Newsletters

Medicare - Supplemental Health Insurance - Need and Eligibility

There are many items that Original Medicare will not cover under either Part A hospitalization coverage or Part B medical insurance. These include routine care, such as annual medical checkups, eye examinations and corrective wear, dental work, and most immunizations. Items that are not medically reasonable or necessary are also excluded. Examples of these items include cosmetic surgery, private nurses, and personal conveniences. In addition to items that are not covered, Medicare beneficiaries must pay coinsurance, copayments, and deductibles, all of which increase their out-of-pocket costs and create a market for supplemental health insurance.

Housing - Reverse Mortgages - HECM

In an ordinary home equity loan, a homeowner borrows money against the equity in his or her home, making payments to reduce the loan balance after the funds are received. As payments are made, the principal balance of the loan decreases.

Medicare Part B - Supplemental Medical Insurance

Two types of individuals are eligible for Medicare Part B coverage: (1) patients who are eligible for Medicare Part A without paying premiums; and (2) individuals older than 65 years of age who are U.S. citizens, U.S. residents, or legal resident aliens who have lived in the U.S. for at least five years.

Part A - Eligibility, Enrollment, and Diagnostic Related Groups

Part A provides hospital coverage to individuals who are eligible and enrolled in Medicare, the federal government's health care insurance program. Medicare uses diagnostic related groups (DRGs) to determine payment levels for services provided for varying diagnoses.

Physician-Assisted Suicide

As terminal illnesses affect America's aging population and technology levels increase, some states have enacted legislation either permitting or disallowing physician-assisted suicide.