Aa
healthcare in U.S. is a mess
Unless you have cash.
I was all set in my mind to go back to biofeedback for pain (I had been referred there several yrs. ago, pre-Dx, from the HA Clinic at the hospital). The biofeedback clinic, which was part of the hospital system, has now been privatized & doesnt accept Medicare. They are trying to "grandfather" me in, as a previous patient.
I had read many months ago that Medicare & other insurances were going to drop head & other chronic pain; it costs them too much money, & there is no "proof".
Pain patients are going to be kicked to the curb, just like mentally ill patients have been.
I was all set in my mind to go back to biofeedback for pain (I had been referred there several yrs. ago, pre-Dx, from the HA Clinic at the hospital). The biofeedback clinic, which was part of the hospital system, has now been privatized & doesnt accept Medicare. They are trying to "grandfather" me in, as a previous patient.
I had read many months ago that Medicare & other insurances were going to drop head & other chronic pain; it costs them too much money, & there is no "proof".
Pain patients are going to be kicked to the curb, just like mentally ill patients have been.
What I was referring to as far as 80/20 is the coverage. In general original Medicare pays 80%, u pay 20% as a co-payment. Not all supplements cost anything. For instance, my insurance company offers better benefits to our Medicare members with no monthly premium above what they pay for Part B. it's worth looking into, I know we r out of open enrollment for 2013, but good to keep in mind for 2014
As far as everyone paying the same, unless there are special circumstances (I.e. low income, excessively high income, not earning your 40 quarters, etc.) everyone pays the same amount.
A lot of people choose to opt with a supplement so they r not subject to the 80/20 of original Medicare. With all of the changes(and more to come), a lot of providers are not taking original Medicare, where everyone was accepting it before.
It is sad to see our Medicare members suffering with lack of healthcare because of burocracy BS!
A lot of people choose to opt with a supplement so they r not subject to the 80/20 of original Medicare. With all of the changes(and more to come), a lot of providers are not taking original Medicare, where everyone was accepting it before.
It is sad to see our Medicare members suffering with lack of healthcare because of burocracy BS!
I live in NC, have original Medicare, no supplement. Does everyone pay the same amount? I ask because I whenever I get COLA increase for SSDI (and that didn't happen for several years) Medicare has gone up too, so I end up $0.00 ahead.
I'm very concerned for the future, not just for me but for everyone here who has had Trouble getting insurance coverage for tests or seeing a specialist. I also feel sorry for drs. whose incomes will be limited by cuts to Medicare. Then there will be others who won't accept Medicare patients.
Like I said, I'm OK; I just don't like the direction we're headed. I found it disturbing that services I thought were available--particularly for the mentally ill--are being taken care of by volunteers.
Off soapbox now. :)
I'm very concerned for the future, not just for me but for everyone here who has had Trouble getting insurance coverage for tests or seeing a specialist. I also feel sorry for drs. whose incomes will be limited by cuts to Medicare. Then there will be others who won't accept Medicare patients.
Like I said, I'm OK; I just don't like the direction we're headed. I found it disturbing that services I thought were available--particularly for the mentally ill--are being taken care of by volunteers.
Off soapbox now. :)
So sorry to hear the frustration u r going through, Viv...
(Dont hate me) but I work for a health insurance company and I actually am a Medicare Specialist, unfortunately I too have seen the decrease in services being paid by Medicare(referring to original Medicare) in the past 8 years that I have been working with my (yes, i call them all MY members because i love them all so much) Medicare members.
If you don't mind me asking, are u on original Medicare? Or on a Senior Advantage plan or do u have a supplement? What state do u live in? If I'm being nosey, just tell me to mind my own bees wax, but I am pretty knowledgable about Medicare and the ins and ours if u ever wanna 'pick' my brain...it's available for picking...lol!!
Anyways again I'm sorry for ur frustration, my parents' are gonna be going onto Medicare at the end of 2013 and even though I work in the field, I get sick with worry thinking about them having to weave through the tangled mess that had become Medicare...so sad because these r the people who need the medical care the most, yet it is so difficult to get the help you need.
<>
(Dont hate me) but I work for a health insurance company and I actually am a Medicare Specialist, unfortunately I too have seen the decrease in services being paid by Medicare(referring to original Medicare) in the past 8 years that I have been working with my (yes, i call them all MY members because i love them all so much) Medicare members.
If you don't mind me asking, are u on original Medicare? Or on a Senior Advantage plan or do u have a supplement? What state do u live in? If I'm being nosey, just tell me to mind my own bees wax, but I am pretty knowledgable about Medicare and the ins and ours if u ever wanna 'pick' my brain...it's available for picking...lol!!
Anyways again I'm sorry for ur frustration, my parents' are gonna be going onto Medicare at the end of 2013 and even though I work in the field, I get sick with worry thinking about them having to weave through the tangled mess that had become Medicare...so sad because these r the people who need the medical care the most, yet it is so difficult to get the help you need.
<>
I'm mentally ill as well a chronic pain patient ....
This being said the healthcare situation is dreadful!!
This being said the healthcare situation is dreadful!!
Well, it's OK for me, for now. But, like the saying goes, you don't have to be a weatherman to know which way the wind blows.
COMMUNITY LEADER
Do u know if they may be re-organizing?...grasping at straws but hoping there is something out there.....
That is good news.
I just looked into our tri-county mental health clinic, and it is gone! I was looking for a support group for chronic illness. Support groups & services are provided by volunteers now: AA & Al-Anon, NAMI (for the mentally ill), OA, The Senior Center, churches, etc. Not very encouraging....
I just looked into our tri-county mental health clinic, and it is gone! I was looking for a support group for chronic illness. Support groups & services are provided by volunteers now: AA & Al-Anon, NAMI (for the mentally ill), OA, The Senior Center, churches, etc. Not very encouraging....
You might check into community outreach health centers in your area. My son is going though some very serious Mental Health issues right now. Because of some mental disfunctions he has not been able to stay working for the last several months.
Well to shorten the story, I went to his Dr appointment with my adult son the other day. The Dr wants him to get some brain testing done to which my son said no as he has no money and no insureance. The Dr told us that the clinic where is going now for Pshyciatric care is expanding. He said in many areas of this country centers such as this one are going to be expanding to accomadate those with no funds for mental and physical care. This particular clinic is planning to have mental, physical and dental health all done there on a sliding scale by hospital doctors. He said funding is coming through the community. He is one of those behind the effort here as he said he has personally seen this work in other countries.
We knew nothing of this type of place in the area until just a few months ago. But it turns out they have been here for several years now. You never know, perhaps there is similar provision in your area?
Well to shorten the story, I went to his Dr appointment with my adult son the other day. The Dr wants him to get some brain testing done to which my son said no as he has no money and no insureance. The Dr told us that the clinic where is going now for Pshyciatric care is expanding. He said in many areas of this country centers such as this one are going to be expanding to accomadate those with no funds for mental and physical care. This particular clinic is planning to have mental, physical and dental health all done there on a sliding scale by hospital doctors. He said funding is coming through the community. He is one of those behind the effort here as he said he has personally seen this work in other countries.
We knew nothing of this type of place in the area until just a few months ago. But it turns out they have been here for several years now. You never know, perhaps there is similar provision in your area?
COMMUNITY LEADER
I have noticed a downgrade to the care and benefits ever since HMO's came into being.....that was a big turn in health care....and even with Ins, and paying a hefty monthly premium I still can not afford to go to Drs, the co-pays and out of pocket costs and deductibles r too much....
As u said unless u have cash...then u can not afford to go and get the help u need...it is sad.
So sorry to hear your having his problem. Us who deal with pain daily understand and being rejected to something that might work stinks. I agree with you with our medical system. Our mental health and our pain issues have been set aside and those who have the problem and try to get the help we need, it's not out there. Hope this grandfather will come through for you. Best wishes.
Linda :)
Linda :)
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