Monday, July 27, 2015

Aging Parents and You: Tips for Getting Reimbursed When Doctors Don't Take Medicare--the Form. Part 2

Filling Out The "Patient's Request for Medical Payment Form"

                              12/2015--IMPORTANT
         Read important updates when link to "other site" below is clicked--
            some changes added in red to original text here
 
Your doctor doesn't "take" Medicare. He or she has opted out. You have Medicare Part B coverage. You've paid your bill. You should have been given a copy of the bill along with a copy of your doctor's letter, signed and dated, this includes date of service as well as the date your doctor declined Medicare participation.  

However, at bottom of last paragraph on opt-out form (easy to miss when reading the long paragraphs) there's a place for patient's signature. If you sign it, you've agreed not to take Medicare reimbursement. It may not impact secondary insurance, but you may need to apply directly to secondary insurer. Also some secondary insurance policies are tied to Medicare's approving benefits. So CHECK WITH YOUR SECONDARY INSURER.  

Now it's time to file for your reimbursement. My understanding is that one can file up to a year after the date after the medical service--ie. 7/7/14-7/7/15. But why wait so long?

The following gives the best chance to succeed on the first try. Also remember if you have secondary coverage, Medicare will forward the necessary information to them when you check that box. If Medicare declines reimbursement their declining will be on the forwarded form so CHECK as stated above.




To view entire post please visit my other site

Saturday, July 25, 2015

Aging Parents and You: Tips for Getting Reimbursed When Doctors Don't Take Medicare. Part 1

Some doctors don't "take" Medicare.
12/2015--IMPORTANT
Read important updates when "other site" link below is clicked--some changes added in red to original text here

They've chosen to be excluded from Medicare Program participation.
Nevertheless, people with Part B Medicare coverage can submit
claims forms directly to  Medicare for reimbursement from these doctors, regardless of a doctor's Medicare affiliation, IF THEY DON'T SIGN WHERE IT SAYS "PATIENTS SIGNATURE" at bottom of last paragraph on opt-out form.
It's easy to miss this when reading the long paragraphs. If you sign it, you've agreed not to take Medicare reimbursement. It may not impact secondary insurance, but you may need to apply directly to secondary insurer. Also some secondary insurance policies are tied to Medicare's approving benefits. So CHECK WITH YOUR SECONDARY INSURER. It just entails a bit more work from you/your parents if you're submitting.

Helping parents age well clearly includes their healthcare. And no doubt many parents have Medicare coverage, using doctors who "take" Medicare and do the paperwork so Medicare can reimburse. And this works pretty well.
Understand what happens when a parent with Medicare coverage uses a doctor who has opted out of Medicare Program participation and thus, doesn't "take" Medicare? Some doctors in NY and probably other large cities have decided to be excluded from Medicare participation.

To view entire post please go to my other site

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

US News Best Hospitals 2015-16 Ranks Mayo Clinic (Rochester) #1 in Geriatrics

     Massachusetts General Hospital-courtesy Mass General
    Massachusetts General Hospital [Massachusetts General]

Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston is ranked #1 Hospital in US News's Best Hospitals 2015-16 issue, published July 21st.

In Geriatrics Mayo Clinic in Rochester (not to be confused with their other sites) ranked #1, followed by  UCLA Medical Center (Calif.) #2; Mt. Sinai (NYC) #3; Massachusetts General (Boston) #4; and Johns Hopkins (Maryland) #5

How is this information helpful?


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Tuesday, July 14, 2015

Aging Parents and Elders: Traveling Alone--Air Travel


My aunt Millie (Dad’s sister) died in Oregon, 3 months short of her 100th birthday.  Dad, who was 91, was on the next morning’s flight from California to Oregon–alone. To backtrack–

My husband and I were in California for my high school reunion. I stayed on after the pre-reunion dinner while my husband drove my dad and a classmate’s 98-year-old mother back to where they were staying. They were met by news of Aunt Millie’s death.

My husband, a man of responsible action, immediately made a plane reservation for Dad to fly to Oregon to join his family the next morning. Dad had already begun packing his small case by the time I came in.

While that seemed logical to us, it astonished our friends. They were aghast at the fact we were “letting” Dad fly by himself at his age. We never gave it a second thought. Were we in denial?



To view entire post please visit my other site  

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

Airports /Travel for Aging Parents and Elders Traveling Alone: Happy or Pain Producing? 2015--Part 2

Old People Can Fly Alone. My Octogenarian Parents Did; so did my MIL at age 98.
But navigating the airport is stressful.

What stresses seniors (and many younger travelers)--at airports? There's a certain tension connected with flying today. Excluding fear of flying, it includes 7 stressors:

To view entire post please visit my other site




Saturday, July 4, 2015

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY from HELP! AGING

INDEPENDENCE DAY, JULY 4TH--hard  won, as history shows

As we strive to help elders age well, aren't we also reminded of how important independence is to each individual throughout a lifetime.
*  *  *


Will post Sunday. See you tomorrow.





http://helpparentsagewell.com/2015/07/04/happy-4th-of-july-from-help-aging-parents/