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Joe Surkiewicz: The Sunshine Folk shed light on long-term care
While most of the 25,000 residents living in Maryland’s 234 nursing homes would prefer to receive services at home, the overwhelming majority languish in institutions. That’s largely because they don’t know their options. But thanks to The SunShine Folk, that’s changing. The SunShine Folk are a group of former nursing home and state institution […]
Report: Medicare paid millions for stent implants
WASHINGTON — A Senate investigation found that Medicare spent millions of dollars for stents implanted by a Maryland doctor accused of putting them in patients who didn’t need them, according to a report released Monday. The investigation also found that the doctor was treated to an elaborate crab feast and barbecue by Abbott Labs, the […]
US recovers record $3 billion in civil fraud cases
WASHINGTON — The Justice Department has collected a record $3 billion in the last year in pursuing cases of health care fraud and other false claims against the government. Assistant Attorney General Tony West says health care fraud, an enforcement priority for the Obama administration, accounted for $2.5 billion in civil settlements and judgments in […]
Long-term care coverage: 10 questions to ask
For Americans over the age of 50, the time to consider long-term care coverage is now. Whether to buy it is a separate question that’s as individual as you are. Long-term care insurance (LTC) is generally recommended to people who can afford the premiums, who have significant assets to protect in the event of a […]
New Medicare Chief Berwick speaks out against rationing
WASHINGTON — The nation’s health system can’t be transformed by rationing medical care, President Barack Obama’s new Medicare chief said Monday in his first major speech. Dr. Donald Berwick’s appointment earlier this summer without Senate confirmation was contentious because some Republicans accused him of being willing to deny care to save on costs. Since then, […[...]
More than 3M seniors may have to switch drug plans
WASHINGTON — A plan by Medicare to try to make it simpler for consumers to pick drug coverage could force 3 million seniors to switch plans next year whether they like it or not, says an independent analysis. That risks undercutting President Barack Obama’s promise that people can keep their health plans if they like […]
