Medicare Insurance Information Center Launched

 An online center designed to provide seniors with the most relevant Medicare information was launched today by the American Association for Medicare Supplement Insurance (AAMSI). 

"There's so much Medicare material scattered across the Internet that our plan is to have one place where seniors can find the most current and relevant information," explains Jesse Slome, director of the Medicare-focused organization.  

The Association's Medicare Information Center will serve as a resource for general Medicare information. In addition, the latest posts pertaining to Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement and prescription drug plans will be included.

"Medicare is one of the most complicated programs with new information and changes occurring almost daily," Slome notes. "Consumer inquiries to our organization are increasing which told me there was a definite need for information that can be readily available to the millions of Americans covered by the Medicare program." 

Seniors are using the Internet to find the information they need to make educated decisions, Slome adds. "The new Medicare Information Center dovetails with the Association's free resource that enables individuals to find local Medicare insurance agents in their specific Zip Code," the Medicare insurance expert noted.

To access the Association's new Information center, go to https://www.medicaresupp.org/information or visit the American Association for Medicare Supplement Insurance website.  AAMSI advocates for the importance of consumer awareness and supports insurance and financial professionals who market Medicare insurance solutions. 

Nursing Home Industry Fear Republican Medicaid Cuts

The nursing home industry is concerned about pending Medicaid cuts following the Congressional changeover.

A Republican-controlled House is unlikely to extend the enhanced Medicaid funding for states in last year's Recovery Act, the head of a nursing home trade association said Monday.

A return to the initial federal share would be particularly painful for nursing homes and assisted living facilities, who rely on Medicaid to pay about two-thirds of their patients' bills.  "Everybody wants the government to pay without raising taxes and that's not possible," explains Jesse Slome, director of the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance.  "As people understand Medicaid doesn't pay or forces you to into unacceptable situations, more will see the value in private insurance."

At a roundtable discussion in Washington, Bruce Yarwood, president and CEO of the American Health Care Association, said the situation will force a discussion on long-term care, which he said was hardly addressed during the healthcare reform debate.

As lawmakers respond to voters' concerns about the deficit and cut back on Medicaid and Medicare, a long-term care sector that relies on government spending to cover about 85 percent of its patients faces a crossroads.

Looking ahead, I have to say I am concerned about the significant wrangling we already see developing between the state and federal governments in regard to Medicaid and the federal healthcare reform law, Yarwood stated.

Home Health Benefits Face Likely Medicare Cut

Medicare Home Health Benefits Likely Cut

Home health care providers face likely Medicare payment cuts next year according to experts.

According to a report published today, two companies, Gentiva Health Services and Amedisys are among the providers of at-home health care to receive lower Medicare payments next year under U.S. government changes to the program.

A 4.89 percent reduction in home health spending for the elderly is among annual modifications in Medicare affecting hospitals, doctors and providers in the United States. Most rates take effect in January, though payments for doctors start to drop Dec. 1, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services said in a statement this week.

"Cuts are consistent with a need to reduce expenditures at the Federal level," explains Jesse Slome, executive director of the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance.  "The recent election showed that the populace doesn't want the government borrowing and spending money it doesn't have.  It's very likely more cuts will be coming."

A panel that advised Congress on Medicare issues found in 2008 that home health agencies were making 17 percent profits on their Medicare business.

"If you are in your 50s and counting on Medicare to look the same when you qualify for benefits, you are likely to be surprised," concludes Slome. 

Record Poor Will Impact Long Term Care Services

A record number of Americans signed up for Medicaid last year and experts warn it will impact those needing long term care.

According to a report released by the Kaiser Family Foundation enrollment in Medicaid, medical insurance program for the poor, increased to more than 48 million - a record 15.7 percent share of the U.S. population.  

"There will be two classes of Americans, those who will have to accept whatever care the government programs can afford, and those who have assets or insurance to pay," explains Jesse Slome, executive director of the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance.  "People in their 50s today are in for a real shock unless they expect things to get much better."

With the economy barely improving, states are forecasting a 6 percent increase in the rolls next year, meaning another strain on their cash-depleted budgets. The Medicaid numbers are the latest piece to emerge in a grim statistical picture of the recession's toll.

The ranks of the working-age poor climbed to the highest level since the 1960s last year, according to a recent Census report. Nearly 12 million households received food stamps, a record.

The $814 billion federal economic stimulus plan passed last year provided extra funding for states for Medicaid, in the hope of covering the costs of the increased number of enrollees and of freeing up state budgets for spending in other areas.

The plan helped states drop their spending on Medicaid, which can take up a third of their budgets, by 7.1 percent in fiscal 2010 and by 10.9 percent in fiscal 2009, Kaiser found. But even with the U.S. government shouldering a greater share of the burden, states were forced to make cuts. In fiscal 2010 48 of the 50 states made cuts to some part of their Medicaid programs, according to the report. In fiscal 2011, 46 states intend to cut back on Medicaid spending.

Altogether, 20 states restricted the types of benefits enrollees could use in fiscal 2010, the largest number since records began in 2001.