Saturday, December 31, 2016

The Republican plot to devour retirees' nest eggs

The Republican plot to devour retirees' nest eggs

Balance Billing - a term/practice to learn about......

Never heard of Balance Billing?  Me either.  But, I do know that I have long thought the main reason to have health insurance was to avoid getting hit with those ridiculously high amounts showing on my insurance statements as "amount billed".
Just as an example I looked up a recent billing for some tests I got.  Medicare says the total bill charged was $542.  Medicare paid $247.  Anthem (my supplement) says they paid $47 and my share is "$0" so the total approved amount of the $542 was $294.
So, the provider had to "eat" $248 of the amount they billed.  If I did not have "coverage" that required the vendor only get the allowed amount, I would be getting (assuming they would have done the procedure) a bill and collection activity for the full $542.  Now they want to make it possible to force me to pay the full $248 difference between billed and payable by my third party coverage.  If they give this serious consideration, they damn well better put something in place to ensure we are not being overcharged.  I always assumed the provider billed more so they gradually would have their allowable rates increased.  I think rates paid to docs should be fair and I think hospitals should be put on annual budgets instead of itemized billings.  I think all the paperwork for billing processing done for me by Medicare, my supplement insurance and my provider should be eliminated.  It is so hard to understand and adds no value to my health care.  Do away with all that paperwork and we can save a fortune to put into universal access single payer health care.

Editorial: Is healthcare a right? - Modern Healthcare Modern Healthcare business news, research, data and events

Editorial: Is healthcare a right? - Modern Healthcare Modern Healthcare business news, research, data and events

YES!

Tuesday, December 13, 2016

Millions of lives are in Paul Ryan’s hands. His Catholicism is our only hope. - The Washington Post

Millions of lives are in Paul Ryan’s hands. His Catholicism is our only hope. - The Washington Post
Good problem statement: "...the problem with giving more power to market forces within a health-care system: They privilege those who need the help least — and hurt those who need the help most."

The Health Care Movie Trailer




How to Order

Sunday, December 11, 2016

Tuesday, December 6, 2016

Obamacare was profitable for some insurers despite public comments

Obamacare was profitable for some insurers despite public comments

Wisconsin prepares for Obamacare, Medicaid changes under Trump, Congress | Local News | host.madison.com

Wisconsin prepares for Obamacare, Medicaid changes under Trump, Congress | Local News | host.madison.com

A plea to the president-elect Trump | OUPblog

A plea to the president-elect Trump | OUPblog

Next stop, universal TRUMPcare?

Next stop, universal TRUMPcare?
Talk about re-branding Medicare For All!

Medicare for all helps hold down costs | Your Letters | newspressnow.com

Medicare for all helps hold down costs | Your Letters | newspressnow.com

Citizen panel calls on Ottawa to provide universal pharmacare plan for Canadians | CP24.com

Citizen panel calls on Ottawa to provide universal pharmacare plan for Canadians | CP24.com

Whither Obamacare

Whither Obamacare
"But often on the campaign trail candidates will say one thing and then, once they’re in office, will suddenly have a “come to Jesus” moment — or in the case of Washington, “come to the lobbyist carrying the most money” — and completely switch positions. "

Senate vote clears way for 21st Century Cures Act - StarTribune.com

Senate vote clears way for 21st Century Cures Act - StarTribune.com

Sunday, December 4, 2016

Obamacare to Trumpcare: What's Next for US Healthcare?

Obamacare to Trumpcare: What's Next for US Healthcare?
Obamacare to Trumpcare: Challenges to Medicare, Medicaid, Badgercare and the ACA. 

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 11th - 1:30-3:00 PM
at the NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSE - 29 S. Mills St, Madison

with Dr. Robert Kraig, Executive Director of Citizen Action of Wisconsin and sponsored by Wisconsin PNHP (Physicians for a National Health Program).

Dr. Kraig is a leading strategist in the Wisconsin progressive movement. He was on the Democratic party platform committee for Sen. Bernie Sanders and authored the amendment that removes the barriers to states adopting single payer. He is very involved in planning the next stage of the health care reform fight, and will have much to report from recent post-election national meetings.

Citizen Action of Wisconsin (citizenactionwi.org) is a non profit organization based in Milwaukee, WI, working on issues of progressive social change

Friday, December 2, 2016