Medicare & Aging
Trump Administration Sinks Teeth Into Paring Down Drug Prices, On 5 Key Points
Sarah Jane Tribble
Instead of waiting for congressional action, federal regulators are looking at a series of actions to spur competition and drive down the cost of medicines.
Medicare To Overhaul ACOs But Critics Fear Less Participation
Phil Galewitz
The moves could lead to a dramatic decrease in hospitals and doctors participating in the program, industry officials said.
Pharmacy-Made Pain Creams Flagged On Fears Of Medicare Fraud And Risk
Julie Appleby
Inspector general identifies possible problems in nearly 23 percent of pharmacies that bill Medicare for blended creams, gels and lotions.
How Genetic Tests Muddy Your Odds Of Getting A Long-Term-Care Policy
Michelle Andrews
Federal law bars insurers from using these test results for health coverage, but they can influence whether you get a plan covering long-term care.
Some Doctors, Patients Balk At Medicare’s ‘Flat Fee’ Payment Proposal
Martha Bebinger, WBUR
The Trump administration says its plan to overhaul the way Medicare pays doctors will save physicians time and paperwork. But critics worry the changes will hurt patients' care and doctors' income.
Missed Visits, Uncontrolled Pain And Fraud: Report Says Hospice Lacks Oversight
Melissa Bailey
A new government watchdog report outlines vulnerabilities in Medicare's $17 billion hospice program, pointing to inadequate services, inappropriate billing and outright fraud.
1,400 Nursing Homes Get Lower Medicare Ratings Because Of Staffing Concerns
Jordan Rau and Elizabeth Lucas
Medicare said those homes either lacked a registered nurse for “a high number of days” over three months, provided data the government couldn’t verify or didn’t supply their payroll data at all.
Medicare Reconsiders Paying For Seniors’ Spine Operations At Surgery Centers
Christina Jewett
After a USA Today Network-Kaiser Health News investigation, Medicare announced last week that it is re-evaluating whether these procedures “pose a significant safety risk” to patients.
How Soon Is Soon Enough To Learn You Have Alzheimer’s?
Alex Smith, KCUR
Only about half of people with Alzheimer's symptoms get a diagnosis, partly out of fear of an incurable decline, doctors suspect. But Jose Belardo says facing the future allows him to plan for it.
No Gaps In Understanding: Here’s Your Primer On Medigap Coverage
Judith Graham
Seniors often don’t realize that private insurers are required to offer Medigap policies, or supplemental insurance, only when people first sign up for Medicare.
Hurricane Maria Still Taking A Toll On Puerto Rico’s Seniors
KHN senior correspondent Sarah Varney reports on the challenges of providing health care to older people on the island.
A Hospital’s Human Touch: Why Taking Care In Discharging A Patient Matters
Judith Graham
Patients and caregivers often feel abandoned and lose trust in health care professionals when they sense a lack of caring during transitions. With it, they feel better able to handle concerns and act on their doctors’ recommendations.
Support Circle: Family Caregivers Share Stories And Tips To Ease Alzheimer’s Toll
Blake Farmer, Nashville Public Radio
As the number of people with Alzheimer's climbs, so does the number of loved ones caring for them. The health of 16 million unpaid U.S. caregivers has become a focus for Alzheimer's advocacy groups.
Feel Like The Last Friend Standing? Here’s How To Cultivate New Buds As You Age.
Bruce Horovitz
Seniors who outlive their friends — and sometimes family members — know it’s tough to make new friends. But they also know it’s essential to well-being.
Geriatric Assessments Could Fine-Tune Cancer Care For Older Adults
Judith Graham
The American Society of Clinical Oncology issued a new guideline that recommends adults 65 and older receive a geriatric assessment when considering or undergoing chemotherapy.
Unlocked And Loaded: Families Confront Dementia And Guns
JoNel Aleccia and Melissa Bailey and Heidi de Marco and Frank Carlson, PBS NewsHour and Randall Hill
As more Americans are diagnosed with dementia, families who have firearms struggle with ways to stay safe. A KHN investigation uncovered dozens of cases of deaths and injuries.
Worried About Grandpa’s Guns? Here’s What You Can Do.
JoNel Aleccia and Melissa Bailey
When a loved one gets dementia, many families get no guidance on what to do about that person's guns. Here are legal and practical steps to stay safe.