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This discussion made me curious if PP providers are enrolled in Medicare. I looked it up, and not all PP locations are able to accept Medicare. And of the ones who do, only certain providers are in the PECOS system. So the federal government is currently limiting Medicare funds to PP and no one is screaming about that. Women over the age of 65 don't matter?
PP clearly isn't interested in treating women who are too old to have abortions. Apparently they have little interest in "cancer screenings" for women above child bearing age. Odd that, considering older women have a much higher cancer risk.
This discussion made me curious if PP providers are enrolled in Medicare. I looked it up, and not all PP locations are able to accept Medicare. And of the ones who do, only certain providers are in the PECOS system. So the federal government is currently limiting Medicare funds to PP and no one is screaming about that. Women over the age of 65 don't matter?
PP clearly isn't interested in treating women who are too old to have abortions.
I think it's a stretch to say that women over the age of 65 don't matter because some locations aren't able to accept Medicare. Planned Parenthood specializes in reproductive care. Hence their name. When you hit 65, reproducing as an issue has been replaced by other health issues.
No. Texas stopped allowing Medicaid funds to go to Planned Parenthood, and since then both abortions and unplanned pregnancies have seen a slight reduction. If what you claim is true, the number of abortions and unplanned pregnancies should have increased.
Also, PP was sued by the US Attorney's office under the Obama admin for Medicaid fraud. PP ended up settling the lawsuit and agreeing to pay back millions. This isn't a good or honest organization and they should not be getting tax dollars.
Texas tried to stop Medicaid funding:
Texas, under then-Gov. Rick Perry, did significantly cut family planning funds for clinics in 2011 as part of a larger crackdown on abortion providers. But the Obama administration said the move violated Medicaid requirements for offering a choice of family planning providers, and federal officials pulled Medicaid funding from the state for those services.
I think it's a stretch to say that women over the age of 65 don't matter because some locations aren't able to accept Medicare. Planned Parenthood specializes in reproductive care. Hence their name. When you hit 65, reproducing as an issue has been replaced by other health issues.
Women stop needing cancer screenings and mammograms whey they hit 65?
Women stop needing cancer screenings and mammograms whey they hit 65?
Not at all. But Planned Parenthood is ultimately about reproductive services. And while it offers cancer-screening services, and provides them to anyone, the fact remains, that just because SOME of the PP clinics aren't Medicare friendly doesn't mean that 65+ women aren't using the services, which is the argument you are making, and the additional fact is that 65+ women with multiple health issues are more likely combining their cancer-screening with other health issues, like addressing stroke and heart-attack risks.
Not at all. But Planned Parenthood is ultimately about reproductive services. And while it offers cancer-screening services, and provides them to anyone, the fact remains, that just because SOME of the PP clinics aren't Medicare friendly doesn't mean that 65+ women aren't using the services, which is the argument you are making, and the additional fact is that 65+ women with multiple health issues are more likely combining their cancer-screening with other health issues, like addressing stroke and heart-attack risks.
This thread has made several claims:
1. PP provides cancer screenings and/or mammograms or "access" to mammograms
Women above the age of 65 need those things
2. The government should not be able to limit government payments to PP
The government currently limits Medicare payments to PP
3. Women deserve access to PP because they should get to see doctors who specialize in women's health
If true, all women should deserve this, not just those under a certain age.
4. PP cares about women and women's health
I guess there is an age limit on that caring or they would make sure all of their facilities and physicians could accept Medicare patients
The truth is that PP isn't truly about women's health care. It's about abortion. If they truly cared about women, they would make sure they could accept all women- esp. considering that the risk of breast cancer increases with age. That's why many women continue seeing a GYN well after reproductive age.
I guess there is an age limit on that caring or they would make sure all of their facilities and physicians could accept Medicare patients
The truth is that PP isn't truly about women's health care. It's about abortion. If they truly cared about women, they would make sure they could accept all women- esp. considering that the risk of breast cancer increases with age. That's why many women continue seeing a GYN well after reproductive age.
YOUR guess is illogical. Planned Parenthood doesn't impose an age limit. I'm sure they accept any patient who wishes to use their services.
YOUR assertion is faulty. Nothing you've said supports your conclusion. They do accept all women. They may have to work out different payment options at different clinics. But if a woman has cancer, then she's going to be referred to an oncology specialist. Planned Parenthood's focus isn't treating cancer. It's providing reproductive services.
The web site tells women how to make an appointment. They will still need an order from their doctor to get the procedure. There must be someone to whom the report will be sent and who will be responsible for discussing the results with the patient.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jojajn
So a woman feels a lump doing a self exam. What is her next step?
I see no one has answered this question, which gets to the heart of what PP does by providing referral for mammograms. PP gets the report and takes responsibilty for making sure there is appropriate follow up.
Quote:
Originally Posted by brentwoodgirl
This thread has made several claims:
1. PP provides cancer screenings and/or mammograms or "access" to mammograms
Women above the age of 65 need those things
2. The government should not be able to limit government payments to PP
The government currently limits Medicare payments to PP
3. Women deserve access to PP because they should get to see doctors who specialize in women's health
If true, all women should deserve this, not just those under a certain age.
4. PP cares about women and women's health
I guess there is an age limit on that caring or they would make sure all of their facilities and physicians could accept Medicare patients
The truth is that PP isn't truly about women's health care. It's about abortion. If they truly cared about women, they would make sure they could accept all women- esp. considering that the risk of breast cancer increases with age. That's why many women continue seeing a GYN well after reproductive age.
Eighty percent of PP clients are there for contraceptive services. Screening for STDs, pap smears, and mammogram referrals in the at risk population are part of that. Unless they serve a significant number of clients with Medicare, there would be no reason to become a Medicare provider. There is nothing that would prevent a PP physician from enrolling as a Medicare provider if desired, though.
The over age 65 group is not part of that contraceptive-seeking demographic, and with Medicare the option exists to see a private gynecologist. That's the same reason many with commercial insurance see private doctors rather than using PP. However, nothing prevents someone with commercial insurance from using it at PP if PP is a provider for their plan.
Here's one PP's insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid:
Every physician determines which insurance plans he wishes to accept, including Medicare.
By the way, Medicare providers do not "enroll in PECOS". PECOS is just a web portal. It can be used to credential with Medicare, but PECOS is not Medicare and has nothing to do with the credentialing itself, which is done through local third party contractors that do administer Medicare benefits. It is not required to use PECOS. Paper applications can still be submitted.
"The Internet-based Provider Enrollment, Chain and Ownership System (Internet-based PECOS) can be used in lieu of the Medicare enrollment application (i.e., paper CMS-855)..."
"Mail your completed application and all supporting documentation to the Medicare fee-for-service contractor (also referred to as a carrier, fiscal intermediary, Medicare Administrative Contractor, or the National Supplier Clearinghouse) serving your State or geographic location."
The majority of doctors will use PECOS because it is more convenient.
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