Explore

Asheville Citizen-Times

Certain NC Medicare recipients set to see extra money in October

Certain NC Medicare recipients set to see extra money in October

Some North Carolina Medicare recipients will receive a $90 check. Here's when and who will get that.

Senate Unanimously Passes Bipartisan Bill Extending Emergency Care Reporting Deadline for IHS Patients

Senate Unanimously Passes Bipartisan Bill Extending Emergency Care Reporting Deadline for IHS Patients

The U.S. Senate has unanimously passed bipartisan legislation, the IHS Emergency Claims Parity Act, which aims to extend the deadline for Indian Health Service (IHS) patients to report emergency medical care received outside IHS facilities. Currently, most IHS patients are required to notify the IHS Purchased and Referred Care program within 72 hours of receiving emergency treatment from a non-IHS provider. This new bill, co-led by U.S. Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), would extend this reporting period from 72 hours to 15 days. The legislation is designed to alleviate the burden on patients who are recovering from emergencies and may find it difficult to complete administrative paperwork within the tight 72-hour window. The existing 30-day reporting period for elderly or disabled IHS beneficiaries will remain unchanged. The bill now proceeds to the U.S. House of Representatives for further consideration.

Why many Medicare enrollees are getting $90 checks

Why many Medicare enrollees are getting $90 checks

Some seniors are getting $90 checks from the Trump administration. Here's who's eligible.

Social Security Administration May Withhold Full Benefits for Early Claimants Exceeding Earnings Limits

Social Security Administration May Withhold Full Benefits for Early Claimants Exceeding Earnings Limits

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has regulations that can lead to the withholding of full benefits for individuals who claim Social Security at age 62 while still earning above a specified threshold. For those born in 1960 or later, specific earning limits are in place, and exceeding these limits can result in deductions from their Social Security payments. The system is designed such that if an individual's earnings surpass the established limits, a portion or even the entirety of their benefits may be withheld. However, the SSA does make adjustments for these withheld amounts once the individual reaches their full retirement age, potentially increasing future benefits to compensate for earlier reductions.

The Columbus Dispatch

Trump to send $90 checks to seniors in Ohio, US, but some won't be paid

Trump to send $90 checks to seniors in Ohio, US, but some won't be paid

President Trump said he plans to send $90 check to more than 20 million seniors this month. See how much money is going to midterm battlegrounds.

Trump takes extraordinary steps to target midterms, alarming critics

Trump takes extraordinary steps to target midterms, alarming critics

Trump's election moves include a redistricting push, seeking to restrict voting and floating a $5,000 payment to every American adult if the GOP wins.

Healthcare Systems Lag in 'Creative Destruction,' Hindering Innovation and Efficiency

Healthcare Systems Lag in 'Creative Destruction,' Hindering Innovation and Efficiency

Healthcare systems are notably lacking in 'creative destruction,' a concept where innovation and competition replace outdated structures with more productive solutions. Unlike sectors such as telecommunications and banking, where digital advancements have led to significant efficiency gains and cost reductions, healthcare continues to see health expenditure grow faster than GDP. For instance, the fax machine, largely obsolete elsewhere, remains standard in healthcare, and digital processes are the exception rather than the norm. This absence of disruptive innovation means that new technologies, such as AI-assisted diagnostics, telemedicine, and automated administration, often become additional costs rather than mechanisms for sustainable reversal of inefficiencies. The core issue is that the interplay of innovation and competition, which drives creative destruction in other industries, is largely absent or ineffective in healthcare, preventing the adoption of new methods and the displacement of inefficient...

Most Americans support switch to Medicare for all health insurance

Most Americans support switch to Medicare for all health insurance

By Amina Niasse NEW YORK, Oct 6 (Reuters) - Most Americans now favor government-paid health insurance for all, according to a new poll, as voters across party lines see major healthcare reforms as a priority less than a month before midterm elections to decide control of the US Congress.

U.S. Rep. Nick Langworthy Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Lower Prescription Drug Costs

U.S. Rep. Nick Langworthy Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Lower Prescription Drug Costs

U.S. Representative Nick Langworthy has introduced bipartisan legislation, the Biosimilars Access and Affordability Act, aimed at making prescription drugs more affordable. This bill focuses on facilitating the access of lower-cost alternatives, known as biosimilars, to patients through Medicare. Biosimilars are designed to be more affordable versions of existing expensive medications, offering additional treatment choices. The legislation seeks to ensure that if a biosimilar is progressing through the FDA approval process, it should have a fair chance to compete in the market. Conversely, it also aims to prevent Medicare from waiting indefinitely if a promised competition does not materialize. According to Langworthy, competition is a powerful tool for driving innovation and affordability in the healthcare system, and expanding access to biosimilars could significantly reduce prescription drug costs for millions of patients. The bill has garnered bipartisan support, with co-sponsors from both sides of the...

American Hospital Association Urges MedPAC to Investigate Medicare Advantage Prior Authorization Practices

American Hospital Association Urges MedPAC to Investigate Medicare Advantage Prior Authorization Practices

The American Hospital Association (AHA) has formally requested that the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) conduct a thorough examination of Medicare Advantage (MA) plans' utilization management practices. The AHA's concerns stem from reports that MA plans frequently delay or deny access to medically necessary post-acute care, such as inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRFs) and long-term care hospitals (LTCHs). MedPAC's own preliminary findings support these concerns, indicating that MA beneficiaries use less post-acute care overall and have longer acute care hospital stays compared to those in fee-for-service (FFS) Medicare. For instance, in 2023, there were 14 IRF stays per 1,000 FFS beneficiaries, but only five per 1,000 for MA enrollees. Similarly, acute care hospital stays for MA beneficiaries discharged to an IRF were nine days, compared to six days for FFS beneficiaries. The AHA highlights that MA plans often attempt to redirect patients to skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) even when a...

Trump announces $90 payments for seniors on Medicare ahead of midterm elections for premium costs

Trump announces $90 payments for seniors on Medicare ahead of midterm elections for premium costs

President Donald Trump is promising more payments to voters just ahead of the Nov. 3 midterm elections

U.S. Congress Tracks Legislation Related to U.S. Postal Service

U.S. Congress Tracks Legislation Related to U.S. Postal Service

The U.S. Congress is actively tracking bills pertaining to the U.S. Postal Service (USPS). This legislative oversight is facilitated through platforms that categorize and display bills related to specific subjects, as determined by the Library of Congress. The tracking system allows for monitoring of proposed legislation that could impact the operations, services, and overall structure of the USPS. While the specific content of these bills is not detailed, their existence indicates ongoing governmental attention to postal affairs. The USPS itself offers a range of services including Priority Mail, International Mail, and the sale of postage stamps, with various locations like Postal Connections 145 in Fort Mohave, Arizona, acting as official USPS Approved Shippers. Additionally, the USPS is currently engaged in recruitment efforts for positions such as mail carriers, clerks, and mail handlers in states like Kentucky.