Identity theft. It’s something most people think could never happen to them. Until it actually happens. According to nationwide surveys we’ve come across at Freedom Home Care nationwide, 26 percent of Americans have been the victim of telemarketing schemes in their lifetime. Nearly 57 percent of people over 50 years of age lose $40 billion to telemarketing fraud each year, and baby boomers are the main target for criminals who commit investment fraud. Experian Credit Bureau says reports of identity theft involving tax returns and medical care are the fastest growing cases in America. Unfortunately, individuals who defraud unsuspecting seniors
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Archives for Medicare
Four elements to how Obama plans to handle Medicare
Since the State of the Union Address last month, there has been a lot of anticipation held by members of both political parties. Republicans and Democrats have been awaiting details as to how the President plans to reform health care in America. According to a recent article published on the CNN Money website, here are a few ways in which he plans to make change: 1. Pay less for drugs: Increase the rebates the government receives for Medicare beneficiaries' medications so they are the same as the rebates given under the Medicaid program. This would save $140 billion. 2. Reduce payments
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Plan ahead for when a loved one cannot live independently
At some point in a loved one’s life, independent living may no longer be an option. When the time comes, it’s best if a plan has already been put in place to ensure that comfort levels and health are maintained. According to the Society of Actuaries, it is best to establish a care plan long before the situation arises. “Insurance coverage for long-term care covers disabilities so severe that assistance is needed with daily activities such as bathing, dressing and eating,” explain the editors of a Society of Actuaries report. “Some older policies require a nursing home only or require
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How the health care industry will be affected by the sequester
Whether it be through reductions to defense or governmental staffing, tomorrow marks the day that the sequester cuts go into effect. It is yet again an issue that has Americans – and especially retirees – quite anxious. Sources say that Medicare won’t be directly affected, however, the trickle-down affect may cause rumbles to the system. According to an article published by U.S. News, there are three key areas that are cause for health care concern: 1. Hospitals: Decreases in Medicare reimbursement for hospitals and skilled nursing facilities are set to total nearly $4.5 billion, or about $1.3 million for the
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Getting a clearer picture on the future of Medicare
Last night’s State of the Union address was full of proposals and promises for everything from job creation to gun control. The problem with an everything-but-the-kitchen-sink speech, however, is making heads or tails of it. As viewers know, President Obama devoted a fair amount of his more-than-an-hour-long address to Medicare. But many are still trying to figure out what it will all boil down to. To get a clear picture of what the future of Medicare could look like, Sarah Cliff of the Washington Post took Obama’s words and broke them down into easy-to-digest pieces. She said that there were
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Settlement enables improvements to maintenance care for chronic diseases
Medicare members and caregivers for those suffering with Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Multiple Sclerosis and other chronic diseases were applauding a federal judge’s recent decision this week. According to an article published by AARP, the approval of a proposed settlement agreement paves the way for Medicare beneficiaries to receive needed health services to maintain their current level of functioning. “The settlement, which represents a significant change in Medicare coverage rules, ends Medicare’s longstanding practice of requiring people to show a likelihood of improvement in order to receive coverage of skilled care and therapy services,” AARP explained. “The Agr write my essay eement, which
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Managing unexpected health-care costs in retirement
Preparing for retirement can be a career-long endeavor, but no matter the level of preparedness, retirees can sometimes be faced with issues that they never could have planned for. Often, those unexpected items fall under the umbrella of health-care costs and needs. For many retirees over the age of 65, Medicare is the primary source of coverage. When supplemental coverage is needed, it can often come in the form of employer plans and individual Medigap policies or HMOs. The recommendations from the Society of Actuaries, however, include other outlets that retirees can look to when faced with unexpected costs. Therefore,
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Avoiding preventable hospital readmissions
According to data provided by Medicare, nearly one in five patients who leave the hospital are readmitted within the next month. Additionally, it was revealed that 75 percent of readmissions are preventable. To try and avoid preventable readmissions, Medicare produced a checklist that patients can rely on when they are preparing to end their hospital stay. Therefore, it’s important to keep these items in mind during discharge: 1. Ask where you will get care after discharge. Do you have options (like home health care)? Be sure you tell the staff what you prefer. 2. If a caregiver will be helping
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Is there a correlation between hospitalization and dementia? One study says yes
In a blog that we here at Freedom Home Care posted in early November, we addressed the common misconception that Alzheimer’s and dementia are interchangeable terms. Although it’s important to understand that dementia is merely a symptom of Alzheimer’s and other diseases associated with the brain, there is still much to learn about dementia. In an article published on the Science Daily website, editors discussed research that revealed new findings on dementia and its correlation with hospitalization and how it affects the elderly. The study assessed illnesses that required hospitalization and treatment in an intensive care unit and revealed that
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AARP puts Social Security in a nutshell
Not too long ago, the folks here at Freedom Home Care posted a video that gave a rundown on Medicare. What seemingly is a well-known program often times isn’t fully understood by those who use it. Similarly, Social Security can come with a lot of unanswered questions, which is why we sought out the expertise of the AARP to break it down. In the following video, Social Security expert Jonathan Peterson discusses his new book “Social Security for Dummies.” In it, he covers the basics and also answers specific questions surrounding when to take your benefit and how the program works.
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