Dear Marci,
They want to discharge my mother from the hospital, but she says she’s not ready to go home. Is there anything she can do?
— Amy
Dear Amy,
If your mother feels she is being asked to leave the hospital before she is well enough to go, she can ask for an immediate (expedited) independent review of her case. It is a good idea to ask a doctor (treating physician would be best) for support. Before being discharged, your mother should receive a notice called an “Important Message from Medicare” that describes her rights as a patient as well as how to request an immediate review. (If she was in the hospital for more than a couple of days, she should have received this same document within two days of being admitted to the hospital.) If your mother makes her formal request within the proper timeframe—by midnight on the day she is supposed to be discharged—the hospital cannot force her to leave before a decision has been reached. She should be able to stay in the hospital for a few extra days at no charge while her case is being reviewed. Even if it is decided that your mother does not need to stay in the hospital, she cannot be charged for any care she receives until noon of the next calendar day after she receives the review decision.
— Marci
Dear Marci,
My family has a history of heart disease. Will Medicare cover the costs of screening tests?
— Howard
Dear Howard,
Yes. Medicare covers blood tests every five years to screen for cholesterol, for lipid and triglyceride levels, and for other signs of cardiovascular disease (or indications that you are at high risk for it). Medicare will pay 100% of its approved amount for these tests, even before you have met the Part B deductible.
— Marci
Dear Marci,
It’s getting very hard for me to afford the monthly Medicare Part B premium. Is there a program that can help me?
— Laura
Dear Laura,
Yes, you may be eligible for a Medicare Savings Program if your 2007 income was less than $1,169 a month ($1,560 for a couple) and your assets are $4,000 or less ($6,000 or less for a couple). These are government programs that help pay your Medicare costs. If your income is above the limit, you may still qualify for these programs because of certain allowed income deductions, such as the amount you pay for private health insurance, such as a Medigap. Also, be aware that the income limits will go up in February or March (they are based on the Federal Poverty Level, which changes at that time). To find out how to apply for Medicare Savings Programs in your area, call your local Medicaid office.
— Marci
Marci’s Medicare Answers is a service of the Medicare Rights Center (www.medicarerights.org), the nation’s largest independent source of information and assistance for people with Medicare. To speak with a counselor, call (800) 333-4114. To subscribe to “Dear Marci,” MRC’s free educational e-newsletter, simply e-mail dearmarci@medicarerights.org.
