Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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Page 8 Informed Medical Decisions PAT Reduces Costs One significant way to reduce your hospit al bills is by using pre-admission teating (PAT). Pre-admission testing can shorten the number of days spent in a hospital and thereby the average cost per stay by provid ing certain services, such as x-rays and laboratory tests, on an outpatient basis prior to scheduled hospital admissions. Pre admission testing performed on out-patient basis, prior to hospital confinement, will be covered 100% if testing is performed within five days of confinement. With PAT, the doctor schedules whatever tests and examinations he considers neces sary prior to surgery; the patient reports to the designated lab as an out-patient, has the tests done, and returns home until time for surgery. When the patient returns to the hos pital and is admitted as an inpatient the day of (or the evening preceding) his surgery, the necessary tests are already a part of his hos pital record. PAT is especially appropriate in cases of elective surgery when a battery of pre- surgical tests is required, with testing done in the hospital’s outpatient facilities. When working properly, PAT reduces the patient's hospital bill by an amount equal to at least one and sometimes two or three days of charges. Additionally, if you are the patient it re duces the amount of time spent away from the job by a shorter hospital stay. In conclusion, because PAT shortens the length of a hospital stay, it not only reduces a patient’s bill, but also frees hospital beds for those requiring full bed-patient care, en courages more effective utilization of hospit al facilities, equipment and services and allows controlled scheduling of testing and admissions. Because a doctor has the pa tient's test results prior to admission, treat ment can begin immediately upon admis sion. By making more effective use of a group medical plan, PAT helps make the best use of the premium dollars available. Be sure to contact Insurance Counselor Truman Owens (Clinton) or Lucille White (Geneva) if you have questions about pre admission testing. Always remember to ask your doctor if pre-admission testing can be arranged. Social Security Changes In Effect Starting with January of this year, the fed eral government began taking a larger de duction from your paycheck for the Social Security program. The Social Security (FICA) rate of taxation for employees increased from 6.70 percent to 7.05 percent, effective January 1, 1985. That’s a jump of about one-third percent (actually 35 hundredths of a percent) over the old rate. This means that in 1985 we will pay 35 cents more in Social Security taxes for each $100.00 of our wages up to the maximum wage base. Or, said another way, our increase in Social Security taxes will amount to $3.50 for each $1,000.00 of our taxable wages in 1985. The change was reflected in the first paycheck received from Clinton Mills, Inc. in 1985. The maximum wage base (amount of earn ings subject to Social Security taxation) also will increase in 1985. The new maximum will be $39,600, compared with $37,800 in 1984. This means that the maximum So cial Security tax for employees earning $39,600 or more in 1985 will be $2,791.80—an increase of $259.20 over the 1984 maximum of $2,532.60. This impending change in the maximum taxable wage base, announced recently by the Social Security Administration, comes under the automatic adjustment provisions of Social Security legislation enacted during the 1970s. It is tied to the nation's increase in aver age wages, as determined on the basis of data provided by the Internal Revenue Ser vice. As in the past, for each Social Security tax dollar that you—as an employee—pay, a “matching” amount is paid to the federal government for the Social Security program. In 1984, the rate paid by employers, such as Clinton Mills, Inc., has been 7.00 per cent (0.30 percent higher than the rate paid by employees). The difference in rates re sulted because employes got a one-third tax credit of 0.30 percent for 1984 and there fore have been paying 6.70 percent. In 1985, the rate to be paid by employers will be 7.05 percent on taxable wages—the same rate to be paid by employees. Deductions required Clinton Mills, Inc. - like other employers- is required by the federal government to make the proper deductions from each em ployee's pay for the Social Security program. So, during 1985, each Clinton Mills, Inc. employee will pay 7.05 percent on taxable wages, to be matched by an additional 7.05 percent from the Company - for a total of 14.10 percent. This combined amount will be used by the government to finance the costs of the So cial Security system, which includes Medi care. More increases scheduled Under existing law, the rate of taxation for the Social Security program will continue to increase in future years. Also, the earnings base will rise automa tically according to increases in average wage levels. In 1986-87, employees and employers each will pay 7.15 percent on taxable earn ings (combined total: 14.30 percent); in 1988-89, 7.51 percent (combined total: 15.02 percent); and in 1990 and later, 7.65 percent (combined total: 15.30 per cent). Other changes noted for ’85 A number of other Social Security changes also will become effective on Janu ary 1, 1985, as a result of automatic adjust ment provisions in the law. They include: The maximum amount of earnings that a beneficiary under age 65 may earn without losing any Social Security benefits will in crease from $5,160 this year to $5,400. The exempt amount for beneficiaries aged 65 through 69 will increase from $6,960 to $7,320. The amount of earnings required for a quarterof coverage will increase to $410, up from $390 this year. ill o O ID KooS -z o .tr Carl Turner has completed membership requirements into the Old Timer’s Club. Carl, an assistant carding de partmental superintendent, joined Clinton Mills, Inc. January 7, 1960. Plant No. 2 Manager Ted Davenport presented Glydia B. Tucker his twenty-five year service award recently. Tucker is employed in Plant No. 2 weaving.