Because Medicaid is dually funded between each individual state and the Federal government (unlike Medicare, which is fully funded by the Federal government), every state has varying rules governing Medicaid. A state can choose to cut the Medicaid budget to save costs. Doing so looks good for the state’s bottom line, but it hurts those…
Helping those who need it most
Category Archives: Blog
Michigan: Expect 600k New Medicaid Enrollees Under New Law
It sounds apocalyptic, but according to the Kaiser Family Foundation, the state would actually save money because Medicaid receives federal funding. The applicable portion of the new healthcare bill goes into effect in 2014. Full article here. Tweet
Help prevent elder abuse
July is Elder Abuse Awareness Month in Illinois, but the principles outlined should be followed everywhere, especially since the U.S. Administration on Aging estimates that 700,000 to 3.5 million older Americans are abused each year nationwide. Some of the steps you can take to prevent abuse include calling or visiting an elderly loved one and…
More with dementia wander from home
The thought of a search and rescue party conjures images of lost hikers or children. But more and more frequently, the rescuers are looking for confused older adults who’ve wandered away from home. “Ms. Machett, 60, suffers from a form of dementia that attacks the brain like Alzheimer’s disease and imposes on many of its…
Despite volume, elder abuse bills are needed
The elderly are particularly at risk for abuse and exploitation. A flurry of new bills are making their way through the Michigan legislature. Among them: “Require training for financial institution staff on financial exploitation, how to spot suspicious activity and how to report suspicious activity when detected; Expand the definition of abuse of vulnerable adults…
Doctors limit new Medicare patients
Are you a soon-to-be retiring Baby Boomer and about to receive Medicare? Your chances at being able to see a doctor may just have decreased. “The number of doctors refusing new Medicare patients because of low government payment rates is setting a new high, just six months before millions of Baby Boomers begin enrolling in…
Peddling relief, debt settlement firms dig their clients into deeper holes
I’m sure you’ve heard the radio ads or seen commercials on your television: a company will miraculously settle your debt without filing bankruptcy for a low monthly price. But this article illustrates what many consumers are finding out the hard way: if it sounds to good to be true, it probably is. “State attorneys general…
Insurance industry fights against “mental health parity” laws
Passed in 2008, mental health parity laws were supposed to end the disparate insurance coverage between physical illnesses and mental health issues. For example, if a person has health insurance through their employer, that person may only have to pay a small copay to see a doctor for a checkup or illness. However, if that…
Raymond A. Harris records radio program on the effects of healthcare reform on small business
Last night I recorded a radio show on the effects of the healthcare reform bill on small business. In a week or so, the show will be broadcast on www.mientertainment.biz and www.talklansing.net and will also be available in podcast format. Will also be syndicated to various local radio stations in Michigan.
