Years ago, policymakers created a payment formula for Medicare designed to make small adjustments every year to cut costs. As deadlines for pay cuts loomed, Congress passed short-term fixes to delay the cuts. Now physicians are facing a 23 percent cut in Medicare reimbursement rates starting December 1, and groups like the American Medical Association are urging Congress to delay the cut. The Associated Press features a cancer surgeon who tells her story. Neither Democrats nor newly … [Read more...] about Doctors Urge Medicare Cut Delay
Search Results for: baby boom
Physician Shortage Soars
According to American Medical News, the physician shortage is expected to grow to 91,500 over the next 10 years. Reasons include the growing contingent of baby boomers who'll need care, including long term care, and the expansion of health care to cover millions more Americans. An excerpt: To counter shortages, the [Association of American Medical Colleges] work force projections is urging federal officials to lift limits on Medicare funding for residency positions, which have been capped … [Read more...] about Physician Shortage Soars
Texas Doctors Dropping Medicare at ‘Alarming’ Rate
The primary care physician shortage in the U.S. is well documented. The health care reform law will increase pressure on these doctors as it goes into effect. Add this to news that more doctors are opting out of Medicaid and Medicare, and the situation appears critical. According to the Houston Chronicle, doctors in Texas are essentially fleeing Medicare. The program provides health insurance coverage to people age 65 and older and those who meet certain criteria. Because of lower … [Read more...] about Texas Doctors Dropping Medicare at ‘Alarming’ Rate
Are Doctors Dropping Medicare Patients?
In the past month, we've blogged about the travails of doctors, especially primary care physicians. As doctors reduce patient loads and medical students opt to specialize to earn more money, the primary care physicians shortage will only grow. The American Academy of Family Physicians said there will be 40,000 fewer such doctors in 10 years. The group predicts 160,000 fewer primary care doctors by 2025. One solution to the impending shortage is to increase residency positions at teaching … [Read more...] about Are Doctors Dropping Medicare Patients?
Recession and Nursing Facilities
How is the recession affecting nursing facilities? According to the Associated Press, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services cut Medicare rates to nursing facilities (NFs) by $16 billion over 10 years. These facilities can expect more cuts if President Barack Obama's health care reform bill becomes law. American Health Care Association (AHCA) president and CEO Bruce Yarwood said, "As health reform deliberations continue, we respectfully urge lawmakers to keep in mind that any … [Read more...] about Recession and Nursing Facilities
Medicare Fraud Strike Force in Texas
According to the Houston Chronicle, there's a federal Medicare fraud strike force on the loose in Texas. The article highlights a number of Houston-area clinics committing Medicare fraud. Medicare fraud in the U.S. last year totaled $2.35 billion. There were 575 health fraud criminal actions and 342 civil actions filed. The task force has reduced identification of Medicare fraud from months to days, thanks to improved technology. Justice Department spokeswoman Melissa Schwartz said, "There … [Read more...] about Medicare Fraud Strike Force in Texas
Primary Care Physician Shortage
The shortage of nurses in the United States is well documented. As baby boom-generation nurses retire and others leave the profession because of burn-out, the shortage will continue to increase. What is not discussed as often in mainstream press is the shortage of physicians. The shortage of primary care doctors will have the most impact on people without insurance and people who'll need long term care, such as older Americans. Because a medical education is so expensive, many are opting to … [Read more...] about Primary Care Physician Shortage
Obama Seeks to Rein in “Entitlement” Medicaid
Hospitals Entice Nurses With Improved Working Conditions
The Kaiser Network wrote about a Washington Post story on how hospitals are dealing with nursing shortages. While nurses can command top salaries because of shortages, some providers are luring them by streamlining paperwork, implementing technology, and giving nurses more authority. Hospitals have figured out that financial incentives and perks have unintended consequences. Some nurses work long enough to collect the money and perks, then leave. An excerpt: Inova Fairfax recently … [Read more...] about Hospitals Entice Nurses With Improved Working Conditions
Senator Herb Kohl on the Aging of America
Senator Herb Kohl, chairman of the Senate Special Committee on Aging, writes about how the aging of baby boomers will affect society in the Senior Journal. In about 25 years, people over 65 will account for 20 percent of the American population, as opposed to 12 percent at present. The focus of insurers, health care providers, manufacturers, retailers, marketing companies, politicians, etc., will shift more heavily toward this segment of society. Kohl writes: Nearly every issue dealt … [Read more...] about Senator Herb Kohl on the Aging of America
