Happy Thanksgiving, and thank YOU for being a part of the CMA community.The Thanksgiving holiday is the perfect opportunity to chat with family members and friends about Medicare coverage options - Medicare Fall Open Enrollment continues through … [Read more...] about Happy Thanksgiving from CMA
Archives for November 2025
From North Carolina Health News: “What NC Medicare enrollees should expect in 2026”
Center for Medicare Advocacy Co-Director David Lipschutz weighs in on Medicare options for reporter Ashley Fredde, saying "[Medicare Advantage is] the path of least resistance… but they are not standardized." Enrollees should also carefully consider … [Read more...] about From North Carolina Health News: “What NC Medicare enrollees should expect in 2026”
Medicare Telehealth Extended – for Now
As previously reported, an unfortunate consequence of the government shutdown was the lapse in Medicare coverage for telehealth services. When the government restarted November 13, 2025, so did Medicare coverage of telehealth services – at least for … [Read more...] about Medicare Telehealth Extended – for Now
Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap)
By Bonnie Burns, California Health AdvocatesMedicare Supplement Insurance, also known as Medigap, is a commercial health insurance product designed to cover some or all of the standardized cost-sharing obligations for individuals enrolled in … [Read more...] about Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap)
2026 Medicare Parts A & B Premiums and Deductibles
On November 14, 2025 the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Service (CMS) released notices detailing the Medicare Part A and Part B premiums and deductibles for calendar year 2026:Medicare Part B income-related monthly adjustment amounts and … [Read more...] about 2026 Medicare Parts A & B Premiums and Deductibles
Know Jimmo | Maintenance Care is Covered if it Requires Skilled Personnel for Safe Delivery – Ask CMS!
Frequently Asked Question #5:Q5: When are skilled nursing or therapy services to maintain a patient’s current condition or prevent or slow further deterioration covered under the SNF, HH, and OPT benefits, assuming all other coverage criteria are … [Read more...] about Know Jimmo | Maintenance Care is Covered if it Requires Skilled Personnel for Safe Delivery – Ask CMS!
Self-Help Packet for Skilled Nursing Facility Appeals Including “Improvement Standard” Denials
1. IntroductionThe Center for Medicare Advocacy has produced this packet to help you understand Medicare coverage and how to file an appeal if appropriate.Medicare is the national health insurance program to which many disabled individuals … [Read more...] about Self-Help Packet for Skilled Nursing Facility Appeals Including “Improvement Standard” Denials
From Mississippi Today: “Existential Crisis” for Nursing Homes
In "‘Existential crisis’: Nursing homes, elder care to suffer under so-called ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’" reporter Sophia Paffenroth describes how Federal cuts to Medicaid and policy changes to Medicare signed into law in July could force Mississippi … [Read more...] about From Mississippi Today: “Existential Crisis” for Nursing Homes
Private Equity-Owned Hospices Profit the Most and Spend the Least on Patient Care
A growing share of for-profit hospice agencies are owned by private equity firms and publicly traded companies, which now care for over a quarter of the more than 1.7 million people who receive hospice care annually in the US. New research … [Read more...] about Private Equity-Owned Hospices Profit the Most and Spend the Least on Patient Care
Home for the Holidays | You Can Leave the Nursing Home During a Medicare-Covered Stay
Late November begins a time for gatherings with family and friends – Thanksgiving, soon followed by the December holidays. Nursing home residents often want to participate in these gatherings but may worry that they will lose Medicare coverage if … [Read more...] about Home for the Holidays | You Can Leave the Nursing Home During a Medicare-Covered Stay