Companion Care Near Del Mar: New Medicaid Hospital Restrictions

Companion Care Near Del mar Medicaid HospitalThe growing strain on the Medicare, Medicaid, and other government-funded health care programs is impacting seniors in very real ways. Those who receive professional companion care near Del Mar often worry about losing Medicaid benefits or having to pay some costs themselves as money becomes tighter within the system. Some states are seeing a major restriction in the form of limits on Medicaid-paid hospital stays, another form of “rationing healthcare”.

 State-Specific Hospital Limits

 The new limitations are set on a state by state basis, and there are many states that are not yet talking about setting them (California being one of them). Florida now has a 45-day limit in place, and three other southeastern states—Alabama, Arkansas, and Mississippi—have new limits that are shorter thanFlorida’s. The most severe cut is in Hawaii, where Medicaid users will only be covered for ten days in the hospital. The cost for the remainder of a patient’s stay must come out of pocket or be waived by the hospital if payment is impossible.

 Backlash From Patients

 Seniors across the country are naturally concerned about this particular form of budget-cutting. The last thing a hospitalized senior and his family need to worry about is how they are going to pay for the care, especially if they have been counting on Medicaid for coverage. In Wisconsin, where lawmakers are considering similar cuts, a petition is gaining support to plead for a different solution to financial difficulties.

 Companion Care Near Del Mar Can Reduce Hospital Visits

 Of course, staying out of the hospital in the first place is a great way to avoid these worries altogether! If an elderly individual is vulnerable to falls, prescription drug mistakes, or other potential dangers, professional companion care near Del Mar can help to minimize the possibility of an emergency trip to the hospital. Even the most dedicated family caregivers can’t be on hand all the time, and companion care can fill in the gaps to keep beloved seniors safe and healthy.

Tim Colling
Tim Colling

Tim Colling is the founder and President of A Servant's Heart In-Home Care, which provided in-home caregiving services in San Diego County, and also of A Servant's Heart Geriatric Care Management, which provided
professional geriatric care management services and long term care placement services in San Diego County. Tim has more than 30 years of experience in management in a variety of industries. He held a Certified Care Manager credential from the National Academy of Certified Care Managers. Tim is also a Certified Public Accountant (retired), and received his Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from California State University at San Diego. In addition to writing blog posts here for the Servant’s Heart blog, Tim also is a regular contributor to HealthLine.com and to FamilyAffaires.com as well as blogs of other eldercare services provider companies. Finally, Tim is also the president of A Servant's Heart Web Design and Marketing, which provides home care marketing as well as website design and online marketing for those who serve the elderly and their families.

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