http://healthblog.ncpa.org/more-on-seniors-and-drugs/ Health Care Policy and Reform Insights | NCPA Thu, 24 May 2012 20:46:35 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 http://healthblog.ncpa.org/more-on-seniors-and-drugs/comment-page-1/#comment-934 john Thu, 11 Jan 2007 17:26:34 +0000 http://www.john-goodman-blog.com/more-on-seniors-and-drugs/#comment-934 I disagree. There is no bigger return on dollars spent than that obtaines with cataract surgery. Multiple studies have demonstrated that the quality of life improvement one obtains routinely with cataract surgery per dollars spent is unmatched by any other intervention in all of medicine. Yet Medicare continues to ratchet down dramatically the reimbursement for this procedure both in nominal and real terms. Several eye surgeons I have spoken with are going to stop performing this procedure due to its incredibly poor reimbursement (slightly over $600.00 for the surgery and three months of post-operative care). The demand for this intervention is going explode in the next twenty years, but if one is reimbursed at a rate less then the cost of a pair of designer eyeglasses who is going to perform it? And even if a surgeon opts out of Medicare he law can only charge 110% of Medicare rates. I disagree. There is no bigger return on dollars spent than that obtaines with cataract surgery. Multiple studies have demonstrated that the quality of life improvement one obtains routinely with cataract surgery per dollars spent is unmatched by any other intervention in all of medicine. Yet Medicare continues to ratchet down dramatically the reimbursement for this procedure both in nominal and real terms. Several eye surgeons I have spoken with are going to stop performing this procedure due to its incredibly poor reimbursement (slightly over $600.00 for the surgery and three months of post-operative care). The demand for this intervention is going explode in the next twenty years, but if one is reimbursed at a rate less then the cost of a pair of designer eyeglasses who is going to perform it? And even if a surgeon opts out of Medicare he law can only charge 110% of Medicare rates.

]]> http://healthblog.ncpa.org/more-on-seniors-and-drugs/comment-page-1/#comment-933 Thu, 11 Jan 2007 16:00:47 +0000 http://www.john-goodman-blog.com/more-on-seniors-and-drugs/#comment-933 Can't those receiving VA benefits use the internet to shop for uncovered drugs? Can't those receiving VA benefits use the internet to shop for uncovered drugs?

]]> http://healthblog.ncpa.org/more-on-seniors-and-drugs/comment-page-1/#comment-929 Bill Lewis Wed, 10 Jan 2007 20:45:15 +0000 http://www.john-goodman-blog.com/more-on-seniors-and-drugs/#comment-929 Your health alert today regarding Seniors and drug prices is right on target. More seniors need to get Internet savy or get help from reliable people who are. Your health alert today regarding Seniors and drug prices is right on target. More seniors need to get Internet savy or get help from reliable people who are.

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