What do you think of the way the Piedmonth Hospital in Atlanta is handling readmissions? Do you think cutting payments to hospitals will help them to follow suit? Study Shows Elective Surgery in Medicare Beneficiaries Varies by RegionIn a study from the Dartmouth Atlas Project of elective procedures in patients over 65, and receiving Medicare, the researchers found regional differences in the way doctors treat their patients. Shannon Brownlee, of the Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice, explains that this difference is “the by-product of a doctor-centric medical delivery system.” The study focused on Medicare data from 2003 to 2007 on the rates of some elective procedures, from mastectomies for breast cancer to carotid artery surgery and found that doctor’s opinions on the surgeries varies greatly by cultures of care, how doctors are trained, and the history of where there medical practice is established. This finding suggests that patient preferences are not necessarily being taken into account when they should be. What do you think of the findings of this study? Do you think Medicare beneficiaries should be more involved in their care, no matter what region of the United States they live in? Or do you think doctors should make the right choice for their patients? "Pie Chart" by Nick Anderson, the Washington Post
Assured Life Medicare Supplement Now Available in VirginiaEffective February 23, 2011 Assured Life Medicare Supplement Plan N is available in Virginia – please see the Assured Life Plan N Virginia Notification and Assured Life Plan N Virginia Rates. Why Sell Medicare Supplements Over the PhoneAlso - Discover the pros of selling Medicare Supplements over the phone in our blog post.
Sources: KHN, Routers |
Medicare Blog | Medicare News | Medicare Information
Health Care Law Aims to Reduce Hospital Readmissions
Posted by Lauren Hidalgo on Fri, Feb 25, 2011 @ 09:33 AM
Tags: senior market news, Medicare News, Assured Life Medicare Supplement, health care reform, industry news
The Benefits of Selling Medicare Supplements Over The Phone
Posted by Lauren Hidalgo on Thu, Feb 24, 2011 @ 02:21 PM
If you are just getting into selling in the senior market or you have been in the industry for a long time, selling Medicare Supplements over the phone is a great way to help grow your business. When you sell over the phone, you broaden your selling horizons beyond your immediate driving area and give yourself a virtually unlimited selling area with little to no travel necessary. Also, you can connect with a whole new market in a different city or state, no matter the distance from you. When you sell Med Supp over the phone, you can begin prospecting in an area with a larger senior population than the one you currently live in, all from the comfort of your home or office. |
Tags: Sales Tips, Success Tips, Web Marketing Advice, Web Tips, technology
Efforts to Defund the Health-Care Law Underway
Posted by Lauren Hidalgo on Fri, Feb 18, 2011 @ 09:35 AM
What do you think of the efforts by the Republicans to defund the health-care law? Do you think they will be successful? Do you think Congress will be able to come to an agreement by their deadline of March 4, 2011? Grow Your Business Online - PSM Can Show You How
United of Omaha Now Available in MaineEffective February 16, 2011 United of Omaha is available in Maine – please see the United of Omaha Maine Rates and Application. Assured Life Now Available in TennesseeEffective February 9, 2011 Assured Life Medicare Supplement is available in Tennessee – please see the Assured Life Tennessee Rates and Assured Life Tennessee Application.
Sources: KHN, The Washington Post, The Hill |
Tags: Success Tips, technology, Medicare, Medicare News, Assured Life Medicare Supplement, health care reform, United of Omaha Medicare Supplement
Medicare Part D Price Increase for High Income Seniors
Posted by Lauren Hidalgo on Fri, Feb 11, 2011 @ 09:55 AM
How do you feel about affluent seniors having to pay higher premiums for their Medicare Part D coverage as well? The Diminishing Medicare Doughnut HoleStarting in 2011 seniors who hit the doughnut hole will have substantial discounts on their prescription drugs, increasing over time and completely closing the gap by the year 2020. This is a significant part of the health care law because in the past those who reached the gap often stopped filling their prescriptions due to the financial burden. Previously, Medicare beneficiaries were responsible for 25% of their prescription drug cost and their drug plan paid the extra 75% until they reach a total of $2530 at which time the senior entered the doughnut hole. However starting this year after reaching the doughnut hole beneficiaries will get a 50% brand-name and 7% generic drug discount until they have spent $3607.50. At that time the senior will be out of the doughnut hole and the drug plan will cover approximately 95% of the prescription drugs for the remainder of the year. By 2020 Medicare beneficiaries will only be responsible for 25% of their bill, no matter how large. This year alone the new plan will save approximately 4 million low-income seniors up to $1800 each. However critics believe this will result in drug companies raising the price on their drugs, to cover the difference. A price increase would affect all of those on Medicare not just those in the doughnut hole, creating another problem needing a solution. What do you think of the new Medicare Part D benefit? Do you think drug companies will raise their prices to cover the difference? Medicare Select
United of Omaha Approved in CA, NE and SDEffective February 3, 2010 United of Omaha is released in Nebraska and South Dakota – please see the United of Omaha Nebraska Rates and the United of Omaha South Dakota Rates. Forethought Now Available in KS and UTEffective February 2, 2011 Forethought is released in Kansas and Utah – please see the Forethought Kansas Rates and Application and the Forethought Utah Rates and Application or call 1-800-998-7715 to get contracted.
Sources: KHN |
Tags: Medicare Supplement, health insurance industry, health care reform, Forethought Medicare Supplement, United of Omaha Medicare Supplement, Medicare Select
Mutual of Omaha Medicare Supplement Plan N Changes
Posted by Lauren Hidalgo on Thu, Feb 03, 2011 @ 10:04 AM
Mutual of Omaha has announced underwriting changes to their Plan N Medicare Supplements. This will affect all Mutual of Omaha companies including United World and United of Omaha. Exceptions will include New York, where health questions may not be asked (per state regulations) and in open enrollment or other guarantee issue situations where health questions normally do not apply. New Application (Required after February 16, 2011)The underwriting changes will also bring about new applications. Where the new applications are already approved, the new underwriting guidelines will be effective with applications signed on or after February 16th 2011. The states are where the new applications have already been approved are: Commission ChangesThis change will also affect commissions on Plans M and N. Mutual of Omaha will have new commission schedules available shortly, but you can expect commissions on all plans to be uniform. |
Tags: Medicare Supplement, Senior Market, industry news, Mutual of Omaha Medicare Supplement, United of Omaha Medicare Supplement