Private Pay Services - How They Can Help Seniors
submitted by Eric Pederson, CCP Self Directed Services, 651-209-3350 ext. 627
 

CCP Self Directed Services is certified by the State of Minnesota as a Fiscal Support Entity (FSE). The role of an FSE is to assist a person in paying for their services through payroll support, human resources support, and expense reimbursement.

Hiring Staff

Many people choose to hire support staff to help them live independently in their homes. These staff may help in completing household tasks and chores, as well as provide for companionship. The difficulty in hiring your own staff is managing the legal employment paperwork, filing the proper taxes, and maintaining insurance such as unemployment and workers compensation.

CCP Self Directed Services will work with you to hire the staff you choose as our employee, while you manage the day-to-day supervision of the employee. As our employee, they will have all of the proper employment paperwork completed, have the proper taxes withheld and paid to the government, and be covered under our workers compensation insurance policy.

We can also assist you with human resources support, such as coaching and counseling staff, resolving conflict, or providing additional training.

If there are additional employment expenses, such as mileage reimbursement or bonuses, we can assist you with those as well.

Why Use a Fiscal Support Entity?

Using a FSE will ensure that:

1. The proper employment requirements are met

2. Taxes are properly withheld for the employee

3. Employment taxes are properly paid

4. There is a clear and accurate documentation of how money was spent

Who Are We?

Cooperating Community Programs, Inc. (CCP) has been providing services to individuals in Minnesota and Wisconsin for over 30 years. We provide services to over 1000 people; including home-based support, employment support, case management, and self directed support.

All of our services are based on a “person-centered” approach. This means that the individual, not us, should decide what services they receive and how they receive them.
 

For more information:

CCP Self Directed Services
1885 University Avenue/Suite 398
St. Paul, MN  55104
Eric Pederson
Phone:  651-209-3350 ext. 627
Email: epederson@theccpinc.com

High Medical Bills? Don’t Fret, They ARE Negotiable!
by Brenda Darr, Minnesota Seniors Online Staff Member
 

So you had to go to the hospital for emergency surgery and you had no health insurance.

You just got the bill and the sticker shock got the best of you. Now you’re worried about losing everything you’ve ever worked for, your savings, your home, your possessions…well, in this economy, that’s a very valid worry. Everyone is struggling to make ends meet.

Stop! There is good news! Like everything else in this world, medical bills are negotiable!

You can negotiate the fees that the hospital, doctors, labs, radiology, etc. charge. They typically charge full price but in Minnesota there are laws in place where you can negotiate for the same fee that the insurance companies pay them. You have to be proactive and call the appropriate billing departments and negotiate the fees and work out a payment plan that works for you.

Also, many times there are billing errors. Review all of your bills when you receive them. One time, my then boyfriend had an accident and had to go to the emergency room to get his finger stitched up. They brought out a tray with all the necessary tools, but the doctor bumped it, and it all dropped on the floor. They had to bring out another one. When he got the bill, they charged him for both trays. I saw that on the bill and told him to call them to have one of the charges removed since he technically did not receive the items on that tray because it fell on the floor. (Once the tray fell on the floor these items were no longer sterile and could not be used.)  He called the billing department and told them about the dropped tray and they removed the charge for one of them. It was a $150 savings!

Medical providers will negotiate with you. They know that it’s in their best interest to do so. They would rather get something, than nothing at all.

If you find negotiating the bills yourself to be too much for you or you don’t feel you can negotiate a better deal, you can utilize the services of a Medical Bill Negotiator. What they do is they will negotiate your bills for you. How they get paid is a percentage of the savings they get for you.

For example, you have a $1000 hospital bill.  They negotiate it down to $700. They saved you $300. Their percentage is 35% of $300, which makes their fee $105. So in the grand scheme of things, you only owe $805 on a $1000 hospital bill. You saved $195!


Related Articles:
More About Negotiating Your Medical Bills
Other Tips For Coping With Your Medical Bills

Medicare Chief Says Health Law Working
 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Barack Obama's chief of health programs for the elderly and poor on Thursday said the year-old U.S. healthcare overhaul was helping millions of Americans and called a push by congressional Republicans to repeal the law unfortunate.

Medicare and Medicaid services administrator Donald Berwick, appearing before a congressional panel, defended the embattled healthcare overhaul, saying it was helping keep Medicare premiums and cost-sharing lower and it was helping shore up finances of the health program for the elderly. 

                                      Click Here To See Full Article

Age Is Just A Number -
A Humorous Look At Ways To Stay Young
By Brenda Darr, Minnesota Seniors Online Staff Member
 

I am newly divorced after being married for a little over 16 years. At age 44, this is a serious life change for me. Through this loss, I’ve felt all the emotions -- everything from grief to happiness, guilt to sadness, helplessness to depression.

I’ve looked in the mirror as I’ve gone through each of these stages. I can’t believe how my looks have changed with each stage I’ve gone through. I’ve gotten grayer, I have dark circles under my eyes, my eyes are darker, and I feel more achy and "old." Usually my 15 year old daughter is the first one to tell me about the gray hairs (gotta love their honesty!) but not this time. She’s been instrumental with helping me through all of this. She’s been right there to fill me with positive thoughts and let me know that I have something to offer. I couldn't ask for a better cheerleader!

I know I’m not the only one going through life changes. They happen to everyone at different times in their life. In my healing process, I’ve employed some tips that I’d like to share with you. These tips can actually help you FEEL young!

I’ve written these in a manner that’s firm, yet humorous. I’ve actually posted them on my wall. With the pain and depression of my current life changes, I’ve had to be firm with myself. Sometimes we just need to give ourselves the kick in the butt that we need to get on with our life. Try any of these tips and trust me, you’ll feel different…even younger!

1. Who cares how old you are, how much you weigh, or how tall or short you are? Medical professionals are the only ones who really care about those kinds of numbers anyway…let them deal with them.

2. Surround yourself with positive people. Negativity breeds negativity. Who wants negative people around anyway?

3. Try to learn something new every day. Pick a subject and find out more about it. Take a class, read a book, find online articles about it, etc.

4. Take a time out to smell the roses. You know, they smell pretty darn sweet!

5. Laugh hard and smile every chance you get. This gives your facial muscles some really positive exercise and you’ll have 6 pack abs before you know it!

6. Tears are a part of life. Shed them, mourn the loss, but don’t forget to pick yourself back up! Life is too short to spend wallowing in misery.

7. Surround yourself with what and who you love. Your spouse/partner, kids, grandkids, friends, pets, a good book, your favorite dish, plants, your favorite hobby, etc. Your home is your domain…enjoy it!

8. Pay attention to and maintain your health. Take care of yourself. Eat right, see your doctor as needed.

9. Let the guilt go. We all make mistakes in our lives. All we can do is dust ourselves off and move forward. Guilt trips aren’t any fun. Plan a trip to Florida or Hawaii instead.

10. Always tell your loved ones that you love them. Tell them every day. Cherish them. Give thanks for being blessed to have them in your life.

Diet Tips for Healthy Senior Living -- What You Eat Controls It All!
by Catherine Spencer, Yahoo! Contributor Network
 

Seniors need to make an effort to eat nutritiously every day. Eating a healthy senior diet will help you feel your best. What you eat controls it all! Here are some tips for eating a healthy senior diet:  Click Here For Full Article

Health Care Overhaul
Important Medicare Changes Are Here
By David A. Fahrenthold, Washington Post
January 1, 2011

• New rules take effect today on premiums, "doughnut hole."

The new year will bring important changes to U.S. health-insurance rules, as new provisions related to last year's massive health-care overhaul take effect.

The new rules are designed to help those caught in Medicare's "doughnut hole," offer seniors more preventative care, and limit how much of their customers' money health-insurance companies can keep for overhead and profit.  They all go into effect on Saturday.

These provisions were not affected by a Dec. 13 federal court ruling in Virginia that declared another piece of the new health-care law - the requirement that all Americans buy health insurance - unconstitutional.  The judge allowed implementation of the overhaul to continue until a higher court rules on the issue.

The new rules include:  Click Here To Read Full Article

Health Care Reform: Considerations For Seniors
submitted by:  William Lehnertz, TLC Financial, 952-948-1105
 

Enactment of the new health-care reform legislation contains some provisions that directly affect our nation’s older population.  If you are a senior, you may be concerned about how these reforms may affect your access to health care and the benefits you are currently receiving.

Medicare spending cuts

Not surprisingly, the concerns of retirees and seniors generally center on potential cuts in Medicare benefits.  At the outset, the new legislation does not affect Medicare's guaranteed benefits.  However, a goal of the new health-care legislation is to slow the increasing cost of Medicare premiums paid by beneficiaries, and to ensure that Medicare will not run out of funds. To help achieve these goals, cuts in Medicare spending will occur over a ten-year period, beginning in 2011, particularly targeting Medicare Advantage programs––Medicare programs provided through private insurers but subsidized by the federal government.  These cuts could reduce or eliminate some of the extra benefits Medicare Advantage plans may offer, such as dental or vision care, and some insurers may choose to increase premiums. But Medicare Advantage plans cannot reduce primary Medicare benefits, nor can they impose deductibles and co-payments that are greater than what is allowed under the traditional Medicare program for comparable benefits. And, some of the federal funds previously earmarked for Medicare will be reallocated to doctors and surgeons as an incentive to treat Medicare patients.

Medicare Part D drug program changes

Some Medicare Part D beneficiaries are surprised to find that they have to pay for the entire cost of prescription drugs out-of-pocket after reaching a gap in their annual coverage, referred to as the "donut hole."  Currently, if you're a Medicare Part D beneficiary, you may pay up to an additional $3,610, out-of-pocket, for medicines after reaching an initial threshold of $2,830 in total prescription drug costs (including Part D payments  beneficiary co-pays, and deductibles.)  But, beginning in 2010, beneficiaries who fall in the donut hole will receive a $250 rebate, and, in 2011, they will receive a 50% discount on brand-name drugs.  By 2020, a combination of federal subsidies and a reduction in co-payments will completely eliminate the donut hole.  However, individuals with annual incomes greater than $85,000, and couples with incomes exceeding $170,000, will see their Part D premiums increase as the federal subsidy offsetting some of the cost of Medicare Part D premiums is reduced.

Benefits added to Medicare

The legislation also improves some traditional Medicare benefits. For example, Medicare beneficiaries will receive free wellness and preventive care beginning in 2011.

Increased access to home-based care

Often, people with disabilities or illnesses would rather receive care at home instead of at a hospital or nursing home.  The new health-care reform law provides for programs and incentives for greater access to in-home care. The Community Living Assistance Services and Support program (CLASS) will be established sometime after 2011 (depending on when final regulations are published) as a voluntary insurance program, financed through payroll deductions and available to all working adults who choose to participate.  This national program allows participants with functional limitations to maintain their personal and financial independence and live in the community by providing a cash benefit of at least $50 per day (after a five-year vesting period) for nonmedical services, such as home-care services, family caregiver support, and adult day-care or residential-care services.  In order to qualify, a participant must need help with at least two activities of daily living, such as eating, toileting, transferring, bathing, dressing, or continence.

Also in 2011, the Community First Choice Option will be available to states to add to their Medicaid programs.  This option will provide benefits to Medicaid-eligible individuals for community-based care instead of placement in a nursing home.  In addition, the State Balancing Incentive Program, to be established in 2011, will provide increased federal funds to qualifying states that offer Medicaid benefits to disabled individuals seeking long-term care services at home, or in the community, instead of in a nursing home.  The Independence at Home demonstration program, available in 2012, will be a test program that provides Medicare beneficiaries with chronic conditions the opportunity to receive primary care services at home.  That is intended to reduce costs associated with emergency room visits and hospital readmissions, and generally improve the efficiency of care.

 

Ideas To Cut Health Care Costs In This Economy
submitted by Peggy Davies, Mid-America Events & Expos, 612-798-7256

What's the best way to cut your healthcare costs in these scary economic times?  Don't Get Sick!

If you think a trip to the grocery store takes a big chunk out of the family budget, consider the costs of getting sick.  From co-pays that cost more than a tank of gas to deductibles and out-of-pocket expenses that can exceed a mortgage payment, even getting the flu can be expensive.  Health care costs in an already troubled economy are providing many Minnesotans with more incentive than ever to find new ways to take better care of themselves.

Each year, thousands of Minnesotans attend the original Body Mind Life Expo at the Minneapolis Convention Center for ideas about staying healthy.  This year, most will be looking for ways to do so on a budget.

As the largest health and natural products consumer event in the Midwest, this expo is the ideal place to find experts who can provide mainstream and holistic advice on nutrition, physical fitness, disease prevention, as well as emotional and spiritual well-being.  This year's expo, to be held February 27 & 28, 2010, is expected to attract even more people eager to learn tips that will help them avoid spending time in a doctor's office.

Prevention is the modern mantra.  The gloomy economy has not dimmed nutritional supplement sales.  The changing lifestyle and growing senior population is making space for the nutritional supplement industry to grow.  Americans spend more money than any other country on nutritional supplements, and are credited with having the greatest health awareness.  According to Natural Products Insider, specific demand for functional foods and beverages benefitting digestive and immune health, as well as cardiovascular health, is on an upswing.

People also are looking for new ways to cope with the stress in their lives.  Renowned spiritual teacher and author, Leonard Jacobson will present two free seminars at the expo to help people learn how to live in the present and achieve a deeper level of peace.

Over the years, the Body Mind Life Expo has become a trusted clearinghouse for health-related information.  Those watching their pennies appreciate the fact that admission always includes free back-to-back seminars on everything from proper exercise techniques, weight management, anti-aging tips, to the latest use of therapeutic essential oils and other fact-based ideas for taking control of your health.

People also spend quality time exploring local resources including holistic services, environmentally-friendly products, stress-free vacation ideas, workshops and classes, counseling and motivational centers, clinics, acupuncture/bodywork services, and more.

Benefitting underserved women and their families touched by breast cancer.  Mid-America Events & Expos, producers of the Body Mind Life Expo, is donating 50% of all ticket sales from its 2010 expos to Hope Chest For Breast Cancer, who will be given a booth at each show.

Visit www.101expos.com for more information or call 612-798-7256.  Admission is $3 with the half price coupon on the website and FREE to kids 17 and under when accompanied by an adult.