Posted on 10/04/2010 6:24:20 AM PDT by Zakeet
Last year, I ordered a CT scan of the chest on a 63-year-old patient whose chest X-ray had revealed a lung nodule. I had no problem getting the test approved by his private insurance company. The radiologist suggested that I repeat the CT scan this year to make sure the nodule hasn’t turned into cancer.
But this year, the same insurance company is denying the test, having clamped down on several elective services while also raising its premiums. This company now has to cover children with pre-existing conditions and can place no lifetime limits on care. It is struggling to preserve its profits as Obamacare kicks in — profits that, to begin with, are only approximately 4 percent of its total revenue.
Next year, my patient will have Medicare. He can’t afford a secondary insurance plan (Medicare Part B covers only 80 percent of most charges), and he doesn’t qualify for Medicaid as his secondary, so he was hoping to join a Medicare Advantage plan — a private insurance plan that seniors can choose to receive, partly at government expense, instead of Medicare. But in 2011, Medicare Advantage is due to be cut $140 billion by the new law, and it is doubtful that the plan he wants will still be available. Harvard Pilgrim, the second-largest insurer in Massachusetts, has just dropped 22,000 patients from its Medicare Advantage plan in anticipation of these cuts. Soon seniors everywhere will have the same problem. In fact, the Medicare actuary estimates that 7 million out of the 11 million people with Medicare Advantage will be set adrift over the next seven years.
[Snip]
The president can keep telling Americans that their health care won’t change. But for my patients, it already has.
(Excerpt) Read more at nationalreview.com ...
somethings = sometimes
It says that the generic is not as good as the brand name under TFL’s own paper work. Our drugest explained it quite well that not only doesn’t the generic form work as well, it doesn’t come in as many strengths either.
We are retired Military and are more or less forced onto TFL and Medicare at age 65. They are both admined out of the same agency. Now you can see why we had such trouble.
It is the only generic I react to so far. I only take 4 RX meds daily, and at my age, with fibromyalgia, peripheral neuropathy (non-diabetic), osteoarthritis in 5 disc, both hands, and osteoporois in my right hand that is not bad.
I HATE getting old! I have to much I want to do.
Thanks for the links, booked marked.
If it weren’t for the calories I’d eat them by the handful. The article did not say whether it was English or Black walnuts. I love both. I’m one of those people who have to keep my weight under control for other health reasons so calorie watching is a must.
It will get defunded if we can take at least the House, repealed will require both Houses and the WH in 2012.
In the Obama White House, every day is Halloween.
Call the liars and corrupt thieves in Congress and tell them their fraud and deception is outed all over the Internet. We The People intend to shove it back where the sun don’t shine starting on November 2nd.
What a liar
Marc Siegel: The president can keep telling Americans that their health care won’t change. But for my patients, it already has.
As usual and expected, you are right on the money!!! Get out and vote enmasse on November 2, 2010 to totally destroy any Democrat running for office. There is no such person, thing or animal as a good, loyal, patriotic Democrat!!! REMEMBER IN NOVEMBER!!!!
That poor woman. She is up against a Goliath, job wise. Job market is pitiful and who will hire somebody in their 70’s. They say teenagers are having a hard time finding a little entry level job to earn a few extra bucks after school and weekends.
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