Just a sanity check

[plugger]

I wrote a "letter to the editor" for my local newspaper and the editor came back with a part of my letter she wanted to make sure of.  I stated in the letter private insurance pays more for dialysis per patient than Medicare does; I guess the editor lady is finding this hard to believe, but I distinctly remember this.  I also seem to remember others observing the same thing - at least I don't think I'm hallucinating.  It was back in 2000 when my daughter was on dialysis, but this is one thing that seems to have stuck with me.  I figured this is a group in the know and could tell me whether it is just voices in my head or not.

[George Jung]

I thought medicare becomes primary insurance after 3 months (on dialysis) or something like that.  I have BCBS but I believe they are secondary.

[Black]

I wrote a "letter to the editor" for my local newspaper and the editor came back with a part of my letter she wanted to make sure of.  I stated in the letter private insurance pays more for dialysis per patient than Medicare does; I guess the editor lady is finding this hard to believe, but I distinctly remember this.  I also seem to remember others observing the same thing - at least I don't think I'm hallucinating.  It was back in 2000 when my daughter was on dialysis, but this is one thing that seems to have stuck with me.  I figured this is a group in the know and could tell me whether it is just voices in my head or not.

You are correct.

[Zach]

I wrote a "letter to the editor" for my local newspaper and the editor came back with a part of my letter she wanted to make sure of.  I stated in the letter private insurance pays more for dialysis per patient than Medicare does; I guess the editor lady is finding this hard to believe, but I distinctly remember this.  I also seem to remember others observing the same thing - at least I don't think I'm hallucinating.  It was back in 2000 when my daughter was on dialysis, but this is one thing that seems to have stuck with me.  I figured this is a group in the know and could tell me whether it is just voices in my head or not.

You are correct.

Not only are you correct, the "Caring Kidney" lobby is trying to extend the Medicare Secondary Payer (MSP) from 30 to 42 months.  Another gold rush for those "Caring Kidney" folks.
 

[okarol]

Good for you! So great that you got the journalists attention! 

[plugger]

Thanks for the info and encouragement!  I knew it wasn't just the voices in my head.  Anyway, if you are curious as to what I've been up to with the info, I've got a link:

http://forums.coloradoan.com/viewtopic.php?t=16809

[Zach]

Thanks for the info and encouragement!  I knew it wasn't just the voices in my head.  Anyway, if you are curious as to what I've been up to with the info, I've got a link:

http://forums.coloradoan.com/viewtopic.php?t=16809

Not too friendly a bunch.
 

PS:  But you keep up the great work.  Your Colorado bill is a model for the rest of he country.

[KT0930]

I thought medicare becomes primary insurance after 3 months (on dialysis) or something like that.  I have BCBS but I believe they are secondary.

You have to have been on dialysis for 3 months in order to qualify for Medicare, unless you attend and complete training for home dialysis, then it takes over as soon as your first dialysis treatment. Medicare, as far as I understand, does not become primary until after you have a transplant. I also have BCBS.

[plugger]

Yes, it does get confusing with insurance.  I remember my private insurance paid for the six months my daughter was on dialysis and what Zach said about Medicare kicking in at 30 months sounds right for what would have happened with my daughter's situation - but it sounds like every case could be different.

I do hope that Colorado bill we got through can be a model - not as stringent as I would have liked - but we got through what we thought would pass and wouldn't deplete the field of techs.  Hopefully, it can also be something to be built upon.  We owe a lot of thanks to the people who have gone before us and gotten tech legislation through their states.