Question 1

An important current issue in state workers compensation programs is the overuse of a certain category of pain-killing drugs. These drugs have been associated with drug overdoses and drug addiction. This category of drugs is called

Accepted Answer

Opiates have been linked to drug overdoses and addiction, and their overuse is an important current issue in state workers compensation programs. The other options (hypertension drugs, statins, and beta-blockers) do not have the same association with drug overdoses and addiction.

Question 2

Under Part A of Medicare, how is reimbursement for inpatient hospital care determined?

Accepted Answer

Under Part A of Medicare, reimbursement for inpatient hospital care is determined by classifying the care delivered into diagnosis-related groups (DRGs). The amount reimbursed depends on the DRG classification, rather than the amount billed by the hospital or a percentage of the hospital's charge. This system aims to encourage cost-effective treatment and reduce unnecessary hospital stays.

Question 3

Which of the following would help to reduce the long-range OASDI actuarial deficit?

Accepted Answer

Increasing the payroll tax rate would directly increase the revenue for the OASDI (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) program, helping to reduce its long-range actuarial deficit.

Question 4

All of the following statements about the Medicare prescription drug benefit are true EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

The statement "Coverage is limited to when a beneficiary is hospitalized or a resident of rest home" is not true. The Medicare prescription drug benefit provides coverage for outpatient prescription drugs regardless of whether the beneficiary is hospitalized or a resident of a rest home.

Question 5

Which of the following statements regarding the Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) program is true?

Accepted Answer

EUC benefits are funded entirely by the federal government, distinguishing them from regular unemployment benefits that are typically funded at the state level.

Question 6

Which of the following statements about the financing of OASDI and Medicare is (are) true?
I.There is a maximum taxable wage base for OASDI.
II.There is a maximum taxable wage base for Part A of Medicare.

Accepted Answer

I is true because there is a maximum taxable wage base for OASDI (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance), which is adjusted annually. II is false because there is no maximum taxable wage base for Part A of Medicare; all covered wages and self-employment income are subject to Medicare taxes.

Question 7

A serious current concern with the Social Security program is the depletion of the Disability Income Trust Fund. Each of the following contributed to the depletion of the fund EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

The answer of A serious current concern with the Social...

Question 8

Which of the following statements about the Medicare prescription drug benefit is (are) true?
I.Beneficiaries select a prescription drug plan and pay monthly premiums, with the premium reduced or waived for low-income beneficiaries.
II.The benefit provides first-dollar coverage of prescription drugs up to a maximum of $10,000 per year, but no coverage after $10,000.

Accepted Answer

Statement I is true as beneficiaries do have to select a prescription drug plan and pay monthly premiums, with some low-income beneficiaries qualifying for reduced or waived premiums. However, statement II is false as the Medicare prescription drug benefit does not have a maximum coverage limit of $10,000. Instead, the coverage limit is set annually and adjusted each year, with beneficiaries responsible for a portion of their drug costs until they reach the coverage gap or catastrophic coverage levels.

Question 9

Under the Medicare Prescription Drug Program, a coverage gap (also called a "donut hole") exists after the beneficiary and drug plan pay a certain amount for covered drugs. The coverage gap refers to

Accepted Answer

The coverage gap or "donut hole" refers to the temporary gap in coverage that begins when the beneficiary and drug plan pay a certain amount for covered drugs during the year and ends when the catastrophic limit is reached and coverage resumes. During this gap, the beneficiary is responsible for paying a higher percentage of the cost of their drugs out-of-pocket.

Question 10

Which of the following statements about taxation of Social Security retirement benefits under federal law is (are) true?
I.Social Security retirement benefits are never considered taxable income.
II.Up to 85 percent of Social Security retirement benefits may be considered taxable income, depending on the amount of other income received by the beneficiary.

Accepted Answer

Up to 85 percent of Social Security retirement benefits may be considered taxable income, depending on the amount of other income received by the beneficiary. Therefore, statement II is true, and statement I is false.

Question 11

Which of the following statements about the impact of the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) on workers compensation is true?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following statements about the...

Question 12

Which of the following statements about Social Security disability benefits is true?

Accepted Answer

A strict definition of disability is used in the Social Security program, which means that only those who are unable to work due to a severe and long-lasting disability are eligible for benefits. The amount of benefits received is based on the disabled person's past earnings and can replace up to 80% of those earnings, but there is a five-month waiting period before benefits begin. There is no maximum duration for benefits as long as the disabled person remains unable to work.

Question 13

Under one type of Medicare Advantage Plan, members of the plan can see any doctor or health services provider that accepts Medicare patients. If members receive care outside the network of member physicians and care facilities, they must pay higher out-of-pocket costs. This type of Medicare Advantage Plan is a

Accepted Answer

This type of Medicare Advantage Plan is a PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) plan, where members can see any doctor or health services provider that accepts Medicare patients. However, if they receive care outside the network of member physicians and care facilities, they must pay higher out-of-pocket costs.

Question 14

Which of the following statements about the financial status of Medicare Part A is (are) true?
I.Part A has serious financial problems.
II. Reforms instituted by Congress have reduced total Part A expenditures in recent years.

Accepted Answer

Medicare Part A does have serious financial problems, as its trust fund is projected to be depleted by 2026. While there have been some efforts to reduce expenditures through reforms, these have not been sufficient to prevent the impending shortfall.

Question 15

As an alternative to the Original Medicare Plan, beneficiaries can elect to enroll in private health insurance plans that cover all services that the Original Medicare Plan covers except hospice care. These private health insurance plans that are an alternative to the Original Medicare Plan are called

Accepted Answer

Medicare Advantage Plans (also known as Medicare Part C) are a type of private health insurance plan that provides all the coverage of Original Medicare, as well as additional benefits such as vision and dental coverage, and may have lower out-of-pocket costs. They often have provider networks and may require prior authorization for certain services, but can be a good option for those looking for more comprehensive coverage than the Original Medicare Plan.

Question 16

One type of Medicare Advantage Plans provides focused care for a specific group of people, such as diabetics and nursing home residents. This type of Medicare Advantage Plan is a

Accepted Answer

Special Needs plans are designed to provide specialized care for a specific group of people such as those with chronic medical conditions or living in nursing homes. These plans typically offer additional benefits and services to meet the unique needs of the enrollees, such as care coordination and disease management programs.

Question 17

All of the following changes would reduce the long-range deficit for the Social Security program EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

Delaying scheduled increases in the full retirement age would actually increase the long-range deficit for the Social Security program because it would mean people would start receiving benefits later, thus reducing the period over which benefits are paid out and saving money. Options A, C, and D would help reduce the deficit by increasing revenue or reducing payouts.

Question 18

All of the following statements about the Medicare Prescription Drug Plan are true EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

The statement "Medicare prescription drug coverage is funded exclusively through the Part A payroll tax" is false. Medicare prescription drug coverage is funded through a combination of beneficiary premiums, government subsidies, and general revenue.

Question 19

Which of the following statements concerning Medicare Prescription Drug Plans is (are) true?
I.The monthly premium is based on the health status of the beneficiary and the number of prescriptions the beneficiary needs.
II.After the beneficiary has paid an initial deductible, Medicare pays the entire cost of all prescription drugs the beneficiary needs.

Accepted Answer

Medicare Prescription Drug Plans do not base premiums on health status or the number of prescriptions. Additionally, after the deductible, beneficiaries often pay a share of the costs, not the entire cost being covered by Medicare.

Quiz 18: Social Insurance