Major Changes In Medicare Copays; Managed Care Expansion Get A Boost From Advisory Group

[Purveyor]

Source: ASSOCIATED PRESS

WASHINGTON — As Vice President Joe Biden and congressional negotiators hunt for budget cuts, major Medicare changes that could squeeze billions in savings got a boost Wednesday from a nonpartisan panel of experts that advises lawmakers.

Those changes are already under consideration in the budget talks, officials say.

One idea would revamp Medicare's outdated copayments and deductibles to provide better protection against catastrophic expenses, but it could lead to seniors paying a bigger share of the cost for some everyday services. The goal is to save taxpayers money by discouraging overtreatment.

The impact on individual seniors is less clear. Few details are available, but such changes could create winners and losers.

Read more: http://www.greenfieldreporter.com/view/story/78d856281c8241c095d37f6532d3bb9d/US--Debt-Showdown-Medicare/

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Beware of the "Few details are available..." clauses, indeed!~

[drm604]

1. Discouraging overtreatment could also discourage needed treatment.

It may deter hypochondriacs and attention seekers but it also punishes those who suffer from more than their share of genuine problems.

[Cleita]

2. Actually doctors deter hypochondriacs.

It's a red herring. It used to be before government managed health care and insurance that doctors encouraged them because of the additional income, but they don't anymore.

[TygrBright]

3. "The impact on individual seniors is less clear." REALLY?!?

May I quote from the PREVIOUS PARAGRAPH OF THE SAME ARTICLE? "it could lead to seniors paying a bigger share of the cost for some everyday services..."

"seniors paying a bigger share of the cost for some everyday services" = IMPACT ON INDIVIDUAL SENIORS.

I know this: My mother lives on a very thin margin, month-to-month, between her income from Social Security and a small retirement fund, and the costs of rent, food, medicines, and the various payments associated with Medicare. She's not hurtin' much... still has some savings for emergencies, budgets to afford a few (very) minor luxuries, and has kids who can help out with things, although she hates to ask for help.

You know what this will do to MY MOTHER?

It will make her more reluctant to use "everyday services." She will skip or defer routine medical appointments. She will decline treatment for minor problems, and quack herself or 'hope it goes away.'

And that will result in her eventually using way more expensive NOT-EVERYDAY services, MORONS!

Multiply my mom by a few million.

THAT will be the "impact on individual seniors."

And their families.

And Medicare funding.

And our tax dollars.

You're welcome.

angrily,
Bright

[Cleita]

5. I have Medicare but I still pay out of pocket and on

my Social Security an additional $300 a month in insurance to plug the holes. If I have to pay more, they are going to have to start giving cost of living raises again.

[JDPriestly]

7. It's things like tracking blood pressure, blood sugar, checking on

an anomaly on the skin. Those are the things that seniors will skip.

[SoapBox]

12. Ditto...

My 90 year old Mom lives with us...

I use the Medicare services to keep her alive...ya know, things like pills and eye drops.

It's criminal what the Thugs want to do to our Seniors...AND...us.

[Cleita]

4. Sigh..............

They are trying to get the highest users, meaning really sick people who actually need security in access to their health care, into managed care private insurance programs, which means the most needy and helpless of seniors will get minimal care if even that while the privateers reap the profits.

I am really disappointed with our Democrats. I think a general strike is needed not only for this but for all the destructive policies that are being done by both Republicans and Democrats. Enough is a enough. Time for the nation to join Wisconsin in fighting back.

[JDPriestly]

6. Brilliant! Discourage preventive care and visits that lead to early

diagnoses. Just brilliant.

False economies abound. Expect a lot of them in as "austerity measures" are imposed on those of us who are not in the upper 1%.

Why do we put up with these bozos?

[russspeakeasy]

9. I think we put up with these bozo's because anyone who replaces

them is a bigger bozo.. Our system is broken and until we revamp how elections are funded, we are paying for our own demise.

[Vinca]

8. The whole underlying premise that the "consumer" should be in charge

of his or her medical care is foolish. It assumes there is a knowledge of medicine equal or superior to an attending physician. Few people are qualified to decide which tests, medicines or procedures they need. It's not like going to McDonald's and selecting among fast food sandwiches.

[Plucketeer]

10. Good Point!

Heh - like taking your car for repairs and the mechanic having you weigh in on the probable cause of that shimmy at 35MPH. "So, which repair route would you recommend, pal?"

[Plucketeer]

11. The Dems are gonna APPEASE

EVEN THO they control two branches. Shit - they'd appease if they had all THREE! T'wasn't that long ago..... We've fought and PAID FOR a supposed contract (policy) that's now being re-written because it doesn't provide enough nutritional goo for medical insurance and big pharma. Color me angry as hell.:grr: