Doctors’ House Calls Saving Money For Medicare

KFF Health News Original

A pilot project in which doctors provide primary care at home for very frail Medicare beneficiaries saved $25 million in 2014, and nine of the 14 practices participating earned bonuses totaling nearly $12 million.

When Medicare Advantage Drops Doctors, Some Members Can Switch Plans

KFF Health News Original

In the past eight months, Medicare officials have quietly granted the special enrollment periods to more than 15,000 Medicare Advantage members in seven states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

Buying Supplemental Insurance Can Be Hard For Younger Medicare Beneficiaries

KFF Health News Original

Congress left it to states to determine whether private Medigap plans are sold to the more than 9 million disabled people younger than 65 who qualify for Medicare. The result: rules vary across the country.

Hospitals Step Up To Help Seniors Avoid Falls

KFF Health News Original

Falls are the leading cause of injuries for adults older than 65, but they don’t have to happen. A number of new initiatives are designed to make seniors stronger and less likely to take a tumble.

Want A Good Laugh? Head To The Hospital

KFF Health News Original

Across the country, hospitals are offering seniors social activities and other benefits to help them stay healthy and out of the hospital, while also encouraging them to come back to visit.

Officials Weigh Options To Hold Down Medicare Costs For Hospice

KFF Health News Original

Under Medicare’s hospice benefit, patients agree to forgo curative treatment, but they can continue to receive coverage for health problems not related to their terminal illness. Federal officials suspect some of those expenses should be covered by hospice.

Seniors’ Wait For A Medicare Appeal Is Cut In Half

KFF Health News Original

Federal officials handle most of the requests in 2014 from beneficiaries seeking a hearing before a judge and cut into the heavy backlog. But cases from hospitals, doctors and other providers are still on hold.

Disabled Vt. Senior Wins Medicare Coverage After 2nd Lawsuit

KFF Health News Original

On Wednesday, Medicare officials agreed to pay for Glenda Jimmo’s home health care, reversing an earlier denial that said she didn’t qualify for coverage because she was not improving.

Disabled Vt. Senior Who Led Class Action Suit Sues Medicare — Again

KFF Health News Original

The landmark settlement was supposed to be a victory for Medicare beneficiaries with chronic conditions and disabilities who had been denied coverage for skilled care because they didn’t meet “the improvement standard” — meaning they were unlikely to improve. But when Glenda Jimmo was denied coverage this spring for that same reason, her lawyers filed a second lawsuit.