Medicare & Aging
Leaving Hospital, Older Patients Resist Home Help At Their Peril
By Judith Graham
Almost 30 percent of patients leaving the hospital don’t want home health care services, which often leads to readmissions and other health issues.
Feds To Waive Penalties For Some Who Signed Up Late For Medicare
By Susan Jaffe
People who were using marketplace plans instead of Medicare may qualify for the reprieve. They have until Sept. 30 to apply.
Out Of Work And Looking For Insurance: COBRA May Be The Best Bet For Now
By Michelle Andrews
With lots of questions about the 2018 insurance market still in play, someone who is between jobs might want to stick with their job-based insurance at least until the outlines of the health law’s marketplaces are clear in the fall.
California’s Aid-In-Dying Law Turns 1, But Not All Doctors Have Adopted It
By Stephanie O'Neill
At least 500 terminally ill Californians have asked for the medicine that allows them to end their lives, and nearly 500 health organizations have signed on to help.
They’ve Still Got Bucket Lists — In Their 90s
By Bruce Horovitz
One flew a plane at 97; the other went to college at 92. But these two friends are proudest of their legacies of kindness.
Caring For A Loved One? Care For Yourself, Too
By Emily Bazar
Tending to somebody you love who has a debilitating condition can be physically and emotionally overwhelming. Here are some tips and resources to help you stay strong.
Putting In Place An A-Team Of Allies
By Judith Graham
Older adults who face an uncertain future reach out to trusted friends to guide them.
Two Medicare Advantage Insurers Settle Whistleblower Lawsuit For $32 Million
By Fred Schulte
Freedom Health and Optimum HealthCare agreed to settle a lawsuit alleging they overbilled Medicare.
Drug Rebates Reward Industry Players — And Often Hurt Patients
By Sarah Jane Tribble
A new JAMA study examines how drug rebates can direct money to middlemen and force Medicare patients to cough up more money.
Target Of Medicare Insider Trading Case Boasted He Was Unstoppable ‘Beast’
By Christina Jewett and Melissa Bailey
Prosecutors say hedge-fund traders made millions trading on information leaked from Medicare.
Influx Of Elderly Patients Forces ER To Practice Comfort Care
By Melissa Bailey
Despite a culture clash and lack of time and training, ER doctors see how palliative care averts suffering for elderly patients with serious illnesses.
Like Hunger Or Thirst, Loneliness In Seniors Can Be Eased
By Judith Graham
About a third of older adults feel lonely, but learning better ways to engage with others and improve relationships can help them avoid such feelings.
UnitedHealth Doctored Medicare Records, Overbilled U.S. By $1 Billion, Feds Claim
By Fred Schulte
The company, which is the nation’s largest Medicare Advantage operator, denies wrongdoing and argues that the Justice Department “fundamentally misunderstands” how Medicare Advantage works.
CMS Gives States Until 2022 To Meet Medicaid Standards Of Care
By Phil Galewitz
The Trump administration has given states three more years to meet federal standards aimed at helping elderly and disabled Medicaid enrollees receive services without being forced to go into nursing homes.
Medicare Failed To Investigate Suspicious Infection Cases From 96 Hospitals
By Christina Jewett
The HHS inspector general’s office found that Medicare should have done an in-depth review of suspicious or aberrant infection reports from scores of hospitals.
‘Boot Camp’ Helps Alzheimer’s, Dementia Caregivers Take Care Of Themselves, Too
By Anna Gorman
Free, daylong sessions run by UCLA teach caregivers how to keep their loved ones safe and engaged, while minimizing the stress in their own lives. Similar programs exist in other states.
Drug Coverage Denied By Medicare? How Seniors Can Fight Back
By Judith Graham
Senior citizens have to be patient and keep close records to appeal when Medicare plans refuse to cover their medicines.
Volunteers Help Ombudsmen Give Nursing Home Residents ‘A Voice’ In Their Care
By Susan Jaffe
Ombudsman's offices represent long-term care residents on issues such as admissions and discharges, food, physical environment and abuse.
Exodus By Puerto Rican Medical Students Deepens Island’s Doctor Drain
By Carmen Heredia Rodriguez
Interest in medical schools is high in Puerto Rico, but many students look to the U.S. mainland for residencies because of higher pay and the commonwealth's declining economy. The migration of young talent is both a symptom and an exacerbation of the island’s medical woes.
Drugmakers Dramatically Boosted Lobbying Spending In Trump’s First Quarter
By Sydney Lupkin
With high drug prices creating widespread controversy, top pharmaceutical companies and their trade group vastly increased their lobbying spending on Capitol Hill.