Growing concern over Medicare coverage

Waterford, Conn. (WTNH) - There is a growing concern over hospital admissions for medicare patients.

Most elderly Americans, like the parents of Eileen DeGaetano, are on Medicare. When her 88 year old father was admitted to the hospital due to severe leg pain, coverage under Medicare was not so clear.

DeGaetano said, "It was time to make a decision on what comes next, and we were told he would not qualify for rehabilitation care even though, functionally, he still had difficulty with his mobility, because he was admitted under observation."

"Which means what?"

"It means he was in the hospital as an outpatient."

It can be costly when patients are admitted as outpatients. With follow up care at a skilled nursing facility not covered, along with medication, DeGaetano's parents were left with out of pocket expense of more than $2,000.

DeGaetano said, "As a caregiver, you are faced with they can't stay in the hospital and how will you manage. Can you manage at home and if not, how are you going to pay for that care?"

It's a serious issue for seniors on a fixed income.

Anne-Marie Foster is a geriatric care manager. She said, "The practice of encouraging physicians to classify patients being observed, or as an outpatient when they are in the hospital, seems to be a growing trend."

What can caregivers and medicare patients do about it? Discuss the full medical history.

Foster said, "Make sure that everything that is pertinent is told to the doctor so they can really evaluate whether this is a new problem which would warrant a full admission."

Congressman Joe Courtney has introduced a bill to ensure that all is covered, no matter the status of admission of medicare patients.

Issues like changes in Medicare admissions are on the agenda at a community focus Thursday night at Three Rivers Community College, Room F-117B, 574 New London Turnpike, Norwich, CT. Congressman Joe Courtney will be there. For more information, call (860) 877-3561 x 123.