Bank Fees Rough on Seniors
Americans age 55 and older pay $4.5 billion in fees annually for overdraft loans they haven't asked for and typically don't want, according to a new study by the Center for Responsible Lending. Of that, nearly $1 billion comes from people heavily dependent on Social Security income.
07/03/2008 4:37 PM
AoA Announces Nursing Home Diversion Funding Opportunity
U.S. Assistant Secretary for Aging Josefina Carbonell on July 1 announced the availability of $13 million to support state efforts to help individuals with long-term care needs to avoid unnecessary nursing home placement.
07/03/2008 4:25 PM
Changes Proposed For Hospital Outpatient, Ambulatory Surgical Center Services
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has issued a proposed rule that will update calendar year 2009 payment rates for hospital outpatient departments and ambulatory surgical centers. CMS says the proposed rule is aimed at building on efforts across Medicare to transform the program into a prudent purchaser of healthcare services, paying based on quality of care, not just quantity of services.
07/03/2008 3:04 PM
Survey Finds Considerable Room For Workers Over 50
A new AARP national survey has found that workers age 50 and over are satisfied with employer-based training programs offered to them (79%), and they participate in those programs in large numbers.
But while two-thirds (67% of workers questioned online said that they received all of the training th...
07/03/2008 12:32 PM
Navigating The Medicaid Bog
The so-called "Medically Needy" – i.e., Medicare beneficiaries whose Medicaid eligibility depends on meeting a spenddown (or share of cost) each month or quarter -- are faced with difficult challenges just using their Medicaid, since, in most states, they must prove to the state that they have incurred a certain amount in medical bills before their Medicaid becomes effective.
07/03/2008 11:56 AM
Expiration of Therapy Cap Exceptions Explained
The exceptions to outpatient therapy caps expired on June 30, says the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid. Outpatient therapy service providers should not submit claims with the KX modifier for services furnished on or after July 1.
07/03/2008 11:31 AM
Website Helps Seniors Who Haven't Filed For Stimulus Payments
In response to the recent IRS announcement that millions of older Americans had not yet filed for their economic stimulus payments, the National Council on Aging is urging seniors to use its Stimulus Payment Tool at www.BenefitsCheckUp.org.
07/02/2008 4:28 PM
CMS Adds Source To Help Determine Coverage For Anti-Cancer Drugs
CMS has provided additional updates to the information it uses in determining which drugs may be covered under Medicare Part B when used to treat patients undergoing cancer treatment through chemotherapy.
07/02/2008 3:48 PM
Senators Call For Release Of $120 Million In LIHEAP Funding
Forty-five senators, including Sens. Susan Collins (R-ME) and Jack Reed (D-RI), co-chairs of the Senate Northeast-Midwest Coalition, have fired off a letter to the White House urging President Bush to release $120 million in remaining contingency funds from the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). The money is being sought to help alleviate the burden high energy prices have placed on working families and seniors throughout the country.
07/02/2008 12:49 PM
Senators Author Bill To Protect Seniors From Investment Fraud
Sens. Bob Casey, a member of the Senate Special Committee on Aging, and Herb Kohl, chairman of the committee, are pushing a legislative proposal aimed at protecting seniors from investment fraud. Dubbed the "Senior Investor Protections Enhancement Act," the measure would increase penalties for those who commit securities violations against people who are at least 62 years old.
07/01/2008 4:51 PM
RSS Newsfeed