Healthy Aging/Eating

There are some common problems that can make it harder for older people to follow through on smart food choices. We have problem-solving suggestions that can help with issues like: • Being tired of cooking or eating alone • Having problems chewing or swallowing food • Food tasting different • Feeling sad and not wanting to eat • Not being …

picture of sign that says "Danger Fraud Alert"

HHS OIG Hotline Scam – need to share & warn our partners asap

A telephone scam in which crooks alter caller ID to make it seem as if the call is coming from the HHS OIG Hotline 1-800-HHS-TIPS (1-800-447-8477) to get beneficiaries and members of the public to verify or share personal info which is used to victimize them via financial and other crimes – draining their bank accounts. OIG wants the public …

Nearly 12 million people with Medicare have saved over $26 billion on prescription drugs since 2010

Over 40 million Medicare beneficiaries utilized free preventive services in 2016 The Department of Health and Human Services released today new information that shows that millions of seniors and people with disabilities with Medicare continue to save on prescription drugs and see improved benefits in 2016 as a result of the Affordable Care Act. More than 11.8 million Medicare beneficiaries …

Fight Fraud by Guarding Your Medicare Number

Health care fraud drives up costs for everyone in the health care system.  One way to protect against such fraud is to guard your Medicare number.  Fraud schemes often depend on identity thieves getting hold of people’s Medicare numbers, so treat your number as you would a credit card.   Follow these important steps to protect yourself from fraud:   …

“Plans for the Quality Payment Program in 2017: Pick Your Pace”

As the baby boom generation ages, 10,000 people enter the Medicare program each day. Facing that demand, it is essential that Medicare continues to support physicians in delivering high-quality patient care. This includes increasing its focus on patient outcomes and reducing the obstacles that make it harder for physicians to practice good care. The bipartisan Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization …

DIAGNOSIS: UNPREPARED Elderly Hospital Patients Arrive Sick, Often Leave Disabled

By Anna Gorman Photos by Heidi de Marco August 9, 2016 SAN FRANCISCO — Janet Prochazka was active and outspoken, living by herself and working as a special education tutor. Then, in March, a bad fall landed her in the hospital. Doctors cared for her wounds and treated her pneumonia. But Prochazka, 75, didn’t sleep or eat well at Zuckerberg …

Diagnosis: Unprepared

Hospitals can be hazardous places for elderly patients, who are at increased risk of falling, drug-induced injury and confusion. But as the nation’s senior population grows, many facilities are ill-equipped to address their unique needs. Kaiser Health News visited hospitals around the country, reviewed data and interviewed dozens of patients, family members and health providers to document the extent of …