Podcast
Medicare Minutes
Hosted by Matt Shepard · EN
Useful Information about Medicare and Health Care from the Center for Medicare Advocacy
10episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Medicare Basics:<br>Preventive Services… from A to G
Feb 1, 201200:07:51Tap to summarizeThis month on Medicare Minutes we will look at some of the preventive services covered by Medicare Part B. We will talk in detail about the services alphabetically from A to G, and next month we will examine the rest.
Transcribe →What If I Missed the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period?
Dec 12, 201100:09:33Tap to summarizeOn the December 2011 edition of Medicare Minutes, we will discuss some options for those who may have missed this year's Medicare annual enrollment period. Don't fear... you may still be able to enroll or change plans.
Transcribe →When Is a Hospital Stay Not a Hospital Stay? The Problem of "Observation Status"
Nov 9, 201100:09:08Tap to summarizeOne condition for Medicare payment for skilled nursing facility care is that a beneficiary be a hospital inpatient for at least three days before admission to the skilled nursing facility. A primary concern among advocates has been that time in observation status and in the emergency room was not counted by the Medicare program as part of an inpatient hospital stay, even when that time was followed by a beneficiary's formal admission to the hospital as an inpatient. Recently, however, a new and greater concern has arisen. Beneficiaries throughout the country report that their entire stays in a hospital, including stays as long as 14 days, are classified by the hospital as "outpatient observation".
Transcribe →Updates on the Medicare Improvement Standard
Oct 11, 201100:07:11Tap to summarizeAs we have discussed previously previous Podcasts, people with chronic conditions and long-term illnesses are often denied Medicare coverage because they supposedly: Will not improve, or Need "maintenance services only," or Have "plateaued", or Are "chronic and stable". These reasons are referred to as the Medicare "Improvement Standard." Medicare is often the only insurance for this population, so, unfortunately, Medicare coverage denials can result in the loss of necessary health care. And we are trying to end it.
Transcribe →Medicare Facts and Fiction
Sep 13, 201100:03:10Tap to summarizeCongress continues to propose Medicare changes that will have bad consequences for beneficiaries and their families. Policymakers and pundits are feeding the media and the public false information about Medicare. The simple truth is that Medicare works… and it costs LESS than private insurance.
Transcribe →Medicaid Matters!
Jul 21, 201100:04:11Tap to summarizeObviously here at Medicare Minutes we talk a lot about Medicare and its importance to so many of our country's older and disabled people. Something people might overlook, though, is that the MediCAID program is equally important. And Medicaid matters to Medicare beneficiaries, too.
Transcribe →Real Solutions for Financing Medicare and Reducing the Deficit
Jun 27, 201100:04:11Tap to summarizeIt seems like Congress has a lot of trouble understanding that there are some solid, manageable solutions that would actually protect Medicare coverage while still reducing costs to taxpayers. And this month on Medicare Minutes, we're going to highlight a half dozen of them for you.
Transcribe →Medicare Secondary Payer Issues
May 12, 201100:04:55Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Medicare Minutes we take a look at some issues surrounding the Medicare Secondary Payer (MSP) Program, which seeks to that Medicare doesn not pay for services resulting form injury that should be paid for by another source. For more information on the MSP program, see our topic page, http://www.medicareadvocacy.org/medicare-info/medicare-secondary-payer-program.
Transcribe →25 years of Advocacy, and Hope for 25 More
Apr 29, 201100:04:47Tap to summarizeIn April 2011, the Center for Medicare Advocacy celebrates 25 years of advocating for, and on behalf of, older people and people with disabilities who rely on Medicare. And despite constant challenges, there is reason to be hopeful for Medicare's future.
Transcribe →Disenrollment Period for Medicare Advantage Ends February 14th
Feb 8, 201100:04:31Tap to summarizeAre you unhappy with your Medicare Advantage plan? You have until February 14th to do something about it!
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