leading independent agency specializing in Medigap Plans. Let our MediGap advisors show you how you can save money and get the best Medicare Supplement Insurance plan for your needs.
Categories: Medicare And Medicaid Tags: Cost, Cuts, insurance, Medicare, Medicare’s, React, Supplement
Senator Sanders Unfiltered: Far From Perfect
Get weekly Senator Sanders Unfiltered episodes delivered to you on Facebook, Twitter, or email. Sign up at: sandersunfiltered.com And, be part of Senator Sanders weekly show. Submit your video question via Twitvid with #Sanders.
View full post on Medicare & Medicare Programs
Categories: Social Security Tags: from, Perfect, Sanders, Senator, Unfiltered
Lastest Medicare auctions
medicare eBay auctions you should keep an eye on:
Lot of Two Pcs Medicare Stetoscope
 | US $75.00 End Date: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 15:56:46 PST Buy It Now for only: US $75.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
SATURDAY EVENING POST May 20 1967 Treblinka Death Camp / Medicare
 | US $6.99 End Date: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 18:07:00 PST Buy It Now for only: US $6.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
Medicare Explained, 2007 Edition
 | US $1.00 End Date: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 18:55:19 PST Buy It Now for only: US $1.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
Categories: Insurance News Tags: Auctions, insurance, Latest, Mortgage
