The $74,973 Question: Are Medicare Beneficiaries Informed Users of Private Medical Care Contracts?

Health-care providers are allowed to opt-out of Medicare, privately contract with beneficiaries, and require that beneficiaries pay the full cost of services. Responses from a nationally representative sample of Medicare beneficiaries reveal that they lack the knowledge necessary to make informed decisions regarding such contracts. For example, only 4.6% of participants knew the correct answer to a real-life $74,973 question, leaving a full 95.4% vulnerable to paying a large bill, even a $74,973 bill, they should not pay. In addition to advocating that Medicare effectively monitor private medical care contracts, social workers should educate beneficiaries and/or their caregivers on the implications of entering into such contracts or refer them to their State Health Insurance Assistance Program or Senior Medicare Patrol program for expert guidance.     

我国积极财政政策的实施效果及前景

本文在分析我国近年积极财政政策实施效果的基础上 ,揭示我国积极财政政策转变已经显露“淡出”迹象 ;在分析这一转变的原因之后 ,笔者认为今年的积极财政是稳定宏观经济发展的必要手段 ,我国的积极财政政策应该“逐步淡出”。