Medicare and Aging: Nov. 30, 2022

An Unexplained Injury Discovered After Eye Surgery. What Should Happen Next?
By Fred Clasen-Kelly Some doctors and medical practices voluntarily give rebates on a bill if an injury occurs during a procedure, while others will not, an expert says. Here’s how patients can respond.

Audits — Hidden Until Now — Reveal Millions in Medicare Advantage Overcharges
By Fred Schulte and Holly K. Hacker Taxpayers had to foot the bills for care that should have cost far less, according to records released after KHN filed a lawsuit under the Freedom of Information Act. The government may seek to recover up to $650 million as a result.

Medicare Plan Finder Likely Won’t Note New $35 Cap on Out-of-Pocket Insulin Costs
By Susan Jaffe In August, Congress approved a $35 cap on what seniors will pay for insulin, but that change came too late to add to the online tool that helps Medicare beneficiaries compare dozens of drug and medical plans. Federal officials say beneficiaries who use insulin will have the opportunity to switch plans after open enrollment ends Dec. 7.

Should Older Seniors Risk Major Surgery? New Research Offers Guidance
By Judith Graham An important new study offers much-needed data to inform older Americans of the risks and benefits they must weigh when facing major surgery.

Sick Profit: Investigating Private Equity’s Stealthy Takeover of Health Care Across Cities and Specialties
By Fred Schulte Private equity firms have shelled out almost $1 trillion to acquire nearly 8,000 health care businesses, in deals almost always hidden from federal regulators. The result: higher prices, lawsuits, and complaints about care.

Haven’t Seen Your Doctor in a Few Years? You May Need to Find a New One
By Michelle Andrews Some primary care physicians will drop seldom-seen patients. That’s a particular problem for those who postponed doctor visits during the pandemic.

Supreme Court to Hear Nursing Home Case That Could Affect Millions
By Farah Yousry, Side Effects Public Media An Indiana man's family sued a state-owned nursing home for alleged mistreatment. A U.S. Supreme Court decision in the case could determine the right of many Americans to sue government agencies.

Homelessness Among Older People Is on the Rise, Driven by Inflation and the Housing Crunch
By Aaron Bolton, MTPR In Montana and across the nation, homeless shelters are reporting that people older than 60 are a growing proportion of their populations.

Rural Colorado Tries to Fill Health Worker Gaps With Apprenticeships
By Kate Ruder A Grand Junction program is training and retaining nurse and personal care aides in areas where the aging population is creating a need for them. But challenges remain for these workers.

¿Deberían los adultos mayores someterse a cirugías invasivas? Nueva investigación ofrece guía
By Judith Graham Casi 1 de cada 7 adultos mayores muere dentro del año después de someterse a una cirugía mayor, según un nuevo estudio que arroja luz sobre los riesgos que enfrentan las personas mayores cuando tienen procedimientos invasivos.

¿No has visto a tu médico en años? Es posible que tengas que buscar un nuevo doctor
By Michelle Andrews Muchas personas han estado postergando citas médicas, en especial durante la pandemia de covid, sin saber que corren el riesgo de perder a su doctor.