In January, Medicare officials updated the agency’s policy manual so that the program will now pay for physical therapy, nursing care and other services for beneficiaries with chronic diseases like Alzheimer’s disease in order to maintain their condition and prevent deterioration. Unfortunately, beneficiaries were not necessarily informed about this important change.
“Medicare officials were required to inform health care providers, bill processors, auditors, Medicare Advantage plans, the 800-MEDICARE information line and appeals judges — but not beneficiaries,” the New York Times New Old Age Blog reported on March 25, 2014.
The change may have the most far-reaching impact on seniors who want to avoid institutional care. People with chronic conditions may be able to get the care they need to live in their own homes for as long as they need it, Mary Murphy, associate director at the Center for Medicare Advocacy said, if they otherwise qualify for coverage.
You can read the full article here.