Medicare regulations may be causing shortage of cancer drugs

A month’s long shortage of cancer drugs may be the result of Medicare regulations. For several years, Medicare has provided coverage for cancer patients, allowing them to obtain treatments that they would otherwise have no access to. While Medicare offers this coverage, however, the number of cancer fighting drugs has been falling steadily. The phenomenon may be the result of a regulation within the Medicare system that dictates that doctors must purchase cancer drugs, not patients. Traditionally, patients have been responsible for purchasing their own medications as prescribed to them…

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Seniors may soon pay more for medical expenses

Senior citizens may be facing a number of new out-of-pocket expenses for healthcare as Congress struggles with debt limit talks and is debating alterations to the supplemental plans for Medicare. The federal health program, Medicare, is meant to support the elderly and disables, though they are responsible for the payment of certain test costs, hospital deductibles, and visits to the doctor. In order to assist themselves with these additional out-of-pocket expenses, many Medicare beneficiaries purchase Medigap plans. Among the beneficiaries, 34 percent receive their Medigap coverage from their former employers.…

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