Category: Health Insurance
Act fast if you feel you have COVID symptoms, Medicare urges
Feeling sick? If you have any COVID-19 symptoms, act fast!COVID-19 antiviral treatments can help reduce your symptoms and keep you out of the hospital, but you must take them as soon as possible.
Get help paying for prescriptions
Many Washington residents need help paying for prescription drugs. The Washington Prescription Drug Program (WPDP) offers a state-sponsored program to provide savings to Washingtonians through the ArrayRx discount card.
Most Healthplanfinder enrollees can find a cheaper plan with the same coverage—if they shop around.
Customers can save an average of $1,300 annually ($110 monthly) for the same level of coverage they’re already paying for.
Supreme Court Case Could Curtail Rights of Medicaid Patients
Twenty-two Republican-leaning states have urged the Supreme Court to block beneficiaries of federal safety net programs from suing. If the court agrees participants in many federal entitlement programs could lose the right to go to court when they believe a state, city or county has violated their rights in the administration of those programs.
Endgame: How the Visionary Hospice Movement Became a For-Profit Hustle
It might be counterintuitive to run an enterprise that is wholly dependent on clients who aren’t long for this world, but companies in the hospice business can expect some of the biggest returns for the least amount of effort of any sector in American health care. Medicare pays providers a set rate per patient per day, regardless of how much help they deliver. Since most hospice care takes place at home and nurses aren’t required to visit more than twice a month, it’s not difficult to keep overhead low and to outsource the bulk of the labor to unpaid family members — assuming that willing family members are at hand.
Many Patients Can’t Afford Health Costs Even With Insurance
Many Americans have policies that only provide limited financial protection, to the point that many patients report forgoing needed medical care or prescriptions to avoid being hit with punishing out-of-pocket costs.
In America, Cancer Patients Endure Debt on Top of Disease
Cancer kills about 600,000 people in the U.S. every year, making it a leading cause of death. Many more survive it, because of breakthroughs in medicines and therapies. But the high costs of modern-day care have left millions with a devastating financial burden. That’s forced patients and their families to make gut-wrenching sacrifices even as they confront a grave illness.
New Safeguards May Help Those Who Are Drowning in Medical Debt
Patient advocates and some state governments say hospitals must do more to help patients deal with medical bills before the debt winds up in collections.
Frustrated With Delays, Doctors Take Aim at Prior Authorization
Doctors have long asserted that prior authorization — the need to get approval from the patient’s insurer before proceeding with treatment — causes delays that can hurt patient care. Prior authorizations also exact a toll on doctors, who say the paperwork has gotten out of hand.
More States Adding Medicaid Benefit for Doula Services
Doulas are trained professionals who provide emotional, physical and educational support to women before, during and after childbirth.
Compare nursing homes with this online tool from Medicare
Whether you’re planning ahead or need to make an unexpected decision, there’s a lot to think about when choosing the right nursing home for you or your loved one. Medicare.gov makes it easy to find and compare nursing homes in your area.
Record number sign up for Affordable Care Act coverage through Washington exchange.
A record 240,000 Washingtonians signed up for 2022 coverage. This represents an increase of more than 6% over 2021.
West Virginia Sen. Manchin Takes the Teeth Out of Democrats’ Plan for Seniors’ Dental Care
Democratic Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia opposes adding dental and other benefits for Medicare beneficiaries. He says it cost the federal government too much.
Jaw Surgery at Swedish takes a $27,119 bite out of Seattle man’s budget
He thought his new insurance was like his older plan but Swedish Medical Center billed him $27,119 for a second, follow-up surgery.
At Urgent Care, He Got 5 Stitches and a Big Surprise: A Plastic Surgeon’s Bill for $1,040
Insurers often try to steer patients to urgent care and away from costly emergency rooms, but individuals could still get hit with large bills in the process.