“Chasing millions in Medicaid dollars, hospitals buy up nursing homes,” by Phil Galewitz, Kaiser Health News “Nearly 90 percent of Indiana’s 554 nursing homes have been leased or sold to county hospitals in the past 14 years, state records show, bringing in hundreds of millions in extra federal payments to the state. Even though Indiana’s nursing home population has remained steady at about 39,000 people over the past five years, Medicaid spending for the homes has increased by $900 million, to $2.2 billion in 2016, according to state data. Today, more than two-thirds of Indiana’s Medicaid long-term care dollars go to nursing homes.
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“Medicare Advantage 2018 Data Spotlight: First Look,” by Gretchen Jacobson, Anthony Damico, and Tricia Neuman, KFF.org “More than 19 million Medicare beneficiaries (33%) are enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans in 2017, which are offered as an alternative to the traditional Medicare program.  This first look at the Medicare Advantage plans available for 2018 analyzes publicly available data to review the Medicare Advantage plans offered during the Medicare Open Enrollment period. It describes the Medicare Advantage plan choices and availability, and how these have changed over time.” LTC Comment (from Stephen A. Moses, President, Center for Long-Term Care Reform): Click to
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“Wringing Cash From Life Insurance,” by Paula Span, New York Times “If a life-settlement company likes its odds of turning a profit, it will buy the policy, paying out more than the policy’s cash value — the amount received if the policy were canceled — but less than the face value, or death benefit. The firm acquires the policy and continues paying the premiums. Then the company (or a big investor who buys bundles of policies) collects when the seller dies. It’s something like a reverse mortgage, but on your life instead of your house.” LTC Comment (from Stephen A.
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