September 15, 2023 Recent News
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Medicare is not going bankrupt as quickly as many have feared. A recent study showed slowing of spending by the huge program on a per beneficiary basis. This is between the years 2011 and 2021. This is due to decreased payments to hospitals and Medicare Advantage insurers. Older people are also having less heart attacks and other medical illnesses and are not living longer. It is expected to increase over the next years as more people enter the Medicare age. Top
Kaiser Permanente was fined $49 million for their shameful dumping of drugs, syringes and many other things in land fills. This was not just one of the facilities but several (16) facilities.
The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences have sued patients for unpaid debt. This was found on an CNN Investigation. The yellow journalism did not deny the people owed the money. The University stated they only go after those who owe after at least 12 communications asking them to set up a payment plan. On the other side of the coin this may be connected to the University having a contract with a collection company. Top
There will be some major changes in the payments to physicians. As payments for care have fallen more physicians want more money for call or service line contracts. The hospitals are pushing back saying we have to only pay market value. This is true but who determines market value the payor or the payee? Another change coming soon is more unionization of the employed physician along with physician strikes or even worse not discharging patients early causing the hospitals to lose money. Top
DISCLAIMER: Although this article is updated periodically, it reflects the author's point of view at the time of publication. Nothing in this article constitutes legal advice. Readers should consult with their own legal counsel before acting on any of the information presented.