Medicare

Medicare Summary Notices Redesigned To Fight Fraud

Bryan Thompson — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 13:21:25 +0000

The Medicare Summary Notice senior citizens receive every month has been redesigned. The changes are meant to make it easier to spot fraudulent claims.

As part of the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare, the federal government has devoted new resources to rooting out fraud, waste, and abuse in the Medicare program. The notice beneficiaries receive each month to explain their claims is being upgraded to make it easier to spot claims for services they never received.

Medicare Competitive Bidding Program Expands To Wichita

Bryan Thompson — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 15:10:38 +0000

A competitive bidding program aimed at helping Medicare avoid overpaying for products like scooters, diabetic testing supplies, and oxygen tanks is being expanded to 91 communities nationwide, including Wichita.

The program began a little more than two years ago as a demonstration project in nine communities, including Kansas City.

Top Of The Morning News: December 24, 2012

Dan Verbeck — Mon, 24 Dec 2012 16:06:25 +0000

Gun shows, Missouri Medicaid expansion & more: Your morning news from KCUR.

Looking For A Doc? Local Group Compiles Physician Data

Elana Gordon — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 23:24:42 +0000

Kansas City will soon know more about the quality of primary care in the region.

Area Hospitals Soon To Be Penalized For High Readmissions Rates

Elana Gordon — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 17:32:11 +0000

Starting October 1, hospitals that fail to meet certain quality measures will get less funding from Medicare. Specifically, places that have worse-than-average readmission rates for certain medical conditions will receive lower reimbursements for services. Several area hospitals will be affected, including some that one might not expect. They’ve been keeping close watch on the upcoming changes, though many disagree with them.

Medicare Recipients Urged To Guard Against Phone Scam

Bryan Thompson — Fri, 03 Aug 2012 21:30:12 +0000

State officials are warning Kansas senior citizens not to fall for a telephone scam aimed at Medicare beneficiaries.

If The Health Care Overhaul Goes Down, Could Medicare Follow?

Julie Rovner — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 07:32:00 +0000

A growing number of health experts are warning of potential collateral damage if the Supreme Court strikes down the entire 2010 Affordable Care Act: potential chaos in the Medicare program.

"The Affordable Care Act has become part and parcel of the Medicare system, encouraging providers to deliver better, more integrated, better coordinated care, at lower cost," says Judy Fede

Seniors In Medicare 'Doughnut Hole' More Likely To Stop Heart Drugs

Julie Rovner — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 20:36:00 +0000

Medicare patients who reach the annual gap in coverage for prescription drugs known as the "doughnut hole" are 57 percent more likely than those with continuous insurance coverage to stop taking drugs for heart-related conditions such as high blood pressure or heart disease.

That's the result of a study by researchers from the Harvard Medical School, Boston's Brigham and Women's Hospital, and CVS Caremark, the drugstore chain.

Medicare Boosting Coverage For Mental Health Issues

editor — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 12:46:00 +0000

Medicare coverage for people with depression used to be, well, depressing.

Top of the Morning News: Monday, December 5, 2012

Maria Carter — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 12:42:06 +0000

A daily digest of the top news from KCUR.

Obama in Osawatomie; Riding with Teddy Roosevelt
Time’s Almost Up to Change Medicare Coverage
Brownback Opposes Rule Keeping Teens from Farm Work
K-State Heads to the Cotton Bowl
Sports Scores

Medicare Enrollment Period Nears End; Schemes Reported

Elana Gordon — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 05:29:03 +0000

Area health agencies are reminding eligible seniors and those with disabilities that now's the time to sign up or review their Medicare coverage. That's because Medicare's open enrollment period ends Wednesday, which is a lot earlier than previous years.

Competitive Bids in Medicare Coming to KC: Overdue Or Oversold?

Thu, 16 Dec 2010 18:39:22 +0000

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Salina, KS – Beginning January 1st, more than 300,000 Medicare beneficiaries in the Kansas City area may be able to save nearly 30 percent on purchases of durable medical equipment - things like power wheelchairs and oxygen tanks. But critics of the new Medicare program warn that those savings could trigger some unintended consequences and costs down the road.

Lowered Costs, Better Care Possible: Medicare Chief Visits KC

Elana Gordon — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 18:09:02 +0000

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Kansas City, MO – Major problems exist when it comes to health in the U.S...whether it be fragmented care or preventable diseases. That's according to Dr. Donald Berwick, head of the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid. Dr. Berwick shared these concerns with area health leaders on a stop in Kansas City yesterday. But as KCUR's Elana Gordon reports, Dr. Berwick said major improvements are also possible right now.

Scammers Target Medicare Rebate Checks

Marshall Griffin — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 16:16:31 +0000

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Jefferson City, MO – Elderly Missourians who qualify for $250 rebate checks from Medicare are being warned to watch out for scam artists.