Resources, we’ve got resources

So much information, so little time! Here’s a list of resources that have come across our desks recently. Most are new; one isn’t, but the issue of paying caregivers is before us always, and especially as government budgets are being tweaked.

Aging workforce
“The National Association of Professional Employer Organizations wanted to know what the small businesses its members serve are doing about their aging work forces.” Don’t be put off by the authorship: Older and Wiser: As the Work Force Ages, Small Businesses Change, Too is a fascinating and useful report.


Alzheimer’s disease
Alzheimer’s Association report on prevalence, March 2007.
“There are now more than 5 million people in the United States living with Alzheimer’s disease. This number includes 4.9 million people over the age of 65 and between 200,000 and 500,000 people under age 65 with early onset Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. This is a 10 percent increase from the previous prevalence nationwide estimate of 4.5 million.”

According to Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), “Now we need an All-American effort to not only find breakthroughs, but to make sure we are giving patients and their families the support they need.”

Medicare and Medicaid primers
New Medicare primer
New Medicaid primer

“Together, Medicare and Medicaid provide health coverage to about 90 million Americans. To help explain the two programs, the Kaiser Family Foundation has issued a new primer on the Medicare program and an updated version of its primer on the Medicaid program. Prepared by Foundation staff, the primers provide an overview of the programs, who they serve, how the programs work, and how they are financed.”

Paying for quality care
Paying For Quality Care: State and Local Strategies for Improving Wages and Benefits for Personal Care Assistants “was written by Dorie Seavey and Vera Salter in October 2006 and published by the AARP Public Policy Institute. This report examines state and local initiatives to improve wages and benefits for direct-care workers delivering Medicaid personal care services. The authors outline seven strategies -- wage pass-through legislation, rate enhancements linked to provider performance goals, updated reimbursement rates, litigation against state Medicaid agencies, collective bargaining, living wage ordinances and minimum wage improvements, and health insurance initiatives -- discussing the advantages and disadvantages of each.”

Medicare Advantage plans: ongoing problems

This information comes from Vicki Baker.

The State of Wisconsin has a Medigap Helpline (800-242-1060) to help people with questions about Medicare Advantage plans. The helpline also fielded questions about the meetings that were held "touting the value of enrolling" in the plans.

Some of the problem areas frequently reported to the Helpline or the Ombudsman Program (800-242-1060):

• A given plan is not suitable, especially for people with complex health needs
• People on Medicaid find themselves paying premiums that they did not have to pay in the original federal Medicare A and B plans.
• People who want to enroll only in a Part D prescription plan are being enrolled by agents into the Advantage Plan.
• Some agents use high-pressure, intimidating sales tactics.
• Trial period and open enrollment rights are being denied.

What's more, the Medicare Rights Center says that Advantage plans cost about 12% more per enrollee than the original Medicare, and the total excess payments to Advantage plans exceeded $5.2 billion in 2005.

Make sure your clients and loved ones know that they shouldn't sign anything they're not comfortable with. They can check with the hotline. If they've already signed and have problems, they can file a complaint with the State of Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance, 800-236-8517.

More information in this press release from the State of Wisconsin Board on Aging and Long Term Care.