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Medicare Rule Change Raises Stakes for Hospital Discharge Planning
When she presents information to hospitalists about the little-known revision to Medicare’s condition of participation for discharge planning by hospitals, most hospitalists have no idea what Amy Boutwell, MD, MPP, is talking about. Even hospitalists who are active in their…
Medicare laboratory payment reform threatens to eliminate market competition
The world changed substantially for regional and community clinical laboratories on Aprii 1, 2014. The President signed into law “‘The Protecting Access to Medicare Act of 2014,” containing the most significant Medicare payment reform of clinical laboratory services since creation of the…
The Medicare surtax vs. the kiddie tax
One of the most annoying parts of the latest round of estate tax changes is the 3.8 percent Medicare surtax, enacted as part of the Affordable Care Act (or ObamaCare) and taking effect last year. For trusts and estates, the 3.8 percent…
Seniors surprised when Medicare switches their coverage
Thousands of South Florida seniors are discovering they’ve been switched from their HMO-style Medicare Advantage plan back to traditional Medicare — an unexpected move that will cost them more out-of-pocket for care. The change affects Medicare participants with health care and prescription drug…
Millenials Want Social Security Benefits to Remain At Current Levels, Pew Research Finds
While Social Security has become a political football in Washington, Americans still regard it as the corner stone of their retirement and are very concerned about it future financial health. The party is over for Millenials, as far as Social Security…
Council Delays Action on Pension Plan Changes To October
Memphis City Council members voted Tuesday, July 1, to delay final votes on a set of ordinances to change the city’s pension for new hires and employees on the job for less than 10 years. The council had planned to vote…
Laws To Expand Paid Family Leave, Disability Coverage Take Effect
Several new California laws go into effect Tuesday, including measures to expand paid family leave and increase requirements for disability insurance policies, the Sacramento Bee reports. An increase in CalSTRS contributions also takes effect Tuesday. In September 2013, Gov. Jerry Brown (D) signed legislation…
Annuities in U.S. Retirement Plans Get Government Boost
Retirees with 401(k) plans and individual retirement accounts will have more flexibility to purchase annuities that don’t start paying out until age 80 or 85, under final rules from the U.S. Treasury Department. The rules announced today provide a new way for retirees…
Barton among hospitals facing Medicare cut for adverse patient events
Barton Memorial Hospital is among 10 California hospitals and 761 hospitals nationwide potentially facing lower Medicare reimbursements this fall because of their adverse patient-complication rates. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services analyzed health care data and released a preliminary assessment…
Getting the Best Price for Your House to Help Finance Your Retirement
SA) – Have you forgotten something in figuring where you’re going to retire to? Let’s see, you’ve researched which states tax Social Security income (only 14, including Colorado, Connecticut, Kansas, North Dakota and Vermont). And you’ve even consulted the numbers-crunchers…