Archived Alerts – 2011 to Present CMS Issues Final Rule on Nursing Home Transparency November 30, 2023Know Jimmo – CMS Reminded Providers & Contractors in 2021 November 30, 2023New Substance Use Disorder Coverage in Medicare in 2024 November 30, 2023STAT News Report Further Exposes Medicare Advantage Misconduct Concerning Prior Authorization Using Restrictive Algorithmic Tools November 16, 2023Know Jimmo | Medicare Law and CMS Policy Spell It Out November 16, 2023Center Comments on Proposed Rule to Discourage Discrimination in Federal Programs November 16, 2023Help the Veterans in Your Life this Veterans Day with our Recorded Webinars on Medicare for Veterans November 9, 20232024 Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) November 9, 2023CMS Final Rule Includes Important Oral Health Clarification November 9, 2023Center Joins Fight Against Drug Manufacturer Seeking to End Medicare Price Negotiations November 9, 2023Know Jimmo – Jimmo Can Open Doors to Necessary Care November 9, 2023Center for Medicare Advocacy Comments About Proposed Rule to Mandate Nurse Staffing Standards in Nursing Homes – Comment Period Now Closed November 9, 2023Medicare Advantage Focus: Drawbacks During Annual Enrollment Period November 2, 2023Reminder – Add Your Voice! Comment on CMS’ Proposed Rule About Nurse Staffing Standards for Nursing Homes November 2, 2023Report: Medicare Satisfaction is High, But those Under 65 Have More Difficulties November 2, 2023A Tribute to Ady Barkan, 1983 – 2023 November 2, 2023Know Jimmo | Underscoring the Value of Physical Therapy: A New American Physical Therapy Association Report October 26, 2023Disparities in Opioid Use Disorder Treatment October 26, 2023Thank You, Pro Bono Partners October 26, 2023More Medicare Prescription Drug Help for Beneficiaries in 2024 – Including Out-of-Pocket Cap October 26, 2023Health Affairs Article Proposes Roadmap for Dismantling Race-Based Medicine October 19, 2023Center Senior Policy Attorney Toby S. Edelman Receives Brian Capshaw Rock Star Award October 19, 2023Senate Finance Committee Holds Hearing on Medicare Advantage Marketing Misconduct October 19, 2023Connecticut Medicare Advantage Plans Announce Changes for 2024 October 12, 2023Oral Health & Possible Dementia Risk October 12, 2023Your Experiences and Expertise Matter! Tips for Drafting and Submitting Comments on Regulations.gov October 12, 2023Counterweight to Medicare Advantage Marketing Still Needed October 5, 2023New Study – Medicare Advantage Overpayments as High as $140 Billion a Year October 5, 2023Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program Begins After Encouraging Court Decision October 5, 2023CMS Releases Notices Regarding LIS October 5, 2023Proposed Nursing Home Staffing Rule Described as “Dangerously Inadequate” September 28, 2023New Medicare Rule Increases Access to Medicare Savings Programs September 28, 2023Look Before You Leap: Medicare Annual Enrollment Period Approaches September 28, 2023Center Symposium on the Jimmo Settlement Calls for Sustainable Implementation September 28, 2023Elder Justice “No Harm” Newsletter | Volume 5, Issue 3 Now Available September 21, 2023COVID-19 Is Increasing Among Nursing Home Residents and Staff September 21, 2023Information on New COVID Vaccines for Fall 2023 September 21, 2023Senate Finance Committee Confirms Medicare Home Health Coverage Can Be Long-Term September 21, 2023Center for Medicare Advocacy Submits Comments on Proposed Physician Fee Schedule Rule September 14, 2023Gallup Poll Finds Americans Give Nursing Homes a “D+” Grade for Quality September 14, 2023Spotlight on the Importance of Medigap September 14, 2023Center Comments on Proposed Clarification of Dental Services September 7, 2023Meaningful Nurse Staffing Ratios in Nursing Homes: If Not Now, When? September 7, 2023Join Your CMA Community For A Jimmo Symposium August 31, 2023A Chaotic Week in Nursing Home Reform August 31, 2023Nursing Facilities: Are Conditions Improving or Is the Sky Falling? August 31, 2023Medicare Advantage Plans Receive Bloated Bonus Payments with Little to Show for It August 24, 2023Growing Chorus to Protect and Expand Traditional Medicare August 24, 2023New Studies on Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Access Highlight the Need for Parity in Medicare August 24, 2023Make Your Voices Heard! August 24, 2023One-Year Anniversary of Medicare Prescription Drug Law: Beneficiaries Already Saving Money but Drug Industry Fights Progress August 17, 2023CMS Request for Information Regarding Self-Administered Drugs – Center for Medicare Advocacy Calls for Reform August 17, 2023CMS Reimbursement Rules for Skilled Nursing Facilities Disappoint Residents’ Advocates August 17, 2023Make Your Voices Heard! Please Respond to CMS Request for Information About the Importance of Home Health Aides August 10, 2023Congressman Joe Courtney and Bipartisan Colleagues Reintroduce Observation Status Bill August 10, 2023Two Cases Involving Centers Health Care, a New York State Nursing Home Chain August 3, 2023Paycheck Protection Program: A Massive Windfall for Nursing Facilities? August 3, 2023Policymakers Must Address Medicare Advantage Abuses August 3, 2023AHCA Should Support Nurse Staffing Ratios to Improve Care for Residents July 27, 2023CMS Revises Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility “Review Choice Demonstration” – Confirming Individual Assessments Must be Used to Adjudicate Claims July 27, 2023Highlighting the Harms of Medicare Advantage: Advocates and Members of Congress Rally to Support Real Medicare July 27, 2023National Nursing Home Trade Associations Escalate Attacks on Nurse Staffing Ratios for Nursing Facilities July 20, 2023Sufficient Nursing Facility Staffing Saves Lives, Insufficient Staffing Harms and Kills July 20, 2023Media Advisory: Medicare Advantage Patients and Families Join Members of Congress to Call for an End to Wrongful Delays and Denials July 20, 2023Proposed Medicare Rule Clarifies Specific Dental Service Coverage July 20, 2023CMS Posts Nursing Home Ownership Information on Care Compare and CMS Data Website July 13, 2023CMS Publishes Guidance on Medicare Dental Coverage July 13, 2023Ongoing Scrutiny of Medicare Advantage Plans July 13, 2023Join! July 13 Virtual Rally for Nurse Staffing Standards in Nursing Facilities July 6, 2023CMS to Review Five Medicare Claims from Each Skilled Nursing Facility July 6, 2023Newly Revised CMS Home Health Benefit Brochure July 6, 2023Supreme Court Victory for Court Access and Nursing Home Residents June 29, 2023Medicare Enrollment Numbers June 29, 2023Home for the Holidays | Leaving the Nursing Home During a Medicare-Covered Stay June 29, 2023New Research Outlines Extent of Medicare Advantage Overpayments: It’s Much Worse Than We Thought June 22, 2023CMS Report Highlights Quality of Care Concerns in MA June 22, 2023Honoring the Anniversary of Olmstead and Lois Curtis June 22, 2023Understaffing at State Survey Agencies Places Nursing Home Residents at Risk June 22, 2023A Message to Nursing Home Trade Associations: Stop Scaring Residents and Staff About Nursing Home Staffing, Spend Public Reimbursement on Resident Care June 15, 2023ACA No-Cost Preventive Services Will Continue Pending Appeal June 15, 2023Inflation Reduction Act (Medicare Drug Law) Updates – Including Part D Low Income Subsidy June 15, 2023Lawsuit Settlement Allows Medicare Coverage for “Off-Label” Medication June 8, 2023Center Appeals Dismissal of Home Health Aide Lawsuit June 8, 2023Bipartisan Group of Senators and Representatives Support CMS’s Proposed Rule on Nursing Home Ownership Transparency and Urges CMS to Strengthen Rule in Seven Specific Ways June 1, 2023Submit Comments on Part A Medicare Reimbursement For Skilled Nursing Facilities – Due June 5 June 1, 2023Updated Factsheet: Medicare Skilled Nursing Facility Coverage Does Not Require Improvement June 1, 2023Elder Justice “No Harm” Newsletter | Volume 5, Issue 2 Now Available May 25, 2023Highlighting a Medicare Special Enrollment Period (SEP): Enrolling in Medicare After Termination of Medicaid Coverage May 25, 2023Arnold Ventures Launches Project to Spotlight Voices of Dually-Eligible Beneficiaries May 18, 2023Health Affairs: International Nurses Won’t Solve U.S. Nurse Staffing Crisis May 18, 2023Medicare Will Cover Seat Elevation Systems for Eligible Wheelchair Users May 18, 2023Senate Committee Holds Hearing re: Medicare Advantage Denials and Delays in Care May 18, 2023Study: Fewer Nurses in Nursing Homes Associated with More Resident Deaths May 11, 2023CMS Says Nursing Home Visitation “is Allowed for All residents at All Times” May 11, 2023COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Declaration Ends May 11, 2023 May 11, 2023Medicare Advantage Enrollment Passes 50%: Much More Oversight and Accountability Is Needed May 11, 2023Reflections on the 10th Annual National Voices of Medicare Summit & Sen. Jay Rockefeller Lecture May 4, 2023Medicare Payments for Skilled Nursing Facility Care during the COVID-19 Pandemic May 4, 2023Federal District Court Affirms: Medicaid Survey Teams Investigating Nursing Home Complaints Need Not Include a Registered Nurse May 4, 2023Special Report | Recent Medicare Advantage (MA) and Part D Rule – Important Consumer Protections re: MA Prior Authorization and Marketing May 4, 2023Thank You for Making the 10th Annual National Voices of Medicare Summit a success April 27, 2023Be A Hero Joins the Fight for a Strong Traditional Medicare Program April 27, 2023CMS FAQs on Waivers, Flexibilities, and the End of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency April 27, 2023Center for Medicare Advocacy Opposes Work Requirements for Medicaid and Other Programs for People in Need April 27, 2023CMS Proposes Updates to Medicare Part A Reimbursement for Skilled Nursing Facilities April 17, 2023Inspector General Audit: Care Compare Did Not Accurately Report Deficiencies at Two-Thirds of Nursing Facilities April 17, 2023Investigation Finds Some California Nursing Facilities Experienced “Substantial Increase” in Profits April 17, 2023Is the Nursing Home Industry Irrevocably Changed? April 13, 2023Federal District Court Denies Nursing Home Chain’s Motion to Dismiss Federal Government’s “Worthless Services” Case April 13, 2023New Article: Private Equity and Nursing Homes April 13, 2023CMS Issues Final Medicare Advantage Payment Rates for 2024 and Final Rule Addressing Prior Authorization, Marketing, and Other Issues April 6, 2023Federal Court Dismisses Home Health Aide Lawsuit April 6, 2023Medicaid and Nursing Homes: Don’t Believe Owners and Operators That All Medicaid Rates Are Too Low April 6, 2023Elder Justice “No Harm” Newsletter | Volume 5, Issue 1 Now Available March 30, 2023Report: Limited Federal Oversight of Cost Reports, Inflated Prices Paid in Nursing Home “Related Party Transactions” March 30, 2023Medicare Advantage: It’s Not “Over-reach” – It’s Fraud March 30, 2023GAO Issues Report on Improving Infection Prevention And Control Practices In Nursing Facilities March 23, 2023Nursing Homes Operate Managed Care Programs for Their Residents – A Conflict of Interest March 23, 2023Medicare Advantage Under Increased Scrutiny Pending Final Payment and Oversight Rules March 23, 2023US House Effort To Support Nurse Staffing Ratios For Nursing Facilities March 16, 2023Barriers to Care for Medicare Advantage Enrollees Highlighted even as Insurance Industry Continues Effort to Retain Their Overpayments March 16, 2023In Memoriam: Mike Klug March 16, 2023New Campaign: Finalize Proposed MA Payment Changes & Crack Down on Waste and Abuse March 16, 2023President Biden’s Prescription for Medicare Solvency March 9, 2023Emergency Preparedness for Long-Term Care Facilities March 9, 2023Medicare Advantage Industry Continues to Fight Minor, Overdue Course Corrections March 9, 2023Register Now – 2023 National Voices of Medicare Summit March 2, 2023Implementation of Medicare Drug Bill Proceeds – This Progress Must be Defended March 2, 2023Medicare Advantage Industry Continues to Mislead Public to Protect Their Overpayments March 2, 2023President Biden: Count Only Nursing Staff in Nurse Staffing Ratios March 2, 2023Report: Nursing Home Closures in Iowa Exemplify General Pattern February 23, 2023Study: People with Dementia Receive Less Home Health and Hospice Care in Their Final Months February 23, 202370 Members of Congress Call for Medicare Advantage Reforms, Including Reining in Overpayments February 16, 2023Naseema Shafi Joins Center Board February 16, 2023CMS Proposes Rules On Ownership Disclosure for Nursing Facilities February 16, 2023Center for Medicare Advocacy Comments on Proposed Part C & D Rule February 16, 2023Insurance Industry Response to Proposed Medicare Advantage Payment for 2024 February 16, 2023GAO: Make Nursing Home Ownership Information “More Transparent for Consumers” February 9, 2023MSP/LIS Updates February 9, 2023Traditional Medicare or Medicare Advantage? February 9, 2023Medicare Advantage Updates – Audits, Payment, and Prior Authorization February 9, 2023Race, Language Proficiency, and Age are Barriers to Accessing Telehealth February 2, 2023Report | Too Much Secrecy in The Nursing Home Enforcement System February 2, 2023Connecticut Coalition of Resident Council Presidents Urge Lawmakers to Prioritize Nursing Home Staffing Challenges February 2, 2023Nursing Home Residents Need Nurses, Wherever They Live February 2, 2023HHS Office of Inspector General: Nursing Home COVID-19 Underscores Need for Better Staffing and Improved Surveys January 26, 2023Critical Provisions of Medicare Drug Bill Already Taking Effect January 19, 2023CMS Improves Public Reporting of Nursing Home Information January 19, 2023Equity Impacts of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Cost-Sharing January 19, 2023Gaps in Hospice Abuse and Neglect Reporting January 12, 2023Conviction of Florida Nursing Home Operator Affirmed January 12, 2023Elder Justice “No Harm” Newsletter | Volume 4, Issue 6 Now Available January 12, 2023Medicare Provisions in Year-End Spending Bill January 5, 2023Vaccinated Staff Equals Fewer Nursing Home Deaths – Require Boosters January 5, 2023Require Full Disclosure & Accountability for Nursing Home Reimbursement January 5, 2023CMS: Key Trends in Medicare Telehealth Utilization Report January 5, 2023Survey: Widespread Clinician Concern Over Older Adults and Telehealth December 22, 2022Center Supports Coverage of Gender Affirming Care in Amicus Brief December 22, 2022Nursing Homes: Addressing the Worst Operator Behaviors under Existing Law December 22, 2022Medicare Advantage Round-Up December 15, 2022CMS Issues Proposed Rules Impacting Medicare Advantage – Part C & D Rule for 2024, and Separate Prior Authorization Rule December 15, 2022Information Regarding Data Breach at CMS Contractor December 15, 2022Study Shows Increased Willingness to Use Telehealth Amongst Previously Resistant Populations December 8, 2022Increased Use of Observation Stays Undermined Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program December 8, 2022HHS Inspector General: Too Many Nursing Home Residents Still Inappropriately Receive Psychotropic Medications December 8, 2022Center for Medicare Advocacy Weighs in on IRA Implementation December 8, 2022Provisions of Recently Passed Medicare Drug Bill in Effect Next Month – January 2023 December 8, 2022Nursing Home Reform: Where Are We Now? Where Do We Need to Go? December 1, 2022WHO Issues Guidance on Sustaining Telemedicine Beyond the COVID-19 Pandemic December 1, 2022Center for Medicare Advocacy Sues, Again, for Coverage of “Off-label” Prescription Drug December 1, 2022Report | Trained Workers in Nursing Homes, a Requirement Since 1990, Threatened December 1, 2022Medicare Annual Enrollment Period Ends December 7th December 1, 2022Reminder: Questions or Comments on Proposed Clarification in Hospital “Observation Status” Case Due November 25 November 17, 2022Disputes with Medicare Advantage Plans: Know the Difference Between Appeals and Grievances November 17, 2022Sale of “Ancillary Products” to Fill Gaps in Medicare Advantage Highlight Both Coverage Shortfalls and Need for Stronger Regulation of the MA Marketplace November 17, 2022Senate Report Highlights Widespread Medicare Advantage Marketing Misconduct – But the Driving Forces of Misconduct Are Broader November 10, 2022CMA Is Hiring an Attorney in Our CT Office November 8, 2022Wilson Sonsini Firm Honored for its Pro Bono Work on Center’s “Observation Status” Case November 3, 2022Meet One of the Named Plaintiffs in the Center’s Home Health Aide Lawsuit November 3, 2022CMS Issues Final Rules That Address Significant Medicare Enrollment Pitfalls for Parts A and B November 3, 2022In Major Milestone, Medicare to Cover Additional Dental Treatments November 3, 2022Special Report | Recent Articles and Reports Shed Light on Medicare Advantage Issues October 31, 2022Long-Stay Nursing Facility Placements for Younger People Are Increasing October 27, 2022Center Signs On to Letter Urging End to Harmful Rule October 27, 2022Supreme Court to Hear Nursing Home Case with Broad Implications for Litigation to Enforce Federal Laws October 27, 2022Elder Justice “No Harm” Newsletter | Vol. 4, Issue 5 Now Available October 19, 2022Medicare Annual Enrollment Period Begins – Look Before You Leap October 13, 2022Recent Articles Address Medicare Advantage Overpayments and Inappropriate Denials October 13, 2022White House Releases Blueprint for Basic Protections Against Artificial Intelligence Threats October 13, 2022New GAO Telehealth Report Recommends Strengthening Oversight and Additional Privacy and Security Risk Education October 13, 2022CMS Must Strengthen Oversight of Infection Prevention and Control in Nursing Home October 13, 2022CMS Issues New “Medicare Beneficiaries at a Glance” Statistics September 28, 2022“Medicare & You” Continues to Reverse Bias Towards, and More Accurately Describe, Medicare Advantage September 28, 20222023 Medicare Cost Sharing Released September 28, 2022OIG Brief Identifies Which Medicare Beneficiaries Were More Likely to Use Telehealth During First Year of COVID-19 Pandemic September 21, 2022Kaiser Family Foundation Releases Report Regarding Differences Between Traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage September 21, 2022Final Public Charge Rule Greatly Improves Protections for Immigrant Families September 14, 2022OIG Report: Telehealth Services Need Targeted Oversight to Safeguard Medicare September 14, 2022CMS and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Address Illegal Debt Collection Practices of Nursing Facilities September 14, 2022Private Equity and Nursing Facilities: A Bad Combination for Residents September 8, 2022Center Submits Comments on 2022 Medicare Physician’s Fee Schedule September 8, 2022Center Comments on Medically Necessary Oral Health Coverage September 8, 2022Elder Justice “No Harm” Newsletter | Vol 4, Issue 4 Now Available September 1, 2022Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Wants to Hear about Nursing Home Debt Collection September 1, 2022CMS Authorizes New Waivers of Nurse Aide Training Requirements for Nursing Facilities September 1, 2022Center for Medicare Advocacy Submits Comments re: Medicare Advantage September 1, 2022CMS Hosts Public Call on Nursing Home Staffing on August 29 August 25, 2022Black and Latinx Medicare Beneficiaries Provide Perspectives on the Health Care System August 25, 2022CMS Encourages Health Care Providers to Prepare for the End of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency August 25, 2022Wheelchair Seat Elevation Systems Should be Covered by Medicare August 25, 2022New from the Center: Form to Contest Multiple Medicare Denials Issued by Medicare Advantage Plans August 25, 2022Medicare Agency is Seeking Comments on Medicare Advantage August 22, 2022Medicare Proposal to Cover Dental Treatments that are Clinically Integral to Covered Medical Services August 19, 2022Report: Nursing Home MA Issues Survey August 18, 2022Nursing Home Trade Group Asks for New Waiver of Nurse Aide Training Requirements August 18, 2022Additional New Medicare Coverage News – Hearing Aids and Oral Health August 18, 2022President Biden Signs Inflation Reduction Act into Law – Includes Critical Medicare Prescription Drug Provisions August 18, 2022Nursing Home Roundup August 11, 2022CMS’s Home Health Care Proposed Rule Would Allow Medicare-Covered Services to Become Less Accessible for More Patients August 11, 2022Senate Passes Historic Reconciliation Bill, House Vote Imminent August 11, 2022Senate Poised to Vote on Important Bill with Valuable Medicare Drug Provisions August 4, 2022Proposed Civil Rights Rule Marks Important Step in Restoring Health Care Protections July 28, 2022Nurse Staffing Study Confirms Nursing Home Resident Deaths Increased When Nurse Staffing Levels Declined During Pandemic July 28, 2022CMS Announces Changes to Staffing Measure in Five-Star Rating System; Staffing Ratings Decline for One-Third of Nursing Facilities July 28, 2022Medicare Announces Development of Appeal Process for Certain Hospital “Observation Status” Patients July 28, 2022NEJM Perspective: ACO REACH – A Progressive Value-Based Payment Model, Promoting Equity July 21, 2022Where do Health Care Dollars Go? July 21, 2022Improving Nursing Home Staffing Levels Can And Must Be Done July 21, 2022CMA Senior Policy Atty. Kata Kertesz Publishes Article on Need for Medigap Protections July 18, 2022Special Report | Nursing Home Closures: Causes and Solutions July 14, 2022New York State’s For-Profit Nursing Facilities’ Related-Party Transactions Hide High Profits July 14, 2022Medically Necessary Oral Health Coverage Included in Medicare Proposed Rule July 14, 2022CMS Acts to Implement Revised Nursing Home Standards of Care July 7, 2022Oral Health Advocacy Update July 7, 2022Voices of Medicare | Medicare Advantage Network Inadequacy July 7, 2022Commonwealth Fund: Medicaid Reimbursement Rates Are a Racial Justice Issue June 29, 2022Center Comments on Proposed Revisions to Medicare Enrollment and Eligibility Rules June 29, 2022Supreme Court Decision Places End-Stage Renal Disease Patients at Risk June 23, 2022Nursing Home Staffing at All-Time Low; Which Solutions Will Help? June 23, 2022Kaiser Family Foundation: Medicare Spending for Skilled Nursing Facilities Increased During Pandemic, While Fewer Residents Were Covered June 9, 2022As Interstate Telehealth Emergency Licensure Waivers Expire, Study Examines Impact on Medicare Beneficiaries June 9, 2022Medicaid SCOTUS Decision June 9, 20222022 Medicare Trustees Report June 9, 2022Celebrating National Pride Month June 2, 2022Special Report: Telehealth and the Medicare Population: Building a Foundation for the Virtual Health Care Revolution May 26, 2022Comments On Mandatory Staffing Ratios for Nursing Homes Due to CMS by June 10 May 26, 2022Elder Justice “No Harm” Newsletter | Vol 4, Issue 3 Now Available May 26, 2022Improving Substance Abuse Care for Older Adults May 12, 2022An Exploration of the Pandemic’s Full Impact on Racial and Ethnic Minorities from March to December 2020 May 12, 2022Fewer Residents Died from COVID in Unionized Nursing Homes May 12, 20222022 National Voices of Medicare Summit Attendee Information Page May 11, 2022Call to Action – Policy Makers Must Increase Medicare Advantage Oversight and Rein in Overpayments May 5, 2022Medicare Advantage is Not the Solution to Medicare Equity or Solvency Problems May 5, 2022Office of Inspector General (OIG) Issues Another Report Highlighting Inappropriate Medicare Advantage Denials May 5, 2022Insurance Industry v. Provider Response to OIG Report re: MA Denials May 5, 2022OIG Report Estimates of Inappropriate MA Plan Denials May be Understated May 5, 2022(Most) Policymakers Fail to Act on Medicare Advantage Oversight and Overpayment May 5, 2022Nursing Home Staffing and Immigration April 28, 2022Center for Medicare Advocacy Contributes to Report on the Medicare Home Health Benefit April 28, 2022Government Watchdog Issues Another Report Highlighting Inappropriate Medicare Advantage Denials April 28, 2022CMS Issues Proposed Rule That Will Address Significant Medicare Enrollment Pitfalls and Provide Other Important Help April 28, 2022When Artificial Intelligence in Medicare Advantage Impedes Access to Care: A Case Study April 21, 2022Elder Justice “No Harm” Newsletter | Vol 4, Issue 2 Now Available April 21, 2022Study Finds Relationship Between Religiously Affiliated Nursing Homes and Standard of Care Complaints and Violations April 21, 2022Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for Medicare Part A Payments to Skilled Nursing Facilities Published – CMS Requests Information About Nurse Staffing April 21, 2022Members of Congress Send Letter to CMS Urging Agency to Address Medicare Advantage Overpayments April 21, 2022CMS Begins Process of Setting Mandatory Nurse Staffing Standards for Nursing Facilities April 14, 2022Federal Government Must Enact and Enforce Nurse Staffing Standards for Nursing Facilities April 14, 2022Support for Reestablishing the House Select Committee on Aging April 14, 2022Center for Medicare Advocacy Celebrates the Confirmation of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court April 7, 2022Limited Equitable Relief for Individuals Facing Difficulties with Part A or B Enrollment and Disenrollment Requests Through Social Security Administration April 7, 2022National Assistive Technology Awareness Day – Shining a Light on the Value of Technology and Advocacy April 7, 2022National Academy of Sciences’ Nursing Home Report Continues the Drumbeat for Reform April 7, 2022Commonwealth Fund Blog Series About Medicare Advantage April 7, 2022A Special Alert about Medicare’s Future | Don’t Let Traditional Medicare “Wither on the Vine*” March 31, 2022Refugees Fleeing Ukraine – Assistance Available from the Federal Government, Connecticut, and Other States March 24, 2022Nearly Twice as Many Black COVID-19 Patients Categorized as Lowest Priority Group for Scarce Resources as Use of Crisis Standards of Care was Considered March 24, 2022Instability In Staffing Levels at Nursing Homes Affects Quality of Care for Residents March 24, 2022Medicare Advantage Plans Pitch to People Turning 65 March 17, 2022Study: Medicare Beneficiaries with Dementia Died at Higher Rates During COVID-19 Pandemic March 17, 2022CMS Releases Data re: Medicare and Medicaid March 17, 2022Recent Solicitation Scams Target Medicare-Eligible Adults March 17, 2022Connecticut Legislation Takes Aim at Nursing Home Temporary Staffing Agencies March 10, 2022CMS Needs to Rein in Medicare Advantage Overpayments and Heighten Oversight of Insurance Industry March 10, 2022Case Against Nursing Facility Alleging Negligence and Wrongful Death From COVID-19 Affirmed to Belong in State Court March 3, 2022Biden Administration Issues Bold and Comprehensive Nursing Home Reform Agenda March 3, 2022House GOP Accuses Dems of Trying to Rein in Medicare Advantage Overpayments in Order to Expand Benefits to All Medicare Beneficiaries: If Only This Were True… March 3, 2022Center for Medicare Advocacy Thanks Biden Administration for Comprehensive and Constructive Nursing Home Agenda February 28, 2022Structural Racism in Health Care Workforce: Black Women More Likely to Work in Low-level Health Care Jobs February 24, 2022CT Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program and CMA Launch Innovative Partnership with First Virtual Educational Session February 24, 2022Nursing Homes Lose Almost All Formal Appeals of Deficiencies and Civil Money Penalties February 24, 2022What Happened to Harm and Jeopardy Deficiencies Cited – and Penalties Imposed – at Nursing Facilities? February 24, 2022Elder Justice “No Harm” Newsletter | Vol 4, Issue 1 Now Available February 17, 2022Health Equity Reports February 17, 2022CMS Tells Public to File Complaints About Quality of Care with CMS Locations February 17, 2022A Victory for “Off-Label” Prescription Drug Coverage February 17, 2022Black History Month is a Good Time to Make Good Trouble February 17, 2022Black History Month 2022: Black Health and Wellness February 10, 2022Second State Report Recommends Barring Medicaid Payments to Chronically Poor-Performing Nursing Facilities February 10, 2022What’s Happening in the Nursing Home Industry? February 10, 2022It’s Time: Repeal the 3-Day Inpatient Hospital Requirement for Medicare Skilled Nursing Facility Coverage February 10, 2022New Resource | Home Health FAQs February 3, 2022Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients with Disabilities Linked to Longer Stays & Greater Risk of Readmission February 3, 2022New York Nursing Homes Suing the State Received Federal Provider Relief Funds February 3, 2022Senate Finance Committee Holds Hearing on Medicare Solvency February 3, 2022Court Upholds Right to Appeal for Certain Medicare Beneficiaries on “Observation Status” January 27, 2022Study: Racism is a Leading Cause of Death in the United States January 27, 2022Former Owner of Skyline Faces Numerous Criminal and Civil Lawsuits January 27, 2022Report | How Do Nursing Homes Spend the Reimbursement They Receive for Care? January 26, 2022New Study: Men Report Worse Quality of Life Nursing Homes January 20, 2022HHS Office of Inspector General Reports Inadequate CMS Oversight and Enforcement of States’ Nursing Home Surveys January 20, 2022CT Governor Issues Executive Order Requiring Nursing Home Visitors Have Vaccine and Booster or Proof of Negative COVID Test – CT Long Term Care Ombudsman Expresses Support and Offers Assistance if Needed January 20, 2022Center for Medicare Advocacy Special Report | The Role of AI-Powered Decision-Making Technology in Medicare Coverage Determinations January 19, 2022CMS Releases Proposed 2023 Rule for Medicare Advantage and Part D Plans January 13, 2022CMS Again Revises Visitation Guidance in Nursing Facilities January 13, 2022Jimmo Update: CMS Reminds Providers and Contractors of Medicare Coverage to Maintain or Slow Decline January 13, 2022CMS to Post Nursing Home Staff Turnover and Weekend Staffing Level Information on Care Compare January 13, 2022CMS Reports Record Enrollment in 2022 Affordable Care Act Health Plans January 6, 2022Reminder: Limited Opportunity to Make Certain Medicare Plan Changes Through the End of March January 6, 2022Study Published in Health Affairs Finds that Medicare Advantage Quality Bonus Program Has Not Improved Quality January 6, 2022Happy New Year from the Center for Medicare Advocacy December 30, 2021CMS Revises November Visitation Guidance after Nursing Home Industry Calls on CMS to Allow Facilities to “Limit, Restrict, or Prohibit Visitors” December 23, 2021New Fact Sheet Addresses Dental/Oral Health in Management of Kidney Disease December 23, 2021Remembering Edith Prague, an Advocates’ Advocate December 23, 2021Vaccination of Nursing Home Staff Correlated with Fewer Cases and Deaths among Residents December 16, 2021CMS Will Now Post All Civil Money Penalties Imposed Against Nursing Facilities December 16, 2021Build Back Better Act: House and Senate Nursing Home Provisions Compared December 16, 2021Courts Order Preliminary Injunctions Against Vaccination Mandate for Medicare and Medicaid Providers and Suppliers December 9, 2021Report: Telehealth Use by Medicare Beneficiaries Increases Over 6,000% in 2020 December 9, 2021Guest Post: Jimmo Enforced, Preventive & Maintenance Therapy Affirmed December 9, 2021Updated – COVID-19: An Advocates Guide to Beneficiary Related Medicare Changes December 9, 2021Special Report | Why Do Nursing Home Operators Who Provide Poor Quality Care Control Increasing Numbers of Facilities? December 6, 2021Medicare Coverage for Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics and Supplies (DMEPOS) When a Beneficiary is Discharged from a Facility December 2, 2021CMS Resources to Remind People with Medicare to Review and Compare Coverage December 2, 2021Pass Build Back Better — Seize the Moment to Protect Nursing Home Residents December 2, 2021Updated Factsheet | CMS Nursing Home Visitation Guidance December 2, 2021Elder Justice Vol. 3 Issue 10 Now Available December 2, 2021Happy Thanksgiving from the Center for Medicare Advocacy November 24, 2021The Center for Medicare Advocacy Is Grateful for a 3-Year Grant Award From RRF Foundation For Aging to Support Our Mission November 18, 2021CMS Revises Visitation Rules for Nursing Facilities November 18, 20212022 Medicare Cost-Sharing Rates Released November 18, 2021New Analysis Provides More Evidence of Wasteful Medicare Advantage Overpayments November 18, 2021Increased Medicare Costs for 2022 – A Look Behind the Numbers November 18, 2021As the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period Progresses, Beware of Marketing Misconduct November 11, 2021HHS Inspector General Calls on CMS to Address Medicare Observation Status November 11, 2021Landscape of Medicare Advantage (MA) and Part D Plans in 2022 November 11, 2021Eileen Ossen: In Memory, With Gratitude November 4, 2021Connecticut Begins Penalizing Long-Term Care Facilities Failing to Comply with Governor’s Vaccine Mandate November 4, 2021Affirmed: Negligence and Wrongful Death Cases Against Nursing Homes During COVID-19 Pandemic Belong in State Court November 4, 2021CMA Statement | But for Critical Hearing Benefit, Medicare is Left Behind in Build Back Better Framework October 28, 20218th Circuit Court of Appeals Upholds Trump Administration’s Regulation Permitting Pre-Dispute Arbitration Agreements in Nursing Home Admissions Contracts October 21, 2021Study | Black Nursing Home Residents Disproportionately (and Incorrectly) Diagnosed with Schizophrenia October 21, 2021COVID Delays Cause Inequities in Cancer Outcomes October 21, 2021CMA Report | Privatization of County-Owned Nursing Facilities is Not Good for Residents, Staff, or States October 21, 2021New Issue Brief | Retiree Auto Enrollment in Medicare Advantage Plans – Choice is Under Threat October 14, 2021Special Report | Medicare Annual Enrollment Period Starts Tomorrow – Look Before You Leap October 14, 2021Medicare Annual Enrollment Period | October 15 – December 7 October 14, 2021Report: COVID-related Death Rates in Nursing Homes Spike Due to Delta Surge October 7, 2021Health Affairs Blog Highlight How the Medicare “Money Machine” Draws Medicare Advantage Plans and Investors into Direct Contracting Demonstrations October 7, 2021Analysis Provides Options for Containing the Cost of a New Medicare Dental, Hearing, and Vision Benefit October 7, 2021CMS Releases Private Medicare Rates – Choose Your Coverage Wisely September 30, 2021Congress Continues to Negotiate Potential Historic Expansion of Medicare – The Time to Act Is Now September 30, 2021Government Releases $25.2 Billion in Provider Covid-19 Relief September 23, 2021CMS Now Reports Resident and Staff COVID-19 Vaccination Rates on Care Compare September 23, 2021New Survey | More Older Adults in the US, Especially People of Color, Suffered Economic Hardship Due to COVID-19 September 23, 2021New Research Raises Questions About Medicare Advantage Payments September 23, 2021Reminder | Tell Congress Now is the Time to Improve Medicare September 23, 2021Elder Justice Vol. 3 Issue 9 Now Available September 23, 2021Expand Medicare Hearing Coverage Now September 22, 2021MEDICARE & YOU 2022 – An Important First Step Towards Reversing Bias in Favor of Medicare Advantage September 20, 2021Private Equity Companies Continue Buying Nursing Facilities September 15, 2021Special Report | Who Provides Care for Nursing Home Residents? An Update on Temporary Nurse Aides September 15, 2021Congress Begins Debate About Adding Dental, Hearing and Vision Benefits to Medicare – Now is the Time to Act September 9, 2021Get Ready – Medicare Open Enrollment Begins Next Month (10/15 – 12/7/2021) September 9, 2021Medicare is at a Crossroads – Time to Dispel Myths Hindering an Historic Expansion of Benefits September 2, 2021Study: Long-Term Care Facilities in Socially Isolated Neighborhoods Are Associated with 30-Day Mortality Risk September 2, 2021Remembering Alfred J. Chiplin, Jr. – Celebrating a Great Friend September 2, 2021Free Webinar, September 8th (2-3 pm) | Health Equity, Medicare, and the Modern Civil Rights Movement September 2, 2021CMS Delays Adjusting Medicare Rates for Skilled Nursing Facilities to Reflect Changes in Therapy September 2, 2021Nursing Home Residents Have Private Right of Action to Enforce the Nursing Home Reform Law Against Publicly-Owned Facilities August 26, 2021Report Documents Private Equity’s Role in Ownership of Nursing Facilities August 19, 2021Durable Medical Equipment Resources August 19, 2021Report Examines High Spending on Medicare Advantage Plans August 19, 2021Medicare Advantage Costs and Coverage Concerns August 12, 2021Congress Sets the Stage for Important Medicare Improvements August 12, 2021Article | Making hearing aids affordable isn’t enough. Older adults also need hearing care services August 12, 2021Senators Introduce Nursing Home Legislation to Improve Quality of Care August 12, 2021GAO Issues New Report on Nurse Staffing in Nursing Facilities August 12, 2021American Bar Association Adopts Resolution on Nursing Home Size and Density August 12, 2021Study Links Long-Term Care Staff Vaccination Rates with Disparities August 5, 2021Beneficiary Access to Complex Rehabilitation Wheelchair Accessories Protected August 5, 2021Court Decisions Expand Rights of Medicaid Beneficiaries, Nursing Home Residents August 5, 2021CMA Special Report | What Can and Must Be Done about the Staffing Shortage in Nursing Homes August 5, 2021Center Responds to CMS Proposed Rules That Would Diminish Access to Medicare Home Health Care August 5, 2021Per Day Civil Money Penalties are Back for Nursing Facilities July 29, 2021New Medicare Home Health Fact Sheet – Focus on Home Health Aides July 29, 2021Celebrating Medicare’s 56th Anniversary and Its Leadership in Advancing Health Equity July 29, 2021With 44% of Nursing Home Staff Not Yet Fully Vaccinated, New Funding Initiatives to Study Vaccine Hesitancy Among LTC Workers Are Launched July 22, 2021Immunity for Long-Term Care Facilities During the Coronavirus Pandemic July 22, 2021Appeals Court Temporarily Pauses Implementation of Observation Status Decision While Considering Government’s Request for a Stay July 22, 2021Advocates Call on Congress to Improve Medicare July 22, 2021Reports Call for Changes for the Direct Care Workforce July 15, 2021Remembering John Lewis July 15, 2021Honoring Disability Pride Month July 15, 2021Guest Alert | Legal Action Center Issues Report Highlighting Medicare’s Discriminatory Coverage Gaps for Substance Use Disorder Treatment July 15, 2021Special Report | Nursing Home Industry is Heavily Taxpayer-Subsidized July 9, 2021Kaiser Family Foundation Issues Report Comparing Cost-Related Problems for Medicare Advantage Enrollees and Beneficiaries in Traditional Medicare July 8, 2021Medicare Team Now Complete – Time to Improve the Program for Beneficiaries July 8, 2021Recent Initiatives Focus on Understanding and Addressing the Needs of LGBTQ Older Adults in Long-Term Care July 8, 2021Elder Justice Newletter, Vol. 3 Issue 8 Now Available July 8, 2021Bill To Recognize Essential Caregivers Introduced in Congress July 1, 2021Connecticut Enacts Legislation with Wide-Ranging Impact for Long-Term Care July 1, 2021Connecticut Expands Medigap Options for Medicare Beneficiaries Under Age 65 July 1, 2021Jimmo Implementation Council Meeting | June 16, 2021 June 23, 2021Report: To Solve the Direct Care Workforce Challenge, Inequities Must be Addressed June 17, 2021Lack of Oral Health Coverage in Medicare Has Catastrophic Effects June 17, 2021Senators Introduce Bipartisan Observation Status Bill to Help Vulnerable Medicare Beneficiaries June 17, 2021The ACA is Here to Stay, Improving Medicare and Health Security for Millions June 17, 2021Nursing Home Health Equity: More Evidence Showing COVID-19’s Racial Disparities June 10, 2021Observation Status Bill Reintroduced June 10, 2021United States Settles False Claims Act Case with SavaSeniorCare June 10, 2021Report: Nursing Homes Had Highest Death Rate of All Senior Housing From COVID – Although 39% Had None June 10, 202179 Organizations Call on CMS and ACL to Ensure Access to Medicare-Covered Home Health Care June 3, 2021Nursing Homes Fined for Infection Control Should Not Receive COVID-19 “Performance Based” Relief Funds May 27, 2021CMS Interim Final Rule Addresses Covid-19 Vaccinations for Nursing Home Residents and Staff May 20, 2021Studies Highlight Barriers to Health Equity: Access to Pharmacies & Telehealth May 13, 2021Arizona Governor Vetoes Bill Reauthorizing Nursing Home Administrator Licensing Board After The Arizona Republic Reports That Board Granted A License To A Convicted Felon May 13, 2021HHS Inspector General Finds CMS Data Understates Antipsychotic Drug Use in Nursing Homes May 13, 2021Fact Sheets | Medicare and the Impact of Oral Health on Major Health Conditions May 6, 2021CMS Confirms Steep Decline in Therapy at Nursing Facilities May 6, 2021Medicare and Revenue – Looking Back, Looking Forward May 3, 2021Changes to Health Coverage Must Include Medicare Improvements April 29, 2021Policies and “Regulatory Failure” Endangered Nursing Home Residents April 29, 2021Personal Care Attendants: Troubling New Class of Worker in Florida Long-Term Care Facilities April 22, 2021Oscar Nominated Documentary Goes Undercover in Chilean Nursing Home April 22, 2021Nurse Aide Training Bill Could Diminish Quality of Care for Nursing Home Residents April 22, 2021May Webinars | Register Now April 22, 2021New Oral Health Resources April 22, 2021Shrinking Medicare Home Health Coverage: It’s Time to Act April 22, 2021Reflections on the 8th Annual National Voices of Medicare Summit and Senator Jay Rockefeller Lecture April 15, 2021New Study: High Nursing Home Staff Turnover Impacts Quality of Care April 15, 2021CDC Declares Racism to be “Serious Public Health Threat” April 15, 2021Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Tackles the Long-Term Care Crisis April 15, 2021Positive COVID News from Navajo Nation April 8, 2021Experts Spotlight Systemic Racism in U.S. Nursing Homes and Call for Action April 8, 2021Covid-19 and Nursing Home Residents: Increased Loneliness and Isolation April 8, 2021Thank you for Helping Us Celebrate 35 Years of Medicare Advocacy April 8, 2021No fooling – 35 Years of Medicare Advocacy April 1, 2021Center for Medicare Advocacy Welcomes Cinnamon St. John March 31, 2021Work For Oral Health Continues March 31, 2021Center for Medicare Advocacy submits Statement for the Record for Senate Finance Committee March 17 Hearing on Nursing Homes and COVID-19 March 25, 2021Nursing Home Trade Associations’ Legislative Agenda for 2021: More Familiar Than Bold March 25, 2021Center Report: Billions of Dollars to Nursing Homes in Covid-19 Relief March 25, 2021ACA Celebrates 11th Anniversary with Expansions in Enrollment and Coverage March 25, 2021Reminder: Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period Ends March 31st March 25, 2021Senate Finance Committee Hearing on Covid-19 and Nursing Homes March 18, 2021Assisted Living and Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services March 18, 2021Policy-Makers Should Review Overpayments to Medicare Advantage when Considering Medicare Fiscal Solvency March 18, 2021Harmful “Public Charge” Rule Blocked Nationwide March 18, 2021New Aging Documentary March 24, 2021 March 18, 2021New CMS Guidance Allows Visitors in Nursing Homes March 11, 2021Medicare and the Dilemma of “Choice” March 11, 2021Elder Justice Newsletter – Vol 3, Issue 5 Now Available March 4, 2021Congressman Neal Asks CMS to Reinstate Nursing Home Surveys and Enforcement March 4, 2021Nursing Home Advocates and Members of Congress Call for Reinstatement of Nurse Aide Training Rules March 4, 2021Medicare Home Health Is Not a Short-Term Benefit – Despite Payment Policies to The Contrary March 4, 2021Advocates Call for Comprehensive Oral Health Coverage February 25, 2021Center Hosts Sen. Chris Murphy and Provides Important Health Care Reminders for March February 25, 2021Study Finds Cost-Sharing Increases Can be Deadly February 25, 2021New Report Documents Causes and Cures for COVID-19 Crisis in Long-Term Care Facilities February 18, 2021Commonwealth Fund Issues Series of Articles Addressing Medicare’s Fiscal Solvency – Introductory Statement by Marilyn Moon February 11, 2021U.S. Government Changes Position in Supreme Court Affordable Care Act Case February 11, 2021It’s Time to Repeal the 3-Day Inpatient Hospital Requirement for Medicare Skilled Nursing Facility Coverage February 11, 2021Medicare Case Study: Returning to Work After Disability Benefits End February 11, 2021Center for Medicare Advocacy and Medicare Rights Center Urge Biden Administration to Take Immediate Action on Key Issues Facing Medicare Beneficiaries February 11, 2021Final 2022 Rule for Medicare Parts C and D Released By Trump Administration February 4, 2021Biden Administration Withdraws Harmful Rule Re: Dropping Medicare Part A Coverage February 4, 2021Consumer Groups Sign on to Letter Asking Acting HHS Secretary to Suspend Geo Direct Contracting Demo February 4, 2021Staffing is Key to Determining Whether Covid-19 Affects Nursing Home Residents February 4, 2021COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution and Health Equity February 4, 2021Speech Generating Devices: Beneficiary Voices Silenced Once Again by CMS January 28, 2021Expanded Medicare Skilled Nursing Facility Coverage During the Covid-19 Pandemic January 28, 2021Ways and Means Report Highlights National Inequities January 28, 2021Elder Justice Newsletter – Vol 3, Issue 4 Now Available January 21, 2021Consumer Advocacy Organizations Sue CMS Over 2017 Guidance on Civil Money Penalties Imposed Against Nursing Facilities January 21, 2021A New Administration Begins During a “Winter of Peril and Possibility” January 21, 2021Study Finds Inequities in Telehealth Care January 21, 2021Government Seeks to Stop Implementation of Court Order in Hospital Observation Status Case January 21, 2021Save the Date | 2021 National Voices of Medicare Summit & Sen. Jay Rockefeller Lecture January 14, 2021In Waning Days of Trump Administration, HHS Issues Harmful Final Rule Putting an Expiration Date on Core Medicare and Other Regulations January 14, 2021CMS Plans to Expand Program that Interferes with Patient Access to Medicare Covered Home Health Care January 14, 2021Center for Medicare Advocacy and Colleagues Submit Statement to Protect Residents to National Academy of Sciences Nursing Home Committee January 14, 2021Long Term Care Community Coalition Releases 2020 Elder Justice “No harm” Deficiencies Searchable Issue Guide January 14, 2021Finding a Way Into 2021 January 7, 2021COVID Relief and Omnibus Package: Overview of Medicare Provisions January 7, 20212021 Medicare Reminders January 7, 2021Affordable Care Act: Millions Have Benefited Despite Sabotage January 7, 2021Guest Author – The Myth of the Medicare Improvement Standard December 31, 2020HHS Inspector General Issues Report on Focused Infection Control Surveys in Nursing Facilities December 31, 2020Report Calls for Congress to Add Oral Health and Other Key Coverage to Medicare and Medicaid December 31, 2020More Infection Control Deficiencies Cited in Nursing Homes – Most Considered “No Harm” December 23, 2020COVID-19 Vaccines and Racial Equity Considerations December 23, 2020Center for Medicare Advocacy Issues Transition Memorandum: Medicare Improvements for the Biden Administration December 18, 2020Center for Medicare Advocacy Urges Incoming Administration to Suspend Direct Contracting Demonstration December 17, 2020“Observation Status” May Disproportionately Burden Medicare Beneficiaries in the Most Vulnerable Neighborhoods December 17, 2020Confirmed: Without Good Oral Health, Complete Health Is Simply Not Possible December 17, 2020Senators Casey and Wyden Release Third Report on Nursing Homes and COVID-19 December 17, 2020Center for Medicare Advocacy Welcomes New Attorneys December 17, 2020Please Join this Important Oral health Letter to the Incoming Biden Administration December 11, 2020Elder Justice Newsletter – Vol 3, Issue 3 Now Available December 10, 2020COVID-19 and Health Care Disparities December 10, 2020CMS Replaces all Eight Care-Specific Websites with Single Website: Care Compare December 10, 2020Center for Medicare Advocacy Comments on Harmful Proposed Rule that Would Automatically Expire Regulations Governing Medicare and Other Important Programs December 10, 2020Welcome News: Xavier Becerra Nominated as Secretary of Health and Human Services December 10, 2020Strengthen Medicare to Build Back Better December 9, 2020COVID-19 and Teeth December 3, 2020Nursing Home Residents and COVID-19: Staffing and Quality of Care Matter December 3, 2020Medicare Annual Enrollment Period Ends December 7th December 3, 2020Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Season Enters Final Weeks: Few People Compare Options, and the Means of Comparison are Often Flawed November 19, 2020Center for Medicare Advocacy Senior Policy Attorney, Toby Edelman and Health and Aging Policy Fellow, Cinnamon St. John Featured On This Is Getting Old Podcast November 19, 2020HHS Continues Giving Provider Relief Funds to Nursing Facilities November 12, 2020Recent Rules and Guidance Address Transparency in Hospice Coverage November 12, 2020Infection Control Surveys In Nursing Facilities: As Deaths Soar, CMS Reports Few Deficiencies, Primarily “No Harm” November 12, 2020Supreme Court Hears Case Challenging Affordable Care Act November 12, 2020Medicare Cost-Sharing Announced for 2021 November 12, 2020Welcoming a New Administration November 9, 2020Five Days until the Affordable Care Act is in Front of the Supreme Court November 5, 2020Nursing Facilities and COVID: Staffing Matters November 5, 2020Members of Congress Write CMS Urging Restoration of Nurse Aide Training Requirements for Nursing Facilities November 5, 2020Infection Control Surveys At Nursing Facilities October 29, 2020Provider Relief Funds: Care for Patients or Boosting Provider Revenues? October 29, 2020Dismantling the Affordable Care Act Would Harm Medicare and Medicare Beneficiaries October 29, 20202020 National Pro Bono Week October 29, 2020Long-Term Care Policy: Trump vs. Biden October 22, 2020Dismantling the Affordable Care Act Would Harm Medicare and Medicare Beneficiaries October 22, 2020Medicare Plan Finder Problems Emerge – At Least Three SHIP Programs Cautioning People to Delay Enrollment until Problems Resolved October 22, 2020Dismantling the ACA Would Harm Medicare and Medicare Beneficiaries | Highlight on Preventive Services October 15, 2020Paying Direct Care Workers a Living Wage October 15, 2020COVID-Only Nursing Facilities: What Happened To A Good Idea? October 15, 2020State Administrative Law Judge Largely Clears Lifecare Center of Kirkland, First Nursing Home in Country with Covid-19 Outbreak October 8, 2020Special Report: CMS Releases Fifth Cumulative List of Focused Infection Control Surveys October 8, 2020AHRQ Launches National Nursing Home COVID Action Network Training Program October 8, 2020Nursing Facilities and Covid-19 – It’s not Inevitable October 8, 2020Elder Justice Newsletter – Vol 3, Issue 2 Now Available October 8, 2020MA Plans Allowed to Report Less Data about Appeals Outcomes October 1, 2020Updates | Medicare Open Enrollment Period, Starting October 15 October 1, 2020In Memory of Justice Ginsburg – From our Executive Director, Judy Stein September 24, 2020Extra Time to Pay Medicare Premiums Ends September 30, 2020 September 24, 2020Elder Justice Newsletter – Vol 3, Issue 1 Now Available September 24, 2020Medicare & You 2021 – An Assessment of Bias in Favor of Medicare Advantage September 18, 2020Center for Medicare Advocacy Issue Brief, Examining Health Care Disparities September 17, 2020Study Finds Lower Mortality Rates in Unionized New York State Nursing Facilities September 17, 2020Center Comments on Florida Managed Medical Assistance Waiver Request September 17, 2020CMS Long-Term Care Commission Issues Report September 17, 2020Kaiser Family Foundation Issues Report on Racial Disparities and COVID-19 September 10, 2020CMS Releases Update to Manual for State Payment of Medicare Premiums September 10, 2020Senators Release Report Concerning Postal Service Problems and Delays in Receipt of Mail-Order Drugs September 10, 2020Medicare’s Finances – Challenges and Solutions September 10, 2020Testing Nursing Home Residents for COVID-19 September 10, 2020What’s New in Infection Control Surveys for Nursing Facilities? September 3, 2020Cobra Notices Revised to Include More Medicare Information September 3, 2020Center for Medicare Advocacy Toolkit: How to Obtain an Additional 100 Days of Medicare Coverage in a Skilled Nursing Facility During the COVID Public Health Emergency September 3, 2020CMS Restarts Survey and Enforcement Activities at Nursing Facilities August 27, 2020Comments Submitted Regarding Medicare Home Health Proposed Rule for 2021 August 27, 2020Congress Gives COVID Relief Money to Nursing Facilities, Regardless of Fraud Lawsuits, Poor Quality of Care August 27, 2020Responding to CMS Announcement on Nursing Home Enforcement – Infection Control Deficiencies in Nursing Facilities: QCOR Data August 20, 2020Advocates Support Nursing Home Residents’ Ability to Enforce Their Rights in Court August 20, 2020Nursing Homes Nationwide Report Shortages of Nursing Staff August 20, 2020Toolkit to Educate Candidates about Medicare Oral Health August 20, 2020Elder Justice Newsletter – Vol 2, Issue 12 Now Available August 20, 2020Center Attorneys Participate in Oral Health Gathering August 13, 2020Nursing Facilities Owned By Private Equity Firms Have Higher Rates of Covid Infections than Other Facilities August 13, 2020Studies Find Higher Nurse Staffing Levels in Nursing Facilities Are Correlated With Better Containment Of Covid-19 August 13, 2020With Next COVID Relief Bill Stalled, President Trump Issues Directives of Questionable Authority and Threatens Social Security and Medicare August 13, 2020Inspector General Finds More Than Half of All Nursing Facilities Failed to Meet Professional Nurse Staffing Standards in 2018 August 13, 2020Improve Medicare for All Beneficiaries August 13, 2020Infection Control Surveys and Deficiencies In Nursing Facilities August 11, 2020CMS Will Not Track Minimally Trained Aides at Nursing Facilities August 6, 2020Administration Proposes Permanent and Temporary Extensions of Pandemic-Related Medicare Telehealth – Growing Disparities and Other Concerns Remain August 6, 2020Coalition Opposes Immunity for Nursing Facilities August 6, 2020Real Medicare Matters July 30, 2020Research Underscores Disproportionate Impact of COVID-19 July 29, 2020Who’s Providing Care to Nursing Home Residents? July 29, 2020Center for Medicare Advocacy Submits Recommendations to the Nursing Home Commission July 23, 2020Medicare Home Health Case Settled with Full Coverage for Beneficiary with Chronic Conditions July 23, 2020Joint Principles from Center for Medicare Advocacy and Medicare Rights Center: Medicare Expansion of Telehealth Helps Beneficiaries Access Care During the Pandemic – But Caution is Needed Before Making These Changes Permanent July 23, 2020COVID Does Not Have to Lead to Deaths in Nursing Homes July 23, 2020Cinnamon St. John joins the Center for Medicare Advocacy as a 2019-2020 Health and Aging Policy Fellow through the American Political Science Association (APSA) July 23, 2020American Health Care Association’s CEO Issues Message to Members: “We Won’t Back Down” July 16, 2020Advocacy Update: Medical Rationing July 16, 2020Groups File Petition Demanding that HHS and its Agencies “Mitigate the COVID-19 Crisis in America’s Nursing Homes” July 16, 2020Medicare Expansion of Telehealth Helps Beneficiaries Access Care During the Pandemic – But Caution is Needed before Making These Changes Permanent July 16, 2020Elder Justice Newsletter – Vol 2, Issue 11 Now Available July 16, 2020Additional Infection Control Surveys at Nursing Facilities Show Same Results: Few Deficiencies, Most Called “No Harm” July 9, 2020Recent COVID-19 Data Show Disparities in Rate of Infections July 9, 2020Center for Medicare Advocacy Comments on Coronavirus Reporting Requirements for Nursing Facilities July 9, 2020Special Report – Nursing Homes Cited With Immediate Jeopardy Deficiencies During Pandemic: Poor Health Inspection Results, Low Staffing Levels July 2, 2020Oklahoma Medicaid Updates July 2, 2020CMS Liberalizes Visitation to Nursing Homes. . . A Little July 2, 2020Center for Medicare Advocacy Releases Issue Brief Regarding Medicare and Family Caregivers June 26, 2020Elder Justice Newsletter – Vol 2, Issue 10 Now Available June 25, 2020Administration Asks Supreme Court to Strike Down Entire Affordable Care Act June 25, 2020Center for Medicare Advocacy Senior Policy Attorney Testifies Before Congressional Committee re: Nursing Facilities and the COVID-19 Crisis June 25, 2020Special Report – Nursing Homes Cited with Infection Control Deficiencies During the Pandemic: Poor Results In Health Inspections, Low Staffing Levels June 17, 2020House Briefing on Covid and Nursing Homes Highlights Longstanding Problems in Staffing and Infection Control; Committee Launches Investigation of CMS and Five Nursing Home Chains June 17, 2020Administration Issues Final Rule Undermining Non-Discrimination Protections, Days Later Supreme Court Renders Landmark Decision Prohibiting Workplace Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity June 17, 2020Article: Dual-Eligible Special Needs Plans (D-SNPs) June 17, 2020COVID-19’s Impact on Beneficiary Rights – A Case Study Examining Medicare Coverage Exceeding 100 Days in a Skilled Nursing Facility June 11, 2020Infection Control Surveys at Nursing Facilities: CMS Data Not Plausible June 11, 2020How Many Nursing Home Residents Have Died of Covid-19? June 4, 2020Center for Medicare Advocacy Submits Comments on CMS COVID-19 Rule June 4, 2020Our Commitment to Justice June 4, 2020Final Rule for Medicare Parts C and D Includes Weakened Standards for Medicare Advantage Networks May 28, 2020CMS Announces Voluntary Part D Program to Reduce Insulin Out-of-Pocket Costs for Some Enrollees May 28, 2020Podcast with Judy Stein: Moving Forward with COVID-19 and Medicare May 28, 2020Government Appeals “Observation Status” Court Decision May 28, 2020CMS Rule: Nursing Facilities Must Report Covid-19 Data to CDC, Residents, Families and Representatives May 28, 2020GAO on Infection Control Deficiencies in Nursing Facilities Before Covid-19 Pandemic: “Widespread,” “Persistent,” “Ignored” May 21, 2020State Attorneys General Open Criminal Investigations of Nursing Facilities in Light of the Pandemic; For Regulatory Agencies, Business As Usual May 21, 2020Research: Low-Income and Communities of Color at Increased Risk From COVID-19 May 21, 2020Elder Justice Newsletter, Vol. 2 Issue 9 Now Available May 21, 2020New CMA Report – Nursing Home Industry Seeks Immunity During COVID Crisis; States Are Obliging May 14, 2020Case Study: Medicare Advantage and Repeated Coverage Denials Amid the COVID Crisis May 14, 2020Medicare Covers Maintenance Therapy – Therapist Assistants Can Provide It May 14, 2020COVID-19: An Advocates Guide to Beneficiary Related Medicare Changes May 10, 2020CMA Special Report – Infection Control Surveys at Nursing Facilities: It Looks Like Business as Usual May 7, 2020COVID-19 Updates to Medicare Enrollment and Emerging Social Security Office Efficiencies to Process Changes for Beneficiaries May 7, 2020Reflections on the 7th Annual National Voices of Medicare Summit and Senator Jay Rockefeller Lecture May 7, 2020Reminder from CMS – May is Mental Health Awareness Month May 7, 2020Medicare Trustees Report: Projections Similar to Last Year, and Savings Are Available April 30, 2020Decisive Win for Affordable Care Act: Supreme Court Rules Sabotage Attempt Illegal April 30, 2020CMS to Require Transparency Regarding Coronavirus in Nursing Facilities April 23, 2020Action Needed for Social Security Beneficiaries with Dependents, and Who Do Not File Tax Returns, to Receive $500 Per Child Payment April 21, 2020Federal District Court in Arkansas Upholds Federal Rule Authorizing Arbitration Requirements in Nursing Home Contracts April 16, 2020Federal Court Orders Appeal Rights for Some Observation Status Patients: More Advocacy is Needed April 16, 2020Elder Justice Newsletter, Vol. 2 Issue 8 Now Available April 16, 2020Center for Medicare Advocacy Submits Comments on Proposed Medicare Parts C and D Rule April 9, 2020CDC’s Report on Coronavirus in a Seattle Nursing Facility: What it Tells Us About Staffing Problems Nationwide; What We Must Do to Address Lessons Learned April 9, 2020Medicare Skilled Nursing Facility Coverage, Discharges, and Transfers During the COVID Crisis April 9, 2020Frequently Asked Questions about Observation Status Court Decision April 9, 2020Medicare Enrollment & COVID-19 April 9, 2020Hospitals Should Discharge Patients with Coronavirus Only to Qualified Nursing Homes April 2, 2020Medicare-Related COVID-19 Update – Legislative & Policy Changes (April 2, 2020) April 2, 2020HHS Reiterates Prohibitions On Discrimination In the Face of COVID-19 Care Issues April 2, 2020Medicaid Access Resources April 2, 2020COVID-19 Updates – 3/26/2020 March 26, 2020New Guidance On Nursing Home Health Inspections Severely Limits Oversight and Enforcement for a Three-Week Period March 26, 2020CMS Temporarily Waives Medicare Access Barriers for Skilled Nursing Facility Care March 26, 2020COVID-19 and Medicare – Where We Stand Today (3/19/2020) March 19, 20202020 Virtual National Voices of Medicare Summit March 19, 2020Restrictions on Family Caregivers Raise Concerns about Unmet Care Needs In Nursing Homes March 19, 2020The Coronavirus and Nursing Home Residents March 19, 2020Elder Justice Newsletter – Vol. 2, No. 7 Available Now March 19, 2020An Update from the Center for Medicare Advocacy March 17, 2020Reminder: Medicare Advantage Enrollment Period Ends this Month; Ongoing Opportunity for Special Enrollment Period March 12, 2020CMS Publishes Final Rule on Data Exchange March 12, 2020COVID-19 May Impact Medicare Coverage March 12, 2020The Myth of “Choice” in Private Insurance, Including Medicare Advantage March 5, 2020Supreme Court to Hear Affordable Care Act Repeal Case March 5, 2020LTCCC Facts & Tips on Infection Control and Coronavirus March 5, 2020Issue Brief: Medicare Payment vs. Coverage for Home Health & Skilled Nursing Facility Care March 3, 2020Lawmakers Must Be Cautious about Recommendations from a New Industry Report on Nursing Home Closures February 28, 2020Articles Highlight Medicare Advantage Concerns February 27, 2020Report: Affordable Care Act Narrowed Disparities in Health Care Access February 27, 2020Medicare Coverage of Home Health Care Has Not Changed Under the New Payment System (PDGM) February 20, 2020Massachusetts Task Force Calls for Closure of Low-Performing, Low Occupancy Nursing Facilities February 20, 2020Changes Coming to CMS Websites for Consumers February 13, 2020Joint Statement on President’s Budget February 13, 2020Register Now – Upcoming CMA Events February 13, 2020Center Submits Comments Opposing Social Security Administration Proposal to Increase Frequency of Disability Benefit Reviews February 6, 2020Fact-Checking the State of the Union Speech Regarding Health Care February 6, 2020Medicare Oral Health Care Update February 6, 2020Administration Encourages States to Block Grant Medicaid February 6, 2020Medicare Advantage Continues to Drive Up Medicare Costs – Congress Must Act to Level the Playing Field with Traditional Medicare February 4, 2020Study Finds Nursing Home Compare Data about Patient Falls with Major Injuries Underreported and “Highly Inaccurate” January 30, 2020Medicare SNF Payment Model Creates Changes in Care and Admissions – What about Facility Assessments? January 30, 2020Accountable Care Organizations and Observation Status January 30, 2020Supreme Court Allows Harmful “Public Charge” Immigration Rule to Continue – For Now January 30, 2020Support Medically Necessary Oral Health Care in Medicare January 30, 2020Incorrect Implementation of the Jimmo V. Sebelius Settlement in a Skilled Nursing Facility: A Case Study January 28, 2020House Committees Work to Address Problems Coordinating COBRA and Medicare Enrollment January 23, 2020New Opioid Treatment Program Benefit in Part B January 23, 2020Study Finds Differences In Post-Hospital Care Settings and Mortality Rates for Medicare Patients In Rural And Urban Areas January 23, 2020Update on ACA-Repeal Lawsuit January 23, 2020Center Opposes Harmful “Public Charge” Rule January 23, 2020Center for Medicare Advocacy Supports Supreme Court Review of ACA-Repeal Lawsuit January 16, 2020CMS Continues to Downplay Medicare Plan Finder Problems and Availability of Special Enrollment Period January 16, 2020ALS Activist Steve Gleason Receives Congressional Gold Medal January 16, 2020Medicare Advantage Marketing Matters: Case Study January 16, 2020Joint Statement on Nursing Home Aide Training January 9, 2020Elder Justice Newsletter – Our Latest Edition January 9, 2020Free Webinar – Medicare Patient Driven Payment Model: What Does It Mean for Skilled Nursing Facility Residents? January 9, 2020Nursing Facilities and Medicare Advantage: If You Can’t Beat ’Em, Join ’Em . . . But What About the Medicare Beneficiaries? January 9, 2020Home Health Practice Guide January 7, 2020Center for Medicare Advocacy Submits Comments January 2, 2020Center for Medicare Advocacy Wishes All the Best to Rep. John Lewis January 2, 2020Most Read CMA Alerts (Plus, Webinars) of 2019 December 27, 2019Recent Polling Shows Strong Support Among Voters for Medicare Oral Health Benefit December 24, 2019Government Watchdog Agency Once Again Finds Wasteful Medicare Advantage Overpayment December 20, 2019Skilled Nursing Facilities Lay off Therapists, Change Therapy Services – What Can Residents & Therapists Do? December 20, 2019Court Decision Could Lead to the Demise of the Entire Affordable Care Act December 19, 2019House Passes Historic Medicare Expansion Bill – H.R. 3 December 12, 2019Patients Need Therapy – Medicare Payment Systems Create Barriers December 12, 2019Caution: Hospital “Outpatient” Rule Negates Statutory Inpatient Coverage for In-Hospital Dental Care December 12, 2019Fairness in Nursing Home Arbitration Act Provides Important Protections December 12, 2019Center for Medicare Advocacy Submits Statement to Ways & Means Hearing on “Caring for Aging Americans” December 12, 2019Quality Care for Nursing Home Residents Act of 2019 December 5, 2019Wasting Time Waiting for Prior Authorization – At What Physical and Emotional Cost? December 5, 2019In Final Days of Medicare Enrollment Period, CMS Continues to Deny Problems with Medicare Plan Finder, Which Could Hurt Beneficiaries December 5, 2019House to Vote on Historic Medicare Bill Next Week December 5, 2019CMA Alert Extra – Adding A Dental Benefit to Medicare Part B – Twitter Chat this Wednesday December 3, 2019Time for Medicare Enrollment – Time to Talk Turkey! November 27, 2019Two Weeks Left in Medicare Enrollment Period November 21, 2019Family History of Colon Cancer Should Increase the Frequency of Colonoscopies, but Ultimately the MA Plan, Not the Treating Doctor, May Determine When Procedures Will Occur November 21, 2019Issue Alert – Medicare Benefit Periods Under PDPM November 21, 20192020 Medicare Cost-Sharing Rates Released November 14, 2019Support for Medicare Oral Health Benefits November 14, 2019MA Plan Prior Authorization Requirements Cause Problems in a Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Leading to Patient Re-Hospitalizations November 14, 2019Medicare is Being Privatized. Where is the Outcry? November 14, 2019Medicare Enrollment Problems Persist November 7, 2019Poorly Performing Skilled Nursing Facilities: What Happens to Them? November 7, 2019Medicare’s New Skilled Nursing Facility Payment System Alters Access to Care November 7, 2019CMS Extends “Equitable Relief” from Part B Late Enrollment Penalties for People Moving from ACA Marketplace Plans to Medicare October 31, 2019Potential Impacts of New Medicare Payment Models On Skilled Nursing Facility and Home Health Care October 31, 2019You Do Not Have to Improve! New Jimmo Resources for Appealing Medicare Denials in Nursing Homes October 28, 2019Center for Medicare Advocacy Submits Comments Supporting Modification to ABN Instructions October 24, 2019Center Attorneys Participate in Oral Health Convening and Advocacy Day October 24, 2019CMS Administrator Seema Verma Testifies on Health Care Sabotage Before House Subcommittee October 24, 2019Nursing Home Compare’s Abuse Icon is Now Live October 24, 2019Medicare Enrollment and Medicare Advantage Updates October 24, 2019Medicare Fully Informed Project October 21, 2019Center for Medicare Advocacy Board President Judith Feder Testifies at Drug Pricing Hearing October 17, 2019Joint Issue Alert on Medicare Payment and Skilled Therapy Services in Nursing Homes October 17, 2019Drug Company Sued Over Kickbacks for Off-Label Marketing of Psychotropic Drug for Nursing Home Residents to Pay Over $115 Million October 17, 2019Administration’s “Public Charge” Rule [Temporarily?] Blocked October 17, 2019Medicare’s Annual Election Period Starts Next Week – October 15th October 10, 2019Center for Medicare Advocacy Analysis of President’s Medicare Executive Order: October 10, 2019Free Webinar about the New Medicare Payment System For SNFs October 10, 2019Nursing Home Residents and Therapy Under The New Medicare Payment System October 10, 2019Important Update to Nursing Home Compare Will Enable Public to Identify Facilities with a History of Abuse October 10, 2019The Patient Driven Payment Model is Here October 3, 2019House Companion to Part D Extra Help Bill Introduced October 3, 2019Connecticut Congressional Delegation Concerned about Medicare Advantage Network Provider Terminations in the State October 3, 2019One Day Left to Register for Our Free Webinar October 1, 2019Medicare Plan Finder Pending Additional Updates; Concerns Remain September 26, 2019Speaker Pelosi Unveils Bill Authorizing Negotiation of Drug Prices and Capping Out-of-Pocket Costs September 26, 2019California Attorney General Calls on CMS to Withdraw Proposed Revisions to Nursing Home Requirements of Participation September 26, 2019House of Representatives Passes Bill Prohibiting Pre-Dispute Arbitration Agreements September 26, 2019Center for Medicare Advocacy Senior Policy Attorney Toby S. Edelman to Receive the Janet Wells Public Policy Leadership Award September 26, 2019Senator Brown Leads Call for Better Oversight of Medicare Advantage Plans September 19, 2019Center for Medicare Advocacy Submits Comments Opposing the Administration’s Proposed Roll Back of Nursing Home Standards September 19, 2019Rule Allowing Pre-Dispute Arbitration Agreements in Nursing Homes Takes Effect September 19, 2019Medicare & You 2020 – Better Than Draft, But Room for Improvement September 12, 2019More People Went Without Health Insurance in United States in 2018 September 12, 2019Administrator Verma’s Tweet Sparks Support for Addressing Observation Status September 12, 2019Proposed Home Health Rules – Payment Shouldn’t Impede Access September 12, 2019Medicare Platform: Objective Information and Consumer Protections Face Challenges September 5, 2019As Home Care Needs Increase, Access Issues Must Be Addressed September 5, 2019Nursing Home Deregulation Continues, Despite Substantial Risk to Residents September 5, 2019Stop Drugging Nursing Home Residents Without their Written Consent August 29, 2019CMS Proposed Medicare Home Health Rules Raise Concerns for Access to Care – Comments due September 9, 2019 August 29, 2019Advocates Issue Joint Letter Raising Alarms about New Medicare Plan Finder and Revisions to MA and Part D Marketing Guidelines August 29, 2019Recorded Webinar: Proposed Changes to Nursing Home Standards August 22, 2019CMS Could Truly Put “Patients over Paperwork” By Fully Implementing the Jimmo Settlement August 22, 2019Alexander v. Azar Trial Update – Seeking an Appeal of Outpatient Observation Status August 22, 2019Support Traditional Medicare by Leveling the Playing Field with Medicare Advantage August 15, 2019Administration’s “Public Charge” Rule Would Result in Millions Losing Access to Health Care and Other Necessary Services August 15, 2019Center Submits Comments Opposing Proposed Changes to Nondiscrimination Rule August 15, 2019Center Submits Comments on the “Patients over Paperwork” Initiative August 15, 2019Government Watchdog Report Outlines Problems with Current Medicare Plan Finder As New Version Awaits Debut August 8, 2019Annual Surveys at Nursing Facilities Are Essential To Protect Residents August 8, 2019Short-term Health Plans: Goldmines for Insurance Companies, Junk for Enrollees August 8, 2019CMS Administrator Acknowledges that Prior Inpatient Hospital Rules Do Not Make Sense August 8, 2019CMA Webinars for 2019-2020 August 8, 2019Federal Reports Find Incidents of Nursing Home Resident Abuse Are on the Rise but also Underreported August 1, 2019CMS’s Proposed Changes to Nursing Home Requirements of Participation, Survey and Enforcement: Nothing Good for Residents August 1, 2019Self-Help Resources for Improvement Standard Denials – August, 2019 August 1, 2019Private Medicare Advantage Plans Overbill Medicare July 25, 2019Senate Finance Committee Holds Hearing on Nursing Home Issues July 25, 2019CMS Releases Special Focus Facility Candidate List But Transparency Issues Remain July 25, 2019Part D Legislation Markup Today: Improve Beneficiary Appeals July 25, 2019Study Finds Home and Community-Based Services Access Disparities July 18, 2019More Doors to Medicare Home Health Closing, More Harm for Observation Status Patients July 18, 2019CMS finalizes Rollback of Pre-Dispute Arbitration Protections July 18, 2019Government Watchdog Agency Issues Report Highlighting “Significant Vulnerabilities” in Medicare’s Hospice Benefit July 11, 2019Observation Status and Surprise Medical Bills July 11, 2019New Oral Health Advocacy Collaborative Begins July 3, 2019Nursing Home “Quality Measures” Do Not Reflect Quality of Nursing Home Care July 3, 2019Court Hearing Next Week in Case that Threatens the Affordable Care Act – Act Now July 3, 2019New Issue Brief: Implementing Jimmo v. Sebelius: An Overview June 27, 2019Center for Medicare Advocacy Urges No Changes to Federal Poverty Measures without Knowing the Impact June 27, 2019Ways & Means Committee Marks Up BENES Act and Other Medicare-Related Provisions June 27, 2019Latest Issue – Elder Justice Newsletter June 27, 2019Special Report – “Graduates” From the Special Focus Facility Program Provide Poor Care June 20, 2019New Medicare Home Health Fact Sheet June 20, 2019Center for Medicare Advocacy Submits Joint Comments on Proposed Revisions to the Definition Of Group Therapy In Skilled Nursing Facilities June 20, 2019The New York Times Reports On HUD-Backed Nursing Homes June 13, 2019Center for Medicare Advocacy Submits Comments to House Ways & Means and Energy & Commerce Committees on Draft Part D Legislation June 13, 2019Inadequate Personal Care at Home Increases Overall Medicare Costs June 13, 2019The National Association of Insurance Commissioners Recognizes Maintenance Therapy, Bolstering the Jimmo Settlement Agreement June 13, 2019Center Comments on Proposed Rule Regarding Medicare/Medicaid Interoperability June 6, 2019Center for Medicare Advocacy Submits Comments to CMS about Direct Contracting, Geographic-Based Model June 6, 2019Senators Release Secret List of Poor Quality Nursing Homes June 6, 2019Nursing Home Study Finds Discharges Linked to Medicare Copayments June 6, 2019More Health Care Sabotage: “Censorship” of the Affordable Care Act June 6, 2019Nursing Homes, Medicaid Rates, and Campaign Contributions May 30, 2019Trump Administration Proposes to Gut Health Care Rights, Particularly Targeting LGBTQ People May 30, 2019Nursing Home Compare Inaccurately Reports Civil Money Penalties Imposed Against Nursing Facilities May 30, 2019Elder Justice Newsletter – New Issue Available Now May 23, 2019Webinar: Where Does the Money Go? Insights and Consumer Perspectives on Nursing Home Profits and Losses May 23, 2019Report Highlights Overpayments to Medicare Advantage Plans and Raises Important Policy Considerations May 23, 2019Congressional Hearing on Surprise Medical Bills; Center for Medicare Advocacy Submits Statement on Observation Status May 23, 2019Reflections on the6th Annual National Voices of Medicare Summitand Senator Jay Rockefeller Lecture May 17, 2019In Memory of Robert Pear May 16, 2019Protecting Nursing Home Residents from Reckless Operators May 16, 2019Improve Physician Staffing in Nursing Homes May 16, 2019Sign-On Opportunity: Advocating for Individualized Therapy in Nursing Homes May 16, 2019Special Update – Issue Brief: Medicare Coverage of Dental Services May 6, 2019A First Step in an Important National Discussion: Congressional Committee Holds Hearing on “Medicare for All” May 2, 2019Medicare Coverage for Genetic Tests: Know the Facts May 2, 2019Medicare Trustees Issue 2019 Report: Medicare is Not Going Broke April 25, 2019Article Raises Concerns about Medicare Advantage and Calls Attention to Limited Medigap Access April 25, 2019CMS Proposed Rule to Redefine Group Therapy in Skilled Nursing Facilities: Concern for Resident Care April 25, 2019CMS Expands List of DMEPOS Subject to Prior Authorization as a Condition of Payment April 25, 2019The Growing Disparity Between Medicare Advantage and Traditional Medicare: CMS Publishes Final MA Telehealth Benefit Rule April 18, 2019How to Prevent Re-Hospitalization Of Nursing Home Residents: More Physicians and Nurses In Nursing Homes April 18, 2019Joint Statement: Federal Report Finds That CMS Failed to Properly Oversee State’s Nursing Home Investigations April 18, 2019Latest Issue – Elder Justice Newsletter April 18, 2019Nursing Home Requirements of Participation: Will the Administration Overturn 2016 Rules for Infection Control? April 11, 2019Observation Status Deprives Medicare Beneficiaries of their Skilled Nursing Facility Benefit. Period. April 11, 2019New Fact Sheet Available – Medicare Inpatient Rehabilitation Hospital/Facility Coverage In Light of Jimmo v. Sebelius April 11, 2019What’s Causing Nursing Home Closures? April 4, 2019Health Care Sabotage News: Court Strikes Blow for Health Care; Advocates File Amicus Brief in Texas ACA Case April 4, 2019Oral Health in Medicare: Kaiser Family Foundation Releases Issue Brief April 4, 2019Free Webinar – Overview of Phase 3 Nursing Home Regulations: A Look Ahead April 4, 2019Medicare Advocates: Trump Budget Would Impede Access to Care March 28, 2019Elder Justice “No Harm” Newsletter – Issue 11 March 28, 2019Study Finds Home Health Lowers Costs and Readmission Rates Compared to Hospital Care March 28, 2019Observation Status: Physicians Challenge the Inspector General March 28, 2019Nursing Home Resident Advocates, Not Invited to Testify, Submit Statement for the Record March 21, 2019Oral Health Highlight March 21, 2019LTCCC Publishes Report on Nursing Home Resident Abuse, Neglect, and Crime March 21, 2019Average Nursing Home Fine Drops Significantly After Administration Rolls Back Civil Money Penalties March 21, 2019Joint Statement by Center for Medicare Advocacy and Medicare Rights Center: President’s Budget Targets Key Health Care Programs March 14, 2019Medicare Advantage Case Spotlight March 14, 2019Members of Congress Reintroduce Legislation to Fix Outpatient Observation Status March 14, 2019Home Infusion Therapy Services March 13, 2019Senate Finance Committee Holds Hollow Hearing for the Nursing Home Industry March 7, 2019Beneficiary ALJ Appeals Continue to Get Priority at Office of Medicare Hearings and Appeals (OMHA) March 7, 2019Center for Medicare Advocacy Submits Comments to CMS’ Draft 2020 Call Letter for Medicare Advantage and Part D March 7, 2019The Center for Medicare Advocacy Supports Raising the Federal Minimum Wage March 7, 2019Improve and Expand Medicare: End the Use of Outpatient Observation Status – A Billing Issue that Restricts Needed Care February 28, 2019Jimmo Implementation Update: Where is CMS? February 28, 2019Home Health Aide Coverage Continues to Shrink: Attention Must Be Paid February 21, 2019Case Spotlight: A Medicare Beneficiary in Need of Home Health Aides February 21, 2019 Cathy Hurwit Joins Center for Medicare Advocacy Advisory Board February 21, 2019The Administration for Community Living (ACL) Releases Annual Minority Aging Statistics February 21, 2019Improve and Expand Medicare: CMS Should Provide Objective Information About Medicare Options February 14, 2019Practice Tip: Office of Medicare Hearings and Appeals Manual Can Be a Useful Tool February 14, 2019There’s Nothing Special About How CMS Treats Special Focus Nursing Facilities February 14, 2019Improve and Expand Medicare: Create Parity Between Medicare Advantage and Traditional Medicare February 7, 2019State of the Union: Want More Affordable Prescription Drugs? Start with Medicare. February 7, 2019Improve and Expand Medicare: Cover Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) January 31, 2019Center Submits Comments on Proposed Medicare Prescription Drug Rule January 31, 2019Congressional Hearings Explore Rising Prescription Drug Costs January 31, 2019Medicare’s New “What’s Covered” App Adds to Outreach but More Work Is Needed January 31, 2019ACA and Health Care Sabotage Continue January 24, 2019Improve and Expand Medicare: Add an Out-of-Pocket Cap January 24, 2019Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) Updates January 24, 2019There’s Still Time to Go Back to Traditional Medicare or Change MA Plans January 24, 2019Improve and Expand Medicare: Oral Health January 17, 2019Center for Medicare Advocacy is Honored to Welcome Judith Feder, Ph.D as President of our Board of Directors January 17, 2019Registered Nurses Are the Key to Reducing Hospital Readmissions of Nursing Home Residents January 17, 2019Hot off the Press: 2019 Medicare Handbook January 17, 2019Nursing Home Residents at Risk: Advocates Submit Briefing to Congress January 17, 2019Improve and Expand Medicare: Ensure Medigap Access January 10, 2019Objective Medicare Appeals Jeopardized By New ALJ Selection Process January 10, 2019CMA Report: Nurse Staffing Deficiencies In Nursing Facilities January 10, 2019Health Affairs Study Calls for Medicare Coverage of Hearing Care Services January 10, 2019Senator Cardin Introduces Bill to Add Oral Health Coverage to Medicare January 10, 2019Improve Medicare: Correct Medicare Hospital Observation Status January 3, 2019Legal Memorandum: Statutory Authority Exists for Medicare to Cover Medically Necessary Oral Health Care January 3, 2019Joint Statement on Turmoil in the Nursing Home Industry January 3, 2019Keep Medicare Home Health Care an Age-Friendly Benefit December 27, 2018Medicare Platform: December 20, 2018Texas Lawsuit Sabotage of the Affordable Health Care Act December 20, 2018Health Care Sabotage Continues as ACA Open Enrollment Comes to an End December 13, 2018CURE High Drug Prices Act Introduced December 13, 2018Center Submits Comments Opposing Proposed “Public Charge” Rule December 13, 2018Elder Justice “No Harm” Newsletter – Issue 10 December 13, 2018Medicare Coverage In Light of Jimmo v. Sebelius For Providers, Contractors, and Adjudicators December 10, 2018Today Ends the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period; Does it Begin a New Private Era for Medicare? December 7, 2018Health Care Sabotage: Administration Doubles Down on States’ Ability to Undermine ACA December 6, 2018In Her Own Words: A Beneficiary’s Take On Medicare Advantage Steering December 6, 2018Amidst Medicare Open Enrollment, CMS Reports High Rates of Inaccuracy in Medicare Advantage Provider Directories December 6, 2018Medicare Annual Enrollment Ending: Still Time to Make An Informed Choice December 5, 2018As Medicare Enrollment Period Draws to a Close, MA Steering Continues – Advocates & Members of Congress Write Letters of Concern to CMS November 30, 2018Important Health Policy Article Published In New England Journal of Medicine: “Medicare Advantage Checkup” November 29, 2018ACA Open Enrollment Ends December 15th November 29, 2018State Attorneys General Successfully Take on Nursing Home Issues November 29, 2018CMS Proposes Rollback of Emergency Preparedness Requirements to Reduce “Burdens” for Nursing Home Providers November 20, 2018CMS to Clarify Medigap Section of the Medicare.gov Plan Finder Tool November 20, 2018Thankful for Medicare? Tell Your Legislators! November 19, 2018Home Health Telephone Survey November 15, 2018Successful Advocacy for Home Health Beneficiary in Need of Maintenance Physical Therapy November 15, 2018Home Health Aide Coverage Continues to Shrink in Traditional Medicare While CMS Enhances it in Medicare Advantage November 15, 2018Home Health Issue Brief November 15, 2018Health Care Prominent in Mid-Term Elections – How will the New, Divided Congress React? November 8, 2018Center for Medicare Advocacy Comments on Proposed Nursing Home Legislation and Rule November 8, 2018Jimmo Implementation: Beneficiary Successfully Appeals Denial of Maintenance Therapy November 8, 2018Make Sure Medicare Matters – Cast Your Vote Today November 6, 2018ACA Open Enrollment Begins November 1, 2018HHS Publishes Final Rules Providing Annual Inflation-Related Increases for Civil Money Penalties in Its Programs. Better Late than Never? November 1, 2018Don’t Fall for the Distraction: The President’s Prescription Drug Proposal is Much Ado About Much Too Little October 30, 2018Campaign Codewords from the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare October 25, 2018Health Care Sabotage: Administration Issues New Guidance Making it Easier to Ignore ACA Rules October 25, 2018Checklist for Medicare Nursing Home “Improvement Standard” Denials October 25, 2018Make Sure Medicare Matters this Election – Vote on November 6! October 23, 20182019 Medicare Cost-Sharing Announced October 18, 2018Government Watchdog Agency Raises Concerns About Medicare Advantage Denials October 18, 2018Plans to Address and Resolve the Medicare Home Care Crisis October 18, 2018Checklist for Medicare Home Health Care “Improvement Standard” Denials October 18, 2018We Need Your Voice – Don’t Let Traditional Medicare Wither on the Vine! October 16, 2018President’s Medicare Op-Ed is Untrue October 11, 2018Enforcement Weakens as Civil Money Penalties Shift From Per Day to Per Instance October 11, 2018Medicare Matters for Young Americans: Expect It, Protect It! October 10, 2018Medicare Enrollment Updates October 5, 2018Center for Medicare Advocacy Survey: CMS’ Jimmo v. Sebelius “Improvement Standard” Education Still Not Working October 4, 2018Study: Three-Day Hospital Requirement for Post-Hospital Care In a Skilled Nursing Facility Increases Medicare Costs October 4, 2018Who Owns Nursing Facilities and Why? October 4, 2018Health Care Sabotage: Expanded “Short-Term, Limited-Duration Insurance” is Here October 4, 2018Center Launches SaveMedicareNow Initiative Ahead of Mid-Term Elections September 27, 2018Public Charge Proposed Rule – A Strike on the Health Care and Well-Being of Immigrants and American Families September 27, 2018Center for Medicare Advocacy Welcomes New Board Members September 27, 2018Transfer and Discharge Deficiencies Cited Since 2017: Surveyors Focus On paperwork, Not Residents’ Rights September 20, 2018Study Finds Link Between Registered Nurse Hours and Antipsychotic Drug Use September 20, 2018More Health Care Sabotage: Inadequate Funding for Navigators September 13, 2018Court Ruling May Lead to Even More Overpayments to Medicare Advantage September 13, 2018MedPAC Discusses Requiring a Three-Day Hospital Stay for All Post-Acute Care, Threatening Access to Care September 13, 2018House Committee Holds Hearing on Nursing Home Quality Issues September 13, 2018Proposed DMEPOS Rules: Clarification and Enforcement Needed September 13, 2018Health Care Sabotage: Association Health Plans Are Here September 6, 2018New Jimmo Resources from the Center for Medicare Advocacy and The John A. Hartford Foundation September 6, 2018Center Comments on Harmful Proposed Home Health Rule August 30, 2018Health Care Sabotage Continues: New Pre-Existing Conditions Legislation Not What It Seems; GAO Critical of HHS ACA Enrollment Actions August 30, 2018Re-Review of Some Home Health Denials Now Available August 30, 2018The Center for Medicare Advocacy Submits Comments Opposing Kentucky’s Medicaid Work Requirements August 23, 2018Statistical Trends and Published Articles with Studies and Research from 2002-2017 August 23, 2018Final Rules for New Medicare Reimbursement System for Skilled Nursing Facilities: Goodbye Therapy August 23, 2018Health Care Sabotage – Slandering a Program Which Has Widely Expanded Access and Coverage August 16, 2018Elder Justice: What “No Harm” Really Means for Residents – Latest Issue August 16, 2018Special Focus Nursing Facilities that “Have Not Improved:” Poor Care for Residents, Overall Ratings Artificially Boosted by 5-Star Ratings in Self-Reported Quality Measures August 15, 2018Major Health Care Sabotage: HHS Issues Final Rule on Short-Term Limited-Duration Insurance August 9, 2018Inspector General Reports Concerns About Medicare Hospice Care August 9, 2018Nursing Facilities’ “Quality Measures” Do Not Reflect Actual Quality of Care Provided to Residents August 9, 2018Center for Medicare Advocacy Co-Authors Case Study Journal Article on Nurse Staffing Litigation in Arkansas August 2, 2018New Medicare Cards: Wave Four Distribution Begins August 2, 2018Special Report – Special Focus Facilities: Poor Care for Residents, Limited Consequences for Providers July 30, 2018Dual Eligibles and Access to Part D Drugs: Pretty Good News from the OIG July 26, 2018Health Care Sabotage: Poll Shows Voters are Watching July 26, 2018Medigap News: Disparities in Enrollment Rights; Bill Introduced to Strengthen Medigap Access and Protections July 19, 2018Nursing Home “In-House” Managed Care Plans May Harm Residents July 19, 2018Now Can We Call it Sabotage? July 19, 2018Helpful News for Some Lower Income Medicare Beneficiaries July 19, 2018Proposed Home Health Rule Affirms Medicare Coverage and Payment for Patients Who Will Not Improve and May Need More Care than the Norm July 12, 2018Administrative Law Judges and Objective Medicare Appeals Jeopardized By Recent Executive Order July 12, 2018Studies Differ Regarding Traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage July 12, 2018Health Care Sabotage – Navigators Face another Round of Cuts July 12, 2018CMS Releases Issue Brief on Access Challenges of DME for Duals July 5, 2018Medicare Home Health Rules Proposed by CMS to “Improve Access to Solutions” Will Further Reduce Patient Access to Care July 5, 2018Health Care Sabotage: Impact of Sabotage on the Exchanges July 5, 2018Did CMS’s Partnership to Improve Dementia Care Reduce the Inappropriate Prescribing of Antipsychotic Drugs for Nursing Home Residents as Much as CMS Claims? Two Recent Studies Say No June 28, 2018Center for Medicare Advocacy Discusses Nursing Home Resident Protections with CMS Administrator Seema Verma June 28, 2018Health Care Sabotage: Another Attempt at ACA Repeal June 28, 2018Tipping the Scales Toward Medicare Advantage (at the Expense of Medicare) June 21, 2018Does Observation Status Undercut Claims that Hospital Readmissions Have Been Reduced? MedPAC Says No, Research Says Yes. June 21, 2018World Elder Abuse Awareness Day at the UN June 21, 2018Home Health Pre-Claim Review Demonstration Model, Take Two June 14, 2018Health Care Sabotage: DOJ Won’t Defend the Affordable Care Act June 14, 2018Nursing Home Residents at Risk June 14, 2018Read the Center’s Comments on Proposed Reimbursement for Skilled Nursing Facilities June 14, 2018Take a Moment to Acknowledge World Elder Abuse Awareness Day June 14, 2018Center for Medicare Advocacy Emphasizes Need to Protect Nursing Home Residents at Congressional Briefing June 7, 2018Medicare Prior Authorization Requirement for Power Wheelchairs Expanding Nationwide Effective September 1, 2018 June 7, 2018The Right Way to Lower Medicare Prescription Drug Costs June 7, 2018Medicare Trustees Report: Stop Overpaying Private Plans & Underfunding Medicare June 6, 2018More Health Care Sabotage May Be Coming Soon if Short-Term Plans are Allowed May 31, 2018Advocates Raise Concerns About Inaccuracies and Bias in Draft MEDICARE & YOU Handbook May 31, 2018Center for Medicare Advocacy Submits Comments to CMS about Direct Provider Contracting Proposal May 31, 2018Health Care Sabotage: Graham-Cassidy Redux? May 23, 2018Buying and Selling Nursing Homes: Who’s Looking Out for the Residents? May 23, 2018CMS Tries Again: Another New Skilled Nursing Facility Medicare Reimbursement System Proposed – If Implemented, Would Gut Therapy May 17, 2018Health Care Sabotage: More on Short-Term Limited-Duration “Junk” Plans May 17, 2018Home Health Highlight: People Can Leave Home and Still Receive Medicare-Covered Home Care May 17, 2018CMS Issues Request for Information on “Direct Provider Contracting:” Beneficiary Advocates Take Note May 10, 2018If it Looks Like Health Care Sabotage and it Sounds Like Health Care Sabotage… May 10, 2018Corporate Integrity Agreements and Nursing Homes May 10, 2018Medicare Home Health Coverage is Not a Short Term Benefit ‒ Congress Reiterated This in the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 (BBA ’97) May 3, 2018Center for Medicare Advocacy Submits Comments on New CMS Medicare Marketing May 3, 2018Older Americans Month 2018 May 3, 2018The Sabotage of Health Care Continues – Center Comments on “Junk Plans” April 26, 2018State of Decay: Report Examines Oral Health for Older Americans April 26, 2018NPR Observation Status Story: How Medicare’s Conflicting Hospitalization Rules Cost Me Thousands Of Dollars April 26, 2018Choose Medicare Act Introduced – Improving Medicare, Moving Toward Universal Coverage April 19, 2018The Sabotage of Health Care Continues – Important News April 19, 2018The Center for Medicare Advocacy and Florida Health Justice Project Sue to Obtain “Off-label” Part D Prescription Drug Coverage for Beneficiary April 19, 2018Nursing Home Roundup April 12, 2018Congress Poised to Vote for Harmful Balanced Budget Amendment April 12, 2018Fact Sheet – Medicare Home Health Coverage In Light of Jimmo v. Sebelius April 12, 2018Fact Sheet – Skilled Nursing Facility Coverage and Jimmo v. Sebelius April 5, 2018This Week in Health Care Sabotage April 5, 2018Administrative Law Judge Rules Medicare Covers Outpatient Therapy to Maintain Function, Indefinitely if Needed April 5, 2018Elder Justice Newsletter – March 2018 April 5, 2018Reflections on the 5th Annual National Voices of Medicare Summit and Senator Jay Rockefeller Lecture April 3, 2018Highlights from FY18 “Omnibus” Appropriations Bill: Some Good, Some Not-So-Good News March 29, 2018This Week in Healthcare Sabotage: Double Digit Rate Hikes Expected and Proposed “Conscience” Rules March 29, 2018Elder Justice Alert: New York Times Publishes Article on Drug Use Among Older Adults March 29, 2018Eighth Anniversary of the Affordable Care Act March 23, 2018Tipping the Scales Toward Medicare Advantage March 21, 2018CMS Clarifies 3-Hour “Rule” Should Not Preclude Medicare-Covered Inpatient Rehabilitation Hospital Care March 15, 2018Proposed CMS Payment Rules Will Worsen the Home Care Crisis March 15, 2018Center for Medicare Advocacy Submits Comments to CMS’ Draft 2019 Call Letter for Medicare Advantage and Part D March 8, 2018This Week in Healthcare Sabotage: Administration Wants Older People to Pay More March 8, 2018JAMA Calls for Release of Medicare Advantage Data – A Full Review of MA is Long Overdue March 8, 2018Bill to Control Medicare Prescription Drug Costs Introduced March 8, 2018Judith Stein to Receive 2018 American Medical Rehabilitation Providers Association Chairman’s Award March 1, 2018A Big Week In Health Care Sabotage March 1, 2018Medicare Home Health Highlight March 1, 2018Hospitalists Continue to Oppose Observation Status and Call for Significant Change March 1, 2018Congress DID Repeal Outpatient Therapy Caps Despite Lack of Information on Medicare.gov March 1, 2018This Week in Healthcare Sabotage February 22, 2018Latest Nursing Home Rights Issue Alert February 22, 2018Medicare Home Health Highlight February 22, 2018House Passes Bill Jeopardizing Civil Rights of Individuals with Disabilities February 22, 2018Toolkit: Medicare Home Health Coverage & Jimmo v. Sebelius February 15, 2018Health Care Sabotage Continues February 14, 2018Congress Repeals Medicare Outpatient Therapy Caps, Strengthening the Jimmo Settlement Agreement February 14, 2018Elder Justice Alert: Human Rights Watch Publishes In-Depth Report on Antipsychotic Drug Use in U.S. Nursing Homes February 7, 2018Barriers to Home Care Created by CMS Payment, Quality Measurement, and Fraud Investigation Systems February 7, 2018Center for Medicare Advocacy Comments on HHS Request for Information January 31, 2018Outpatient Therapy Caps: What Now? January 31, 2018Nursing Home Resident’s Rights Newsletter – January Edition January 31, 2018Kaiser Family Foundation Issues Report on Medicare Beneficiaries’ Out-of-Pocket Spending January 31, 2018State of the Union Speech Touches on Health Care Issues January 31, 2018How to Listen to Tonight’s State of the Union Address January 30, 2018Lawsuit Challenging Chronic SNF Understaffing Settled for $72 Million January 24, 2018CMS to Propose Revising the Nursing Home Requirements of Participation January 24, 2018Medicare Advantage Enrollees Have Fewer SNF Options than Traditional Medicare Beneficiaries January 24, 2018Remember People with Medicare in Renewed Spending Bill Debates January 24, 2018Health Care Sabotage Continues January 17, 2018Reminder: Objections to Home Health Appeals Settlement Due February 5, 2018 January 17, 2018Medicare Home Health Access Problems Continue January 17, 2018Center for Medicare Advocacy Submits Comments to Proposed Rule re: Medicare Advantage and Part D January 17, 2018Remembering Martin Luther King in 2018 January 10, 20182018 CT Medicare Savings Programs January 10, 2018New LTCCC Issue Alert: Nursing Home Staffing Requirements January 10, 2018CMA Alert – Home Health News; More SNF Enforcement News January 3, 2018CMA Alert -Spotlight on SNF Enforcement December 27, 2017CMA Alert – Tax Cuts will Hurt, Not Help; Sherman Fairness Hearing Set; “Homebound” Settlement Objections Due; More December 20, 2017CMA Alert – SNF Enforcement Halted; Know Your Medicare Appeals; Ultimate Health Care Sabotage; More December 6, 2017CMA Alert – The REST of the Tax Cut Plan; “Jimmo” Improvement Standard Update; QMB News; Enrollment Periods End Soon November 30, 2017Help Stop the Devastating Tax Bills. Call Congress Now! November 29, 2017CMA Alert – Comments on Comments: Nursing Home Enforcement Weakened; More November 28, 2017CMA Alert – You CAN Leave the Nursing Home; 2018 Cost-Sharing; Enrollment Reminder; Talk Turkey About Taxes November 21, 2017Tax Bill Talking Points and Action Steps November 17, 2017House Passes Damaging Tax Bill, Health Advocates Urge Senate to Rethink Their Plan November 16, 2017Alert – Tax Cut Harm Just Got Worse; This Week in Sabotage; CMS Pushing MA Plans; SNF Deregulation November 15, 2017Tax Cut Bill Just Got Worse. Health Care at Risk. November 15, 2017Alert – Spotlight on Medicare Home Health Care; Tax Cuts Set Stage for Medicare/Medicaid Cuts; ACA News November 8, 2017CMA Alert – It’s Enrollment Season; CMS Reissues HH Booklet; “Homebound” Case Settlement; More November 1, 2017Federal Judge Fails to Protect Affordable Care Act Subsidies October 26, 2017CMA Alert – Remember You CAN Choose Original Medicare; Equitable Relief; This Week’s Sabotage News October 25, 2017CMA Alert, October 18, 2017 – Nursing Home Rights Roundup; ACA Stabilization; More October 18, 2017CMA Alert – Open Enrollment Tips; ACA Sabotage; More October 11, 2017CMA Alert – Changes to Help QMBs; Home Health Updates; ACA Sabotage October 4, 2017CMA Alert – Harmful Proposed Home Health Rules; Equitable Relief Ending Soon; ACA Sabotage September 27, 2017World Alzheimer’s Day 2017 – September 21 September 21, 2017CMA Alert – Graham Cassidy is Just Worse; SNF Disaster Requirements; More September 20, 2017URGENT: ACA Repeal Effort Renewed Through Graham-Cassidy Bill. This is Not a Drill – Action Needed! September 15, 2017Moving Forward: Let’s Improve Medicare September 13, 2017Annotated Bibliography: Observation Status September 13, 2017CMA Alert – Congress Returns, Still Threatening Health Care; ACA Sabotage; More September 7, 2017The Medicare Rights Center and the Center for Medicare Advocacy Develop New Partnership with Support from The Retirement Research Foundation September 6, 2017CMA Alert – OIG Warns of Abuse in SNFs; Ted Kennedy, Jr. Joins CMA Advisory Board; “Jimmo” Corrective Action Plan August 30, 2017CMA Alert – Joint Replacement Model Undermines Care; OTC Hearing Aids Legislation Passed; More August 23, 2017Statement by Center for Medicare Advocacy Executive Director Judith Stein August 17, 2017CMA Alert – Critical Issue Roundup: MA Overpayment; HH Payment; Observation; More August 16, 2017CMA Alert – SNF Update: Comments on Reimbursement; Civil Money Penalties Weakened August 9, 2017CMA Alert – Home Health Care Crisis; SSDI Anniversary August 2, 2017CMA Alert – Still Fighting for Health Care as Medicare’s Anniversary Nears; New Fraud Warning July 26, 2017CMA Alert – Senate Health Bill, Again; Medicare Trustees Report; HH CoPs; More July 13, 2017An Update on the Steve Gleason Enduring Voices Act July 5, 2017Health Repeal Myths & Facts: The Fight Continues July 5, 2017Congress Leaves for the July 4th Recess, Health Care Repeal Remains a Threat – Continue to Make Your Voice Heard June 30, 2017Health Care Repeal Vote Postponed But the Fight is Not Over June 28, 2017Health Care Repeal Vote Postponed – But Keep the Pressure On June 27, 2017Real People Will be Harmed by House & Senate Health Repeal Bills June 26, 2017Senate Releases Draft of Bill to Undermine Health Coverage: Stop the “Better Care Reconciliation Act” June 22, 2017CMA Alert – The Fight Continues; Home Health Access Issues; World Elder Abuse Awareness Day June 21, 2017The Senate is Secretly Working to Gut Health Care – Bill Could Pass Soon! June 15, 2017CMA Alert – Harmful Proposed SNF Rules; Welcome Chiplin Senior Fellow Ben F. Belton June 14, 2017CMS Extends Comment Period for New Medicare Skilled Nursing Reimbursement System Until August 25, 2017 June 14, 2017Reversing Obama Rules, Trump Administration Proposes Allowing Nursing Homes to Require Pre-Dispute Arbitration Clauses as a Condition of Admission June 14, 2017Why is the Senate “Health Care” Bill a Secret? June 13, 2017CMA Alert – AHCA Still Looms; MA Disenrollment By Health Status June 7, 2017CMA Alert – Medicare Home Health Coverage Does Not Require Improvement; AHCA Undermines Medicare May 31, 2017CMA Alert – Budget Response: Abandoning Older Adults and People with Disabilities May 24, 2017CMA Alert – May 17, 2017 May 17, 2017Lifetime Limit Reached – ACA Saved Him. #ProtectOurCare May 10, 2017Medicare Oral Health News: District Court in Lodge Cautions Against Strict Application of Same Time/Same Dentist Rule May 10, 2017Brief Description of Medicare Home Health Coverage Under the Medicare Act May 3, 2017April is National Minority Health Month April 26, 2017Center Urges CMS to Preserve and Strengthen Consumer Protections in Medicare Advantage and Part D April 26, 2017Overview: The Crisis in Medicare Home Health Coverage and Access to Care April 19, 2017Insurer Reaches Agreement with Provider Network – After Frightening Medicare Advantage Enrollees April 19, 2017CMS Releases Final 2018 Call Letter: Too Little for Consumers April 12, 2017Reflections on the 4th Annual National Voices of Medicare Summit and Senator Jay Rockefeller Lecture: “Make good, necessary trouble” April 5, 2017Reflections on the 4th Annual National Voices of Medicare Summit March 31, 2017Medicaid is Essential for Millions of Medicare Beneficiaries March 8, 2017Look for the Moon! March 1, 2017Health Savings Accounts and Medicare Beneficiaries March 1, 2017President Trump’s Address to Congress Brings No New News on Health March 1, 2017Back to the Future: High Risk Pools Annotated Bibliography February 22, 2017Repealing Medicaid Expansion Could Lead to Thousands of Deaths in the U.S. Annually February 22, 2017CMS Issues Instructions Regarding the Medicare Outpatient Observation Notice (MOON) February 15, 2017Affordable Care Act Replacement Proposals – Concerns and Resources February 15, 2017Issue Brief: CMS Issues New Rules Governing Medicare Appeals February 8, 2017Court Orders Corrective Action Plan for Government’s Noncompliance with Settlement in Jimmo v. Burwell February 2, 2017New Study: Uninsured Rates for Older Adults will Increase if ACA is Repealed or Medicare Eligibility Age is Raised February 1, 2017Issue Brief: Nursing Home Residents in Jeopardy if Medicaid Becomes a Block Grant February 1, 2017Opening Salvo on ACA Replacement Falls Short January 25, 2017HHS Nominee Price Faced Senate HELP Committee Today – Unanswered Questions Remain January 18, 2017CMS Bulletin Moves to Improve Access to Durable Medical Equipment for Dually Eligible Beneficiaries January 18, 2017What’s at Stake In the Fight to Sustain Medicare, Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act (ACA) January 11, 2017National Call-In Day: Protect Our Health Care January 10, 2017HHS Inspector General: Observation Status is a Growing Problem for Patients January 4, 2017“Cures” Act Tips the Scales Even Further in Favor of Medicare Advantage Over Traditional Medicare December 28, 2016Reports Highlight Devastating Effects of Repealing the Affordable Care Act and Turning Medicaid into Block Grants December 14, 2016Hospitals Must Give Patients Notice of Their Observation Status, Beginning March 8, 2017 December 14, 2016Protect Our Health Care: It’s All Connected – ACA, Medicaid and Medicare are All Under Threat December 7, 2016Plenty of Sensible Changes to Help and Preserve Medicare November 30, 2016Medicare is not “Going Broke” November 30, 201610 Things To Be Thankful For, From the Center for Medicare Advocacy November 23, 2016Truth: Obamacare Helps Medicare November 16, 2016Nursing Home “Advancing Excellence” Quality Program Ends after a Decade November 16, 20162017 Medicare Cost Sharing November 16, 2016Moving Forward with Hope November 10, 2016What Would Work Better for You? Deciding Between Traditional Medicare and a Medicare Advantage Plan November 9, 2016Observation Status Impedes Access to End-of-Life Skilled Nursing Facility Care November 3, 201610 Questions to Ask Before Deciding Between Traditional Medicare and a Medicare Advantage Plan November 3, 2016CMS Rescinds Erroneous Medicare Nursing Home Policy October 26, 2016CMS Suspends New Applications for MA “Seamless Conversion” Enrollment October 26, 2016Barriers to Medigap Coverage for Beneficiaries Under Age 65 October 26, 2016Don’t Believe that Medicare is “Going Broke” October 26, 2016Medicare Annual Enrollment Period Has Begun – Ends December 7 October 19, 2016Minimal Social Security COLA Increase Will Likely Lead to Dramatic Part B Premium Increases for Some, Large Deductible Increase for All, Unless Congress Intervenes October 19, 2016Medicare & You 2017 Now Available October 19, 2016Medicare May Be Helpful in the Event of a Disaster or Emergency October 13, 2016Don’t be Fooled by the Federal Nursing Home Five-Star Quality Rating System October 5, 2016New Nursing Home Requirements of Participation: A Missed Opportunity October 5, 2016An Open Letter to CMS About Fraud September 28, 2016Stop Calling Inpatients Outpatients: Medicare Created Observation Status – Ask Them to Change It! September 23, 2016Medicare Affordability and Enrollment Act: Important Protection Introduced for Beneficiaries September 22, 2016Transition of Coverage: The Affordable Care Act and Medicare September 21, 2016Center for Medicare Advocacy Launches Home Health Access Initiative To Open Doors to Home Health Care September 15, 2016The Promise of Medicare Home Health Coverage September 13, 2016CMS Increases Civil Money Penalty Amounts, Including for Nursing Homes and MA Plans September 7, 2016New Beneficiary Help Line for ALJ Appeals Results from CMA Litigation September 7, 2016Free Webinar: Transitions Onto (and Off Of) Medicare for Individuals Under Age 65 September 7, 2016The Center’s Long-Time Concerns Gain Attention August 31, 2016Center for Medicare Advocacy Submits Comments on Troubling Proposed Rules August 31, 2016Submit Your Observation Status Story August 29, 2016Proposed Rules Will Add to Problems Accessing Necessary Home Health Care August 24, 2016Jimmo v. Sebelius Return to Court: Judge Orders Medicare Agency to Provide More Education per Settlement in “Improvement Standard” Case August 24, 2016CMA Organizes Sign-On Letter Concerning CMS Request for Information Regarding Dually-Eligible Beneficiaries’ Access to DME August 24, 2016CMS Increases Mandatory Enforcement to Protect Nursing Home Residents August 17, 2016Court Allows Medicare “Rubber Stamp” Case to Go Forward and Certifies Nationwide Class August 10, 2016Center for Medicare Advocacy Presents at National SHIP and SMP Conference about Medicare for Beneficiaries Under 65 August 10, 2016Issue Brief Examines Oral Health for Older Adults in California August 10, 2016Observation Status Hurts Medicare Beneficiaries – Whether they have NOTICE or Not August 10, 2016CMS Delays Implementation of NOTICE Act Until Fall 2016 August 4, 2016Exley v. Burwell: Settlement In Medicare Appeals Delay Case Granted Final Approval August 4, 2016New CMS Research Looks at Health Disparities Impacting Older LGBT People July 27, 2016Kaiser Family Foundation Issue BriefTurning Medicare Into a Premium Support System: Frequently Asked Questions July 26, 2016A Model to Waive the Three-Day Inpatient Hospital Stay Requirement for Care in a Skilled Nursing Facility July 20, 2016Democratic and Republican Party Platforms: Side-by-Side Comparison of Issues Important to Medicare Beneficiaries July 20, 2016Proper Use of Electronic Health Records Could Enhance Patient Care July 14, 2016President Calls On Congress to Add a Public Option to the Affordable Care Act July 13, 2016New York Times Article on Noninvasive Alternative to Dental Fillings July 13, 2016Proposed Rule: Access to DME for Dually Eligible People July 6, 2016Medicare’s Value-Based Purchasing Program for Hospitals: Paying More to Low-Cost Hospitals That Provide Low Quality Care July 6, 2016Medicare Part D and Off-Label Rx Denials June 29, 2016Organizing for Comprehensive Oral Health Care June 29, 2016Center for Medicare Advocacy Submits Comments on Proposed MACRA Rule June 29, 2016Medicare Trustees Report 2016 June 22, 2016GAO Report Highlights Certain Problems with Medicare Appeals June 22, 2016The Center for Medicare Advocacy Submits Comments on Proposed Rule for Hospice June 22, 2016Center Comments on Proposed Rules for Medicare Skilled Nursing Facilities June 22, 2016SHIP Funding In Danger June 15, 2016Elder Abuse in Nursing Facilities: The Over-Administration of Antipsychotic Drugs to Nursing Home Residents June 15, 2016New Report Supports Need for Advancing Medicare Coverage for Hearing Loss June 8, 2016Former CMS Administrator Says Expand Medicare Access to Dental Care June 8, 2016DME: GAO Releases Study on Utilization and Expenditures for Complex Wheelchair Accessories June 8, 2016Medicare Beneficiaries Still Prefer Traditional Medicare June 8, 2016Exley v. Burwell: Fairness Hearing on Class Action Settlement about Delays in ALJ Appeals Rescheduled to August 1, 2016 June 2, 2016Case Study: Enrolled In a Medicare Advantage Plan Without Her Knowledge Through “Seamless Conversion Enrollment” June 1, 2016CMS Releases Public Use File for the Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey May 25, 2016New Report Highlights National Epidemic of Medical Errors May 25, 2016Report Studies Oral Health in Older Adults May 25, 2016More on Observation Status: CMS Halts Review of Hospitals’ Compliance with Two-Midnight Rule May 25, 2016Federal Court Issues Favorable Off-label Part D Drug Coverage Decision May 18, 2016Value of Inpatient Rehabilitation Hospital Care Reaffirmed May 18, 2016Center for Medicare Advocacy and Partners Meet with CMS to Discuss Medicare Coverage of Oral Health Care May 11, 2016Government Auditor Finds Billions in Improper Payments to Medicare Advantage Plans Coupled with Inadequate Oversight by Federal Regulator May 11, 2016Center Submits Comments in Support of Part B Drug Demonstration May 11, 2016CMS Issues Many Important Proposed Medicare Rules May 4, 2016Observation Status and the NOTICE Act: Advocates Not Over the MOON April 27, 2016Reducing Hospital Readmissions by Addressing the Causes April 18, 2016Improving Quality of Care for Nursing Home Residents by Improving Wages, Benefits, Training and Working Conditions for Nurse Aides April 13, 2016Notice About the Center’s Nurse Staffing Project April 13, 2016Center Submits Comments to CMS Opposing Prior Authorization of Home Health Services April 6, 2016Reauthorization of the Older Americans Act March 30, 2016International Study: Privatization of Long-Term Care Facilities Does Not Lead to Greater Transparency or More Care March 23, 2016CMS Proposes Changes in How It Pays for Part B Drugs March 23, 2016CMS Policy Change Allows Windfall for Medicare Advantage Plans Under Sanction March 16, 2016Time for Medicare to Cover Audiology Care March 16, 2016Center for Medicare Advocacy Submits Comments Regarding Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D March 9, 2016Medicare’s Home Health Benefit Under Threat March 2, 2016Attention Patients and Prescribers of Part D Drugs March 2, 2016Can Electronic Health Records Help Advance Quality Health Care for Older LGBT Patients? February 25, 2016Medicare General Enrollment Period Runs January through March 31; Offers Opportunities for Help Paying Medicare Cost-Sharing February 17, 2016The President’s Proposed FY 2017 Budget: The Impact on Medicare February 10, 2016New Medicare Administrative Contractor for Durable Medical Equipment (Effective June 27, 2016) February 3, 2016New Eligibility and Enrollment Materials from CMS February 3, 2016Center Submits Comments to Senate Finance Committee’s Bipartisan Chronic Care Working Group (CCWG) February 3, 2016RNs and CNAs Work Fewer Hours in Nursing Facilities that Serve Predominately Ethnic and Racial Minority Residents January 27, 2016Remove Barriers to Obtaining Medicare Covered Drugs January 20, 2016National Healthcare Decisions Day: April 16, 2016 January 20, 2016“Discharge” from a Skilled Nursing Facility: What Does it Mean and What Rights Does a Resident Have? January 13, 2016CMS Final Rule for Prior Authorization Process for Certain Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) January 6, 2016The Center for Medicare Advocacy Responds to Requests for Comments from CMS December 30, 2015CMS Hosts Tele Town Hall on Hospital Observation NOTICE Act; Comments Accepted until January 4, 2016 December 23, 20152016 Budget: Impact on Medicare and Health Care December 23, 2015The Public Cost of Low-Wage Nursing Home Jobs: Pennsylvania Proposals to Stop Hidden Public Subsidies to Nursing Home Industry December 23, 2015Yet Again, Value-Based Purchasing Did Not Improve Quality December 16, 2015Proposed Appeals Legislation Leaves Unanswered Questions December 10, 2015Office of Inspector General Authorizes Hospitals to Discount or Waive Certain Drug Charges for Patients Classified as “Outpatients” December 10, 2015Revisions to “Two-Midnight Rule” Do Not Help Hospitalized Medicare Patients in Observation Status December 2, 2015COBRA III: Cautions for Employees of Small Businesses November 30, 2015COBRA and Medicare, Part II November 29, 2015People with Medicare Beware: COBRA Is Not Coverage as a “Current” Employee November 24, 2015Department of Health and Human Services Forum on Drug Pricing and Innovation November 24, 2015Budget Act of 2015 Increases Penalties for Programs under the Social Security Act, Including Nursing Facilities November 18, 2015Discharge Planning: Tips for Evaluating a Hospital’s Skilled Nursing Facility Placement Choices November 17, 2015Update: Medicare Coverage for Ambulance Services November 12, 2015Proposed Revisions to Requirements for Discharge Planning for Hospitals, Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs), and Home Health Agencies (HHAs) November 12, 20152016 Cost-Sharing Announced November 12, 2015Budget Deal Averting Steep Part B Premium & Deductible Increases Signed Into Law November 4, 2015House Passes Budget Agreement That Would Reduce Dramatic Rise in Part B Costs for Beneficiaries – Bill Moves to Senate; Advocates Remain Concerned About Underlying Causes October 28, 2015CMS Proposed Rules for Nursing Facility Requirements of Participation: Center for Medicare Advocacy Submits Comments October 23, 2015Kaiser Family Foundation Report on Income and Assets of Medicare Beneficiaries October 23, 2015Solution to Medicare Part B Cost Increases? Look at “Outpatient” Observation Status October 23, 2015Part B and the Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) October 15, 2015Kaiser Family Foundation Releases Reports on MA and Part D in 2016 October 15, 2015Medicare Annual Enrollment Period Starts Today (October 15) and Ends December 7 October 15, 2015Advocacy Organizations Support Legislation to Mitigate Huge Part B Premium/Deductible Increases October 8, 2015Center for Medicare Advocacy Files Civil Rights Complaint on Behalf of People Who Need Lower Limb Prostheses October 8, 2015CMS Unveils New Web-Based Resource for Employers October 1, 2015GAO Issues Report Concerning CMS Oversight of Medicare Advantage Provider Network Adequacy October 1, 2015Center Urges Action on Drastic Part B Premium Increase October 1, 2015CMS Reopens Public Comment Period for Proposed Revisions to the Nursing Home Requirements of Participation September 17, 2015Center Submits Comments to CMS Proposal Concerning Medicare Advantage Value-Based Insurance Design Model September 17, 2015New From Social Security: Replace Your Medicare Card Online September 10, 2015Center Submits Comments to CMS on Physician Fee Schedule, Joint Replacement Model Proposed Rules September 10, 2015CMS Introduces Plan to Address Health Equity in Medicare September 10, 2015Center for Medicare Advocacy Submits Comments in Three Key areas to Keep Medicare Accessible for People In Need September 3, 2015Medicare Coverage of Skilled Care: Nine Services that are Skilled by Definition August 27, 2015CMS Report Finds Access to Care Problems for Low-Income Medicare Beneficiaries August 27, 2015Observation Status Again! August 20, 2015Social Security – 9 Facts You May Not Know August 20, 2015We Celebrate Social Security and all Those Who Work to Keep it Strong August 14, 2015Case Study: Home Health Coverage and Medicare Advantage Plan Responsibilities August 13, 2015Medicare Can Help People In Rural Areas Access Mental Health Care August 13, 2015Observation Status: The NOTICE Act Will Soon Be Law August 6, 2015Better Medicare Coverage of Speech Generating Devices August 6, 2015Medicare is 50! July 30, 2015Reports of Import – Trustees and Kaiser Family Foundation July 23, 2015Rep. Dingell Calls for Medicare Coverage of Hearing Aids July 16, 2015Proposed Requirements of Participation for Nursing Facilities Do Not Strengthen Standards for Residents July 16, 2015Steve Gleason Act Passes in Congress: Center for Medicare Advocacy is Proud to Partner with Team Gleason July 16, 2015Proposed Revisions to “Two-Midnight” Rule Provide Little, If Any, Relief for Medicare Beneficiaries Stuck in the Hospital in Observation Status July 9, 2015The Jimmo Implementation Council July 2, 2015Center for Medicare Advocacy Submits Comments to Senate Finance Committee and CMS Regarding Important Health Care Proposals June 25, 2015Advancing Excellence: Very Few Nursing Homes are “Full Active Participants” and Nearly Half of Them Provide Poor Care June 18, 2015Non-Emergent Ambulance Transport: Don’t Lose Out on Coverage June 11, 2015Is the Movement for a Higher Minimum Wage Coming to Health Care? June 4, 2015Senate Finance Committee Approves Medicare Audit and Appeal Reform Bill June 4, 2015The Medicare Dental Exclusion: Is it Being Used to Deny Vulnerable Beneficiaries Needed Care? May 28, 2015Saga of an Inpatient Hospital Appeal: Notice and Use of Lifetime Reserve Days and Comments on Observation Status May 21, 2015Bundling Payments for Post-Acute Care May 14, 2015Center Attorneys Meet with Senate Finance Committee Staff Members About Changes to Medicare Appeals Process May 7, 2015Senate Finance Committee Holds Hearing on Medicare Appeals Backlog – Proposed Solutions Are of Great Concern April 30, 2015Medicare Takes a Big Step Forward to Help People Communicate – But There’s More to Do April 30, 2015Observation Status Update April 23, 2015Congress Passes “Doc Fix” – Senate Unable to Improve the Bill for Medicare Beneficiaries April 16, 2015Medicare Myths vs. Facts – “Doc Fix” Edition April 9, 2015Final 2016 CMS Call Letter for Medicare Parts C and D Released April 9, 2015The 2015 National Voices of Medicare Summit April 2, 2015Center for Medicare Advocacy Co-Authors Report Published by the Kaiser Family Foundation Comparing Consumer Protections in Major Health Plans March 26, 2015Observation Status Bills Reintroduced in Both the House and the Senate (H.R. 1571/S. 843) March 26, 2015“Doc Fix” Package Passed by House Takes Too Much from Beneficiaries with Too Little In Return March 26, 2015No Way to Celebrate Medicare’s 50th: Proposed Congressional Budgets Offer More of the Same, Less for Medicare and Beneficiaries March 18, 2015Ongoing “Doc Fix” Negotiations March 18, 2015National Public Radio Program Features CMS’s New Quality Rating System for Nursing Homes March 18, 2015Antipsychotic Drugs and Nursing Home Residents: What Do the Different Numbers Mean? March 12, 2015Center for Medicare Advocacy Submits Comments to Draft 2016 Call Letter for Medicare Parts C and D March 12, 2015Has CMS’s Partnership with the Nursing Home Industry Really Reduced the Inappropriate Use of Antipsychotic Drugs by Nursing Home Residents as Much as CMS Claims? No. March 5, 2015Changes to Nursing Home Compare and the Five Star Quality Rating System February 26, 20152016 Medicare Advantage (Part C) and Part D Final Rule Issued February 19, 2015Medicaid Expansion Update February 12, 2015The President’s Proposed FY 2016 Budget: The Impact on Medicare February 5, 2015“Until there is a cure, technology is the cure.” February 5, 2015CMS Tool for Assessing Civil Money Penalties Imposed Against Nursing Facilities Continues to Ensure that Penalties Will Remain Low January 29, 2015Observation Status and the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission January 22, 2015Appeals Court Allows Hospital Patients in “Observation Status” to Continue Court Case January 22, 20153. Medicare Saves Lives January 22, 20152. Medicare Reduced Poverty January 16, 2015Twelfth Largest U.S. Nursing Home Company Sued for Inadequate Staffing January 15, 20151. Medicare Was Key to Integrating Hospitals January 8, 2015The Year In Review: Good News In Medicare & Health Care December 18, 2014No Site Neutral Payments for Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities and Skilled Nursing Facilities December 11, 2014Medicaid-Medicare Dual Eligible Updates December 4, 2014Changes to Nursing Home Compare: Some Good, Some Bad November 20, 2014Affordable Care Act Enrollment Season Begins Saturday for 2015 Coverage November 13, 2014Suppliers Objections to DMEPOS Competitive Bidding; CMA Comments in Response to CMS Requests; More November 6, 2014Federal Case Settled for Vermont Plaintiff in Landmark Jimmo v. Sebelius Class Action − Medicare Coverage Finally Granted for Jimmo’s Skilled Maintenance Care October 30, 2014Update on MA and Part D Plans October 23, 2014Administration Plans Major Improvements to Nursing Home Compare October 16, 20142015 Medicare Cost Sharing October 9, 2014Hospice Patients’ Rights Enhanced by New Medicare Rule October 2, 2014Annual Enrollment for Medicare Advantage & Part D: October 15 – December 7 September 18, 2014New Resources to Help LTC Facility Staff Work with LGBT Older Persons and Their Families August 28, 2014Center for Medicare Advocacy Sues to Fix Broken Medicare Appeals System August 28, 2014Nursing Facilities Owned by Private Equity Firms: Fewer Nurses, More Deficiencies August 20, 2014Observation Status: Mixed Messages from Federal Government as Beneficiaries Continue to be Hurt August 14, 2014Medicare and Telemedicine (or Telehealth) August 7, 2014Medicare Advantage Patient Bill of Rights Legislation Introduced in Congress August 1, 2014Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities and Skilled Nursing facilities: Vive La Difference! July 31, 2014Hospice and Access to Medications Update: CMS Replacement Guidance July 24, 2014CMS Restructures Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) Program July 17, 2014Delivery and Set-Up Guidelines for Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) July 10, 2014Memorandum: GAO and OIG Reports Note No Problems In Beneficiary Access to DMEPOS. Beneficiary Advocates Disagree. July 10, 2014Corporations Don’t Bleed: The Disturbing Hobby Lobby Decision July 3, 2014The DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Process: Is It Working? June 26, 2014Observation Status – Notice and Appeal June 19, 2014The Center Joins 26 Other Organizations in Calling for Suspension of Hospice and Part D Guidance June 12, 2014Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement (QAPI) In Nursing Homes: Diverting CMS Attention from Enforcement June 12, 2014Medicare’s Reluctance to Embrace Technology: Effects on the Coverage of Speech Generating Devices June 5, 2014Further Federal Protections for Same-Sex Married Couples May 29, 2014Harm from Medicare’s Hospital Observation Status Debated In Congressional Hearing – Center for Medicare Advocacy Presents Beneficiary Perspective May 21, 2014Senior Policy Attorney Toby S. Edelman Testifies about Observation Status before Congress May 15, 2014Bill Introduced to Ensure Equality Under Social Security for Same-Sex Spouses May 15, 2014Federal Nursing Home Enforcement System is Not Punitive: Setting the Record Straight Again May 8, 2014Submitting Claims to Part D for Prescription Drugs Administered in the Hospital During an Observation Status Stay May 1, 2014April is Minority Health Month April 24, 2014Tinkering With Hospice: The Medicare Care Choices Model April 24, 2014The Myth of Improved Quality in Nursing Home Care: Setting the Record Straight Again April 17, 2014Hospice and Access to Medications – New CMS Guidance April 10, 2014Medicare Physician Payment – Another One-Year Fix Passes Congress, With Usual “Extenders” and Some New, Permanent Payment Policies April 3, 2014Reflections on the 1st Annual National Voices of Medicare Summit and Senator Jay Rockefeller Lecture March 27, 2014OIG Report: Care in Skilled Nursing Facilities Harmed Nearly One-Third of Medicare Residents in August 2011 March 19, 2014Center Executive Director Judith Stein Testifies Before House Energy & Commerce Committee about Medicare Advantage Plans March 13, 2014Staffing Deficiencies in Nursing Facilities: Rarely Cited, Seldom Sanctioned March 7, 2014The President’s Proposed FY 2015 Budget: The Impact on Medicare March 6, 2014Medicare Advantage Payment Reductions Are Good News for Medicare February 27, 2014New Study: CMS’s New 2-Midnight Rule Increases Hospital’s Use of Observation Status February 20, 2014MSP Reporting Threshold Change – 2/18/2014 February 20, 20142014 Income and Resource Information for Medicare Low-Income Programs February 6, 2014Jimmo Class Members Can Now Have Their Coverage Denials Re-Reviewed January 30, 2014CMA Report: Inappropriate Use of Antipsychotic Drugs in Nursing Homes, Part Three – Recommendations to Improve the Citing of Deficiencies January 23, 2014Medicare Therapy Caps: A Call for Repeal January 16, 2014Medicare Hospice Care: We Want Your Stories! January 9, 2014Medicare Policy Manuals Revised as Required by Jimmo Settlement January 9, 2014CMA Report on Inappropriate Use of Antipsychotic Drugs in Nursing Homes – Part Two: What the Surveyors Say January 2, 2014Replacing the Broken Medicare Physician Payment Formula: At What Cost for People with Medicare? December 19, 2013Kaiser Family Foundation Report Finds Medicare Beneficiaries Have Very Good Access to Doctors December 19, 2013CMA Report: Examining Inappropriate Use of Antipsychotic Drugs in Nursing Facilities December 12, 2013Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans: Considerations for Reauthorization December 5, 2013Three Observation Status Bills Have Been Introduced; Only Congressman Courtney’s Has Immediate Promise November 27, 2013Atlantic Philanthropies Awards Center for Medicare Advocacy Three-Year Matching Grant for New and Increased Contributions November 21, 2013Misuse of Antipsychotic Drugs in Nursing Homes: Are We Making Any Progress? November 14, 2013New CMS Proposed Homebound Policy Would Leave Medicare Beneficiaries Without Coverage November 7, 2013New CMS Rules Do NOT Change Requirement for 3-Day Qualifying Inpatient Hospital Stay October 31, 2013New Report: Expanded Dental Coverage Needed to Confront Health Crisis October 24, 2013The Health Care Reform Marketplace is NOT for People with Medicare! October 17, 2013The Medicare Annual Coordinated Election Period Has Begun! October 17, 2013Caution: Home Health Episode Payment Caps October 10, 2013United Healthcare Dramatically Reducing CT Medicare Advantage Plans – Check in YOUR State October 10, 2013Health Insurance Marketplaces Open – What Does it Mean for You? October 3, 2013Medicare Secondary Payer: Web Portal to Collect Data on Conditional Payment Amounts and Claims Detail October 3, 2013Disappointing Decision from Court in Challenge to “Observation Status” Highlights Need to Pass Legislation September 26, 2013Federal Commission on Long-Term Care Concludes Its Work September 19, 2013Debunking Nursing Home Myths about Quality of Care and Enforcement of Federal Care Standards September 12, 2013Observation Status Round Up September 5, 2013Observation Status: New Final Rules from CMS Do Not Help Medicare Beneficiaries August 29, 2013CMA to Congress about Medicare Proposals: Protect Beneficiaries, Improve Access to Care August 21, 2013Demise of DOMA: Implementing Federal Benefits for Same-Sex Spouses August 15, 2013Observation Status: OIG Provides an Analysis and CMS Issues Final Regulations August 8, 2013Observation Status: “Morphed Into Madness” August 1, 2013Happy Birthday, Medicare! July 25, 2013Setting the Record Straight: The Social Security Disability Insurance Program July 18, 2013The Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act: Improving Enrollment in the Medicare Savings Program Five Years Later July 11, 2013Federal Commission on Long-Term Care Holds First Meeting July 3, 2013Celebrating Pride and Equality: New SSA Rules on Gender Discrimination & DOMA Ruling June 27, 2013Medicare’s National Mail Order Program for Diabetic Testing Supplies June 20, 2013Let DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Proceed While Addressing Identified Problems and Concerns June 13, 2013New Report: Immigrants and Immigration Reform are Good for Medicare June 6, 2013CMS Updates Guidance for Hospital Discharge Planning May 30, 2013Center for Medicare Advocacy Submits Joint Testimony to Congress on Medicare Reform Proposals May 23, 2013CMS Addresses Observation Status Again… And Again, No Help for Beneficiaries May 16, 2013Debunking Medicare Myths: Drug Rebates for Dual Eligibles May 8, 2013Immigration Reform and Access to Health Care May 2, 2013Privatization: Not Right for Medicaid, Not Right for Medicare April 25, 2013Medicare Paid $5.1 Billion to SNFs that Did Not Provide Care-Planning and Discharge-Planning (February 2013 OIG Report) April 18, 2013The Impact of the President’s Budget on People Who Depend on Medicare and Social Security April 11, 2013Medicare Benefit Redesign: Proposals to Restructure Could Hurt More than Help April 4, 2013CMS’ Proposed Rules on Observation Status Would Not Help Beneficiaries March 28, 2013Bills Concerning Hospital Observation Status Reintroduced March 21, 2013Happy Anniversary, Affordable Care Act March 21, 2013Medicare Advantage “Cuts?” Don’t Believe it. March 14, 2013Medicare and Mental Health March 14, 2013Protect Medicare: Reject Paul Ryan’s Budget Proposal March 14, 2013Honor Women’s History Month: Preserve a Strong Medicare Program March 7, 2013Sequester Update: Issues Facing Older and Disabled People March 7, 2013New CMS Website: Medicare Secondary Payer Conditional Payment Information February 21, 2013Translating DC-Speak: What Deficit Proposals Mean for Medicare Beneficiaries February 14, 2013Reminder: Medicare Advantage Disenrollment Period (MADP) Ends February 14th February 7, 2013Nursing Home Enforcement by United States Attorneys: What Happened to the Regulatory System? February 7, 2013Study Shows High Cost-Sharing Significantly Harms Family Health and Finances February 1, 2013The Worst-Performing Nursing Facilities Are Seldom Sanctioned; Self-Reporting is Not an Accurate Quality Measurement January 24, 2013Medicare Facts and Fiction: Costs and Spending Edition January 10, 2013Notes from the Cliff: The Deal and Its Impact on Medicare January 3, 2013States Can’t Get Full Federal Funding for Partial Medicaid Expansion December 27, 20122013 Medicare Cost-Sharing December 27, 2012Putting a Donut Hole Back in Medicare: Proposals to Increase Medigap Costs Put Vulnerable Beneficiaries at Risk December 20, 2012Warning: Medicare Payment Limits Are Bad for Health! December 13, 2012Special Report – Independence of Medicare Administrative Law Judges Threatened by Office of Inspector General’s Recommendations December 6, 2012Raising the Medicare Eligibility Age: A Costly and Dangerous Proposal November 29, 2012Déjà Vu All Over Again: CMS Decides (Again) Not to Decide About Observation Status November 20, 2012Deficit Reduction and Medicare: Save Money Without Harming Beneficiaries November 15, 2012The Affordable Care Act Moves Forward: What’s Up for 2013 November 8, 2012Medicare and ACA Facts and Updates; Jimmo Update November 1, 2012Settlement Reached to End Medicare’s “Improvement Standard” October 25, 2012Picking a Plan During the Annual Enrollment Period? Choose Carefully October 18, 2012CMA in Action: Judith Stein Testifies in Congress on the Ryan Plan to End Medicare October 4, 2012New Procedures for Review of Quality of Care Complaints September 27, 2012Making Sense of Medicare’s Preventive Service Benefits September 20, 2012Improving LGBT Health: The 2012 Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) Annual LGBT Report September 13, 2012How the Ryan Budget (and Republican Platform) Would Hurt Current Nursing Home Residents August 30, 2012We Don’t Need the Ryan Plan − Medicare Is Not Going Broke August 30, 2012Increased Funding for AIDS Drugs Assistance Program Responds to Need for Additional HIV/AIDS Services August 23, 2012CMS Clarifies When the Advance Beneficiary Notice of Non-Coverage (ABN) Must be Issued August 16, 2012The $700 Billion Medicare Myth August 16, 2012CMS Invites Public Comment on Observation Status August 9, 2012Medicare Secondary Payer (MSP) Program: Proposed Rules for the Treatment of Funds Intended for Future Medical Expenses August 2, 2012Organizations Unite to Urge Caution in Demonstration Programs Serving Low-Income Medicare Beneficiaries July 26, 2012More Concerns About Observation Status: Hospitals Join the Chorus July 12, 2012House Votes for 33rd Time to Repeal Health Reform July 12, 2012Good News for Medicare: Supreme Court Upholds Affordable Care Act July 5, 2012Supreme Court Upholds Health Care Reform, Including Improvements to Medicare June 28, 2012MedPAC Reviews Blending Medicare and Medicaid June 21, 2012Honoring LGBT Pride Month: New Resources Available June 21, 2012Recognizing Elder Abuse Awareness Day: Working Together to Curb Misuse of Powerful Antipsychotic Drugs in Nursing Homes June 14, 2012Brown University Confirms Observation Continues to Replace Hospital Admission Status June 7, 2012National Alzheimer’s Plan: A Step Forward, More Work Ahead May 17, 2012Low Staffing in Nursing Homes Leads to More Deaths May 3, 2012Affordable Care Act in Action: People with Medicare Continue to See Savings May 3, 2012Rewarding Mediocrity: GAO Report Concerning Medicare Advantage “Bonus” Payments April 26, 2012Fact vs. Fiction: Medicare is Not Going “Bankrupt” April 26, 2012Medicare Under Threat: Health Reform Versus the Ryan Budget April 5, 2012Health Care Reform On Trial March 29, 2012The Second Anniversary of Health Care Reform is Good News Will There be a Third? March 21, 2012Non-Profit vs. For-Profit Nursing Homes: Is there a Difference in Care? March 15, 2012Bad Apples: Combating Medicare Fraud While Ensuring Access for Beneficiaries March 8, 2012Congressional Subcommittee Examines Issues of Dental Health March 8, 2012New Medicare Summary Notice March 8, 2012Reducing Rehospitalizations… The Right Way March 1, 2012The President’s Proposed 2013 Budget: Impact on Medicare February 17, 2012Investing in Our Future: Strengthening Medicare for 2012 and Beyond February 9, 2012Center for Medicare Advocacy Files Amicus Brief In Support Of the Affordable Care Act February 2, 2012The Medicare Advance Beneficiary Notice of Non-Coverage (ABN): A Tool for Limiting Beneficiary Liability January 26, 2012Medicare Cost-Sharing for Qualified Medicare Beneficiaries January 19, 2012Voluntary Nursing Home Improvement Campaign Does Not Work January 11, 2012New Medicare Part D Pharmacy Notice Rule In Effect; Stay Tuned for Final Model Notice January 5, 2012Reminder: Medicare Covers Obesity Prevention with No Cost-Sharing January 5, 2012Payroll Tax Extension Includes Important Provisions for Medicare Beneficiaries December 29, 2011Special Focus Facility Study: Nursing Facilities’ Self-Regulation Cannot Replace Independent Surveys December 22, 2011Fall Updates! Enrollment; Antipsychotic Drugs in SNFs; DME December 1, 2011Forcing Dual Eligibles Into Private Health Plans is No Quick Fix November 22, 2011Supercommittee Update November 17, 2011Health Care Reform Update: Where Are We, and What’s Up for 2012? November 10, 2011Preserving Access to Necessary Care: Ending Hospital “Observation Status” November 3, 2011Federal Judge Refuses to Dismiss Medicare Beneficiaries’ Challenge to the Medicare “Improvement Standard” October 27, 2011Breaking Good News for Medicare Beneficiaries October 27, 20112012 Medicare Premiums, Deductibles and Co-Pays October 27, 2011Hospice – Care When It’s Needed Most October 20, 2011“Skin in the Game,” Health Equity and Deficit Reduction October 13, 2011Medicare Advantage and Part D Changes and Enrollment Updates October 6, 2011The President’s Plan for Economic Growth and Deficit Reduction: A First Look at the Impact on Medicare September 29, 2011COBRA: A Summary September 24, 2011Annual Enrollment Starts October 15 and Ends December 7 for Medicare Part C & Part D Plans September 22, 2011Study Finds that Use of Hospitalists Shifts Costs from Inpatient Care to Post-Discharge Setting September 8, 2011CMS to Begin Round Two of Its Competitive Bidding Program for the Provision of Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics and Supplies (DMEPOS) September 1, 2011Medicare Reimbursement For Skilled Nursing Facilities Remains High For 2012 Despite Reductions In Overpayments August 25, 2011The Changing Demographics of Nursing Home Care: Greater Minority Access… Good News, Bad News August 18, 2011Amended Appeal Rules for Employer and Individual Health Plans August 11, 2011What Does the Debt Ceiling Agreement Mean for Medicare? August 4, 2011CMS Revises Its Medicare Secondary Payer Collection Letters Following Haro v. Sebelius Decision July 28, 2011New Initiatives to Improve Services for Dual Eligibles July 15, 2011House Plans Vote to Slash Medicare and Social Security through Balanced Budget Amendment July 15, 2011Lower-Premium Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plans Take Effect in Many States July 7, 2011Real Solutions to Save Medicare Dollars in Skilled Nursing Facilities June 30, 2011CMS Permits States to Extend Certain Medicaid Spousal Protections to Same-Sex Couples June 23, 2011Why Medicaid Matters to People with Medicare June 16, 2011So, What Would You Do? Real Solutions for Medicare Solvency and Reducing the Deficit June 9, 2011Bittersweet Transitions at the Center for Medicare Advocacy June 2, 2011New Rules for Medicare Advantage and Part D Plans June 2, 2011Many Uninsured Individuals with Pre-Existing Conditions Will Find It Easier to Obtain Coverage June 2, 2011CMS Sends Out Reminders to LIS-Eligible Medicare Beneficiaries May 26, 2011Combating Fraud, Waste and Abuse in Health Care May 26, 20112011 Medicare Trustees Report May 19, 2011Send Us Medicare Summary Notices (MSNs) May 19, 2011Preserve Medicaid – Share Your Story! May 19, 2011Medicare Secondary Payer Practices that Harm Medicare Beneficiaries May 12, 2011Proposed Notice Requirements About Quality of Care: Endorsement, with Concerns May 5, 2011New Hospice Face-to-Face Requirement: Help or Hindrance? April 28, 2011Send Us Medicare Summary Notices (MSNs) April 25, 2011What Happens to Current Nursing Home Residents if the House Budget Resolution Becomes Law? April 21, 201125 Years of Medicare Advocacy, and Hope for 25 More April 14, 2011Keeping Medicare and Medicaid Strong? April 7, 2011Why Medicaid Matters to Medicare Beneficiaries and Their Families April 1, 2011Happy Anniversary, Health Care Reform March 23, 2011Reducing Antipsychotic Drug Use in Nursing Homes: Save Residents’ Lives, Save Medicare Billions of Dollars March 17, 2011Help Someone Retain Part D Extra Help March 17, 2011More Nurses in Nursing Homes Would Mean Fewer Patients Headed to Hospitals March 10, 2011Medicare General Enrollment Ends March 31st: Opportunity for Some to Access QMB Coverage March 3, 2011The Burden of Out-of-Pocket Costs on Medicare Beneficiaries February 24, 2011Medicare Secondary Payer Collection Requirements for Insurers Threaten Beneficiary Rights February 17, 2011Extension of Time to Enroll In a Prescription Drug Plan for Medicare Beneficiaries Who Lost Coverage February 10, 2011Concern over Skilled Nursing Facilities’ Upcoding Medicare Reimbursement Should Not Be Allowed to Deprive Residents of Necessary Care February 10, 2011Judge Rejects “Eden Alternative” Defense In Nursing Home Appeal February 3, 20112011 Poverty Levels Affect Eligibility for Many Federal Programs January 27, 2011New Hospice Regulations are a Mixed Bag for Beneficiaries Seeking High Quality End of Life Care January 20, 201145 Day Disenrollment Period for Medicare Advantage Members January 6, 2011Is it Time for Federal Regulation of the Assisted Living Industry? March 22, 2007