Seniors reaching the doughnut hole
We talked earlier last month about the Medicare Part D doughnut hole and as the end of the year approaches, more and more seniors are finding our first hand how this affects them. Some patients may have to choose between food, gas, rent or their medication.
It is estimated that 3 million seniors will reach this coverage gap before the end of the year. Many patients who face this coverage gap are already on a fixed income and have very little wriggle room. If their health worsens, they will end up in the emergency rooms and hospitals where their regular Medicare will cover the expense. This adds to the overall burden to the system.
The Part D plan has enabled some seniors a reprieve from the high cost of medication, but this doughnut hole was a known problem and probably not thought out well enough at the legislative level.
We are still not where we would like to be based on our economy and resources. We should be doing a better job for basic medical care. The problem will only worsen as the baby boomers reach the Medicare age range.
It is estimated that 3 million seniors will reach this coverage gap before the end of the year. Many patients who face this coverage gap are already on a fixed income and have very little wriggle room. If their health worsens, they will end up in the emergency rooms and hospitals where their regular Medicare will cover the expense. This adds to the overall burden to the system.
The Part D plan has enabled some seniors a reprieve from the high cost of medication, but this doughnut hole was a known problem and probably not thought out well enough at the legislative level.
We are still not where we would like to be based on our economy and resources. We should be doing a better job for basic medical care. The problem will only worsen as the baby boomers reach the Medicare age range.
posted by Anonymous at 6:12 AM
8 Comments:
HB you stated that we should be doing a better job for basic medical care, yet you are making it harder on your own patients by refusing to accept their medical insurance. I don't know who you mean by we. It is not the Government alone that is effecting more and more seniors.
HB, just out of curiosity, what are your thoughts on socialized medicine? Now, before your throw out the age old argument that the population will receive less than adequate health care under this, let me tell you a couple of things. I have a number of friends who love overseas in countries where there is socialized medicine and they assure me they receive excellent care. Also, in countries in Europe where there is socialized medicinem,they have a lower infant mortality rate then we do here in the US. What are your thoughts?
Anon 9:50,
I would duck down really low if I were you.(smile)
It depends on your definition of socialized medicine. I have friends living overseas as well and do not think much of the system because they have actually been able to compare it to what we have.
I think our country should be able to offer basic medical care to everyone that everyone contributes to paying for.
I then believe that people should pay for additional services that are not covered under the basic medical care either by out of pocket expense, secondary insurance or other means.
I do not believe everyone is entitled to everything for free.
Your comments on not accepting insurances.
When inusurers pay us a fair wage for the service we provide, negotiate fairly, and don't try to practice medicine without a license by refusing drugs, treatments, etc, physicians will then take all plans.
I agree with HB on this one. NO physician should have to accept the health insurance reimbursment from any company who does not treat the physician fairly. Like I said in my posting yesterday, its the health insurers who are compounding the problems in our country...not the physicians, patients or the lawyers.
What HB is doing, by not accepting certain insurance, is not any different than workers striking a factory over pay. Maybe that will help some people to understand.
I know, hard to believe that I am taking up for Doc. Hey, my guiding light is fairness.
I appreciate your answers to the question on Socialized medicine. I too agree that "everyone is not entitled to everything for free". However, here in lies the problem. You believe that people should pay for additional services. Do you truely understand that some one who lives and raises a family on say...12.00/hour, let alone minimum wage can actually aford the balances that are left over after insurance pays its portion. I am a single mother who has had a child that was chronically ill her whole life. Even with good insurance, a one weeks' stay at Kosair's has always left me with a balance of at least 3,000 to 4,000/visit to cover. That is impossible even on a salary of $35,000/year. Are you, as a physician, willing to work with patient's who can't pay their balance up front?
I guess I have a hard time understanding what you think constitues a fair wage. But, I won't go there as it would be rehashing a previous posting.
$80.00+ for a few minutes time sounds good to me.
Post a Comment
<< Home