New "Ask Medicare" Caregiver Tools
On September 18, 2008, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will launch its new online service offering "information, tools, and materials to assist caregivers in making informed healthcare decisions."
The new resource was announced in a Press Release issued by CMS on September 15, 2008, entitled "Medicare Launches New Caregiving Initiative" posted by MarketWatch, Yahoo, Reuters, InsuranceNewsNet, and other media services.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), along with representatives from partner organizations, will launch a new online Medicare caregiver initiative providing information, tools and materials to help family caregivers.One year ago, I noted that CMS offered other educational resources for caregivers, including Internet links, satellite broadcasts, and online articles. See: PA EE&F Law Blog posting "CMS Offers Caregiving Presentation" (09/18/07).
The effort will be launched with a Webcast where forum participants will take questions from caregivers and highlight personal stories and experiences. * * *
The new web-based resource center will be launched in a webcast on Thursday, September 18, 2008, from noon to 1:00 p.m. EDT. The presentation will feature:
- Kerry Weems, Acting Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
- Susan Reinhard, AARP
- Greg Link, Administration on Aging
- Nancy Lewin, Strength for Caring
- Gail Hunt, National Alliance for Caregiving
Visit http://www.medicare.gov/caregivers to register for the event or to post questions in advance.
The new online service seeks to educate and to support personal caregivers for ill or aged Americans:
The new online service seeks to educate and to support personal caregivers for ill or aged Americans:
More than 44 million Americans (one out of five) provide daily care for a chronically ill or aging loved one, friend, or neighbor that is valued in economic terms at $350 billion annually, according to AARP.The Ask Medicare website also invites anyone to sign up for various CMS web alerts or newsletters, delivered by email.
Because caregiving requires a substantial amount of time, energy, and knowledge, Medicare is launching an online initiative that will provide caregivers with help in making healthcare decisions. * * *
