Medigap Coverage Archives - Page 24 of 24 - Dialysis Patient Citizens

Joint Letter to Committees on Part B Premiums and Deductibles

Hannah Bracamonte2024-06-07T15:28:47+00:00September 30th, 2015|Categories: Medicaid, Medigap Coverage|

Dear Chairman Hatch, Senator Wyden, Chairman Ryan, Congressman Levin, Chairman Upton & Congressman Pallone: The undersigned organizations share a commitment to advancing the health and economic security of older adults, people with disabilities, and their families. We are writing to urge you to advance a solution to mitigate projected increases to Medicare Part B premiums and the Part B deductible in 2016. According to the 2015 Medicare Trustees Report, Part B premiums will increase by 52%—up to $159.30 per month from $104.90—for 30% of beneficiaries. The trustees also predict that this increase will be accompanied by a hike in the [...]

Congress Adopts Key Element of Kidney Community Agenda: Clinics May Soon Dialyze Acute Kidney Injury Patients

Hannah Bracamonte2024-03-29T01:50:32+00:00July 16th, 2015|Categories: Article, Medigap Coverage|

In passing the President's trade legislation last month, Congress enacted a longtime priority of kidney care advocates: permitting patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) to be treated in dialysis clinics. Under current law, AKI patients may only receive dialysis at hospitals, which is more costly to the Medicare program and less convenient for patients. Congress took this measure from the Chronic Kidney Disease Improvement in Research and Treatment Act, the comprehensive kidney bill that DPC has supported, so that the Medicare savings could pay for assistance to displaced workers. While DPC does not endorse the use of Medicare savings to offset [...]

DPC Writes to Montana state official, in support of a proposed rule allowing Medigap open enrollment for Medicare patients under the age of 65 with disabilities or ESRD

Hannah Bracamonte2024-03-29T01:50:32+00:00July 9th, 2015|Categories: Comment Letter, Medigap Coverage, State Advocacy|

Brett O’Neill, Attorney Office of the Commissioner of Securities and Insurance Montana State Auditor 840 Helena Ave. Helena, MT 59601 RE: Medicare Supplements – ARM 6.6.507B, .507C, .507E, .511, .511A Dear Mr. O’Neill: As the nation’s largest patient-led organization representing dialysis patients, Dialysis Patient Citizens (DPC) works to improve the quality of life for all dialysis patients through education and advocacy. On behalf of our membership, and particularly on behalf of the over 750 dialysis patients in Montana, we are writing in support of the proposed rule allowing for open enrollment in Medigap plans for Medicare patients under the age [...]

DPC Shares Patient Perspective at Congressional Briefing

Hannah Bracamonte2024-03-29T01:50:32+00:00June 11th, 2015|Categories: Article, Medicare Advantage, Medigap Coverage|

Kidney Care Partners, in coordination with the Congressional Kidney Caucus, recently hosted a briefing on Capitol Hill to stress the importance of ensuring quality kidney care now and in the future. The briefing featured opening remarks by Kidney Caucus co-chairs, Rep. Tom Marino (R-PA) and Rep. Jim McDermott (D-WA), who both emphasized the need for increased awareness and research for kidney care issues. Nancy Scott, DPC Education Center Board President, was on hand to provide the patient's perspective to the attendees. Nancy lives by the mantra "end-stage renal disease does not mean the end of your life—just the [...]

An Overview of Medigap Coverage

Hannah Bracamonte2024-03-29T01:50:33+00:00May 7th, 2015|Categories: Article, Medigap Coverage|

Current Situation Currently, two populations qualify for Medicare: those over the age of 65, and those under the age of 65 who meet certain federal conditions. A diagnosis of End Stage Renal Disease (“ESRD”) satisfies these conditions and makes ESRD patients under age 65 eligible for Medicare. Medicare requires the patient pay deductibles and co-pays. If patients cannot afford these costs, they may become state Medicaid eligible by virtue of income level or after spending down their assets. The Problem Many ESRD Medicare beneficiaries can’t afford to pay Medicare deductibles and co-pays. As a result, many of them spend down their [...]

Permanent Medicare Physician Payment Increase Passes Congress

Hannah Bracamonte2024-03-29T01:50:33+00:00April 7th, 2015|Categories: Dialysis Funding, Medigap Coverage|

Congress recently passed the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act, also known as the permanent “doc fix” bill. The bill passed the House of Representatives 392-37 and the Senate 92-8, with strong bipartisan support. The White House has announced President Obama’s intent to sign the bill into law. Those who voted in favor of the bill felt it was necessary to permanently replace the current Medicare physician payment formula. In 1997, Congress passed a formula known as the sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula, which unexpectedly dictated regular pay cuts for doctors. In 2003, many in Congress began to fear that the [...]

DPC Thanks Texas for Allowing ESRD Patients to Purchase Medigap Plans

Hannah Bracamonte2024-03-29T02:08:07+00:00January 27th, 2014|Categories: Comment Letter, Medigap Coverage, State Advocacy|

Ms. Sara Waitt, General Counsel Texas Department of Insurance P.O. Box 149104 Austin, TX 78714-9104 Re: Minimum Standards for Medicare Supplement Policies Dear Ms. Waitt, As America’s largest patient-led organization representing dialysis patients, Dialysis Patient Citizens (DPC) works to improve the quality of life of all dialysis patients through education and advocacy. Today we are writing on behalf of over 37,000 dialysis patients in Texas, specifically those who use the Texas Health Insurance Pool for supplemental insurance. We would like to express our gratitude for the recent decision to extend an additional two-month guaranteed issue period from the date of [...]

DPC Thanks South Carolina Senator for his Support in Extending Medigap Coverage to Medicare Patients

Hannah Bracamonte2024-03-29T02:08:58+00:00April 3rd, 2013|Categories: Comment Letter, Medicaid, Medigap Coverage, State Advocacy|

The Honorable Harvey S. Peeler Jr. 213 Gressette Building Columbia, SC 29201 Dear Senator Peeler, As the nation’s largest patient-led organization representing dialysis patients, Dialysis Patient Citizens (DPC) works to improve the quality of life for all dialysis patients through education and advocacy. On behalf of our membership, and particularly on behalf of the over 7,800 dialysis patients in South Carolina, we are writing today to thank you for introducing legislation to extend Medigap coverage to Medicare patients under the age of 65 with disabilities or end stage renal disease (ESRD). Once enacted, your legislation will help countless patients pay [...]

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