Are We Finally Getting Closer to Price Transparency?
PREPARED PATIENT BLOG | May 8, 2013 | Trudy Lieberman
The revelations by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services on Wednesday that hospitals vary widely in what they “charge” for the same procedure—sometimes as much as 10 or 20 times more than Medicare reimburses—confirms what health policy wonks have known for a long time. There’s no consistency in pricing for health care services…

Is “Guaranteed Coverage for Life” in the Cards for Medicare Seniors?
PREPARED PATIENT BLOG | May 1, 2013 | Trudy Lieberman
A few days ago, Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield sent me one of those Medigap sales brochures that seniors usually expect during the fall open enrollment season.

How the President’s Medicare Proposals Affect Seniors’ Pocketbooks
PREPARED PATIENT BLOG | April 16, 2013 | Trudy Lieberman
The president’s budget proposals released last week call for more seniors to pay more money for their Medicare benefits. While the president’s plan to require beneficiaries to pay higher premiums came as no surprise to Washington insiders, it probably was to people who will feel the pinch.

Those Confusing EOBs…Once Again!
PREPARED PATIENT BLOG | February 27, 2013 | Trudy Lieberman
Let’s face it. Despite all the rhetoric about health care transparency, most health care providers really don’t want patients to know the price of their products and services.

What Are Medicare and Medicaid?
PREPARED PATIENT RESOURCE | Pay For Your Health Care
A breakdown of several health insurance programs offered by the U.S. government.

Comparative Effectiveness Research: Bill Vaughan of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare
PREPARED PATIENT BLOG | October 17, 2012 | Bill Vaughan
When you look at what can be done to save Medicare with this growing aging population, what do you do? One of most important things to do is to quit paying for things that don't work or don't work very well.

Safety Net Health Centers Fill In Urban Gaps
HBNS STORY | July 19, 2012
Urban areas that are segregated by race, ethnicity or income have more Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC), which provide primary care services for disadvantaged populations, despite an adequate supply of private sector physicians, reveals new findings published in Health Services Research.

Assisted Living Options Grow, Nursing Home Occupancy Declines
HBNS STORY | May 23, 2012
A new study finds an association between an increase in assisted living options, which provide older adults with an array of services such as help with everyday tasks in homelike settings, and a decline in nursing home occupancy. This shift in delivery of care has both positive and negative implications for seniors.

Health Reform's First Casualty
PREPARED PATIENT BLOG | October 27, 2011 | Trudy Lieberman
The Obama administration has dealt a mighty blow to one part of the health reform law by effectively killing off the CLASS Act, which was to be a baby step in the development of a national program to pay for long-term care.

Safety Net Hospital Closures Hit Poor, Uninsured Hardest
HBNS STORY | September 19, 2011
When safety net hospitals close or switch from not-for-profit to for-profit status, certain vulnerable groups suffer disproportionately, a new study finds.