I gave a lot of thought to posting today's blog. As you know, I do not allow political debate on these boards. That is not what this website is about. There are plenty of websites where anyone can voice their political opinions loudly and clearly. Everyone and anyone is welcome to go to them and sound off however they wish.
I fully understand the division in this country concerning the recently signed Health Care Bill, which is why I was so hesitant about writing today's blog. However, I felt it was important (as did the Alzheimer's Association) to provide information as to how the bill affects those with Alzheimer's Disease.
So with the intent of providing Alzheimer's information, and only with that intent, I wrote today's blog, which is information provided by the Alzheimer's Association as to how the Health Care Bill may affect those of you caring for your spouses with Alzheimer's Disease. I thought the information was important enough that it needed to be posted, even at the risk of incurring political rath.
If you wish to comment, please take time to read the entire list of information in the blog first. I implore you to comment on the Alzheimer's effect only. If you wish to vent about Repubicans, Democrats, Socialists, and anything political, please do so on a political website, or call and write to your legislators. Thank you for your understanding.
For those like me who use Hospice, depend on Hospice and their services, we are taking a blow. I read this yesterday:
at this website: http://www.nhpco.org/i4a/pages/Index.cfm?pageID=5853
"What Passed and What it Means for End-of-Life Care
Sunday night, by a vote of 219-212, the House passed H.R. 3590, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. H.R. 3590 is actually the version of health reform that originated and passed out of the Senate last December. This version of the bill, the one that has now passed both chambers of Congress, softens the productivity cuts to hospice from a proposed $10 billion to $7.8 billion. Here’s an overview of what is in the final package relevant to end-of life care:
Market Basket Cuts & Productivity - Incorporates a productivity adjustment reduction into the market basket update beginning in fiscal year 2013, as well as a market basket reduction of .3 percent for hospice providers from fiscal years 2013-2019. Note that these cuts will not take effect until FY 2013. Hospice Payment Reforms – (1) This provision would require the Secretary to collect data and update Medicare hospice claims forms and cost reports by 2011. (2) Based on this information, the Secretary would be required “implement revisions to the methodology for determining the payment rates for routine home care and other services included in hospice care” no earlier than FY 2013. (3) After January 1, 2011, a hospice physician or nurse practitioner must have a face-to-face encounter with each hospice patient to determine continued eligibility for hospice care prior to the 180th-day recertification and each subsequent recertification, and attest that such visit took place. In addition, the Secretary will medically review certain patients in hospices with high percentages of long-stay patients. Medicare Hospice Concurrent Care Demonstration Program - Directs the HHS Secretary to establish a three-year demonstration program that would allow patients who are eligible for hospice care to also receive all other Medicare covered services while receiving hospice care. The demonstration would be conducted in up to 15 hospice programs in both rural and urban areas and would undergo an independent evaluation of its impact on patient care, quality of life and spending in the Medicare program. "
NOTE the 2.2 Billion dollar cut to current Hospice programs....as more and more people are going to need it - and we, the caregivers, are the ones who won't be receiving this same service as we have had.
As to some of the other programs that will be available to people who are struck with Alzheimer's in the future, some gain...those in the last stages whose caregivers need assistance, not so much...
If I'm reading anything wrong here, please let me know....
We need to remember also, that this is not the end all. There will be amendments, deletions, add-ons, etc, before it's all over. In fact, it will continually change as the year go by.
Mary, thanks for the information. I had been trying to find out what happened with hospice since Monday, when a friend, who is a medical insurance salesman, told me that hospice and homecare would be eliminated with the new law.
My family Doctor has 2 sons who are family Doctors. They were in with him in his practice until about a year ago when they dropped out and went to one of the Quick Care places. Our Doctor has a daughter in College majoring in Medicine. He said he has advised her to NOT go into Family Practice. He says if the Health Care package passes the Doctors will be paid just a fraction of what Medicare is paying now and a lot of Doctors are going to stop taking Medicare patients.
Mary, thanks for printing that out. The more we can find accurate information the better.
I have the feeling that a lot of hospice facilities bill for care for a lot of people who are not in end-of-life situations. In RI there isn't anywhere near the availability of hospice care that you have, Mary, and believe me, I've looked for it. I seriously doubt that hospice will be totally eliminated (that doesn't appear to be the case in what you printed out) but yes, they probably will cut some payments...
Briegull is correct. Hospice is not going to be eliminated. If you read the "Market Basket Cuts & Productivity " section that Mary posted, it refers to better accountability of who is receiving Hospice services. There is a lot of latitude among different States as to who is eligible and for how long. They are trying to make sure those who need it get it, and reduce fraud and abuse by those who, as Briegull said, are not in end of life situations. Most likely the cut in payments will be to those who are not really qualified to receive it. The Alzheimer's Association and the Hospice associations will be monitoring the situation very carefully.
As to Bluedaze's concern about home care, this is taken directly from my home page blog - Home- and Community-Based Services: Federal Medicaid payments will increase for those states that provide home- and community-based services to individuals who are otherwise eligible for nursing home care. This will encourage more states to provide – or to continue to provide – care for seniors with Alzheimer’s in their homes and communities, rather than only through nursing homes.