Talk about modifying Medicare—called entitlement ...
Wait a minute: Seniors paid into Medicare for years, hoping for medical care when they reach 65.
These people are tight on their earning powers—with huge unemployment for younger people. Seniors health care—-already covered only 80%—should not be tinkered with. They need the best doctors, as their problems are also more.
So how do we take care of Medicare deficits due to HIGHER rate of seniors born between 1947-67 (also called BABY BOOMERS, born after World Ward II) entering Medicare from 2012-2032?
1) Insist that all people over 65 must get annual checkups, preventative tests and Flu Shots. WHY? Illinois has one of the lowest colon cancer screening rates-—only 55% have had colon screened. Not getting this checkup means HUGE COSTS in case they get colorectal cancer.
2) Encourage seniors to eat right and exercise regularly. We give discounts in insurance-if seniors take "Defensive Driving course" every three years. We should do the same for annual physicals. EARLY DETECTION lowers costs.
3) Medicare has the data that shows who has had annual physical or flu shot or colonoscopy. MEDICARE can send a letter to those who have not had COLONOSCOPY. We know polyps in the colon is the source of colon cancer. This must be removed on time. THINK about an OLD HOUSE—with OLD PIPES. If they get clogged up, more trouble. For human life, polyps in the colon or clogged arteries can be taken care if detected early.
Tarun Mullick,MD, Therapeutic-Interventional Gastroenterologist
9:37 am on Saturday, December 15, 2012
Who is to blame for Medicare deficits?
Not Seniors.
It is Medicare itself.
1) Medicare Fraud is not checked--and costs billion$
2) Medicare has a Board that advises them.This Board has NOT come up with creative ideas. I believe Medicare should PUSH for Preventative Care aggressively--like asking all providers to remind the people on MEDICARE that they must take annual physicals or Flu Shots or Colon Screening etc. If every one on Medicare had Colon Screening--this could save a few billion$ in avoiding EXPENSIVE Colon Cancer costs that easily run over 300,000$ .There are over 120,000 Colon Cancer cases in USA--most of them for people over 65. Here is the Math.--60,000 cases for over 65 times 300,000 $ cost=18 billion$ cost that can be minimized to under 6 billion$--thus SAVING 12 billion$ for MEDICARE.
Do similar math. for other problems--like one baby aspirin a day or Flu Shots or making sure that Seniors get enough Vitamin D. Seniors suffer heart attacks-2 times more in Jan. than July. Why? Lack of Vitamin D and physical activity in Winter.