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NEWS > HEALTH > MEDICAID WILL NO LONGER TURN DOWN CLAIMS FROM THE DECEASED
MEDICAID WILL NO LONGER TURN DOWN CLAIMS FROM THE DECEASED
September 22 2011
Seattle, WA – Amidst all the chatter about Obamacare, finances, and of course, the politics and business of health many people tend to forget those caught in the middle, the people who need help. There are, after all, millions of people in the country who simply cannot afford medical insurance and depend on things like Medicare to keep 
themselves and their families healthy. It is they and their health which has been caught in the middle of the debate, and it is they who have the smallest voices.
Those people have now been dealt a new and potentially deadly blow in Washington State after Medicare providers there decided to cut back on services. Specifically, Medicare will now cover only three non-emergent visits to the emergency room a year. In addition, they also expanded the definition of non-emergent to include heart attacks.
Luckily though the state has still left a little bit of heart in the changes, agreeing to pay Medicare claims if a person dies in the waiting room even if they have exceeded their claim allocations for the year.
“These change are absolutely necessary to maintain the fiscal health of the system for everyone. We have determined that a great number of people are abusing the system for non-emergencies and that not only clogs that waiting rooms but also places a burden on the finances of the system state wide,” said a state spokesperson. “These changes are an effort to reduce those abuses, encouraging people with simple aches and pains to seek attention from their family physician rather than going into the much more expensive emergency facilities. However, in extreme cases involving mortality these clauses will be waived, once and once only.”
Other possible conditions that will not be covered include vaginal bleeding in pregnant women and multiple organ failure.
The new rules have not been widely applauded by physicians in the state.
““The symptoms of many of these medical conditions indicate life-threatening emergencies, and people with these symptoms should seek emergency care,” said Doctor Stephen Anderson in a statement. “Not doing so could lead to severe illness, disability and even death. Including conditions such as congestive heart failure, kidney stones, miscarriage, chest pain and asthma is outrageous and dangerous.”
The state has not backed off on the plan despite the medical protests.
“While we certainly do understand the concerns of many in the medical community, we have a responsibility to act in a fiscally responsible way. If this is such a great problem for them, they can work in their off hours for free to help these patients,” said a spokesperson.
Most doctors don’t have personal access to hospital-level facilities in their homes or free clinics.
“This is very much a concern for a lot of people, not just doctors and patients but also for the long term health of the system itself. After all, if a person becomes infirmed as a result of lack of medical treatment they will be a larger burden later on, which will tax the system even further,” said Scrape TV Medical analyst Dr. Phillip Waites. “However, at least they are willing to pay out if the person dies in the waiting room. That will be some comfort to them, knowing that their families won’t have to worry. Of course it may also increase congestion in the hospitals, but we’ll have to see about that.”
Thus far there have been no reports of new deaths as a result of the new rules.
Lauren Hebert, Health Correspondent
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