![]() | |
![]() | |
![]() |
Elder Care Information |
|
![]() |
Respiratory Help Is Available For Seniors With COPD
As HMOs Continue to Drop Coverage for Seniors - Now Over 500,000 Victims - Those Needing Expensive Respiratory Medication, Support and Homecare Services are the Hardest Hit One Patient Advocate, Geriatric Services of America, is Providing Relief to Victimized Patients Through a Unique, Often No-Cost Program More than 536,000 US senior citizens are scrambling to find new doctors or new coverage because their health plans terminated their Medicare managed-care services, according to a Nonrenewal Report issued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for the year 2002. Among the hardest hit are seniors in California (84,000), Florida (59,000), Pennsylvania (55,000), New Jersey (53,000), Texas (46,000), and Michigan (31,000), who will be losing coverage in the coming year. Even those with continuing coverage face substantial premium hikes and dwindling drug benefits. Particularly hard hit will be those with chronic illnesses such as respiratory disease, who will bear the brunt of high medication and healthcare costs. Though all seniors 65 and older are covered by Medicare, those enrolled in managed-care programs agree to see doctors within a limited network and receive additional benefits, such as preventative care and prescription-drug coverage. The current coverage crisis stems from rising delivery costs and limited government reimbursement, as doctors and hospitals increasingly balk at seeing Medicare HMO patients, since they aren't sufficiently reimbursed for their services. Without enough doctors and hospitals providing care, an HMO can't serve its members. The problem is worst in large urban markets, where more than half of Medicare + Choice beneficiaries live nationwide but where reimbursement rate increases have trailed rising costs since 1997. To compensate for the funding shortfall, premiums for seniors retaining Medicare HMO coverage are expected to spike while benefits dwindle in the coming year. In California's Sacramento-area, for example, monthly premiums for Kaiser Permanente's Senior Advantage Medicare Plan will double from $40 to $80 starting Jan. 1st. Healthnet, following suit, is raising premiums 50 percent, from $40 to $60 per month for its Seniority Plus members in the area. Pacificare and Western Health Advantage, while holding monthly premiums at $50 in their Sacramento-area Medicare plans, will eliminate brand name drug coverage next year. Across the nation, seniors caught between rising premiums and shrinking coverage will find themselves in a similar bind. Even those with Medigap policies will feel the squeeze. Medigap policies A through J, for instance, have minimum standard benefit packages, and the H, I, and J plans covering prescriptions have annual drug caps ranging from $1,250 to $2,000. For the 30 million Americans with a Chronic Obstruction Pulmonary Disease (COPD) such as asthma, emphysema or cystic fibrosis - collectively the fourth leading cause of death in the US, however, help is available with Geriatric Services of America (GSA), a national community service organization based in Tempe, Arizona which provides direct help and support to older Americans suffering from chronic respiratory disease. Through its Respiratory Disease Control Program, GSA provides access to a comprehensive range of special medication benefits, as well as support and homecare services, which eliminates out-of-pocket expenses for patients with primary or supplemental insurance coverage. Through GSA's patient support center, nebulizers and respiratory medication are provided and paid for with free home delivery, conveniently packaged and ready to use. GSA handles all paperwork, and clinical Patient Care Coordinators work with doctors and insurance companies once a patient has enrolled in the Respiratory Disease Control Program. Patients can enroll themselves in the program; there is nothing to buy, and no enrollment or membership fees. Currently, Medicare, AARP, Blue Cross, Blue Shield, and over 180 other insurers have special benefits for patients with respiratory disease. GSA provides access to these benefits, and coordinates all elements of care to help patients, doctors, and insurance companies combat respiratory disease. At a time when US seniors face restricted health care access, rising premiums, and shrinking benefits, GSA stands out as a welcome ally for those needing respiratory medication benefits, support, or homecare services. For more information about GSA, or how someone you know can enroll in this special wellcare program, write to 4812 South Mill Ave., Tempe, AZ 85282; call 800-307-8048; fax 800-345-2425; or email Gary Rheault directly at grheault@geriatricservices.com. About The Author Del Williams is a technical writer based in Torrance, California.
MORE RESOURCES: Ozarks Elder Care Missouri Lawyers Media Barriers and Boosters for Nurses Caring for Seniors Bioengineer.org These are the top nursing homes in Massachusetts, according to Newsweek The Patriot Ledger AWWA announces $100,000 Grant to support Armenian elder care programs in Boston The Armenian Weekly Death of man trapped under bed for hours sparks closure of unlicensed CT elder care facilities CT Insider PESP’s PACE Tracker featured in McKnight’s Home Care Private Equity Stakeholder Project PESP Newsweek ranks best nursing homes in PA. And these accept Medicare and Medicaid. See list Erie Times-News Nursing Homes Settle Allegations with DOJ for $3.61 Million; Proactive Steps to Avoid Trouble I Advance Senior Care Elder Care Questions about trusts, wills, and more News Channel 5 Nashville Why US News & World Report rates Georgia near the bottom of nursing home quality Savannah Morning News Care.com Launches First-Ever Senior Care Advisor Tool, Helping Families Navigate Critical Decisions with Confidence Business Wire The Best Smart Home Devices to Help Aging in Place The New York Times Healthcare support robots assist patients and medical staff in hospitals and care homes Robotics & Automation News Duos Secures $130 Million: AI-Powered Platform to Revolutionize Senior Health Navigation FinancialContent Rochester nursing homes among best in America, experts weigh in with decision-making tips RochesterFirst UMich expands backup care services to students through Bright Horizons partnership The Michigan Daily Rep. Taylor Named to Speakers Task Force on Elder Services Urban Milwaukee Sensi.AI Raises $45M Series C, Extending Its Dominance of Care Intelligence in Vertical AI Newswire.com Five Mississippi nursing homes are among best in the nation. Newsweek ranks best in the US The Clarion-Ledger Provident Healthcare Partners Advises Elder Care Homecare on its Partnership with Rallyday Partners PR Newswire Local partnerships provide health care workforce solutions for Jacksonville | Opinion The Florida Times-Union Rochester facilities shine in Newsweek’s Best Nursing Homes list Rochester Business Journal See the exclusive pitch deck Sensi.AI used to raise $45 million to boost home healthcare for seniors with AI Business Insider Africa Commentary: The monthly tab for her in-home elder care: $18,000. She can cover it, but how many others can? Los Angeles Times This geriatrics training program escaped the ax. For now. Medical Marketing and Media Chinese nursing home under fire for using ‘suggestive dancer’ in medicine drive South China Morning Post Geriatrics (Older Adult Care) University of Michigan Health Duncan embraces new role at Cherokee Elder Care cherokeephoenix.org New tracker finds rapid private equity expansion in elder care Private Equity Stakeholder Project PESP Your Company Needs an Eldercare Policy Harvard Business Review Elder care wng.org Sunset Elder Law brings estate and long-term care planning to Owensboro The Owensboro Times Nursing researcher explores elder care collaboration and study abroad pipelines in Taiwan Purdue University AmeriCorps funding released to Elder Care Services WTXL ABC 27 Tallahassee News UVM program connects teens with older adults in hopes of boosting the elder care workforce Vermont Public Future of some Elder Care Services programs remains uncertain, still waiting for key federal funding WTXL ABC 27 Tallahassee News Elder Abuse: Why Families Should Report Abuse But They Don’t expertclick.com Department of Aging Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (.gov) Trump’s immigration policy shakes up the elder care sector: ‘Losing these caregivers is a profound blow’ EL PAÍS English Elder care taking high-tech turn in Frankfort WLFI News 18 Elder care practitioner Jade Jasken joins Essentia Health St. Mary’s-Detroit Lakes Clinic Essentia Health Elder Care Services waiting for AmeriCorps funds to be released, unsure if programs will continue from July 1 WTXL ABC 27 Tallahassee News Celebrating over 20 years of elder law experience 2822news.com Tips for finding senior care, from a senior care nurse Sanford Health News Emotional needs and service process optimization in combined medical and elder care: A TRIZ approach ScienceDirect.com As the eldercare crisis escalates, families seek help from these coaches and consultants MarketWatch Nursing home and elder-care residents could be hit hard by potential Medicaid cuts The Washington Post AI Companions Redefine Elder Care: 3 Ways They Fight Loneliness, Boost Safety And Scale Support Forbes LA Times Today: The monthly tab for her in-home elder care: $18,000. She can cover it, but how many others can? Los Angeles Times Senior Care Authority Expands Executive Team With Key Hires 1851 Franchise Take care: An expert Q-and-A on elder care in New Mexico Source New Mexico Summer heat, lack of federal funds affecting Elder Care Services food pantry Tallahassee Democrat Elder care operators settle with DA’s offices over inadequate staffing, background checks Local News Matters AWWA launches 2025 Armenian elder care grant program The Armenian Weekly Unravelling the combination of medical and elderly care in China: a comprehensive policy analysis Nature Inside the astronomical cost of elder care in California Spectrum News Elder care operators settle with DA offices over inadequate staffing, background checks Stocktonia News Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) Louisiana Department of Health (.gov) Roxana Ortega gets real about elder care in debut play, ‘Am I Roxie?’ Los Angeles Times Understanding Elder Care: Levels of Care and Care Options HONOLULU Magazine A Daughter’s Cautionary Elder Care Tale The Progressive MHA grad rewrites policy to benefit elder care University of Southern California A Model for Elder Care? Supported Housing Offers Some Hope for the Future Center for Retirement Research Legislation Being Advanced for Elder Care and Protection Jamaica Information Service |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
RELATED ARTICLES
Prevent or Delay Alzheimers Disease Argh! Where are my glasses? I put them down . . 10 Tips to Keep a Family Caregiver from Losing Their Mind Caring full time for a loved one can be a challenging task, and it takes a special person to get the job done right. Patience and compassion are the two top qualities a caregiver must possess in order to be successful. 5 Myths You Should Know Before Choosing Elder Care Myths associated with selecting quality nursing home care suggest quick and easy ways to identify quality care. In fact, relying on these myths can lead to disastrous results. When the Box is Empty The King had a modest kingdom. He was Danish. Assisted Living Facilities - What Are They? Assisted Living facilities are generally for person's 60 years of age and older. Typical candidates need assistance with "Activities of Daily Living" (ADLs), but wish to live as independently as possible. Stairlifts - Take the Struggle Out of Climbing the Stairs Buying a stairlift can have huge benefits for your quality of life, giving you back some freedom and independence. Stairlifts can be adapted to your individual needs, so no matter what your requirements are, there'll be one to suit you. Review of the Changing Protein Requirements for Seniors Youth, it is said, is wasted on the young. Too busy figuring life they hardly take the time to enjoy it. Angels Are Reaching Out to the Elderly I am reminded time after time of the profound effect Angels have on people. Recently, I have been receiving manyemails containing examples of how the Angels are reaching through the veils to assist the elderly. Solitary Confinement -- for Life Sixty-five year old Arthur Jones served a self-imposed life sentence - in his own home.Arthur lived in a high crime neighborhood, so he built iron cages around his outside doors and installed bars on all the windows. Baby Boomers: Will They Be Able to Afford Their Parents? Do you worry about whether your aging parents have their "affairs in order?" You should. After all, you're the one who will have to pay unnecessary taxes and endure time-consuming court procedures if your parents don't have an effective estate plan. Board and Care Homes - What Are They? Board and Care homes (also known as RCFE's - Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly) are residential private homes that have been licensed by the Department of Social Services to provide services to seniors. Most accept no more than six residents, but offer a cozy, home-like setting for frail seniors. Second Hand Stair Lifts Buying second hand stair lifts is a viable and cost effective alternative to purchasing a brand new stair lift. Most stair lifts can be purchased new or second hand. Honey, Where Are The Car Keys? Q: My mother is always losing, hiding and hoarding things, I am losing my mind! What can I do to get her to stop?A: This is a great question and I have a lot of material to work with.My grand mother had made me the most beautiful doilies. Introducing the Best Available Long Term Care Policy Guarantee If you're 60 to 70 years old .. Stair Lift Buying Guide There is no doubt that having a stair lift in your home can dramatically improve your quality of life. If you are starting to find that climbing the stairs is becoming a hazardous experience, or just hard work, then a stair lift could be the answer. Arizona Senior Housing: Care Options for Seniors Who Can No Longer Live Alone The following are a few of the care options available for seniors who can no longer live on their own and require assistance with their Activities of Daily Living (ADL), or require skilled nursing care. Every state is a little different in terms of availability and cost, state regulations, and the specific names used for each care option:Assisted Living Home- A facility consisting of 10 or fewer residents in a private home setting located in residential neighborhoods. How To Find Affordable Senior Housing A few years ago Miranda M. became a widow. New Hope for Alzheimers Treatment There is now widespread agreement among research scientists and medical professionals that Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a problem quickly growing to vast proportions. As the life expectancy of Americans continues to rise, increasing the percentage of the population over 65 years of age, so does the number of Alzheimer's cases. Short Trips Can Stimulate Alzheimers Patients Severe degradation of short-term memory means that my father, an Alzheimer's elder, is seldom interested in movies or books. And, although music used to be a source of enjoyment, he no longer listens with pleasure. Skilled Nursing Homes - What Are They? A skilled nursing home is a medical facility providing services similar to a hospital. The homes are staffed with licensed nurses, shared rooms, hospital beds, regular scheduled doctor rounds, meals and housekeeping. ![]() |
home | site map |
© 2009 Asteroidsearch .com |