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Dear Marci,
My father is currently in the hospital, and I think he is being asked to leave before he is ready. Is there anything I can do?
If you feel your father is being asked to leave the hospital (discharged) before he is well enough to go, you can ask for an immediate (expedited), independent review of your case.
It is a good idea to ask a doctor for support. It is best to ask your treating physician, but you could always ask another doctor to lend support.
If you make a formal request for an immediate review within the proper timeframe, the hospital cannot force you to leave before a decision has been made. You should be able to stay in the hospital at no charge while your case is being reviewed. Even if it is decided that you do not need continued hospital care, the hospital cannot charge you for any care received until noon of the next calendar day after you get the review decision.
The first part of the review process is the same whether you are in Original Medicare or a Medicare private health plan.
When you are going to be discharged, you will receive a copy of a notice called an Important Message from Medicare. This is the same document you should have been asked to sign within two days of being admitted to the hospital.
The hospital must provide you with this notice as soon as possible before your discharge, but no more than two calendar days before and not less than four hours before you must leave.
The notice will tell you how to request an immediate review of the hospitals decision to discharge you from the Quality Improvement Organization (QIO). A QIO is an independent group of doctors and other professionals that contracts with Medicare to ensure that you received quality care.
To get an expedited review, you must contact the QIO by midnight on the date you are being discharged (and before you leave the hospital). The QIO will inform the hospital right away.
If you miss the deadline to ask for an immediate review of your case, you can still appeal. However, the hospital can charge you for care you received after your planned discharge date.
The hospital (or your plan if you are enrolled in a Medicare private health plan) must give you a Detailed Notice of Discharge which tells you why services will no longer be covered, a description of the coverage rules and how those rules apply to your case. Expect that no later than noon of the day after it is notified by the QIO that you are appealing the discharge. It is important that you review this notice so that you are prepared when you have your QIO review.
The hospital or your plan must provide the QIO with the information it needs to decide your appeal by noon of the day after it is notified of the appeal. You will be asked to discuss your case with the QIO on the phone. Your doctor can be present for this conversation.
The QIO must contact you and the hospital by phone and then in writing of its decision within one calendar day after it receives all the information. If you disagree with the QIO decision, you can appeal at upper levels. The next levels are slightly different if you are in Original Medicare or a Medicare private health plan.
To find out more about more about your right to appeal, go to Medicare Interactive: (http://www.medicareinteractive.org/page2.php?topic=counselor&page=script&slide_id=691).
Call the Professional Hotline, a national service offered by the Medicare Rights Center
877-794-3570 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern Time for accurate, up-to-date information
and ongoing technical support.
Dear Marci is a weekly e-newsletter designed to keep people with Medicare, social workers, health care providers and other professionals in the loop about health care benefits, rights and options for older Americans and people with disabilities. Dear Marci is a free service of the Medicare Rights Center (http://www.medicarerights.org).

Our Newsletter
We are starting three new columns in our newsletter (recipe, get well, and sympathy).
Your input is needed for future newsletters –
call, write or email us with your contributions.
Our next newsletter will be in December.
All Caregiver Network Events are R.S.V.P.
Calendar

  • July 4, Parade
  • August 12, NH Veterans Home Will Hold Fourth Annual Cruise Night
  • August 19, Annual Picnic  @ Opechee Park clubhouse
  • Nov 3, Annual dinner and Raffle Drawing
  • Christmas Party
Russ Armstrong recognized for his volunteer efforts

NH Veterans Home 4th Annual Cruise Night, August 12th

Tips to Help Seniors and Caregivers Prepare for Surgery
Click here for these stories
Save the Date
Caregiver Burnout
By Dr. M. Ross Seligson
Being able to cope with the strains and stresses of being a Caregiver is part of the art of Caregiving In order to remain healthy so that we can continue to be Caregivers, we must
be able to see our own limitations and learn to care for ourselves as well as others.

It is important for all of us to make the effort to recognize the signs of burnout, In order to do this we must be honest and willing to hear feedback from those around us. This is especially important for those caring for family or friends. Too often Caregivers who are not closely associated with the healthcare profession get overlooked and lost in the commotion of medical emergencies and procedures. Otherwise close friends begin to grow distant, and eventually the Caregiver is alone without a support structure. We must allow those who do care for us, who are interested enough to say something, to tell us about our behavior, a noticed decrease in energy or mood changes.

Burnout isn't like a cold. You don't always notice it when you are in its clutches. Very much like Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome, the symptoms of burnout can begin surfacing months after a traumatic episode. The following are symptoms we might notice in ourselves, or others might say they see in us. Think about what is being said, and consider the possibility of burnout.
By acknowledging the reality that being a Caregiver is filled with stress and anxiety, and understanding the potential for burnout, Caregivers can be forewarned and guard against this debilitating condition. As much as it is said, it can still not be said too often, the best way to be an effective Caregiver is to take care of yourself.

M. Ross Seligson, Ph.D., P.A., is a Licensed Psychologist in Ft. Lauderdale Florida. He has supported Caregivers in his community for a number of years, including participation in AIDS, Mental Health, Cancer and Educational organizations.

Click here for Health Tips
Adult Children-Younger-Onset Dementia
10 Quick Stress Relievers
Recipe

KBERRY-YOGURT SMOOTHIES

  • 12 ounces blackberries (3 cups)
  • 1 cup plain low-fat yogurt
  • 2 cup low-fat buttermilk
  • 3 tablespoons honey
  • 1 pinch ground cardamom

Blend ingredients in a blender on high
speed until smooth and serve.

Serves: 4; makes 4 cups



Commodity Supplemental Food Program
Times are tough for many families including seniors.  The Commodity Foods Program is often over looked as a resource. Thanks to Kris Bregler we have the following information to share from Susan Wnuk, CAP Nutrition Services Director on Commodity Foods:

The Commodity Supplemental Food Programs (CSFP) is a federally funded program, which works to improve the health of low-income and elderly people at least 60 years of age by supplementing their diets with nutritious USDA commodity foods.  The income guidelines are 130% of poverty $1,174/month for household of one and $1,579/month for household of two.  We deliver the food to many sites throughout Belknap County in order to make it accessible to the seniors.
Contact Kris or Susan for brochures at
1-800-942-4321 or 603-271-4546.

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