Recent CMA Alerts (for example, here) have discussed how policymakers fail to address the growing inequities between Medicare Advantage (MA) and traditional Medicare that favor MA, and encourage the growing privatization of the Medicare program. … [Read more...] about A Special Alert about Medicare’s Future | Don’t Let Traditional Medicare “Wither on the Vine*”
Archives for March 2022
CMA Alert | March 24, 2022
Instability In Staffing Levels at Nursing Homes Affects Quality of Care for Residents Nursing home staffing levels often decline on weekends. In November 2018, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) identified facilities with low … [Read more...] about CMA Alert | March 24, 2022
Refugees Fleeing Ukraine – Assistance Available from the Federal Government, Connecticut, and Other States
More than 3.5 million people have fled their homes in Ukraine since Russia’s invasion on February 24th, creating a refugee crisis.[1] The scale and speed of this exodus, according to Vox, hasn’t been seen in Europe since World War II.[2] While … [Read more...] about Refugees Fleeing Ukraine – Assistance Available from the Federal Government, Connecticut, and Other States
Nearly Twice as Many Black COVID-19 Patients Categorized as Lowest Priority Group for Scarce Resources as Use of Crisis Standards of Care was Considered
At various times during the COVID-19 pandemic, including surges produced by the Delta and Omicron variants, hospitals around the nation experienced tremendous strain, creating a shortage of beds[1] and other resources such as staffing and medical … [Read more...] about Nearly Twice as Many Black COVID-19 Patients Categorized as Lowest Priority Group for Scarce Resources as Use of Crisis Standards of Care was Considered
Instability In Staffing Levels at Nursing Homes Affects Quality of Care for Residents
Nursing home staffing levels often decline on weekends. In November 2018, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) identified facilities with low staffing on weekends and directed states to conduct surveys in a portion of these … [Read more...] about Instability In Staffing Levels at Nursing Homes Affects Quality of Care for Residents
What Does AHCA Object to In The Biden Nursing Home Reform Agenda? Being Held Accountable for Care.
A statement from the Center for Medicare Advocacy In a March 8, 2022 letter, the American Health Care Association (AHCA), the largest nursing home trade association, asked HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra for a meeting with the White House, Secretary … [Read more...] about What Does AHCA Object to In The Biden Nursing Home Reform Agenda? Being Held Accountable for Care.
Nursing Home Executives Must Show by Their Actions that They Want to Improve Care for Residents
Statement from the Center for Medicare Advocacy The deaths of more than 200,000 nursing home residents and staff have made clear to the country that fundamental changes are necessary in the operations and oversight of nursing homes. … [Read more...] about Nursing Home Executives Must Show by Their Actions that They Want to Improve Care for Residents
CMA Alert | March 17, 2022
Recent Solicitation Scams Target Medicare-Eligible Adults A recent report in The Roanoke Times highlighted a growing vulnerability in the Medicare system – suspicious phone solicitations targeting potential beneficiaries as they prepare to sign up … [Read more...] about CMA Alert | March 17, 2022
Medicare Advantage Plans Pitch to People Turning 65
In “How Do Insurers Love Thee? Let Us Count the Medicare Advantage Pitch Mailings,” Barron’s reporter Neal Templin describes, as he turned 65, being “bombarded with letters for months” from Medicare Advantage (MA) Plans soliciting his business. … [Read more...] about Medicare Advantage Plans Pitch to People Turning 65
Study: Medicare Beneficiaries with Dementia Died at Higher Rates During COVID-19 Pandemic
While the risk of severe illness from COVID-19 increases with age, especially for those 65 and older,[1] a new study published in JAMA Neurology concludes that Medicare enrollees suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) died at … [Read more...] about Study: Medicare Beneficiaries with Dementia Died at Higher Rates During COVID-19 Pandemic