I have been silent for awhile. Helping my daughter and her family move and recognizing that my body is way older then I thought it was and I work out! I have muscles hurting that I did not know I had. And they moved during the first snow in Maryland. Nice.
Coupled with the snow was the absolute unbelievable poor customer service of 2 companies who, in my opinion, represent companies who feel they are doing well enough not to have to care about customers. This represents my opinion, but Verizon is number one on my list of incompetent, stupid, and disdainful businesses in today's world. My daughter's family has NO phone or wireless connections because VERIZON, even though they confirmed that everything would be done the Friday before the move since they don't do new connections on weekends (must be nice), have neither. And when Verizon was called, they did NOTHING to correct the situation. It's a good thing my family all have cell phones (and not thru Verizon). Additionally, since Verizon did not have FIOS available in the area, direct TV was to be the provider of television services.
All of this was arranged well in advance of the move. Email confirmations were received. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE. Nothing. And my daughter and her husband have spent hours on the phone with each and they frankly don't care and have done nothing to rectify situation saying they could come out in a week or so.
So they called Comcast and whoever does come out and install first, wins. Frankly, I would like to ask VERIZON: don't care about customers? Well, maybe its time, customers or potential customers leave you. I did. In my opinion, the best thing about Verizon, is that it made Comcast more customer friendly.
Amanda Knox: I have been following this Italian trial. What it showed me is no matter how imperfect the US court system is, it is enormously better then the Italian System. I can't even imagine what Amanda's family is going thru, not to mention what they are spending on this. What would you do? In my opinion, Amanda should have been acquitted. It really was a verdict against the US as Italian American relations are not great.
Tiger Woods: really a personal matter but very disappointing as this clean cut role model turns out to be a slime bucket. I actually would watch golf if Tiger was playing. I don't think I will ever be able to look at him with any respect at all. I don't care what he does on the golf course; he is a cheater, liar, plain and simple.
Congress: Several senators are urging Senator Reid to move Medicare under the auspices of Congress. What? Congress can't agree on what bathroom to use much less how health care should be governed. We are the only major country without health care for all. And now THEY want to manage Medicare. Spare me. They are not health care professionals and are frankly clueless in this realm. Instead, I would like to see ALL of them gone.
The GOOD? hmmmm...Amazing Race was great. Top Chef is coming to a close, sadly. About 6 more weeks till American Idol starts. And, I have great friends and family. Yep, that's the best!
Showing posts with label Medicare. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Medicare. Show all posts
Monday, December 7, 2009
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Conference Call with Senator Reid Team; Health Care Reform
Ronni Bennett of TimeGoesBy blog organized a bloggers outreach on Health Care Reform that motivated me to blog, ad nauseum to some, about my thoughts on this very important matter. As a result of that, Ronni spoke with Senator Reid's team yesterday and then today 4 other bloggers, myself included, we invited to speak this morning with a team from Senator Reid's office, health policy people and staff, related to Senator Baucas plan. Ronni will be blogging on more specifics on the Medicare aspects of reform; the actual process involved in getting this bill through, and more tomorrow at http://www.timegoesby.net/. My post is my view point on the general topic of getting health care reform bill passed. Some facts, a lot of opinion, and pure emotion.
I spent most of last night and this morning reading Senator Baucas plan that the team graciously supplied to all of us on the call. I am now officially brain dead. This bill is, in my opinion, awful. There is NO public option plan. It is a lesson in how politicians keep their jobs and give buraucracy a lousy name.
What I learned from the call that is positive:
Medicare will cover prevention testing free to subscribers
Medicare will cover free annual check ups(instead of just ONE when you sign up)
If you are in the donut hole on Medicare, you will get a 50% reduction discount on brand name drugs but get credit of 100% toward coming out of the donut hole
There will be a .5% increase in reimbursement to doctors and NOT the 21% reduction. This will keep doctors on the roll of providing medical care for seniors.
What is negative:
no public option plan
574 ammendments submitted as of yesterday
still no coverage of bone density scans as prevention for osteoporosis which has increased health care costs related to this disease to a whopping $19 billion!
No agreement between Repubs and Dems on bills and ammendments
What is hopeful:
House bill does have public option plan
HELP has public option plan (HELP is the anacronym for the Senate's Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Finance)
The call: the staff were very nice, helpful and listened to our concerns and explained the process. For me, someone who has been in health care in one way or another for more years than I care to count, I do not understand why Congress continues to make something so simple, so difficult.
My question: Medicare is in place. It is not perfect but provides good health care coverage for over 40 million seniors. You do pay a premium for Medicare that is managable to most. If you cannot afford it, and are eligible for Medicaid, Medicaid will pay for Medicare. This is called dual eligibility.
Medicare has an infrastucture in place. True it has some bureacracy but what health insurer doesn't? So, very simply, why not make Medicare the PUBLIC OPTION plan for the uninsured? tada! Simple. Easy, Fast.
Frustrating...some of congressional staff/members actually suggested this but its not going anywhere. Don't ask me why.
The good: Congress is getting calls, emails, phone calls on Health care reform. So if you have a view point, make it known. Or suffer the consequences of non action.
I know the President's bill and others make certain conditions a necessity in changing the managed care insurers but they forgot to eliminate the term MCO love: Medical necessity which is used to deny coverage for "anything" the plan deems too expensive.
I loved the staff today who were very helpful and honest. More than that, they were willing to listen. Tell everyone you know to call, email, blog about health care reform. Congress is listening. And that is the best news I can offer.
Frankly, I am drained from frustration related to what I perceive as the mind boggling reticence on the part of Congress to make a simple, easy to use health care system possible. Health care coverage is a liberty. I thought liberty for all was part of our US Consitution. Remember when Patrick Henry said: "give me liberty or give me death"? It is evident today that he was also including health care coverage.....pun intended.
More to come.....
I spent most of last night and this morning reading Senator Baucas plan that the team graciously supplied to all of us on the call. I am now officially brain dead. This bill is, in my opinion, awful. There is NO public option plan. It is a lesson in how politicians keep their jobs and give buraucracy a lousy name.
What I learned from the call that is positive:
Medicare will cover prevention testing free to subscribers
Medicare will cover free annual check ups(instead of just ONE when you sign up)
If you are in the donut hole on Medicare, you will get a 50% reduction discount on brand name drugs but get credit of 100% toward coming out of the donut hole
There will be a .5% increase in reimbursement to doctors and NOT the 21% reduction. This will keep doctors on the roll of providing medical care for seniors.
What is negative:
no public option plan
574 ammendments submitted as of yesterday
still no coverage of bone density scans as prevention for osteoporosis which has increased health care costs related to this disease to a whopping $19 billion!
No agreement between Repubs and Dems on bills and ammendments
What is hopeful:
House bill does have public option plan
HELP has public option plan (HELP is the anacronym for the Senate's Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Finance)
The call: the staff were very nice, helpful and listened to our concerns and explained the process. For me, someone who has been in health care in one way or another for more years than I care to count, I do not understand why Congress continues to make something so simple, so difficult.
My question: Medicare is in place. It is not perfect but provides good health care coverage for over 40 million seniors. You do pay a premium for Medicare that is managable to most. If you cannot afford it, and are eligible for Medicaid, Medicaid will pay for Medicare. This is called dual eligibility.
Medicare has an infrastucture in place. True it has some bureacracy but what health insurer doesn't? So, very simply, why not make Medicare the PUBLIC OPTION plan for the uninsured? tada! Simple. Easy, Fast.
Frustrating...some of congressional staff/members actually suggested this but its not going anywhere. Don't ask me why.
The good: Congress is getting calls, emails, phone calls on Health care reform. So if you have a view point, make it known. Or suffer the consequences of non action.
I know the President's bill and others make certain conditions a necessity in changing the managed care insurers but they forgot to eliminate the term MCO love: Medical necessity which is used to deny coverage for "anything" the plan deems too expensive.
I loved the staff today who were very helpful and honest. More than that, they were willing to listen. Tell everyone you know to call, email, blog about health care reform. Congress is listening. And that is the best news I can offer.
Frankly, I am drained from frustration related to what I perceive as the mind boggling reticence on the part of Congress to make a simple, easy to use health care system possible. Health care coverage is a liberty. I thought liberty for all was part of our US Consitution. Remember when Patrick Henry said: "give me liberty or give me death"? It is evident today that he was also including health care coverage.....pun intended.
More to come.....
Friday, September 11, 2009
Referral to another blog, read it, facts
Please see http://www.timegoesby.net/weblog/2009/09/reflections-health-care.html
A factual and personal view of health reform. Not by me. I am drained. It is written by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Saul Friedman . Here is a brief point from the blog:
One of the several health care proposals before the Congress comes closest to Medicare for All. It was approved by the Democratic majority on the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee (HELP) without a single Republican vote. It was Senator Edward Kennedy’s bill.
Why didn’t Barack Obama put his actions where his fine words were and tell the Democratic Congress to pass the Kennedy bill?
A factual and personal view of health reform. Not by me. I am drained. It is written by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Saul Friedman . Here is a brief point from the blog:
One of the several health care proposals before the Congress comes closest to Medicare for All. It was approved by the Democratic majority on the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee (HELP) without a single Republican vote. It was Senator Edward Kennedy’s bill.
Why didn’t Barack Obama put his actions where his fine words were and tell the Democratic Congress to pass the Kennedy bill?
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Of life, liberty, pursuit of happiness: ramblings
Bailey (my son's dog) goes home today. I have to say that Bailey has endeared himself to me, especially after I had him groomed and the massive hair sheds stopped. I remember how much I loved dogs now. I will actually miss him.
So much going on in the world. Today is just a ramble, no rhyme or reason. Farrah is gone. Knew it would happen, yet sad. She became a symbol of fighting a rare form of cancer with no defined cure or remission treatment. Her documented struggle was both inspiring and sad. Yet she could fly across a continent because she had money to do this. Health care coverage would not cover this in our country. For most of us, the catastrophic coverage clause would have kicked in and been maxed out. We need health care coverage NOW. And, if the government does implement a public plan as an option, Medicare as we know it should stop and be combined in the public plan.
In a country where age discrimination is not endorsed, why do we have separate health coverage for those over 65? There should just be a health coverage plan for those who do not have access to employee or group health coverage. The risk could be shared among the 42 million Medicare recipients and the 40 million uninsured. 80+ million subscribers/members of a health coverage plan would be the largest group in the US. Private plans should be allowed to offer coverage to this group also. And all health plans should be staffed by health professionals who actually have experience in health care. No bureaucrats should be allowed!
Moving on to Michael Jackson...I said this was my rambling. I remember the Jackson 5 and Micheal. Yes, I loved their music. Yes I thought Michael was a genius but his loss of childhood, his eccentricity, his obvious psychos0cial needs were unmet and not supported. No child in a normal family would have been allowed to do or participate in what he did. The enormous unstructured purchases, the lavish spending and the desire to be with children were symptoms that were allowed to go unchecked because he surrounded himself with leeches who never helped him but enabled him. A very tragic figure....a musical genius and by some accounts, a great strategist with business acumen that was contradicted by his insatiable needs. And, probably killed by a narcotic overdose administered by a physician who sadistically enjoyed being a personal doc to a very needy human being. Obviously these are all my opinions. Time will tell. I hope the media backs off and especially leaves his kids alone. They are already pontificating about doing DNA to see if these kids are really Michael's. Who cares. Let's just listen to the music and forget the rest.
Iran: too much to fathom. I feel for the Iranian people who are struggling to make their voices heard. So much going on..........
More to come.........................
So much going on in the world. Today is just a ramble, no rhyme or reason. Farrah is gone. Knew it would happen, yet sad. She became a symbol of fighting a rare form of cancer with no defined cure or remission treatment. Her documented struggle was both inspiring and sad. Yet she could fly across a continent because she had money to do this. Health care coverage would not cover this in our country. For most of us, the catastrophic coverage clause would have kicked in and been maxed out. We need health care coverage NOW. And, if the government does implement a public plan as an option, Medicare as we know it should stop and be combined in the public plan.
In a country where age discrimination is not endorsed, why do we have separate health coverage for those over 65? There should just be a health coverage plan for those who do not have access to employee or group health coverage. The risk could be shared among the 42 million Medicare recipients and the 40 million uninsured. 80+ million subscribers/members of a health coverage plan would be the largest group in the US. Private plans should be allowed to offer coverage to this group also. And all health plans should be staffed by health professionals who actually have experience in health care. No bureaucrats should be allowed!
Moving on to Michael Jackson...I said this was my rambling. I remember the Jackson 5 and Micheal. Yes, I loved their music. Yes I thought Michael was a genius but his loss of childhood, his eccentricity, his obvious psychos0cial needs were unmet and not supported. No child in a normal family would have been allowed to do or participate in what he did. The enormous unstructured purchases, the lavish spending and the desire to be with children were symptoms that were allowed to go unchecked because he surrounded himself with leeches who never helped him but enabled him. A very tragic figure....a musical genius and by some accounts, a great strategist with business acumen that was contradicted by his insatiable needs. And, probably killed by a narcotic overdose administered by a physician who sadistically enjoyed being a personal doc to a very needy human being. Obviously these are all my opinions. Time will tell. I hope the media backs off and especially leaves his kids alone. They are already pontificating about doing DNA to see if these kids are really Michael's. Who cares. Let's just listen to the music and forget the rest.
Iran: too much to fathom. I feel for the Iranian people who are struggling to make their voices heard. So much going on..........
More to come.........................
Monday, June 8, 2009
Signs of the Times
Sign of the times: my recession deck garden is growing! The first sunny day in weeks yesterday and I took some pictures to show off veggies, fruits, herbs. I actually used some cilantro in cooking this weekend. Not a great photographer (yet), I tried to show the actual veggies or fruit buds growth.Another sign of the times: I have obviously stuck a cord as many of you post your comments encouraging me. That's the first sign of the times: I am not alone in being laid off and the incredible support from cyber friends and others buoys my spirits. Thank you all!
Yet another sign of the times: Health care. Sadly another item in the news that demonstrates the loss of a dream. Erickson Living had wanted to expand their health services beyond their communities; reaching out to seniors in Howard County Maryland. Alas, it was not to be. The revenues generated by Medicare reimbursement were not enough to provide the quality level of care that is their mission. The primary doctor there has come up with an ingenious idea to have patients buy into the medical center. If this does not happen, the center will close. It was enormously successful in the numbers of people served demonstrating the need for good medical care for those over 65. What most of the public does not understand is that Medicare is not free. Seniors have to pay for it and must supplement it to get the standard health care coverage most people take for granted. In addition, they must pay for Medicare D to cover drugs. Calling this health insurance entitlement is not correct. You can read the entire story here: http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/howard/bal-ho.erickson07jun07,0,6304428.story
President Obama returns from his successful trip abroad to begin the push for health care coverage for all. I hope he doesn't forget the seniors. Actually, I believe there should be no age distinction in health care coverage. Let's have the same coverage for all human beings!
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Biggest Loser? Maybe you. Reality Shows vs. Medicare
I wanted to personally thank American Idol and Biggest Loser for helping me to maintain my sanity. I can't believe I am saying that. But it's true. Yesterday I found out I may not be eligible for COBRA assistance under President Obama recovery plan because I could be eligible for Medicare.
This makes no sense. On the day it was announced that Medicare is in financial trouble, and with my layoff being eligible for full health coverage under COBRA for 18 months, why would they force me to go to Medicare. In fact, I am truly eligible for Medicare NEXT YEAR. By choosing to go on it now, I have to pay double the premiums for Medicare A and B, a whopping $182 monthly for a 20-80 coverage (I pay 20%) AND no prescription coverage unless I pick up part D for close to $50 per month. If I want to add a supplemental coverage to cover those things not covered by Medicare, I have to choose a Medicare Advantage Plan for close to $150 per month or a supplemental for close to $200 per month. If I got the Recovery Act Cobra, my FULL health coverage would only be $150 per month for EVERYTHING!!! Without it the assistance, my COBRA is $538 per month vs. $482 for Medicare.
Most people think Medicare is free: it is NOT free nor does it cover health needs for the average person. In fact it penalizes aged people by not covering most preventive tests. So here is what you get when you get older: coverage that lets you get sick, or die and you pay for it. Nice huh? For those of you not yet of Medicare age, get ready. This is your great so called entitlement program. I was so angry I decide to plant all those who created this wonderful option that I never asked for (got laid off), I decided to put these programs and people in my schmuck's forest: a forest filled with trees I plant (in my mind) by giving names for them. Then I let them go and move on. This doesn't mean I won't fight for what is right! Feel free to join me.
Not winding up in my forest are American Idol and Biggest Loser. Thank goodness for this distraction, though will have to wait till next season for more Biggest Loser. And only one more week for Idol. Where is Project Runway when you need them????????????? The copy cat show on Bravo called Fashion Show is TERRIBLE. Watched it once and no more. Hmmmmm, maybe they belong in my forest.
So on to the gym to work out the stress. Still looking for a job...........or a great new reality show, which ever comes first!
This makes no sense. On the day it was announced that Medicare is in financial trouble, and with my layoff being eligible for full health coverage under COBRA for 18 months, why would they force me to go to Medicare. In fact, I am truly eligible for Medicare NEXT YEAR. By choosing to go on it now, I have to pay double the premiums for Medicare A and B, a whopping $182 monthly for a 20-80 coverage (I pay 20%) AND no prescription coverage unless I pick up part D for close to $50 per month. If I want to add a supplemental coverage to cover those things not covered by Medicare, I have to choose a Medicare Advantage Plan for close to $150 per month or a supplemental for close to $200 per month. If I got the Recovery Act Cobra, my FULL health coverage would only be $150 per month for EVERYTHING!!! Without it the assistance, my COBRA is $538 per month vs. $482 for Medicare.
Most people think Medicare is free: it is NOT free nor does it cover health needs for the average person. In fact it penalizes aged people by not covering most preventive tests. So here is what you get when you get older: coverage that lets you get sick, or die and you pay for it. Nice huh? For those of you not yet of Medicare age, get ready. This is your great so called entitlement program. I was so angry I decide to plant all those who created this wonderful option that I never asked for (got laid off), I decided to put these programs and people in my schmuck's forest: a forest filled with trees I plant (in my mind) by giving names for them. Then I let them go and move on. This doesn't mean I won't fight for what is right! Feel free to join me.
Not winding up in my forest are American Idol and Biggest Loser. Thank goodness for this distraction, though will have to wait till next season for more Biggest Loser. And only one more week for Idol. Where is Project Runway when you need them????????????? The copy cat show on Bravo called Fashion Show is TERRIBLE. Watched it once and no more. Hmmmmm, maybe they belong in my forest.
So on to the gym to work out the stress. Still looking for a job...........or a great new reality show, which ever comes first!
Monday, May 4, 2009
Moving On
So today I got back to work, homework that is. I followed the guidelines given us at the outplacement sessions last week. I did my CAR: challenges, achievements and results for each of three jobs I had over the last 10 years. I dropped off the other jobs because at my age, I need to remember, this resume is my brochure, a teaser to get through the door. The more work I add to my resume, the older I will appear. So, even though I twitched from writing job withdrawl, I got my resume to 2 pages at a decent font: 12. It looks clean, neat and hopefully says enough. So off it went to the outplacement service to review, edit and format. Whew....done.
Then I went online and looked at jobs. Felt sick but applied for a couple. One is for a huge ad agency for executive account manager for a major beer company. The description says you work from home with 20% travel and the travel is local. So off my resume went (yes the unedited one except for my edits). And applied to 2 other jobs also. The truth is I don't think I qualify for any of them but will try.
Next week am going to one of the career centers to see what is available for jobs and assistance. I am still considering all options. I am a former nurse who, while working in an allied health position, has not given patient care in years. I can't do patient care in this day of techical and strong assessment skills. But I could do utilization review. There is a 3 day certification course for this and may do that. It will be boring but I will get paid and benefits.
Got my approval for unemployment which I will have to stop once my Social Security comes through as I am income restricted on this, at least till next year. I am hoping I get a job and can suspend this till next year.
And, drum roll please, today I got my Medicare card. A major benchmark in one's life. I earned it. I am still awaiting COBRA information but if that doesn't work out, will apply for a medigap or Medicare Advantage plan. Medicare does not cover everything, no matter what you hear. Not to mention, it does not cover prescriptions. I will have to get Medicare D at least for that.
Please read one of the comments from my prior post. Lisa posted a great article for us older folk who are looking for jobs. Thanks Lisa!
More to come, stay tuned....tomorrow: letting go, trials and tribulations.
Then I went online and looked at jobs. Felt sick but applied for a couple. One is for a huge ad agency for executive account manager for a major beer company. The description says you work from home with 20% travel and the travel is local. So off my resume went (yes the unedited one except for my edits). And applied to 2 other jobs also. The truth is I don't think I qualify for any of them but will try.
Next week am going to one of the career centers to see what is available for jobs and assistance. I am still considering all options. I am a former nurse who, while working in an allied health position, has not given patient care in years. I can't do patient care in this day of techical and strong assessment skills. But I could do utilization review. There is a 3 day certification course for this and may do that. It will be boring but I will get paid and benefits.
Got my approval for unemployment which I will have to stop once my Social Security comes through as I am income restricted on this, at least till next year. I am hoping I get a job and can suspend this till next year.
And, drum roll please, today I got my Medicare card. A major benchmark in one's life. I earned it. I am still awaiting COBRA information but if that doesn't work out, will apply for a medigap or Medicare Advantage plan. Medicare does not cover everything, no matter what you hear. Not to mention, it does not cover prescriptions. I will have to get Medicare D at least for that.
Please read one of the comments from my prior post. Lisa posted a great article for us older folk who are looking for jobs. Thanks Lisa!
More to come, stay tuned....tomorrow: letting go, trials and tribulations.
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