Medicare

Physicians have historically been uncomfortable initiating conversations about end-of-life care with their patients. Such communication requires tact, sensitivity and, of course, time. In 2016, however, physicians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants were given the authority to bill Medicare to conduct these challenging discussions, thus allowing providers to carve out discreet time…

Most seniors rely on Medicare to pay for their medical care. But for some 10 million low income seniors, help for medical costs also comes from Medicaid. With Medicaid coverage, such seniors receive assistance with not only small, out-of-pocket medical expenses but also the major costs of long-term nursing home…

In this era of alternative facts, it’s hard to know where to find accurate, straightforward information, especially about the state of our health care system. Tensions are high right now as we face the potential repeal of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). You may not realize it, but whether and…

With repeal of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) as agenda item #1 in the new Congress, many may mistakenly assume that if they do not currently get insurance through the exchanges, they will not be affected. That is a wrong assumption. Repeal of the ACA will have massive impact throughout…

The election of Donald Trump and the Republican control of the House and Senate will likely have tremendous consequences for legislation signed into law over the coming years. Speaker Paul Ryan has made no secret of his desire to make significant changes to Medicare. But according to a recent article…

Most of us have a basic sense of what Medicare is: health insurance for older people. But the components of Medicare, and the expanse of its coverage, are often more complicated than beginners realize.  Different parts, different enrollment options, some things covered, some things not- an array of terms that…