Medicare Advantage Plan Study Shows Lower Avoidable Hospital Admissions

A recent study has just been released that shows that Medicare Beneficiaries on Part C Medicare Advantage Plans had about 10% less avoidable hospital admissions than those on Original Medicare.   While my clients on Medicare Supplements have more comprehensive coverage than my Medicare Advantage Plan clients, this study is encouraging in showing Medicare Advantage Plan clients also get good medical care and helps stretch their coverage dollars.

If you want to learn more about this study, you can go to the following link:  http://www.aafp.org/news/practice-professional-issues/20160517mahospitalization.html

Based in the Richmond, Va area, David Higgs of Choices In Medicare specializes in helping seniors transition to Medicare.  He can be reached at email:  David@ChoicesInMedicare.com or go to website:  www.ChoicesInMedicare.com

Medicare Beneficiaries, Shop, Shop, Shop!

Last month, I posted about how I am always reminding my Medicare Beneficiary clients that they are the Customer.  They should ask questions about procedures and how they can save money by doing so.  Another recent study validates this.

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania Health System recently confirmed how much can be saved and how much transparency exists for medical procedure costs.  They gave an example of shopping around for a CT scan over a 3 state area and finding a cost variance from $437 to $2239!

Beneficiaries with a Medicare Supplement have less need to shop around due to the coverage.  But Beneficiaries with either Part C Medicare Advantage plans or those who only have Parts A and B, can benefit by checking around.

If you want to read more about this topic, you can go to the following link:  https://consumer.healthday.com/health-technology-information-18/cat-scan-news-88/out-of-pocket-x-ray-ct-scan-costs-vary-widely-710984.html

Based in the Richmond, Va area, David Higgs of Choices In Medicare specializes in helping seniors transition to Medicare.  He can be reached at email:  David@ChoicesInMedicare.com or go to website:  www.ChoicesInMedicare.com

 

Proposed Changes to Medicare Payments

CMS, who manages Medicare, has recently announced some proposed changes to how Medicare reimbursements will be made.  These proposals are targeting such areas as:  Hospital Observations status, Physicians, Skilled Nursing Facilities, Part B drugs, etc.  The various proposals are accepting comments in June.  The main goal of the proposed changes is to reward better patient health and cost efficiency.

You can check back on this blog for updates once these proposed changes have been finalized or go to CMS.gov.

Based in the Richmond, Va area, David Higgs of Choices In Medicare specializes in helping seniors transition to Medicare.  He can be reached at email address:  David@ChoicesInMedicare.com or go to website:  www.ChoicesInMedicare.com