Toward ‘A Beautiful Death’
An interview with Consumer Reports’ Nancy Metcalf, author of a new guide to end-of-life planning.
Aging
1,001 - 1,020 of 1,300 Results
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More Scrutiny Coming For Medicare Advantage, Obamacare
Federal officials are planning a wide range of audits into billing and government spending on managed health care in the new fiscal year, ranging from private Medicare Advantage groups that treat millions of elderly to health plans rapidly expanding under the Affordable Care Act.
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California Audit Finds Backlog Of 11,000 Nursing Home Investigations
California’s public health department has failed to adequately manage investigations of nursing homes statewide, resulting in a backlog of more than 11,000 complaints, according to an audit released Thursday.
By Anna Gorman -
Disabled Vt. Senior Wins Medicare Coverage After 2nd Lawsuit
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.
By Susan Jaffe -
L.A. County Officials Demand Details On Reduced Nursing Home Penalties
The order follows a Kaiser Health News report detailing three fatal cases in which sources say recommended nursing home citations were downgraded.
By Anna Gorman -
Medicare Changes Could Limit Patient Access To ALS Communication Tools
Patient advocates say that, because of an official coverage reminder “the door is closing” for ALS patients who depend on Medicare to get speech-generation devices.
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The Lowdown On Open Enrollment For Medicare Advantage And Part D
Kaiser Health News' Julie Rovner hosted a webinar Tuesday to provide background to reporters covering Medicare Advantage and Part D issues through open enrollment and beyond.
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Disabled Vt. Senior Who Led Class Action Suit Sues Medicare — Again
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.
By Susan Jaffe -
L.A. County Officials Allegedly Reduced Penalties In 3 Nursing Home Deaths
The cases appear to flesh out an auditor’s finding in August that citations recommended by inspectors were downgraded without explanation.
By Anna Gorman -
Many Medicare Outpatients Pay More At Rural Hospitals, Federal Report Says
An investigation by the HHS inspector general says beneficiaries getting the treatments at "critical access" hospitals pay between two and six times more than those at other hospitals.
By Jordan Rau -
Turning 65? 9 Tips For Signing Up For Medicare
A consumer reporter shares what she learned when getting ready to join the federal health plan for seniors.
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Medicare Fines 2,610 Hospitals In Third Round Of Readmission Penalties
Although fewer patients are now returning to the hospital within a month, the fines reached a record level this year.
By Jordan Rau -
Medicare Open Enrollment Is Fast Approaching — Here’s What We Know So Far
Kaiser Health News consumer columnist gives readers some basic information to help them weigh their Medicare options.
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Many Rural Hospitals Are Excluded From Government’s Push For Better Quality
A quarter of the nation's hospitals are exempt from penalties, quality bonuses and other payment reforms.
By Jordan Rau -
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Too Many People Die In Hospital Instead Of Home. Here’s Why.
Surveys show Americans would prefer not to die in a hospital. Yet, in New York City, the majority of people do. But the "why" is not simple - a variety of of factors create this culture.
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Dying In America Is Harder Than It Has To Be, IOM Says
Comprehensive report on end-of-life care says both medicine and society need to change "to make those final days better."
By Jenny Gold -
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You’re Being Observed In The Hospital? Patients With Private Insurance Better Off Than Seniors
Among the most significant difference is that patient with their own insurance don't face the same danger of losing nursing home coverage.
By Susan Jaffe