On February 11, 2022, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit reversed a lower-court decision and found that Medicare must provide coverage for a beneficiary’s off-label use of a medication in Dobson v. Secretary of Health & Human … [Read more...] about A Victory for “Off-Label” Prescription Drug Coverage
Archives for February 2022
Black History Month is a Good Time to Make Good Trouble
It’s understandable to be tired these days – by COVID, disinformation, the inability to pass important legislation, and inequities galore. But we remember Rep. John Lewis urging us to “find a way where there is no way.” He knew as much as … [Read more...] about Black History Month is a Good Time to Make Good Trouble
Issue Brief | States Are Weakening Training Standards for Nursing Facility Aides
Federal nurse aide training standards in nursing facilities have been largely waived during the COVID-19 emergency. When the emergency declarations end, however, all “temporary nurse aides” are required by federal law to receive training and pass … [Read more...] about Issue Brief | States Are Weakening Training Standards for Nursing Facility Aides
CMA Alert | February 10, 2022
It’s Time: Repeal the 3-Day Inpatient Hospital Requirement for Medicare Skilled Nursing Facility CoverageLast year, the Center for Medicare Advocacy suggested that it was time to repeal the three-day inpatient hospital requirement that is … [Read more...] about CMA Alert | February 10, 2022
Black History Month 2022: Black Health and Wellness
Since 1976, every American president has designated February as Black History Month with a specific theme. The 2022 theme is “Black Health and Wellness,” which presents a perfect opportunity to remind people of the impact Medicare had on … [Read more...] about Black History Month 2022: Black Health and Wellness
Second State Report Recommends Barring Medicaid Payments to Chronically Poor-Performing Nursing Facilities
In a new report, New Jersey’s Acting State Comptroller identifies the 15 consistently lowest-performing nursing facilities in the state and recommends implementing changes to the Medicaid program that would require these facilities, in a phased … [Read more...] about Second State Report Recommends Barring Medicaid Payments to Chronically Poor-Performing Nursing Facilities
What’s Happening in the Nursing Home Industry?
In 2014, the Ostego County-owned nursing facility, Ostego Manor, was losing $5-6 million a year and was sold, “despite strong local opposition,” to the Focus Family of Companies for $18.5 million.[1] Focus renamed the New York State facility … [Read more...] about What’s Happening in the Nursing Home Industry?
It’s Time: Repeal the 3-Day Inpatient Hospital Requirement for Medicare Skilled Nursing Facility Coverage
Last year, the Center for Medicare Advocacy suggested that it was time to repeal the three-day inpatient hospital requirement that is necessary for Part A coverage in the traditional Medicare program.[1] The recent Second Circuit decision in … [Read more...] about It’s Time: Repeal the 3-Day Inpatient Hospital Requirement for Medicare Skilled Nursing Facility Coverage
2022 National Voices of Medicare Summit & Senator Jay Rockefeller Lecture
Thank you to all who made this event such a success!The National Voices of Medicare Summit& Senator Jay Rockefeller Lecture Medicare in Jeopardy – How Do We Save It? Wednesday, May 18, 12:30 - 4:30 PM EDTVia Live WebcastFull … [Read more...] about 2022 National Voices of Medicare Summit & Senator Jay Rockefeller Lecture
CMA Alert | February 3, 2022
Medicare Announces Coverage of Free Over-the-Counter COVID TestsAs discussed in last week’s CMA Alert, on January 10, 2022 the Biden Administration announced that certain private insurance companies and group health plans must cover the cost of … [Read more...] about CMA Alert | February 3, 2022