Medicare News

Medicare – Organ Transplant: Getting the Call

by

Donated organs have a limited period of viability, so timing is critical in the transplant process. If the
recipient can not be reached or be ready within the time constraints, the organs will be used for the recipient with the next highest priority. The organs intended for Scott were taken, by courier, to the airport to be flown to Scott’s location. Scott was at the hospital being tested and prepared for the surgery. Everything looked like it was a “go.”

Medicare: Same Genes Suspected in Both Depression and Bipolar Illness

by

Researchers, for the first time, have pinpointed a genetic hotspot that confers risk for both bipolar disorder and depression. People with either of these mood disorders were significantly more likely to have risk versions of genes at this site than healthy controls

Medicare – From Neurons to Thought: Coherent Electrical Patterns Observed Across the Brain

by

Amidst the background hum of electrical signaling generated by neurons in the brain, scientists have found that local groups of neurons, firing in coordination, sometimes create a signal that is mirrored instantaneously and precisely by other groups of neurons across the brain.

Fire Prevention

by

When I was in college, students, who had a little too much to drink, were always pulling the dorm fire alarms in the middle of the night and then running off. These alarm pranks had become a real problem in my dorm and seemed to be happening weekly. I considered myself lucky that I lived … Read more

National Wear Red Day

by

Most people think they should wear red on February 14th, for that terrible, horrible, no good, very bad, Hallmark holiday (flowers that were never delivered two years ago, a boyfriend who neglected to call last year…I have the right to be bitter, ok?). Really, there is a much better reason to dress in crimson and … Read more

Snow and SAD

by

Last week I was in Los Angeles. More specifically, I was sitting outside on a patio in Santa Monica with a view of the ocean. This week? Well, things have been a hazy shade of winter. In case you haven’t heard, DC has had a “little” snow the past few days. The masses are beginning … Read more

Replacing a Lost Social Security Card

by

Because I’m a government employee, I’ve gotten emails from time to time from friends of mine who are trying to figure out something government-related and assume I have all the answers. And because I work in the office that runs USA.gov, I can usually point my friends in the right direction. Last week a friend … Read more

Exercise and Heart Health

by

We all know that regular exercise is good for us, but sometimes we feel like we have to be marathon runners to benefit from it. Let’s face it, most of us aren’t in any shape for a marathon or triathlon, but here’s the good news: I heard a news story last week about how regular, … Read more

Missing Your W-2 Forms for Medicare?

by

It’s tax season once again, and time to gather all the forms and tax records you’ll need to file your tax return. One of the most important documents you’ll need is your W-2 form. We always hear from a lot of people who didn’t get their W-2’s and don’t know what to do. So if you haven’t received your W-2 yet, read on.