1 reply to this topic

[Bob S.]

Good morning everybody from SW Florida! As you can see, it is Friday and not Thursday, but thank you for your grace and understanding, as I am a "Night Shift" Respiratory Therapist, and my days do get jumbled a bit!

We are dealing with the Hurricane Season now and are sharing that as a topic today in our "Huffers and Puffers" Support Group.
I got to thinking about our questions from a couple of weeks ago, and I believe, we facing another kind of "storm" or change on the
horizon.

Medicare and Priviate Insurance Company Coverage for our Oxygen and other Suppies, as well as Medications are under both change right now, in the form of the CMS Implementation of the "Competitive Bid" Process of Reimbursement, and most importantly, the Supreme Court decision due in June on the Constitutional Grounds of "Obamacare" legislation.

Current picture- 2012-2013 CMS Implementation of Competetive Bid Process is hitting all the states in an incremental fashion. This may affect both access and quality of the services provided. For both Medicare and Supplemental information in your area, I would recommend that you contact your local State Agency for Elder Affairs.

In Florida,it is called "SHINE- Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders". These are state health insurance assistance programs for the elderly in your state. They are SUPER in providing educational materials and free unbiased insurance counseling to Florida elders, caregivers, and family members. Their goal is to help elders understand and receive health insurance coverage they need through Medicare, (Including Supplemental Program Information),Medicaid, Prescription Assistance, Long-Term Care Planning and Insurance, and other health issues.

Note: I would strongly advise that in your planning your supplemental coverage, seek a program that includes innovative care support, such as on-going followup calls to make sure that your COPD is being kept in a stable condition!

Depending on the Supreme Court ruling in June, and the state impact as well, I would encourage all of us to stay informed on your individual needs/care plan, new treatment options, and being an advocate in your community, state, and Washington to make sure your voice is heard that you want COPD addressed, access to quality oxygen, medications, Pulmonary Rehab, and the Respiratory Therapist to teach, test, and serve your needs!

Sorry for going so long! Have a great week!

Thriving Together,

Bob

[Jane M. Martin]

Bob,

Thank so much for the update! Good to know!

Jane.