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SeniorArk
Bulletin Board |
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Seniors,
always remember, if you are EVER
in need of ANYTHING,
email:
seniorark@aol.com
We may
not be able to help, but we WILL TRY. And we
WILL answer your email.
Email
us--we want to be bothered.
 WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA
BLOOMS NOV 2, 2009
It is a time of change for our North
American yards in October and November. Many annuals have
already been touched by a light frost in Western
Pennsylvania, or have just plain finished their lifespan.
Some perennials have finished for the year as well. But some
are still determined to display their finest, and are
building strength to sleep through the winter. Shown here
are two photos taken November 2, 2009. These brave blooms
are screaming - - "NOT SO FAST, WE'RE NOT FINISHED YET" Gee,
I think I said the same thing a couple days ago!
Click photos to enlarge.
(Still blooming as of November 20,
2009)
GET A PNEUMONIA
VACCINATION
We all know about our
need to be vaccinated against the flu. But have you gotten
your pneumonia shot? It is good for 5 years. This vaccination
is a method of preventing a specific type of lung infection
that is caused by Pneumococcus bacterium. Ask your doctor
about this.
CHANGE SMOKE & CARBON
MONOXIDE
DETECTOR BATTERIES
Many have
selected the beginning and the end of daylight saving time
to change these important batteries, even if the old ones
appear to be still working. This way you know they should
function at all times. Don't use a chair, and get help if
you are unsteady on a ladder. If you don't have these
detectors, get them at you local home or hardware store and
get some help to install them. You are investing in your
safety.
Read More
I HAVE MEDICARE: THE FACTS
I have Medicare. I
receive terrific care under Medicare. The government does
not stand between me and my doctor. I have never been denied
any treatment my doctor requested. Therefore: Let's pass
"MEDICARE FOR ALL AMERICANS". Cost can be determined.
Premiums can be established and deducted from payroll checks
or contributed by employers. "Cadillac plans" can be
established for those who want some kind of extra care, and
are willing and able to pay for it. Case closed. Simple,
fast, clean. No 1,900-page bills to establish it.
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DAILY HOT NEWS ISSUES FOR
SENIORS
___________________________________________
Friday November 20, 2009
Did you read something on this page, and
now it's gone? If so, you will probably find that it has been
moved to this page.
Great American SMOKEOUT, November 19, 2009. Quit today, be
healthier tomorrow.
Can you guess what the average Senior
receives monthly in Social Security benefits?
Click for Answer
TODAY'S IMPORTANT NUMBERS
-
Friday November 20, 2009
***********************************************************
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*
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January 2001 the
national debt was $5,728,195,796,181
January 2009 the national debt was $10,656,877,048,913
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* 27% - Gift cards never redeemed in the U.S.. Over $8 Billion
worth of them were never used from 2006.
* $700 - $1000 per MONTH. Amount Medicare Advantage insurers
are paid by Medicare for your care.
* $772,000,000 - Amount AARP was paid by health insurance
companies in 2008. Beware their opinions.
* $13,375 - Average 2009 cost for an
employer-based family health insurance policy
* 8 - Percent of American companies that
will drop healthcare for employees in 2010
* 35 cents - amount health insurers
want to pocket for every health insurance dollar
* 2.1 - USA spends $2.1 trillion/year on health care.
Double per person in any other country.
* 44 million - # of Americans on
government-run health insurance - It's called Medicare!
* 44 - years Medicare has served
the needs of America's Seniors - July 30 > 44th birthday
* 43rd - U.S. life expectancy - 42
nations are higher (best healthcare in the world???)
* 28th - U.S. ranking on infant mortality
- 27 were better. (Center for Disease Control)
* 1 - Number of top 30 developed
countries without universal healthcare >> U.S.A.
* 33 cents -
Portion of each U.S. health dollar spent on administrative
costs
* 6 British pubs are closing every day
(now--this is serious)
* 2,944 consumer bankruptcies filed per day
* 50 Million - - # of Americans who will
face today with no health insurance
* 17,000 - Democrats and Republicans who are
losing their health insurance every day
* 9.2 Million U.S. households
net worth of $1 million or more, not including primary
residence
*
36 -
Shopping days left
until Christmas. (as of November 20, 2009)
* 119 - Days until Spring 2010 (as of
November 20, 2009) - Only 112 days til Daylight Saving Time.
YES!!
Do you know there are now
9 news sections on
www.seniorark.com?
Volunteers scour the web EVERY DAY to find the most
important articles for Seniors
***********************************************************
Primary News Sections
·
The Home Page you are now viewing, for the
very latest news for Seniors
·
The
"News" page for today's news on health and other items of
interest
·
Up-to-date
news on Medicare, including Part D information (last
section)
·
Up-to-date
news on Social Security, including other pension related
news (last section)
·
News on
Senior Health Issues, (last section), older than the
current
"news" page
Archived News Sections - Articles you remember reading somewhere,
but can no longer find.
·
Hot News items that have been
moved very recently from the page you are now reading
·
Older Medicare News
·
Older Health Articles with summary
·
Older Health Articles listed, without a summary
Reid
Presents Health Care Bill That Cuts $130 Billion from the
Federal Deficit
**********************************************************
Friday November 20, 2009
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) presented an $848
billion health-care overhaul package on Wednesday that would
help Americans of all ages better afford to see a doctor and
get a prescription filled. An analysis of the Senate bill, the
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, by the nonpartisan
Congressional Budget Office determined that it would cut
federal deficits by $130 billion over the next decade. "Our
nation's retirees need lower prescription drug prices, the
ability to get life-saving preventive screenings and tests,
and an end to the Medicare Trust Fund-draining subsidies to
the private insurance companies who run Medicare Advantage
programs. Senator Reid's bill offers solid progress in these
important areas," said Edward F. Coyle, Executive Director of
the Alliance for Retired Americans. "We are also pleased to
see bill include a public option." Sen. Reid said on Tuesday
that he remained cautiously optimistic that he could get the
Senate's 58 Democrats and 2 independents to vote to thwart a
filibuster on what is known as a motion to proceed, the
initial step in any debate. On Thursday, he said that first
crucial vote on the overhaul package would likely take place
on Saturday. Approval relies largely on the votes of three
wavering moderate Democrats: Senators Ben Nelson of Nebraska,
Mary Landrieu of Louisiana and Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas.
JOE LIEBERMAN HAS SOLD OUT TO BIG
INSURANCE
**********************************************************
Friday November 20, 2009
Just as we hear that health insurance reform could come to a
vote in the Senate, Joe Lieberman, the whining-nasal-talking
Senator from Connecticut again shows the influence of
big money. He announced that he would join reform
opponents, and will work to prevent the Senate's ability to
even consider the reform bill, or bring it up for a vote.
In 2006
Lieberman campaigned for his Connecticut Senate seat on the
platform that he would see to it that we got universal health
insurance--with a public option. But in the 3 years since
2006, the little darling accepted just $2,395,369 in donations
from the health sector and $1,033,402 from the insurance
industry, and
he has undergone a conversion. Halleluiah - say amen,
brother. And his conversion was a smack in the face of his
constituents, 68% of whom support, and 21% of whom oppose
reform--with a public option. I suppose 3 million dollars will trump the people
every time.
Oh, and Lieberman's
wife Hadassah has worked for the lobbying company, APCO
Associates, that had many pharmaceutical and healthcare
corporations among its clients, as well as four major drug
companies such as Pfizer. In March 2005, Hadassah was hired by
Hill & Knowlton as "senior counselor" in the firm's "health
care and pharmaceuticals practice." Hadassah's close
relationship with pharmaceutical and healthcare corporations
while her husband introduced legislation benefiting these
exact companies has raised questions about improprieties and
conflict of interest. And while all of this financial
harvesting by the Liebermans was happening, 45,000 Americans died this year
because they had no health insurance - - nearly the number of
deaths in the entire Vietnam War. And the CEO of my
Medicare Advantage company earned $20,800,000 last year. By
the way, after Lieberman's announcement on October 27 that he
would utterly reject the public option--no matter how weak or
limited it might be, stock
prices of health insurers soared. Mission accomplished!!
How much
longer are we Americans going to allow the bribery of public
officials by corporate, union, or special interest group
money? Democracy becomes a farce in the face of purchased
votes. The masses have no voice, because they are not united
to offer money.
A few
weeks ago, we heard talk of taxing the "Cadillac" health plans
out there. The thinking was this: If the average
employer-based annual family premium is $13,375, then those
gold-lined policies that cost $19,000 to who knows how much,
should be taxed so they will be discouraged. Policies like
that encourage unlimited, unneeded, open-ended, expensive
"care". And in the process, they drive up health care costs in
general for everyone. But then the unions took a good look at
it. Turns out that their members have "Cadillac" policies. And
they donate big money, primarily to Democrats. Have you heard
anyone talking seriously about taxing these policies in the
last two weeks? I haven't. Silence is being bought by the
unions, and others with such high-octane plans.
The common good was sold again.
Until we find a
way to finance elections in a way prevents bribery, the public
will always lose to financial influence. Efforts have been
made. At times, lawmakers like John McCain and others, with
enough personal money or popularity to campaign for office
without accepting dirty money, have spoken up. But they are
quickly talked down.
Are there
any statesmen left who will say, "I stand for the public good,
and will support it even if I must lose the next election."?
If they exist, they are well-hidden.
WHAT THE NEW HEALTH BILL SHOULD
MEAN FOR MEDICARE
**********************************************************
Medicare has been a stable, reliable
program for senior citizens, people with disabilities and
those with end-stage renal disease for more than four
decades, and has provided coverage for more than 45 million
individuals this year. Health reform is needed to rein in
rising health costs for private and public programs alike.
Improving and strengthening Medicare is a critical component
of reform.
Medicare
provisions likely to be in a final bill:
-
Fills in the Part D Donut Hole:
Addresses one of seniors’ top concerns by immediately
beginning to fill in the Medicare Part D donut hole which
will make prescription drugs more affordable. In 2010,
seniors will see the donut hole reduced by $500 and will
have access to 50 percent discounts on brand-name drugs in
the donut hole until it is completely phased out by 2019.
-
Enhances Preventive Coverage:
Eliminates co-payments for preventive services in
Medicare.
-
Helps Low-Income Seniors: Improves
low-income subsidy programs to ensure Medicare is
affordable for seniors with low and modest incomes.
-
Combats Waste, Fraud & Abuse: Ensures
the program operates in the best interests of its
beneficiaries and all taxpayers by expanding authority to
fight waste, fraud and abuse.
-
Ends Medicare Advantage Overpayments:
Phases out overpayments to insurance companies offering
private health plans in Medicare (“Medicare Advantage”
plans) and adds additional consumer protections to ensure
that these plans do not charge higher out-of-pocket
expenses than traditional Medicare. Ensures that Medicare
Advantage plans provide adequate value to their enrollees
by guaranteeing minimum medical loss ratios.
-
Protects the Doctor-Patient
Relationship and Improves Quality: Companion legislation
resolves a longstanding problem with the physician payment
formula to promote primary care and advance innovation.
-
Investments in health delivery system
reform will improve coordinated care, promote efficiency,
and enhance quality.
-
Extends the Medicare Trust Fund:
Following the advice of non-partisan experts at the
Medicare Payment Advisory Commission, the proposal makes
numerous changes in provider payments that extend the life
of the Trust Fund for five years and put the program on
stronger financial footing for the future.
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THIS IS THE
SENIORARK MEDICARE
BIG RED NEWS BOX
(Your source for the latest
Medicare information, as you make decisions for 2010)
For more helpful information on Medicare, Parts
A, B, C, and D, the Donut Hole, the
CPI-W, Current
Medicare News Articles, and much
more, see our
Medicare Page.
---TIME TO DECIDE ON
PART "D" AND "MEDICARE ADVANTAGE"
THESE MUST BE RECONSIDERED EVERY YEAR
AT THIS TIME
Friday November 20, 2009
Now Is the time to decide on a Medicare plan. Prices for both
Medicare Part D prescription-drug plans as well as Medicare
Advantage plans are going to rise in
2010. You have from
Nov. 15 to Dec. 31 to decide whether you want to stay in the
same plan or switch plans for 2010. Average premiums for Part
D plans are increasing 7 percent in 2010, and average premiums
for Medicare Advantage plans are jumping 22 percent. These
price hikes may be tough to deal with next year,
since Social Security will not have a cost-of-living increase.
Here are some of the changes to WATCH OUT for:
-
For 2010, more than 60 percent of Part D plans will charge an
annual deductible ($310 is standard) before covering any drug
costs, up from the 45 percent that charged a deductible in
2009, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation.
-
Fewer Part D plans will provide coverage in the so-called
doughnut hole, which begins after you reach $2,830 in total
drug spending and extends until your total drug costs for the
year reach $6,440 in 2010; within that gap, you generally have
to pay all the bills yourself. The plans that do provide some
coverage in the doughnut hole usually cover only the
cost of generic drugs; otherwise, you’re on your own.
-
Be sure to check how each Part D plan treats your specific
medications. Co-payments are rising, and many insurers are
changing formularies. For example, you could end up with
higher out-of-pocket costs if your insurer switches your drug
from preferred to co-pay non-preferred.
-
This year’s premium increases come on top of previous
cumulative price hikes. Premiums for AARP MedicareRx
Preferred, the most popular Part D plan, have risen by 50
percent since 2006, according to Avalere Health, a health-care
consulting firm. Premiums for Humana Enhanced, also a popular
plan, have increased by 180 percent over the same time period.
In states where more providers are available, rates of
increase have often been less.
THE BOTTOM
LINE FOR YOU---NO MATTER WHICH MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLAN
YOU HAVE, (20 percent of Seniors have Medicare
handled by one of these), IS THIS:
YOU MUST
REVIEW ANY CHANGES THAT ARE BEING MADE BY YOUR PROVIDER. Then compare your
plan with others.
It may mean thousands
of
$$
to you.
INSURERS
ARE MAKING HUGE CHANGES THIS YEAR!!!!!!
Here is how to compare:
-
The Medicare
prescription-drug-plan finder is an excellent tool to
analyze the costs of Part D plans for your situation. Type in
your drugs and dosages, and you’ll see total out-of-pocket
costs — premiums as well as co-payments — for your medications
throughout the year.
-
The
Medicare health plan finder is an excellent tool to
compare Medicare Advantage plans.
-
Or call (800) 633-4227 for personalized assistance from a
Medicare representative..
For many of us who have
chosen
the Medicare Advantage HMO or PPO approach in order to
save money in the past, it may be time to go back to traditional
Medicare with a supplement (medi-gap).
SIGNIFICANT
DATES: You may change your Medicare
advantage plan back to traditional Medicare only between
November 15 and December 31, 2009.
You may also select a
different Medicare Advantage plan between November 15
and December 31, 2009. You
may switch to a Medicare Advantage insurance
company from traditional Medicare, or change to another
Medicare Advantage insurance company, BUT NOT BACK to traditional Medicare, between
January 1 and March 31, 2010. (Is that as clear as mud?)
Read:
Parts A, B, C>(Medicare Advantage), and D, plus Medi-Gap
MADE SIMPLE.
**********************************************************
---HUGE
MEDICARE ADVANTAGE (PART C) INCREASES FOR 2010
PREMIUM UP 40.7%
**********************************************************
By, Robert Fassbach, editor,
www.SeniorArk.com
What you are
about to read has NOTHING to do with any of the current
health insurance reform legislation. Nothing has been
passed, and if it had been, would not affect Medicare
Advantage in 2010. What you will read has been the act
of a private insurer, and makes the case for strong
government intervention in our healthcare insurance
delivery system.
October 6, 2009 - - My wife and I
received a little gem in the morning mail today: the
terms of our Medicare Advantage plan (also known as part
C) for the coming year. COVENTRY ADVANTRA GOLD, a
private insurer providing Medicare Advantage, HAS
MADE HUGE INCREASES IN PREMIUMS AND CO-PAYS FOR 2010.
And it has the potential to change our financial life as
we have known it. We bet your insurer will do the same. There will be an expanded discussion
of this in coming days, but here are some of the
immediate highlights that pop out:
* The basic monthly premium has
increased by 40.7%. Yes you have read it
correctly, 40.7%. But hold on - - there is much more
- - and it gets much worse.
* In 2009 the first 8 days of
hospitalization was fully covered. In 2010 we will each
be liable for $170.00 for each of those days.
*The co-pay for seeing a specialist
has increased by 40%, from $25 to
$35 per visit.
* Occupational or physical therapy
co-pays have increased by 75%, from $20 to $35
per visit.
* Diagnostic or therapeutic
radiology services co-pays have increased 385%,
from $25 to $90 for each event
Since my policy also includes my
Part D drug plan, I must still investigate that aspect.
But I am certain that my drug benefits under their
policy will not have increased. Last year they simply
decided that an important drug I needed would no longer
be covered in any way. So I have done without.
(A little tidbit on my
prescriptions: In September I tried to refill Lipitor
for 90 days. The druggist called for approval, and was
told it was $45. But for the prior quarter I paid $10. I
called Coventry today, and was told I should be paying
$4.95 for 30 days, and about $10 for 90 days, but they
needed to connect me with Medco, who manages their
prescriptions. Medco told me that my price is somewhere
over $200--and she emphasized that Lipitor is an
expensive drug, and I should consider something cheaper.
Understand, I paid $45 for a 3 month supply for the
first quarter of the year and received a refund for
overpayment. As I am typing this, I am on hold and they
are investigating. Grrrrrrrrr!) Do we need efficient
health insurance reform?
The total compensation for the
CEO of Coventry in 2008 was $20,860,000.
(Source:
Forbes.com)
**********************************************************
For much more helpful information on Medicare, Parts
A, B, C, and D, the Donut Hole, the CPI-W, Current
Medicare News Articles, and much
more, see our
Medicare Page.
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FELLOW SENIORS, CONSIDER THIS
**********************************************************
November 20, 2009 We seniors are in a pretty good position.
(1) We have a fixed income--something much of the population
would love to have.
(2) We have government-run, single payer health insurance
(Medicare), something that 50-70 million Americans would fall
on their knees to get.
(3) We received a 5.8% cost-of living adjustment last year,
while cost of living is dropping this year.
(4) We have a health insurance premium (part B) that cannot go
up if there is no cost of living increase next year. (applies
to most Seniors who earn less than $85,000--$170,000 for
couples)
(5) Obama has negotiated with drug companies to reduce the
cost of medications, paid by seniors, by 50% in the donut
hole. (May be dependent upon the final health insurance reform
bill)
Obama has no control over whether there is, or is not, a cost
of living adjustment. That was established by law many years
ago. And his health proposals take NOTHING away from us. They
will add to the health of Medicare, and care for us very well.
Don't believe the trash being disseminated by greedy insurance
companies. They succeed only on fear, and our fears are
unjustified.
Now, we do have another legitimate issue:
does the CPI-W - - the index that determines our COLA - -
truly reflect Senior expenses. We think not, and we need to
let our congress people know that. (See
SeniorArk article on this subject)
2009 RECOVERY ACT: HUGE TAX CREDITS FOR BUYING ENERGY
EFFICIENT PRODUCTS
**********************************************************
The Recovery and Reinvestment Act (2009
stimulus) offers huge investment tax credits for a range of
high energy products for your home. Windows, doors, heating,
roofs, and alternative energy-producers all participate. If
you are having difficulty in selling an existing home,
energy-saving improvements could be the key. Few know of
these provisions, so move quickly to avoid backups in
supplies and contractors.
Read the Details and Cash In
SOME SIGNIFICANT RECENT NEWS HEADLINES
- from the web:
***********************************************************
For more complete news headlines, go to
"NEWS"
 Quick
Fixes to Add Years to Your Life!
CBS News
The effect of hobbies is
especially important when we retire from the workforce.
(Source: Psychologist Michael Brickey, author of the book,
"Defy Aging") ...
Also read: 57 Hobby Ideas
for Seniors
Tucson
Citizen -
November 14, 2009
November 15
th to December 31 st is the Medicare Annual Election
period. This is an important time for a number of reasons.
Part D: If you have a stand-alone Medicare Part D plan
(that is not part of a Medicare Advantage plan), this is
the only time of
Health Care Reform Bill Detailed Summary
Gather.com
Posted by SA November 11, 2009
Makes it easier for Medicare beneficiaries to get access to
needed vaccinations by covering all vaccines under Part B of
the program rather than Part D. ...
AARP Endorses Affordable Health Care for America Act
Reuters Posted
by SA November 11, 2009
... one by improving Medicare's payments to doctors; --
Lowering drug costs for seniors by closing the Medicare Part
D "doughnut hole" and allowing Medicare ...
AARP's tacit endorsement of Medicare cuts line its
pockets, but shortchanges seniors ...
Chicago Tribune
November 5, 2009
... the interests of senior citizens, watch silently
as Congress plans to cut Medicare spending by $400 billion
to pay for its health reform legislation? ...
AARP received $772,000,000
from insurance companies in 2008
Did you know this?
Per
AARP's 2008 Consolidated Financials, it was paid
$652,000,000 in royalties from insurance companies that sold
products referred by AARP. Per those same financials AARP
received an additional $120,000,000 for the ads placed in
its publications. That is a total one-year payment to AARP
from health insurance companies
of $772
Million. So when
reading about AARP'S opinions on healthcare, remember these
numbers.
2.2 million refinanced mortgages saving homes, economy
Examiner.com
If you haven't
looked into refinancing your mortgage under federal
programs, you could be missing an opportunity to save money,
keep your home and give the ...
A new poll shows that doctors are among the biggest
supporters in the United States of a public option in the
health care overhaul.
Q: Is it true that if you have low income, you can get help paying Medicare premiums? A: Yes. If your income and resources are limited, your state may be able to help with your Medicare Part B premium, deductibles and co-insurance amounts. ...
Toronto Star -
Mitch Potter
A stutter-step economic recovery seems to be underway,
with signs that the housing bust and employment
wipeout may finally be moderating. But economists
still have a lot of major worries. U.S. News & World
Report compiled a list of cities likely to escape the
commercial real estate scourge and transition soon to
a bona fide recovery.
Find out where they are.
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SENIOR
ACTION REQUIRED
ARE YOU FALLING INTO THE DOUGHNUT HOLE?
*************************************
15
ways to survive a fall into that dreaded abyss -
November 20, 2009
Yes, Part "D"
is a bizarre system, crafted by a slight-of-hand
Congress, mostly written by the drug
and insurance companies. Yes it can be
overwhelming to the Senior who needs more than a minimal
amount of medication each year. But do not despair. There are
specific things you can do today to survive this
convoluted program, and the doughnut hole at its center.
Read
Complete Article, and another important article,
Surviving
with Medicare Part "D".
MANY ELIGIBLE LOW-INCOME SENIORS NOT
APPLYING FOR PART D SUBSIDY
************************************************************
The
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the
Congressional Budget Office have estimated, respectively,
that about 2.6 million to over 4 million individuals who may
qualify for the Medicare prescription drug low-income subsidy
are not receiving it. Various barriers, such as reluctance to
disclose personal financial information or lack of knowledge
of the subsidy, may prevent potentially eligible Medicare
beneficiaries from applying for the subsidy. To view the
highlights of the report, go to:
http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08812thigh.pdf
. To see if you qualify, or to apply, go to:
https://s044a90.ssa.gov/apps6z/i1020/main.html
Also see:
Latest
Health News ,
Latest Medicare News ,
Latest Social Security
News
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SeniorArk
FunSpot
11/20/2009
Also, enjoy our massive: "just for fun" , "humor",
and "photo"
sections
And
click here to see some humor that was formerly on this
FunSpot
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Those Amazing
Animals
Is it a towel, or a blanket, or a dog, or... ???
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For more, go to:
Fun
Pages, or
Humor Pages, or
Funny Images
, or
Funny
Videos
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may
