The rallying cry in the 2020 presidential primaries is Medicare For All. But Original Medicare is the sort of health insurance that the Affordable Care Act set out to ban from the market place. Original Medicare has no annual caps on the maximum out-of-pocket a consumer must pay for either hospitalization or outpatient services. People can incur multiple Part A hospitalization deductibles during the year. The 20 percent coinsurance for medical services can mean some tests, imaging, and procedures can cost the consumer hundreds of dollars. Plus, there is no prescription drug coverage.
Medicare Advantage plans paid over $800 per month by feds
A five star Medicare Advantage will be paid $890 in Sacramento County, $947 in San Francisco County, $951 in Los Angeles County and $856 in San Diego County per month by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid for each enrolled member. The data and calculations that go into determining the monthly reimbursement or capitation rate for Medicare […]
Medicare sanctions CalOptima’s OneCare Special Needs Plan
Orange County Health Authority’s CalOptima OneCare Medicare Advantage plan was served a notice of immediate sanctions by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on January 24, 2014. The immediate sanctions mean that CalOptima can’t market or enroll new members into their OneCare Special Needs Plan until the sanctions are lifted. CMS cited “widespread and systemic failures impacting CalOptima’s enrollees’ ability to access health care services and prescription medications” as a summary for issuing immediate sanctions.
Medicare Advantage Plans Fight Heart Disease
Medicare Advantage plans have been encouraged by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to include $0 copay prescription costs for medications that work to reduce heart attacks and strokes in the plans for 2014. Some plans will be including $0 copay drugs that fight high cholesterol and high blood pressure.
Medicare Advantage Special Enrollment for Poor Performers
Medicare special election or enrollment notice for individual enrolled in a 3 start rated Medicare Advantage plan can switch to a higher rated plan, 2013
ObamaCare cuts MediCare reimbursements
When we look at what has been called “cuts” to Medicare, it is evident that the changes to Medicare spending are on the provider side, not the beneficiary side.
Federal government supports identity theft
All the necessary information is on the Medicare Advantage application (Social Security #, address, EFT) to steal a senior’s identity or start a scam. Is this how we protect our seniors, with easy access to their personal information?
Partnerships helping seniors stay close to home: Eskaton, Sutter PACE, HUD
It is vital that communities find a way to create and sustain affordable senior housing and programs. Seniors contribute in so many different ways from volunteering at local schools, being role models and mentors for children and adding to the tapestry we call community.
How much does the Federal government pay Medicare Advantage and Part D Prescription Drug Plans?
The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services publishes a variety of documents outlining how much they reimburse Medicare Advantage and Part D Prescription Drug plans. Below is the monthly reimbursement rate for Medicare Advantage plans known as the capitation rate. This is only for California counties. The capitation amount is only for the medical portion of the Medicare Advantage health plan. There is a separate amount if the plan includes prescription drug coverage.
Sutter Health Terminates Anthem Blue Cross Medicare
California Sutter Health System Update Anthem Blue Cross (“Anthem”) and Sutter Health System Medical Groups (“Sutter Medical Groups”) have been engaged in negotiations for several months to reach reasonable reimbursement rates and contractual terms that are beneficial to both organizations. Unfortunately, Sutter Health will be terminating its participating hospital/provider contract with Anthem Blue Cross (“Anthem”), […]