I would be curious to know where Tripleshot's grandma story originated since he now says that it really wasn't "his" grandma. While I may not know a whole lot about a whole lot of things, when it comes to Medicare I happen to know a little bit.
First of all the Medicare program is an insurance program consisting of two parts, one which pays for physician and related services and the other for hospitalization and related services. Both parts carry certain deductibles and a premium that must be paid just like any other insurance policy, but in this case the beneficiary pays the premium for one part in the form of a deduction from their monthly benefit check and the government pays the premium for the other part.
Secondly, a Medicare beneficiary's income or assets has NO bearing whatsoever on any decision to approve or disapprove ANY procedure. Unless its deemed to be experimental that decision is entirely up to the doctor and the patient, within certain guidelines of course. The statement that "Grandma" has to sell her house before Medicare will approve her hip surgery is totally and utterly false. Where this misinformation came from and why it was posted here I won't speculate but I would encourage everyone to research the facts for themselves.
Thirdly, there is a State/Federal program known as Medicaid. This program, put simply, is for those persons who are not eligible for Medicare and cannot afford healthcare. There is also a joint program between Medicare and Medicaid with eligibility based on income and assets that will pay the Medicare premiums for a beneficiary in addition to paying all the deductibles involved. In most if not all states if the participant's income and assets are at or near a certain level the Medicaid program will pay either a percentage of or all of the costs for prescription drugs, medical equipment, eyeglasses, dentures, hearing aids and a host of other items and services that are not covered under Medicare.
Based on what I know the only way that Tripleshot's Grandma could be denied any medical procedure because she has too many assets is she is either A.) not enrolled in the Medicare Program because she isn't old enough and has no other insurance and therefore must rely solely on Medicaid, or B.) wanting to enter a Nursing Home environment for an extended period of time. In that case, Medicare will only pay for the nursing home room and board charges (medically necessary items and services are still paid for) for the first 100 days and after that either the patient or Medicaid must pay. The only way that Medicaid will pay under these circumstances is for the beneficiary to have no assets above a certain amount. A home or property would definitely fall under that stipulation, as would a life insurance policy, stocks & bonds, savings accounts, etc.
First of all the Medicare program is an insurance program consisting of two parts, one which pays for physician and related services and the other for hospitalization and related services. Both parts carry certain deductibles and a premium that must be paid just like any other insurance policy, but in this case the beneficiary pays the premium for one part in the form of a deduction from their monthly benefit check and the government pays the premium for the other part.
Secondly, a Medicare beneficiary's income or assets has NO bearing whatsoever on any decision to approve or disapprove ANY procedure. Unless its deemed to be experimental that decision is entirely up to the doctor and the patient, within certain guidelines of course. The statement that "Grandma" has to sell her house before Medicare will approve her hip surgery is totally and utterly false. Where this misinformation came from and why it was posted here I won't speculate but I would encourage everyone to research the facts for themselves.
Thirdly, there is a State/Federal program known as Medicaid. This program, put simply, is for those persons who are not eligible for Medicare and cannot afford healthcare. There is also a joint program between Medicare and Medicaid with eligibility based on income and assets that will pay the Medicare premiums for a beneficiary in addition to paying all the deductibles involved. In most if not all states if the participant's income and assets are at or near a certain level the Medicaid program will pay either a percentage of or all of the costs for prescription drugs, medical equipment, eyeglasses, dentures, hearing aids and a host of other items and services that are not covered under Medicare.
Based on what I know the only way that Tripleshot's Grandma could be denied any medical procedure because she has too many assets is she is either A.) not enrolled in the Medicare Program because she isn't old enough and has no other insurance and therefore must rely solely on Medicaid, or B.) wanting to enter a Nursing Home environment for an extended period of time. In that case, Medicare will only pay for the nursing home room and board charges (medically necessary items and services are still paid for) for the first 100 days and after that either the patient or Medicaid must pay. The only way that Medicaid will pay under these circumstances is for the beneficiary to have no assets above a certain amount. A home or property would definitely fall under that stipulation, as would a life insurance policy, stocks & bonds, savings accounts, etc.
Thanks.
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