Medicare Made Easy [Paperback]

Charles B. Inlander (Author), Michael A. Donio (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1998 | ISBN-10: 1882606329 | ISBN-13: 978-1882606320 | Edition: Rev Upd

More than 60 million Americans participate in managed-care programs, yet most do not understand how these programs operate. In an easy-to-understand format, this book tells consumers how to choose a plan, research and select primary-care physicians, challenge plan practices, and file appeals. 30 charts.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

"Virtually no Medicare recipient really understands how it works or how it can work for him or her." The authors, who founded the People's Medical Society, remedy this situation with this comprehensive guide to the "costliest government entitlement program in the world." Its eight chapters provide a wealth of information on the history and goals of Medicare; what it does and does not cover; how to solve problems and denied claims; supplemental health insurance policies; and the brand new catastrophic coverage plan. Written as clearly as possible--given the complex nature of the program--this book is supplemented by numerous appendixes, including an excellent glossary of both medical and bureaucratic terms, as well as many sample forms and worksheets. A much-needed work; highly recommended.
- Karen McNally Bensing, The Benjamin Rose Inst., Cleveland
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 254 pages
• Publisher: Peoples Medical Society; Rev Upd edition (January 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1882606329
• ISBN-13: 978-1882606320
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,805,767 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars Brutally Honest Exam of Doctors..., December 26, 2011

By 

Brian - See all my reviews

This review is from: Medicare Made Easy (1996 Edition) (Paperback)

...to encourage senior citizens to be more active in their own medical treatment is the book's highlight--uncomfortable yet thought-provoking.

Having more in common with engineers than physicists, doctors have an unnaturally elevated status.

There is sometimes a startling intelligence at work in the book, e.g. an implicit warning that the first half of life not be spent dealing with adolescence and the second half with fearing death.

The intended senior citizen audience needs convincing to stand up for themselves when it comes to their own life and death.

Table of Contents:

The Law
Social Security Administration (SSA)
Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) [now CMS--Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services]

Work Requirement
Entitlement and Enrollment Periods
If You're Not Eligible, You Can Buy Medicare
Get It, Because You Can't Always Get What You Want
Medicare+Choice Options

What Medicare Pays For
When You Never Have To Pay
Claims, Bills And Carriers
Services Covered Under Part A of Medicare
Services Covered Under Part B of Medicare

How to Pay for What Medicare Doesn't Cover
Insurance Concepts
Why You Need Supplemental Insurance
Stop, Think, and Decide

Negotiating with Your Doctor
Why It's Hard to Negotiate with Doctors
First Big Issue: Prices
Second Big Issue: Treatment
Advance Directives

Medicare and Hospitals
Review Organizations and Your Care
First Hurdle: Getting in
Second Hurdle: Staying in
Making Sure Your Care Is Adequate
Reconsideration and Appeals
Appealing Decisions Made by Carriers on Part B Claims
Appealing Decisions Made by Medicare+Choice Plans

Home Health Care
Nursing Homes Are Partially Covered
Do You Need a Nursing Home?
Paying for Custodial Care in a Nursing Home

If It Can Go Wrong, It Will
Eligibility and Enrollment
Appeals
Coordination with Employers' Health Insurance and Retirement Plans