We were told the options, but did not get the full information for why these were the options. In her case, she got a metal plate in her broken arm because we were told the plate would strengthen her arm, but the plate was just supposed to be there to keep the bone in line until her bone healed, not for any strength afterwards. She didn't need the plate, and her bones are so brittle that the doctor now thinks she may need another surgery because the screws may back out. She should not have had the screws put in in the first place, but nobody mentioned anything about the screws that go with the plates being a problem for people with osteoporosis.
Overtreatment of the Elderly is Encouraged because physicians/hospitals are paid for treatment of the elderly (because of age discrimination law) up until the Diagnosis Related Group Cap no matter the age and the condition of the patient.
However, in the past many years, CMS and the private insurers have developed reimbursement protocols that do not pay physicians/hospitals for non-beneficial overtreatment or for errors and omissions.
Think of the unintended consequences to the elderly who are not aware that their treatment is not being reimbursed by their insurance and Medicare. Think of how this invited untilateral and covert DNRs that CAP the unreimbursed costs by sending patients to eternity sooner rather than later ----and without their informed consent.
A fall of an elderly patient is treated as an "error" and their is NO reimbursement for treatment of the injury after the fall. Think of the unintended consequences to elderly patients.
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Medical Overtreatment Can Have Dire Consequences for Seniors
However, in the past many years, CMS and the private insurers have developed reimbursement protocols that do not pay physicians/hospitals for non-beneficial overtreatment or for errors and omissions.
Think of the unintended consequences to the elderly who are not aware that their treatment is not being reimbursed by their insurance and Medicare. Think of how this invited untilateral and covert DNRs that CAP the unreimbursed costs by sending patients to eternity sooner rather than later ----and without their informed consent.
A fall of an elderly patient is treated as an "error" and their is NO reimbursement for treatment of the injury after the fall. Think of the unintended consequences to elderly patients.