Archived Alerts - 2011 to Present | Center for Medicare Advocacy

Special Report – Nursing Homes Cited With Immediate Jeopardy Deficiencies During Pandemic: Poor Health Inspection Results, Low Staffing Levels July 2, 2020
Oklahoma Medicaid Updates July 2, 2020
CMS Liberalizes Visitation to Nursing Homes. . . A Little July 2, 2020
Center for Medicare Advocacy Releases Issue Brief Regarding Medicare and Family Caregivers June 26, 2020
Elder Justice Newsletter – Vol 2, Issue 10 Now Available June 25, 2020
Administration Asks Supreme Court to Strike Down Entire Affordable Care Act June 25, 2020
Center for Medicare Advocacy Senior Policy Attorney Testifies Before Congressional Committee re: Nursing Facilities and the COVID-19 Crisis June 25, 2020
Special Report – Nursing Homes Cited with Infection Control Deficiencies During the Pandemic: Poor Results In Health Inspections, Low Staffing Levels June 17, 2020
House 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, 2020
Administration 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, 2020
Article: Dual-Eligible Special Needs Plans (D-SNPs) June 17, 2020
COVID-19’s Impact on Beneficiary Rights – A Case Study Examining Medicare Coverage Exceeding 100 Days in a Skilled Nursing Facility June 11, 2020
Infection Control Surveys at Nursing Facilities: CMS Data Not Plausible June 11, 2020
How Many Nursing Home Residents Have Died of Covid-19? June 4, 2020
Center for Medicare Advocacy Submits Comments on CMS COVID-19 Rule June 4, 2020
Our Commitment to Justice June 4, 2020
Final Rule for Medicare Parts C and D Includes Weakened Standards for Medicare Advantage Networks May 28, 2020
CMS Announces Voluntary Part D Program to Reduce Insulin Out-of-Pocket Costs for Some Enrollees May 28, 2020
Podcast with Judy Stein: Moving Forward with COVID-19 and Medicare May 28, 2020
Government Appeals “Observation Status” Court Decision May 28, 2020
CMS Rule: Nursing Facilities Must Report Covid-19 Data to CDC, Residents, Families and Representatives May 28, 2020
GAO on Infection Control Deficiencies in Nursing Facilities Before Covid-19 Pandemic: “Widespread,” “Persistent,” “Ignored” May 21, 2020
State Attorneys General Open Criminal Investigations of Nursing Facilities in Light of the Pandemic; For Regulatory Agencies, Business As Usual May 21, 2020
Research: Low-Income and Communities of Color at Increased Increased Risk From COVID-19 May 21, 2020
Elder Justice Newsletter, Vol. 2 Issue 9 Now Available May 21, 2020
New CMA Report – Nursing Home Industry Seeks Immunity During COVID Crisis; States Are Obliging May 14, 2020
Report: COVID-19 Disproportionately Affects Communities of Color May 14, 2020
Case Study: Medicare Advantage and Repeated Coverage Denials Amid the COVID Crisis May 14, 2020
Medicare Covers Maintenance Therapy – Therapist Assistants Can Provide It May 14, 2020
COVID-19: An Advocates Guide to Beneficiary Related Medicare Changes May 10, 2020
CMA Special Report – Infection Control Surveys at Nursing Facilities: It Looks Like Business as Usual May 7, 2020
COVID-19 Updates to Medicare Enrollment and Emerging Social Security Office Efficiencies to Process Changes for Beneficiaries May 7, 2020
Reflections on the 7th Annual National Voices of Medicare Summit and Senator Jay Rockefeller Lecture May 7, 2020
Reminder from CMS – May is Mental Health Awareness Month May 7, 2020
Medicare Trustees Report: Projections Similar to Last Year, and Savings Are Available April 30, 2020
Decisive Win for Affordable Care Act: Supreme Court Rules Sabotage Attempt Illegal April 30, 2020
COVID Updates (April 23, 2020) April 23, 2020
CMS to Require Transparency Regarding Coronavirus in Nursing Facilities April 23, 2020
Action Needed for Social Security Beneficiaries with Dependents, and Who Do Not File Tax Returns, to Receive $500 Per Child Payment April 21, 2020
Federal District Court in Arkansas Upholds Federal Rule Authorizing Arbitration Requirements in Nursing Home Contracts April 16, 2020
Federal Court Orders Appeal Rights for Some Observation Status Patients: More Advocacy is Needed April 16, 2020
Elder Justice Newsletter, Vol. 2 Issue 8 Now Available April 16, 2020
Center for Medicare Advocacy Submits Comments on Proposed Medicare Parts C and D Rule April 9, 2020
CDC’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, 2020
Medicare Skilled Nursing Facility Coverage, Discharges, and Transfers During the COVID Crisis April 9, 2020
Frequently Asked Questions about Observation Status Court Decision April 9, 2020
Medicare Enrollment & COVID-19 April 9, 2020
Hospitals Should Discharge Patients with Coronavirus Only to Qualified Nursing Homes April 2, 2020
Medicare-Related COVID-19 Update – Legislative & Policy Changes (April 2, 2020) April 2, 2020
HHS Reiterates Prohibitions On Discrimination In the Face of COVID-19 Care Issues April 2, 2020
Medicaid Access Resources April 2, 2020
COVID-19 Updates – 3/26/2020 March 26, 2020
New Guidance On Nursing Home Health Inspections Severely Limits Oversight and Enforcement for a Three-Week Period March 26, 2020
CMS Temporarily Waives Medicare Access Barriers for Skilled Nursing Facility Care March 26, 2020
COVID-19 and Medicare – Where We Stand Today (3/19/2020) March 19, 2020
2020 Virtual National Voices of Medicare Summit March 19, 2020
Restrictions on Family Caregivers Raise Concerns about Unmet Care Needs In Nursing Homes March 19, 2020
The Coronavirus and Nursing Home Residents March 19, 2020
Elder Justice Newsletter – Vol. 2, No. 7 Available Now March 19, 2020
An Update from the Center for Medicare Advocacy March 17, 2020
Reminder: Medicare Advantage Enrollment Period Ends this Month; Ongoing Opportunity for Special Enrollment Period March 12, 2020
CMS Publishes Final Rule on Data Exchange March 12, 2020
COVID-19 May Impact Medicare Coverage March 12, 2020
The Myth of “Choice” in Private Insurance, Including Medicare Advantage March 5, 2020
Supreme Court to Hear Affordable Care Act Repeal Case March 5, 2020
LTCCC Facts & Tips on Infection Control and Coronavirus March 5, 2020
Issue Brief: Medicare Payment vs. Coverage for Home Health & Skilled Nursing Facility Care March 3, 2020
Lawmakers Must Be Cautious about Recommendations from a New Industry Report on Nursing Home Closures February 28, 2020
Articles Highlight Medicare Advantage Concerns February 27, 2020
Report: Affordable Care Act Narrowed Disparities in Health Care Access February 27, 2020
Medicare Coverage of Home Health Care Has Not Changed Under the New Payment System (PDGM) February 20, 2020
Massachusetts Task Force Calls for Closure of Low-Performing, Low Occupancy Nursing Facilities February 20, 2020
Changes Coming to CMS Websites for Consumers February 13, 2020
Joint Statement on President’s Budget February 13, 2020
Register Now – Upcoming CMA Events February 13, 2020
Center Submits Comments Opposing Social Security Administration Proposal to Increase Frequency of Disability Benefit Reviews February 6, 2020
Fact-Checking the State of the Union Speech Regarding Health Care February 6, 2020
Medicare Oral Health Care Update February 6, 2020
Administration Encourages States to Block Grant Medicaid February 6, 2020
Medicare Advantage Continues to Drive Up Medicare Costs – Congress Must Act to Level the Playing Field with Traditional Medicare February 4, 2020
Study Finds Nursing Home Compare Data about Patient Falls with Major Injuries Underreported and “Highly Inaccurate” January 30, 2020
Medicare SNF Payment Model Creates Changes in Care and Admissions – What about Facility Assessments? January 30, 2020
Accountable Care Organizations and Observation Status January 30, 2020
Supreme Court Allows Harmful “Public Charge” Immigration Rule to Continue – For Now January 30, 2020
Support Medically Necessary Oral Health Care in Medicare January 30, 2020
Incorrect Implementation of the Jimmo V. Sebelius Settlement in a Skilled Nursing Facility: A Case Study January 28, 2020
House Committees Work to Address Problems Coordinating COBRA and Medicare Enrollment January 23, 2020
New Opioid Treatment Program Benefit in Part B January 23, 2020
Study Finds Differences In Post-Hospital Care Settings and Mortality Rates for Medicare Patients In Rural And Urban Areas January 23, 2020
Update on ACA-Repeal Lawsuit January 23, 2020
Center Opposes Harmful “Public Charge” Rule January 23, 2020
Center for Medicare Advocacy Supports Supreme Court Review of ACA-Repeal Lawsuit January 16, 2020
CMS Continues to Downplay Medicare Plan Finder Problems and Availability of Special Enrollment Period January 16, 2020
ALS Activist Steve Gleason Receives Congressional Gold Medal January 16, 2020
Medicare Advantage Marketing Matters: Case Study January 16, 2020
Joint Statement on Nursing Home Aide Training January 9, 2020
Elder Justice Newsletter – Our Latest Edition January 9, 2020
Free Webinar – Medicare Patient Driven Payment Model: What Does It Mean for Skilled Nursing Facility Residents? January 9, 2020
Nursing Facilities and Medicare Advantage: If You Can’t Beat ’Em, Join ’Em . . . But What About the Medicare Beneficiaries? January 9, 2020
Home Health Practice Guide January 7, 2020
Center for Medicare Advocacy Submits Comments January 2, 2020
Center for Medicare Advocacy Wishes All the Best to Rep. John Lewis January 2, 2020
Most Read CMA Alerts (Plus, Webinars) of 2019 December 27, 2019
Recent Polling Shows Strong Support Among Voters for Medicare Oral Health Benefit December 24, 2019
Government Watchdog Agency Once Again Finds Wasteful Medicare Advantage Overpayment December 20, 2019
Skilled Nursing Facilities Lay off Therapists, Change Therapy Services – What Can Residents & Therapists Do? December 20, 2019
Court Decision Could Lead to the Demise of the Entire Affordable Care Act December 19, 2019
House Passes Historic Medicare Expansion Bill – H.R. 3 December 12, 2019
Patients Need Therapy – Medicare Payment Systems Create Barriers December 12, 2019
Caution: Hospital “Outpatient” Rule Negates Statutory Inpatient Coverage for In-Hospital Dental Care December 12, 2019
Fairness in Nursing Home Arbitration Act Provides Important Protections December 12, 2019
Center for Medicare Advocacy Submits Statement to Ways & Means Hearing on “Caring for Aging Americans” December 12, 2019
Quality Care for Nursing Home Residents Act of 2019 December 5, 2019
Wasting Time Waiting for Prior Authorization – At What Physical and Emotional Cost? December 5, 2019
In Final Days of Medicare Enrollment Period, CMS Continues to Deny Problems with Medicare Plan Finder, Which Could Hurt Beneficiaries December 5, 2019
House to Vote on Historic Medicare Bill Next Week December 5, 2019
CMA Alert Extra – Adding A Dental Benefit to Medicare Part B – Twitter Chat this Wednesday December 3, 2019
Jimmo Implementation Council Meets to Discuss the State of Skilled Maintenance Care November 27, 2019
Time for Medicare Enrollment – Time to Talk Turkey! November 27, 2019
Home for the Holidays: Leaving the Nursing Home During a Medicare-Covered Stay November 27, 2019
Two Weeks Left in Medicare Enrollment Period November 21, 2019
Family 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, 2019
Issue Alert – Medicare Benefit Periods Under PDPM November 21, 2019
2020 Medicare Cost-Sharing Rates Released November 14, 2019
MA Plan Prior Authorization Requirements Cause Problems in a Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Leading to Patient Re-Hospitalizations November 14, 2019
Medicare is Being Privatized. Where is the Outcry? November 14, 2019
Medicare Enrollment Problems Persist November 7, 2019
Poorly Performing Skilled Nursing Facilities: What Happens to Them? November 7, 2019
Medicare’s New Skilled Nursing Facility Payment System Alters Access to Care November 7, 2019
CMS Extends “Equitable Relief” from Part B Late Enrollment Penalties for People Moving from ACA Marketplace Plans to Medicare October 31, 2019
Potential Impacts of New Medicare Payment Models On Skilled Nursing Facility and Home Health Care October 31, 2019
You Do Not Have to Improve! New Jimmo Resources for Appealing Medicare Denials in Nursing Homes October 28, 2019
Center for Medicare Advocacy Submits Comments Supporting Modification to ABN Instructions October 24, 2019
Center Attorneys Participate in Oral Health Convening and Advocacy Day October 24, 2019
CMS Administrator Seema Verma Testifies on Health Care Sabotage Before House Subcommittee October 24, 2019
Nursing Home Compare’s Abuse Icon is Now Live October 24, 2019
Medicare Enrollment and Medicare Advantage Updates October 24, 2019
Center for Medicare Advocacy Board President Judith Feder Testifies at Drug Pricing Hearing October 17, 2019
Joint Issue Alert on Medicare Payment and Skilled Therapy Services in Nursing Homes October 17, 2019
Drug Company Sued Over Kickbacks for Off-Label Marketing of Psychotropic Drug for Nursing Home Residents to Pay Over $115 Million October 17, 2019
Administration’s “Public Charge” Rule [Temporarily?] Blocked October 17, 2019
Medicare’s Annual Election Period Starts Next Week – October 15th October 10, 2019
Center for Medicare Advocacy Analysis of President’s Medicare Executive Order: October 10, 2019
Free Webinar about the New Medicare Payment System For SNFs October 10, 2019
Nursing Home Residents and Therapy Under The New Medicare Payment System October 10, 2019
Important Update to Nursing Home Compare Will Enable Public to Identify Facilities with a History of Abuse October 10, 2019
The Patient Driven Payment Model is Here October 3, 2019
House Companion to Part D Extra Help Bill Introduced October 3, 2019
Connecticut Congressional Delegation Concerned about Medicare Advantage Network Provider Terminations in the State October 3, 2019
One Day Left to Register for Our Free Webinar October 1, 2019
Medicare Plan Finder Pending Additional Updates; Concerns Remain September 26, 2019
Speaker Pelosi Unveils Bill Authorizing Negotiation of Drug Prices and Capping Out-of-Pocket Costs September 26, 2019
California Attorney General Calls on CMS to Withdraw Proposed Revisions to Nursing Home Requirements of Participation September 26, 2019
House of Representatives Passes Bill Prohibiting Pre-Dispute Arbitration Agreements September 26, 2019
Center for Medicare Advocacy Senior Policy Attorney Toby S. Edelman to Receive the Janet Wells Public Policy Leadership Award September 26, 2019
Senator Brown Leads Call for Better Oversight of Medicare Advantage Plans September 19, 2019
Center for Medicare Advocacy Submits Comments Opposing the Administration’s Proposed Roll Back of Nursing Home Standards September 19, 2019
Rule Allowing Pre-Dispute Arbitration Agreements in Nursing Homes Takes Effect September 19, 2019
Medicare & You 2020 – Better Than Draft, But Room for Improvement September 12, 2019
More People Went Without Health Insurance in United States in 2018 September 12, 2019
Administrator Verma’s Tweet Sparks Support for Addressing Observation Status September 12, 2019
Proposed Home Health Rules – Payment Shouldn’t Impede Access September 12, 2019
Medicare Platform: Objective Information and Consumer Protections Face Challenges September 5, 2019
As Home Care Needs Increase, Access Issues Must Be Addressed September 5, 2019
Nursing Home Deregulation Continues, Despite Substantial Risk to Residents September 5, 2019
Stop Drugging Nursing Home Residents Without their Written Consent August 29, 2019
CMS Proposed Medicare Home Health Rules Raise Concerns for Access to Care – Comments due September 9, 2019 August 29, 2019
Advocates Issue Joint Letter Raising Alarms about New Medicare Plan Finder and Revisions to MA and Part D Marketing Guidelines August 29, 2019
Recorded Webinar: Proposed Changes to Nursing Home Standards August 22, 2019
CMS Could Truly Put “Patients over Paperwork” By Fully Implementing the Jimmo Settlement August 22, 2019
Alexander v. Azar Trial Update – Seeking an Appeal of Outpatient Observation Status August 22, 2019
Support Traditional Medicare by Leveling the Playing Field with Medicare Advantage August 15, 2019
Administration’s “Public Charge” Rule Would Result in Millions Losing Access to Health Care and Other Necessary Services August 15, 2019
Center Submits Comments Opposing Proposed Changes to Nondiscrimination Rule August 15, 2019
Center Submits Comments on the “Patients over Paperwork” Initiative August 15, 2019
Government Watchdog Report Outlines Problems with Current Medicare Plan Finder As New Version Awaits Debut August 8, 2019
Annual Surveys at Nursing Facilities Are Essential To Protect Residents August 8, 2019
Short-term Health Plans: Goldmines for Insurance Companies, Junk for Enrollees August 8, 2019
CMS Administrator Acknowledges that Prior Inpatient Hospital Rules Do Not Make Sense August 8, 2019
CMA Webinars for 2019-2020 August 8, 2019
Federal Reports Find Incidents of Nursing Home Resident Abuse Are on the Rise but also Underreported August 1, 2019
CMS’s Proposed Changes to Nursing Home Requirements of Participation, Survey and Enforcement: Nothing Good for Residents August 1, 2019
Self-Help Resources for Improvement Standard Denials – August, 2019 August 1, 2019
Private Medicare Advantage Plans Overbill Medicare July 25, 2019
Senate Finance Committee Holds Hearing on Nursing Home Issues July 25, 2019
CMS Releases Special Focus Facility Candidate List But Transparency Issues Remain July 25, 2019
Part D Legislation Markup Today: Improve Beneficiary Appeals July 25, 2019
Study Finds Home and Community-Based Services Access Disparities July 18, 2019
More Doors to Medicare Home Health Closing, More Harm for Observation Status Patients July 18, 2019
CMS finalizes Rollback of Pre-Dispute Arbitration Protections July 18, 2019
Government Watchdog Agency Issues Report Highlighting “Significant Vulnerabilities” in Medicare’s Hospice Benefit July 11, 2019
Observation Status and Surprise Medical Bills July 11, 2019
New Oral Health Advocacy Collaborative Begins July 3, 2019
Nursing Home “Quality Measures” Do Not Reflect Quality of Nursing Home Care July 3, 2019
Court Hearing Next Week in Case that Threatens the Affordable Care Act – Act Now July 3, 2019
New Issue Brief: Implementing Jimmo v. Sebelius: An Overview June 27, 2019
Center for Medicare Advocacy Urges No Changes to Federal Poverty Measures without Knowing the Impact June 27, 2019
Ways & Means Committee Marks Up BENES Act and Other Medicare-Related Provisions June 27, 2019
Latest Issue – Elder Justice Newsletter June 27, 2019
Special Report – “Graduates” From the Special Focus Facility Program Provide Poor Care June 20, 2019
New Medicare Home Health Fact Sheet June 20, 2019
Center for Medicare Advocacy Submits Joint Comments on Proposed Revisions to the Definition Of Group Therapy In Skilled Nursing Facilities June 20, 2019
The New York Times Reports On HUD-Backed Nursing Homes June 13, 2019
Center for Medicare Advocacy Submits Comments to House Ways & Means and Energy & Commerce Committees on Draft Part D Legislation June 13, 2019
Inadequate Personal Care at Home Increases Overall Medicare Costs June 13, 2019
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners Recognizes Maintenance Therapy, Bolstering the Jimmo Settlement Agreement June 13, 2019
Center Comments on Proposed Rule Regarding Medicare/Medicaid Interoperability June 6, 2019
Center for Medicare Advocacy Submits Comments to CMS about Direct Contracting, Geographic-Based Model June 6, 2019
Senators Release Secret List of Poor Quality Nursing Homes June 6, 2019
Nursing Home Study Finds Discharges Linked to Medicare Copayments June 6, 2019
More Health Care Sabotage: “Censorship” of the Affordable Care Act June 6, 2019
Nursing Homes, Medicaid Rates, and Campaign Contributions May 30, 2019
Trump Administration Proposes to Gut Health Care Rights, Particularly Targeting LGBTQ People May 30, 2019
Nursing Home Compare Inaccurately Reports Civil Money Penalties Imposed Against Nursing Facilities May 30, 2019
Elder Justice Newsletter – New Issue Available Now May 23, 2019
Webinar: Where Does the Money Go? Insights and Consumer Perspectives on Nursing Home Profits and Losses May 23, 2019
Report Highlights Overpayments to Medicare Advantage Plans and Raises Important Policy Considerations May 23, 2019
Congressional Hearing on Surprise Medical Bills; Center for Medicare Advocacy Submits Statement on Observation Status May 23, 2019
Reflections on the
6th Annual National Voices of Medicare Summit
and Senator Jay Rockefeller Lecture May 17, 2019
In Memory of Robert Pear May 16, 2019
Protecting Nursing Home Residents from Reckless Operators May 16, 2019
Improve Physician Staffing in Nursing Homes May 16, 2019
Sign-On Opportunity: Advocating for Individualized Therapy in Nursing Homes May 16, 2019
Special Update – Issue Brief: Medicare Coverage of Dental Services May 6, 2019
A First Step in an Important National Discussion: Congressional Committee Holds Hearing on “Medicare for All” May 2, 2019
Medicare Coverage for Genetic Tests: Know the Facts May 2, 2019
Medicare Trustees Issue 2019 Report: Medicare is Not Going Broke April 25, 2019
Article Raises Concerns about Medicare Advantage and Calls Attention to Limited Medigap Access April 25, 2019
CMS Proposed Rule to Redefine Group Therapy in Skilled Nursing Facilities: Concern for Resident Care April 25, 2019
CMS Expands List of DMEPOS Subject to Prior Authorization as a Condition of Payment April 25, 2019
The Growing Disparity Between Medicare Advantage and Traditional Medicare: CMS Publishes Final MA Telehealth Benefit Rule April 18, 2019
How to Prevent Re-Hospitalization Of Nursing Home Residents: More Physicians and Nurses In Nursing Homes April 18, 2019
Joint Statement: Federal Report Finds That CMS Failed to Properly Oversee State’s Nursing Home Investigations April 18, 2019
Latest Issue – Elder Justice Newsletter April 18, 2019
Nursing Home Requirements of Participation: Will the Administration Overturn 2016 Rules for Infection Control? April 11, 2019
Observation Status Deprives Medicare Beneficiaries of their Skilled Nursing Facility Benefit. Period. April 11, 2019
New Fact Sheet Available – Medicare Inpatient Rehabilitation Hospital/Facility Coverage In Light of Jimmo v. Sebelius April 11, 2019
What’s Causing Nursing Home Closures? April 4, 2019
Health Care Sabotage News: Court Strikes Blow for Health Care; Advocates File Amicus Brief in Texas ACA Case April 4, 2019
Oral Health in Medicare: Kaiser Family Foundation Releases Issue Brief April 4, 2019
Free Webinar – Overview of Phase 3 Nursing Home Regulations: A Look Ahead April 4, 2019
Medicare Advocates: Trump Budget Would Impede Access to Care March 28, 2019
Elder Justice “No Harm” Newsletter – Issue 11 March 28, 2019
Study Finds Home Health Lowers Costs and Readmission Rates Compared to Hospital Care March 28, 2019
Observation Status: Physicians Challenge the Inspector General March 28, 2019
Nursing Home Resident Advocates, Not Invited to Testify, Submit Statement for the Record March 21, 2019
Oral Health Highlight March 21, 2019
LTCCC Publishes Report on Nursing Home Resident Abuse, Neglect, and Crime March 21, 2019
Average Nursing Home Fine Drops Significantly After Administration Rolls Back Civil Money Penalties March 21, 2019
Joint Statement by Center for Medicare Advocacy and Medicare Rights Center: President’s Budget Targets Key Health Care Programs March 14, 2019
Medicare Advantage Case Spotlight March 14, 2019
Members of Congress Reintroduce Legislation to Fix Outpatient Observation Status March 14, 2019
Home Infusion Therapy Services March 13, 2019
Senate Finance Committee Holds Hollow Hearing for the Nursing Home Industry March 7, 2019
Beneficiary ALJ Appeals Continue to Get Priority at Office of Medicare Hearings and Appeals (OMHA) March 7, 2019
Center for Medicare Advocacy Submits Comments to CMS’ Draft 2020 Call Letter for Medicare Advantage and Part D March 7, 2019
The Center for Medicare Advocacy Supports Raising the Federal Minimum Wage March 7, 2019
Improve and Expand Medicare: End the Use of Outpatient Observation Status – A Billing Issue that Restricts Needed Care February 28, 2019
Jimmo Implementation Update: Where is CMS? February 28, 2019
Home Health Aide Coverage Continues to Shrink: Attention Must Be Paid February 21, 2019
Case Spotlight: A Medicare Beneficiary in Need of Home Health Aides February 21, 2019
Cathy Hurwit Joins Center for Medicare Advocacy Advisory Board February 21, 2019
The Administration for Community Living (ACL) Releases Annual Minority Aging Statistics February 21, 2019
Improve and Expand Medicare: CMS Should Provide Objective Information About Medicare Options February 14, 2019
Practice Tip: Office of Medicare Hearings and Appeals Manual Can Be a Useful Tool February 14, 2019
There’s Nothing Special About How CMS Treats Special Focus Nursing Facilities February 14, 2019
Improve and Expand Medicare: Create Parity Between Medicare Advantage and Traditional Medicare February 7, 2019
State of the Union: Want More Affordable Prescription Drugs? Start with Medicare. February 7, 2019
2019 Federal Poverty Levels Released: New Income Limits for Medicare Savings Programs February 7, 2019
Improve and Expand Medicare: Cover Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) January 31, 2019
Center Submits Comments on Proposed Medicare Prescription Drug Rule January 31, 2019
Congressional Hearings Explore Rising Prescription Drug Costs January 31, 2019
Medicare’s New “What’s Covered” App Adds to Outreach but More Work Is Needed January 31, 2019
ACA and Health Care Sabotage Continue January 24, 2019
Improve and Expand Medicare: Add an Out-of-Pocket Cap January 24, 2019
Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) Updates January 24, 2019
There’s Still Time to Go Back to Traditional Medicare or Change MA Plans January 24, 2019
Improve and Expand Medicare: Oral Health January 17, 2019
Center for Medicare Advocacy is Honored to Welcome Judith Feder, Ph.D as President of our Board of Directors January 17, 2019
Registered Nurses Are the Key to Reducing Hospital Readmissions of Nursing Home Residents January 17, 2019
Hot off the Press: 2019 Medicare Handbook January 17, 2019
Nursing Home Residents at Risk: Advocates Submit Briefing to Congress January 17, 2019
Improve and Expand Medicare: Ensure Medigap Access January 10, 2019
Objective Medicare Appeals Jeopardized By New ALJ Selection Process January 10, 2019
CMA Report: Nurse Staffing Deficiencies In Nursing Facilities January 10, 2019
Health Affairs Study Calls for Medicare Coverage of Hearing Care Services January 10, 2019
Senator Cardin Introduces Bill to Add Oral Health Coverage to Medicare January 10, 2019
Improve Medicare: Correct Medicare Hospital Observation Status January 3, 2019
Legal Memorandum: Statutory Authority Exists for Medicare to Cover Medically Necessary Oral Health Care January 3, 2019
Joint Statement on Turmoil in the Nursing Home Industry January 3, 2019
Keep Medicare Home Health Care an Age-Friendly Benefit December 27, 2018
Medicare Platform: December 20, 2018
Texas Lawsuit Sabotage of the Affordable Health Care Act December 20, 2018
Health Care Sabotage Continues as ACA Open Enrollment Comes to an End December 13, 2018
CURE High Drug Prices Act Introduced December 13, 2018
Center Submits Comments Opposing Proposed “Public Charge” Rule December 13, 2018
Elder Justice “No Harm” Newsletter – Issue 10 December 13, 2018
Medicare Coverage In Light of Jimmo v. Sebelius For Providers, Contractors, and Adjudicators December 10, 2018
Today Ends the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period; Does it Begin a New Private Era for Medicare? December 7, 2018
Health Care Sabotage: Administration Doubles Down on States’ Ability to Undermine ACA December 6, 2018
In Her Own Words: A Beneficiary’s Take On Medicare Advantage Steering December 6, 2018
Amidst Medicare Open Enrollment, CMS Reports High Rates of Inaccuracy in Medicare Advantage Provider Directories December 6, 2018
Medicare Annual Enrollment Ending: Still Time to Make An Informed Choice December 5, 2018
As Medicare Enrollment Period Draws to a Close, MA Steering Continues – Advocates & Members of Congress Write Letters of Concern to CMS November 30, 2018
Important Health Policy Article Published In New England Journal of Medicine: “Medicare Advantage Checkup” November 29, 2018
ACA Open Enrollment Ends December 15th November 29, 2018
State Attorneys General Successfully Take on Nursing Home Issues November 29, 2018
CMS Proposes Rollback of Emergency Preparedness Requirements to Reduce “Burdens” for Nursing Home Providers November 20, 2018
CMS to Clarify Medigap Section of the Medicare.gov Plan Finder Tool November 20, 2018
Home Health Telephone Survey November 15, 2018
Successful Advocacy for Home Health Beneficiary in Need of Maintenance Physical Therapy November 15, 2018
Home Health Aide Coverage Continues to Shrink in Traditional Medicare While CMS Enhances it in Medicare Advantage November 15, 2018
Home Health Issue Brief November 15, 2018
Health Care Prominent in Mid-Term Elections – How will the New, Divided Congress React? November 8, 2018
Center for Medicare Advocacy Comments on Proposed Nursing Home Legislation and Rule November 8, 2018
Jimmo Implementation: Beneficiary Successfully Appeals Denial of Maintenance Therapy November 8, 2018
Make Sure Medicare Matters – Cast Your Vote Today November 6, 2018
ACA Open Enrollment Begins November 1, 2018
HHS Publishes Final Rules Providing Annual Inflation-Related Increases for Civil Money Penalties in Its Programs. Better Late than Never? November 1, 2018
Don’t Fall for the Distraction: The President’s Prescription Drug Proposal is Much Ado About Much Too Little October 30, 2018
Campaign Codewords from the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare October 25, 2018
Health Care Sabotage: Administration Issues New Guidance Making it Easier to Ignore ACA Rules October 25, 2018
Checklist for Medicare Nursing Home “Improvement Standard” Denials October 25, 2018
Make Sure Medicare Matters this Election – Vote on November 6! October 23, 2018
2019 Medicare Cost-Sharing Announced October 18, 2018
Government Watchdog Agency Raises Concerns About Medicare Advantage Denials October 18, 2018
Plans to Address and Resolve the Medicare Home Care Crisis October 18, 2018
Checklist for Medicare Home Health Care “Improvement Standard” Denials October 18, 2018
We Need Your Voice – Don’t Let Traditional Medicare Wither on the Vine! October 16, 2018
Medicare Fully Informed Project October 15, 2018
President’s Medicare Op-Ed is Untrue October 11, 2018
Medicare Matters for Young Americans: Expect It, Protect It! October 10, 2018
Medicare Enrollment Updates October 5, 2018
Center for Medicare Advocacy Survey: CMS’ Jimmo v. Sebelius “Improvement Standard” Education Still Not Working October 4, 2018
Study: Three-Day Hospital Requirement for Post-Hospital Care In a Skilled Nursing Facility Increases Medicare Costs October 4, 2018
Who Owns Nursing Facilities and Why? October 4, 2018
Health Care Sabotage: Expanded “Short-Term, Limited-Duration Insurance” is Here October 4, 2018
Center Launches SaveMedicareNow Initiative Ahead of Mid-Term Elections September 27, 2018
Public Charge Proposed Rule – A Strike on the Health Care and Well-Being of Immigrants and American Families September 27, 2018
Center for Medicare Advocacy Welcomes New Board Members September 27, 2018
Transfer and Discharge Deficiencies Cited Since 2017: Surveyors Focus On paperwork, Not Residents’ Rights September 20, 2018
Study Finds Link Between Registered Nurse Hours and Antipsychotic Drug Use September 20, 2018
More Health Care Sabotage: Inadequate Funding for Navigators September 13, 2018
Court Ruling May Lead to Even More Overpayments to Medicare Advantage September 13, 2018
MedPAC Discusses Requiring a Three-Day Hospital Stay for All Post-Acute Care, Threatening Access to Care September 13, 2018
House Committee Holds Hearing on Nursing Home Quality Issues September 13, 2018
Proposed DMEPOS Rules: Clarification and Enforcement Needed September 13, 2018
Health Care Sabotage: Association Health Plans Are Here September 6, 2018
New Jimmo Resources from the Center for Medicare Advocacy and The John A. Hartford Foundation September 6, 2018
Center Comments on Harmful Proposed Home Health Rule August 30, 2018
Health Care Sabotage Continues: New Pre-Existing Conditions Legislation Not What It Seems; GAO Critical of HHS ACA Enrollment Actions August 30, 2018
Re-Review of Some Home Health Denials Now Available August 30, 2018
The Center for Medicare Advocacy Submits Comments Opposing Kentucky’s Medicaid Work Requirements August 23, 2018
Statistical Trends and Published Articles with Studies and Research from 2002-2017 August 23, 2018
Final Rules for New Medicare Reimbursement System for Skilled Nursing Facilities: Goodbye Therapy August 23, 2018
Health Care Sabotage – Slandering a Program Which Has Widely Expanded Access and Coverage August 16, 2018
Elder Justice: What “No Harm” Really Means for Residents – Latest Issue August 16, 2018
Special 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, 2018
Major Health Care Sabotage: HHS Issues Final Rule on Short-Term Limited-Duration Insurance August 9, 2018
Inspector General Reports Concerns About Medicare Hospice Care August 9, 2018
Nursing Facilities’ “Quality Measures” Do Not Reflect Actual Quality of Care Provided to Residents August 9, 2018
Center for Medicare Advocacy Co-Authors Case Study Journal Article on Nurse Staffing Litigation in Arkansas August 2, 2018
New Medicare Cards: Wave Four Distribution Begins August 2, 2018
Special Report – Special Focus Facilities: Poor Care for Residents, Limited Consequences for Providers July 30, 2018
Dual Eligibles and Access to Part D Drugs: Pretty Good News from the OIG July 26, 2018
Health Care Sabotage: Poll Shows Voters are Watching July 26, 2018
Medigap News: Disparities in Enrollment Rights; Bill Introduced to Strengthen Medigap Access and Protections July 19, 2018
Nursing Home “In-House” Managed Care Plans May Harm Residents July 19, 2018
Now Can We Call it Sabotage? July 19, 2018
Helpful News for Some Lower Income Medicare Beneficiaries July 19, 2018
Proposed Home Health Rule Affirms Medicare Coverage and Payment for Patients Who Will Not Improve and May Need More Care than the Norm July 12, 2018
Administrative Law Judges and Objective Medicare Appeals Jeopardized By Recent Executive Order July 12, 2018
Studies Differ Regarding Traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage July 12, 2018
Health Care Sabotage – Navigators Face another Round of Cuts July 12, 2018
CMS Releases Issue Brief on Access Challenges of DME for Duals July 5, 2018
Medicare Home Health Rules Proposed by CMS to “Improve Access to Solutions” Will Further Reduce Patient Access to Care July 5, 2018
Health Care Sabotage: Impact of Sabotage on the Exchanges July 5, 2018
Did 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, 2018
Center for Medicare Advocacy Discusses Nursing Home Resident Protections with CMS Administrator Seema Verma June 28, 2018
Health Care Sabotage: Another Attempt at ACA Repeal June 28, 2018
Tipping the Scales Toward Medicare Advantage (at the Expense of Medicare) June 21, 2018
Does Observation Status Undercut Claims that Hospital Readmissions Have Been Reduced? MedPAC Says No, Research Says Yes. June 21, 2018
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day at the UN June 21, 2018
Home Health Pre-Claim Review Demonstration Model, Take Two June 14, 2018
Health Care Sabotage: DOJ Won’t Defend the Affordable Care Act June 14, 2018
Nursing Home Residents at Risk June 14, 2018
Read the Center’s Comments on Proposed Reimbursement for Skilled Nursing Facilities June 14, 2018
Take a Moment to Acknowledge World Elder Abuse Awareness Day June 14, 2018
Center for Medicare Advocacy Emphasizes Need to Protect Nursing Home Residents at Congressional Briefing June 7, 2018
Medicare Prior Authorization Requirement for Power Wheelchairs Expanding Nationwide Effective September 1, 2018 June 7, 2018
The Right Way to Lower Medicare Prescription Drug Costs June 7, 2018
Medicare Trustees Report: Stop Overpaying Private Plans & Underfunding Medicare June 6, 2018
More Health Care Sabotage May Be Coming Soon if Short-Term Plans are Allowed May 31, 2018
Advocates Raise Concerns About Inaccuracies and Bias in Draft MEDICARE & YOU Handbook May 31, 2018
Center for Medicare Advocacy Submits Comments to CMS about Direct Provider Contracting Proposal May 31, 2018
Health Care Sabotage: Graham-Cassidy Redux? May 23, 2018
Buying and Selling Nursing Homes: Who’s Looking Out for the Residents? May 23, 2018
CMS Tries Again: Another New Skilled Nursing Facility Medicare Reimbursement System Proposed – If Implemented, Would Gut Therapy May 17, 2018
Health Care Sabotage: More on Short-Term Limited-Duration “Junk” Plans May 17, 2018
Home Health Highlight: People Can Leave Home and Still Receive Medicare-Covered Home Care May 17, 2018
CMS Issues Request for Information on “Direct Provider Contracting:” Beneficiary Advocates Take Note May 10, 2018
If it Looks Like Health Care Sabotage and it Sounds Like Health Care Sabotage… May 10, 2018
Corporate Integrity Agreements and Nursing Homes May 10, 2018
Medicare Home Health Coverage is Not a Short Term Benefit ‒ Congress Reiterated This in the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 (BBA ’97) May 3, 2018
Center for Medicare Advocacy Submits Comments on New CMS Medicare Marketing May 3, 2018
Older Americans Month 2018 May 3, 2018
The Sabotage of Health Care Continues – Center Comments on “Junk Plans” April 26, 2018
State of Decay: Report Examines Oral Health for Older Americans April 26, 2018
NPR Observation Status Story: How Medicare’s Conflicting Hospitalization Rules Cost Me Thousands Of Dollars April 26, 2018
Choose Medicare Act Introduced – Improving Medicare, Moving Toward Universal Coverage April 19, 2018
The Sabotage of Health Care Continues – Important News April 19, 2018
The Center for Medicare Advocacy and Florida Health Justice Project Sue to Obtain “Off-label” Part D Prescription Drug Coverage for Beneficiary April 19, 2018
Nursing Home Roundup April 12, 2018
Congress Poised to Vote for Harmful Balanced Budget Amendment April 12, 2018
Fact Sheet – Medicare Home Health Coverage In Light of Jimmo v. Sebelius April 12, 2018
Fact Sheet – Skilled Nursing Facility Coverage and Jimmo v. Sebelius April 5, 2018
This Week in Health Care Sabotage April 5, 2018
Administrative Law Judge Rules Medicare Covers Outpatient Therapy to Maintain Function, Indefinitely if Needed April 5, 2018
Elder Justice Newsletter – March 2018 April 5, 2018
Reflections on the 5th Annual National Voices of Medicare Summit and Senator Jay Rockefeller Lecture April 3, 2018
Highlights from FY18 “Omnibus” Appropriations Bill: Some Good, Some Not-So-Good News March 29, 2018
This Week in Healthcare Sabotage: Double Digit Rate Hikes Expected and Proposed “Conscience” Rules March 29, 2018
Elder Justice Alert: New York Times Publishes Article on Drug Use Among Older Adults March 29, 2018
Eighth Anniversary of the Affordable Care Act March 23, 2018
Tipping the Scales Toward Medicare Advantage March 21, 2018
CMS Clarifies 3-Hour “Rule” Should Not Preclude Medicare-Covered Inpatient Rehabilitation Hospital Care March 15, 2018
Proposed CMS Payment Rules Will Worsen the Home Care Crisis March 15, 2018
Center for Medicare Advocacy Submits Comments to CMS’ Draft 2019 Call Letter for Medicare Advantage and Part D March 8, 2018
This Week in Healthcare Sabotage: Administration Wants Older People to Pay More March 8, 2018
JAMA Calls for Release of Medicare Advantage Data – A Full Review of MA is Long Overdue March 8, 2018
Bill to Control Medicare Prescription Drug Costs Introduced March 8, 2018
Judith Stein to Receive 2018 American Medical Rehabilitation Providers Association Chairman’s Award March 1, 2018
A Big Week In Health Care Sabotage March 1, 2018
Medicare Home Health Highlight March 1, 2018
Hospitalists Continue to Oppose Observation Status and Call for Significant Change March 1, 2018
Congress DID Repeal Outpatient Therapy Caps Despite Lack of Information on Medicare.gov March 1, 2018
This Week in Healthcare Sabotage February 22, 2018
Latest Nursing Home Rights Issue Alert February 22, 2018
Medicare Home Health Highlight February 22, 2018
House Passes Bill Jeopardizing Civil Rights of Individuals with Disabilities February 22, 2018
Toolkit: Medicare Home Health Coverage & Jimmo v. Sebelius February 15, 2018
Health Care Sabotage Continues February 14, 2018
Congress Repeals Medicare Outpatient Therapy Caps, Strengthening the Jimmo Settlement Agreement February 14, 2018
Elder Justice Alert: Human Rights Watch Publishes In-Depth Report on Antipsychotic Drug Use in U.S. Nursing Homes February 7, 2018
Barriers to Home Care Created by CMS Payment, Quality Measurement, and Fraud Investigation Systems February 7, 2018
Center for Medicare Advocacy Comments on HHS Request for Information January 31, 2018
Outpatient Therapy Caps: What Now? January 31, 2018
Nursing Home Resident’s Rights Newsletter – January Edition January 31, 2018
Kaiser Family Foundation Issues Report on Medicare Beneficiaries’ Out-of-Pocket Spending January 31, 2018
State of the Union Speech Touches on Health Care Issues January 31, 2018
How to Listen to Tonight’s State of the Union Address January 30, 2018
Lawsuit Challenging Chronic SNF Understaffing Settled for $72 Million January 24, 2018
CMS to Propose Revising the Nursing Home Requirements of Participation January 24, 2018
Medicare Advantage Enrollees Have Fewer SNF Options than Traditional Medicare Beneficiaries January 24, 2018
Remember People with Medicare in Renewed Spending Bill Debates January 24, 2018
Health Care Sabotage Continues January 17, 2018
Reminder: Objections to Home Health Appeals Settlement Due February 5, 2018 January 17, 2018
Medicare Home Health Access Problems Continue January 17, 2018
Center for Medicare Advocacy Submits Comments to Proposed Rule re: Medicare Advantage and Part D January 17, 2018
Remembering Martin Luther King in 2018 January 10, 2018
2018 CT Medicare Savings Programs January 10, 2018
New LTCCC Issue Alert: Nursing Home Staffing Requirements January 10, 2018
CMA Alert – Home Health News; More SNF Enforcement News January 3, 2018
CMA Alert -Spotlight on SNF Enforcement December 27, 2017
CMA Alert – Tax Cuts will Hurt, Not Help; Sherman Fairness Hearing Set; “Homebound” Settlement Objections Due; More December 20, 2017
CMA Alert – SNF Enforcement Halted; Know Your Medicare Appeals; Ultimate Health Care Sabotage; More December 6, 2017
CMA Alert – The REST of the Tax Cut Plan; “Jimmo” Improvement Standard Update; QMB News; Enrollment Periods End Soon November 30, 2017
Help Stop the Devastating Tax Bills. Call Congress Now! November 29, 2017
CMA Alert – Comments on Comments: Nursing Home Enforcement Weakened; More November 28, 2017
CMA Alert – You CAN Leave the Nursing Home; 2018 Cost-Sharing; Enrollment Reminder; Talk Turkey About Taxes November 21, 2017
Tax Bill Talking Points and Action Steps November 17, 2017
House Passes Damaging Tax Bill, Health Advocates Urge Senate to Rethink Their Plan November 16, 2017
Alert – Tax Cut Harm Just Got Worse; This Week in Sabotage; CMS Pushing MA Plans; SNF Deregulation November 15, 2017
Tax Cut Bill Just Got Worse. Health Care at Risk. November 15, 2017
Alert – Spotlight on Medicare Home Health Care; Tax Cuts Set Stage for Medicare/Medicaid Cuts; ACA News November 8, 2017
CMA Alert – It’s Enrollment Season; CMS Reissues HH Booklet; “Homebound” Case Settlement; More November 1, 2017
Federal Judge Fails to Protect Affordable Care Act Subsidies October 26, 2017
CMA Alert – Remember You CAN Choose Original Medicare; Equitable Relief; This Week’s Sabotage News October 25, 2017
CMA Alert, October 18, 2017 – Nursing Home Rights Roundup; ACA Stabilization; More October 18, 2017
CMA Alert – Open Enrollment Tips; ACA Sabotage; More October 11, 2017
CMA Alert – Changes to Help QMBs; Home Health Updates; ACA Sabotage October 4, 2017
CMA Alert – Harmful Proposed Home Health Rules; Equitable Relief Ending Soon; ACA Sabotage September 27, 2017
World Alzheimer’s Day 2017 – September 21 September 21, 2017
CMA Alert – Graham Cassidy is Just Worse; SNF Disaster Requirements; More September 20, 2017
URGENT: ACA Repeal Effort Renewed Through Graham-Cassidy Bill. This is Not a Drill – Action Needed! September 15, 2017
Moving Forward: Let’s Improve Medicare September 13, 2017
Annotated Bibliography: Observation Status September 13, 2017
CMA Alert – Congress Returns, Still Threatening Health Care; ACA Sabotage; More September 7, 2017
The Medicare Rights Center and the Center for Medicare Advocacy Develop New Partnership with Support from The Retirement Research Foundation September 6, 2017
CMA Alert – OIG Warns of Abuse in SNFs; Ted Kennedy, Jr. Joins CMA Advisory Board; “Jimmo” Corrective Action Plan August 30, 2017
CMA Alert – Joint Replacement Model Undermines Care; OTC Hearing Aids Legislation Passed; More August 23, 2017
Statement by Center for Medicare Advocacy Executive Director Judith Stein August 17, 2017
CMA Alert – Critical Issue Roundup: MA Overpayment; HH Payment; Observation; More August 16, 2017
CMA Alert – SNF Update: Comments on Reimbursement; Civil Money Penalties Weakened August 9, 2017
CMA Alert – Home Health Care Crisis; SSDI Anniversary August 2, 2017
CMA Alert – Still Fighting for Health Care as Medicare’s Anniversary Nears; New Fraud Warning July 26, 2017
CMA Alert – Senate Health Bill, Again; Medicare Trustees Report; HH CoPs; More July 13, 2017
An Update on the Steve Gleason Enduring Voices Act July 5, 2017
Health Repeal Myths & Facts: The Fight Continues July 5, 2017
Congress Leaves for the July 4th Recess, Health Care Repeal Remains a Threat – Continue to Make Your Voice Heard June 30, 2017
Health Care Repeal Vote Postponed But the Fight is Not Over June 28, 2017
Health Care Repeal Vote Postponed – But Keep the Pressure On June 27, 2017
Real People Will be Harmed by House & Senate Health Repeal Bills June 26, 2017
Senate Releases Draft of Bill to Undermine Health Coverage: Stop the “Better Care Reconciliation Act” June 22, 2017
CMA Alert – The Fight Continues; Home Health Access Issues; World Elder Abuse Awareness Day June 21, 2017
The Senate is Secretly Working to Gut Health Care – Bill Could Pass Soon! June 15, 2017
CMA Alert – Harmful Proposed SNF Rules; Welcome Chiplin Senior Fellow Ben F. Belton June 14, 2017
CMS Extends Comment Period for New Medicare Skilled Nursing Reimbursement System Until August 25, 2017 June 14, 2017
Reversing Obama Rules, Trump Administration Proposes Allowing Nursing Homes to Require Pre-Dispute Arbitration Clauses as a Condition of Admission June 14, 2017
Why is the Senate “Health Care” Bill a Secret? June 13, 2017
CMA Alert – AHCA Still Looms; MA Disenrollment By Health Status June 7, 2017
CMA Alert – Medicare Home Health Coverage Does Not Require Improvement; AHCA Undermines Medicare May 31, 2017
CMA Alert – Budget Response: Abandoning Older Adults and People with Disabilities May 24, 2017
CMA Alert – May 17, 2017 May 17, 2017
Lifetime Limit Reached – ACA Saved Him. #ProtectOurCare May 10, 2017
Medicare Oral Health News: District Court in Lodge Cautions Against Strict Application of Same Time/Same Dentist Rule May 10, 2017
Brief Description of Medicare Home Health Coverage Under the Medicare Act May 3, 2017
April is National Minority Health Month April 26, 2017
Center Urges CMS to Preserve and Strengthen Consumer Protections in Medicare Advantage and Part D April 26, 2017
Overview: The Crisis in Medicare Home Health Coverage and Access to Care April 19, 2017
Insurer Reaches Agreement with Provider Network – After Frightening Medicare Advantage Enrollees April 19, 2017
CMS Releases Final 2018 Call Letter: Too Little for Consumers April 12, 2017
Reflections on the 4th Annual National Voices of Medicare Summit and Senator Jay Rockefeller Lecture: “Make good, necessary trouble” April 5, 2017
Reflections on the 4th Annual National Voices of Medicare Summit March 31, 2017
Medicaid is Essential for Millions of Medicare Beneficiaries March 8, 2017
Look for the Moon! March 1, 2017
Health Savings Accounts and Medicare Beneficiaries March 1, 2017
Back to the Future: High Risk Pools Annotated Bibliography February 22, 2017
Repealing Medicaid Expansion Could Lead to Thousands of Deaths in the U.S. Annually February 22, 2017
CMS Issues Instructions Regarding the Medicare Outpatient Observation Notice (MOON) February 15, 2017
Affordable Care Act Replacement Proposals – Concerns and Resources February 15, 2017
Issue Brief: CMS Issues New Rules Governing Medicare Appeals February 8, 2017
New Study: Uninsured Rates for Older Adults will Increase if ACA is Repealed or Medicare Eligibility Age is Raised February 1, 2017
Issue Brief: Nursing Home Residents in Jeopardy if Medicaid Becomes a Block Grant February 1, 2017
Opening Salvo on ACA Replacement Falls Short January 25, 2017
HHS Nominee Price Faced Senate HELP Committee Today – Unanswered Questions Remain January 18, 2017
CMS Bulletin Moves to Improve Access to Durable Medical Equipment for Dually Eligible Beneficiaries January 18, 2017
What’s at Stake In the Fight to Sustain Medicare, Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act (ACA) January 11, 2017
National Call-In Day: Protect Our Health Care January 10, 2017
HHS 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, 2016
Reports Highlight Devastating Effects of Repealing the Affordable Care Act and Turning Medicaid into Block Grants December 14, 2016
Hospitals Must Give Patients Notice of Their Observation Status, Beginning March 8, 2017 December 14, 2016
Protect Our Health Care: It’s All Connected – ACA, Medicaid and Medicare are All Under Threat December 7, 2016
Plenty of Sensible Changes to Help and Preserve Medicare November 30, 2016
Medicare is not “Going Broke” November 30, 2016
10 Things To Be Thankful For, From the Center for Medicare Advocacy November 23, 2016
Truth: Obamacare Helps Medicare November 16, 2016
Nursing Home “Advancing Excellence” Quality Program Ends after a Decade November 16, 2016
2017 Medicare Cost Sharing November 16, 2016
Moving Forward with Hope November 10, 2016
What Would Work Better for You? Deciding Between Traditional Medicare and a Medicare Advantage Plan November 9, 2016
Observation Status Impedes Access to End-of-Life Skilled Nursing Facility Care November 3, 2016
10 Questions to Ask Before Deciding Between Traditional Medicare and a Medicare Advantage Plan November 3, 2016
CMS Rescinds Erroneous Medicare Nursing Home Policy October 26, 2016
CMS Suspends New Applications for MA “Seamless Conversion” Enrollment October 26, 2016
Barriers to Medigap Coverage for Beneficiaries Under Age 65 October 26, 2016
Don’t Believe that Medicare is “Going Broke” October 26, 2016
Medicare Annual Enrollment Period Has Begun – Ends December 7 October 19, 2016
Minimal 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, 2016
Medicare & You 2017 Now Available October 19, 2016
Medicare May Be Helpful in the Event of a Disaster or Emergency October 13, 2016
Don’t be Fooled by the Federal Nursing Home Five-Star Quality Rating System October 5, 2016
New Nursing Home Requirements of Participation: A Missed Opportunity October 5, 2016
An Open Letter to CMS About Fraud September 28, 2016
Stop Calling Inpatients Outpatients: Medicare Created Observation Status – Ask Them to Change It! September 23, 2016
Medicare Affordability and Enrollment Act: Important Protection Introduced for Beneficiaries September 22, 2016
Transition of Coverage: The Affordable Care Act and Medicare September 21, 2016
Center for Medicare Advocacy Launches Home Health Access Initiative To Open Doors to Home Health Care September 15, 2016
The Promise of Medicare Home Health Coverage September 13, 2016
CMS Increases Civil Money Penalty Amounts, Including for Nursing Homes and MA Plans September 7, 2016
New Beneficiary Help Line for ALJ Appeals Results from CMA Litigation September 7, 2016
Free Webinar: Transitions Onto (and Off Of) Medicare for Individuals Under Age 65 September 7, 2016
The Center’s Long-Time Concerns Gain Attention August 31, 2016
Center for Medicare Advocacy Submits Comments on Troubling Proposed Rules August 31, 2016
Submit Your Observation Status Story August 29, 2016
Proposed Rules Will Add to Problems Accessing Necessary Home Health Care August 24, 2016
Jimmo v. Sebelius Return to Court: Judge Orders Medicare Agency to Provide More Education per Settlement in “Improvement Standard” Case August 24, 2016
CMA Organizes Sign-On Letter Concerning CMS Request for Information Regarding Dually-Eligible Beneficiaries’ Access to DME August 24, 2016
CMS Increases Mandatory Enforcement to Protect Nursing Home Residents August 17, 2016
Court Allows Medicare “Rubber Stamp” Case to Go Forward and Certifies Nationwide Class August 10, 2016
Center for Medicare Advocacy Presents at National SHIP and SMP Conference about Medicare for Beneficiaries Under 65 August 10, 2016
Issue Brief Examines Oral Health for Older Adults in California August 10, 2016
Observation Status Hurts Medicare Beneficiaries – Whether they have NOTICE or Not August 10, 2016
CMS Delays Implementation of NOTICE Act Until Fall 2016 August 4, 2016
Exley v. Burwell: Settlement In Medicare Appeals Delay Case Granted Final Approval August 4, 2016
New CMS Research Looks at Health Disparities Impacting Older LGBT People July 27, 2016
Kaiser Family Foundation Issue Brief
Turning Medicare Into a Premium Support System: Frequently Asked Questions July 26, 2016
A Model to Waive the Three-Day Inpatient Hospital Stay Requirement for Care in a Skilled Nursing Facility July 20, 2016
Democratic and Republican Party Platforms: Side-by-Side Comparison of Issues Important to Medicare Beneficiaries July 20, 2016
Proper Use of Electronic Health Records Could Enhance Patient Care July 14, 2016
President Calls On Congress to Add a Public Option to the Affordable Care Act July 13, 2016
New York Times Article on Noninvasive Alternative to Dental Fillings July 13, 2016
Proposed Rule: Access to DME for Dually Eligible People July 6, 2016
Medicare’s Value-Based Purchasing Program for Hospitals: Paying More to Low-Cost Hospitals That Provide Low Quality Care July 6, 2016
Medicare Part D and Off-Label Rx Denials June 29, 2016
Organizing for Comprehensive Oral Health Care June 29, 2016
Center for Medicare Advocacy Submits Comments on Proposed MACRA Rule June 29, 2016
Medicare Trustees Report 2016 June 22, 2016
GAO Report Highlights Certain Problems with Medicare Appeals June 22, 2016
The Center for Medicare Advocacy Submits Comments on Proposed Rule for Hospice June 22, 2016
Center Comments on Proposed Rules for Medicare Skilled Nursing Facilities June 22, 2016
SHIP Funding In Danger June 15, 2016
Elder Abuse in Nursing Facilities: The Over-Administration of Antipsychotic Drugs to Nursing Home Residents June 15, 2016
New Report Supports Need for Advancing Medicare Coverage for Hearing Loss June 8, 2016
Former CMS Administrator Says Expand Medicare Access to Dental Care June 8, 2016
DME: GAO Releases Study on Utilization and Expenditures for Complex Wheelchair Accessories June 8, 2016
Medicare Beneficiaries Still Prefer Traditional Medicare June 8, 2016
Exley v. Burwell: Fairness Hearing on Class Action Settlement about Delays in ALJ Appeals Rescheduled to August 1, 2016 June 2, 2016
Case Study: Enrolled In a Medicare Advantage Plan Without Her Knowledge Through “Seamless Conversion Enrollment” June 1, 2016
CMS Releases Public Use File for the Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey May 25, 2016
New Report Highlights National Epidemic of Medical Errors May 25, 2016
Report Studies Oral Health in Older Adults May 25, 2016
More on Observation Status: CMS Halts Review of Hospitals’ Compliance with Two-Midnight Rule May 25, 2016
Federal Court Issues Favorable Off-label Part D Drug Coverage Decision May 18, 2016
Value of Inpatient Rehabilitation Hospital Care Reaffirmed May 18, 2016
Center for Medicare Advocacy and Partners Meet with CMS to Discuss Medicare Coverage of Oral Health Care May 11, 2016
Government Auditor Finds Billions in Improper Payments to Medicare Advantage Plans Coupled with Inadequate Oversight by Federal Regulator May 11, 2016
Center Submits Comments in Support of Part B Drug Demonstration May 11, 2016
CMS Issues Many Important Proposed Medicare Rules May 4, 2016
Observation Status and the NOTICE Act: Advocates Not Over the MOON April 27, 2016
Reducing Hospital Readmissions by Addressing the Causes April 18, 2016
Improving Quality of Care for Nursing Home Residents by Improving Wages, Benefits, Training and Working Conditions for Nurse Aides April 13, 2016
Notice About the Center’s Nurse Staffing Project April 13, 2016
Center Submits Comments to CMS Opposing Prior Authorization of Home Health Services April 6, 2016
Reauthorization of the Older Americans Act March 30, 2016
International Study: Privatization of Long-Term Care Facilities Does Not Lead to Greater Transparency or More Care March 23, 2016
CMS Proposes Changes in How It Pays for Part B Drugs March 23, 2016
CMS Policy Change Allows Windfall for Medicare Advantage Plans Under Sanction March 16, 2016
Time for Medicare to Cover Audiology Care March 16, 2016
Center for Medicare Advocacy Submits Comments Regarding Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D March 9, 2016
Medicare’s Home Health Benefit Under Threat March 2, 2016
Attention Patients and Prescribers of Part D Drugs March 2, 2016
Can Electronic Health Records Help Advance Quality Health Care for Older LGBT Patients? February 25, 2016
Medicare General Enrollment Period Runs January through March 31; Offers Opportunities for Help Paying Medicare Cost-Sharing February 17, 2016
The President’s Proposed FY 2017 Budget: The Impact on Medicare February 10, 2016
New Medicare Administrative Contractor for Durable Medical Equipment (Effective June 27, 2016) February 3, 2016
New Eligibility and Enrollment Materials from CMS February 3, 2016
Center Submits Comments to Senate Finance Committee’s Bipartisan Chronic Care Working Group (CCWG) February 3, 2016
RNs and CNAs Work Fewer Hours in Nursing Facilities that Serve Predominately Ethnic and Racial Minority Residents January 27, 2016
Remove Barriers to Obtaining Medicare Covered Drugs January 20, 2016
National 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, 2016
CMS Final Rule for Prior Authorization Process for Certain Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) January 6, 2016
The Center for Medicare Advocacy Responds to Requests for Comments from CMS December 30, 2015
CMS Hosts Tele Town Hall on Hospital Observation NOTICE Act; Comments Accepted until January 4, 2016 December 23, 2015
2016 Budget: Impact on Medicare and Health Care December 23, 2015
The Public Cost of Low-Wage Nursing Home Jobs: Pennsylvania Proposals to Stop Hidden Public Subsidies to Nursing Home Industry December 23, 2015
Yet Again, Value-Based Purchasing Did Not Improve Quality December 16, 2015
Proposed Appeals Legislation Leaves Unanswered Questions December 10, 2015
Office of Inspector General Authorizes Hospitals to Discount or Waive Certain Drug Charges for Patients Classified as “Outpatients” December 10, 2015
Revisions to “Two-Midnight Rule” Do Not Help Hospitalized Medicare Patients in Observation Status December 2, 2015
COBRA III: Cautions for Employees of Small Businesses November 30, 2015
COBRA and Medicare, Part II November 29, 2015
People with Medicare Beware: COBRA Is Not Coverage as a “Current” Employee November 24, 2015
Department of Health and Human Services Forum on Drug Pricing and Innovation November 24, 2015
Budget Act of 2015 Increases Penalties for Programs under the Social Security Act, Including Nursing Facilities November 18, 2015
Discharge Planning: Tips for Evaluating a Hospital’s Skilled Nursing Facility Placement Choices November 17, 2015
Update: Medicare Coverage for Ambulance Services November 12, 2015
Proposed Revisions to Requirements for Discharge Planning for Hospitals, Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs), and Home Health Agencies (HHAs) November 12, 2015
2016 Cost-Sharing Announced November 12, 2015
Budget Deal Averting Steep Part B Premium & Deductible Increases Signed Into Law November 4, 2015
House 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, 2015
CMS Proposed Rules for Nursing Facility Requirements of Participation: Center for Medicare Advocacy Submits Comments October 23, 2015
Kaiser Family Foundation Report on Income and Assets of Medicare Beneficiaries October 23, 2015
Solution to Medicare Part B Cost Increases? Look at “Outpatient” Observation Status October 23, 2015
Part B and the Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) October 15, 2015
Kaiser Family Foundation Releases Reports on MA and Part D in 2016 October 15, 2015
Medicare Annual Enrollment Period Starts Today (October 15) and Ends December 7 October 15, 2015
Advocacy Organizations Support Legislation to Mitigate Huge Part B Premium/Deductible Increases October 8, 2015
Center for Medicare Advocacy Files Civil Rights Complaint on Behalf of People Who Need Lower Limb Prostheses October 8, 2015
CMS Unveils New Web-Based Resource for Employers October 1, 2015
GAO Issues Report Concerning CMS Oversight of Medicare Advantage Provider Network Adequacy October 1, 2015
Center Urges Action on Drastic Part B Premium Increase October 1, 2015
CMS Reopens Public Comment Period for Proposed Revisions to the Nursing Home Requirements of Participation September 17, 2015
Center Submits Comments to CMS Proposal Concerning Medicare Advantage Value-Based Insurance Design Model September 17, 2015
New From Social Security: Replace Your Medicare Card Online September 10, 2015
Center Submits Comments to CMS on Physician Fee Schedule, Joint Replacement Model Proposed Rules September 10, 2015
CMS Introduces Plan to Address Health Equity in Medicare September 10, 2015
Center for Medicare Advocacy Submits Comments in Three Key areas to Keep Medicare Accessible for People In Need September 3, 2015
Medicare Coverage of Skilled Care: Nine Services that are Skilled by Definition August 27, 2015
CMS Report Finds Access to Care Problems for Low-Income Medicare Beneficiaries August 27, 2015
Observation Status Again! August 20, 2015
Social Security – 9 Facts You May Not Know August 20, 2015
We Celebrate Social Security and all Those Who Work to Keep it Strong August 14, 2015
Case Study: Home Health Coverage and Medicare Advantage Plan Responsibilities August 13, 2015
Medicare Can Help People In Rural Areas Access Mental Health Care August 13, 2015
Observation Status: The NOTICE Act Will Soon Be Law August 6, 2015
Better Medicare Coverage of Speech Generating Devices August 6, 2015
Medicare is 50! July 30, 2015
Reports of Import – Trustees and Kaiser Family Foundation July 23, 2015
Rep. Dingell Calls for Medicare Coverage of Hearing Aids July 16, 2015
Proposed Requirements of Participation for Nursing Facilities Do Not Strengthen Standards for Residents July 16, 2015
Steve Gleason Act Passes in Congress: Center for Medicare Advocacy is Proud to Partner with Team Gleason July 16, 2015
Proposed Revisions to “Two-Midnight” Rule Provide Little, If Any, Relief for Medicare Beneficiaries Stuck in the Hospital in Observation Status July 9, 2015
The Jimmo Implementation Council July 2, 2015
Center for Medicare Advocacy Submits Comments to Senate Finance Committee and CMS Regarding Important Health Care Proposals June 25, 2015
Advancing Excellence: Very Few Nursing Homes are “Full Active Participants” and Nearly Half of Them Provide Poor Care June 18, 2015
Non-Emergent Ambulance Transport: Don’t Lose Out on Coverage June 11, 2015
Is the Movement for a Higher Minimum Wage Coming to Health Care? June 4, 2015
Senate Finance Committee Approves Medicare Audit and Appeal Reform Bill June 4, 2015
The Medicare Dental Exclusion: Is it Being Used to Deny Vulnerable Beneficiaries Needed Care? May 28, 2015
Saga of an Inpatient Hospital Appeal: Notice and Use of Lifetime Reserve Days and Comments on Observation Status May 21, 2015
Bundling Payments for Post-Acute Care May 14, 2015
Center Attorneys Meet with Senate Finance Committee Staff Members About Changes to Medicare Appeals Process May 7, 2015
Senate Finance Committee Holds Hearing on Medicare Appeals Backlog – Proposed Solutions Are of Great Concern April 30, 2015
Medicare Takes a Big Step Forward to Help People Communicate – But There’s More to Do April 30, 2015
Observation Status Update April 23, 2015
Congress Passes “Doc Fix” – Senate Unable to Improve the Bill for Medicare Beneficiaries April 16, 2015
Medicare Myths vs. Facts – “Doc Fix” Edition April 9, 2015
Final 2016 CMS Call Letter for Medicare Parts C and D Released April 9, 2015
The 2015 National Voices of Medicare Summit April 2, 2015
Center for Medicare Advocacy Co-Authors Report Published by the Kaiser Family Foundation Comparing Consumer Protections in Major Health Plans March 26, 2015
Observation 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, 2015
No Way to Celebrate Medicare’s 50th: Proposed Congressional Budgets Offer More of the Same, Less for Medicare and Beneficiaries March 18, 2015
Ongoing “Doc Fix” Negotiations March 18, 2015
National Public Radio Program Features CMS’s New Quality Rating System for Nursing Homes March 18, 2015
Antipsychotic Drugs and Nursing Home Residents: What Do the Different Numbers Mean? March 12, 2015
Center for Medicare Advocacy Submits Comments to Draft 2016 Call Letter for Medicare Parts C and D March 12, 2015
Has 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, 2015
Changes to Nursing Home Compare and the Five Star Quality Rating System February 26, 2015
2016 Medicare Advantage (Part C) and Part D Final Rule Issued February 19, 2015
Medicaid Expansion Update February 12, 2015
The President’s Proposed FY 2016 Budget: The Impact on Medicare February 5, 2015
“Until there is a cure, technology is the cure.” February 5, 2015
CMS Tool for Assessing Civil Money Penalties Imposed Against Nursing Facilities Continues to Ensure that Penalties Will Remain Low January 29, 2015
Observation Status and the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission January 22, 2015
Appeals Court Allows Hospital Patients in “Observation Status” to Continue Court Case January 22, 2015
3. Medicare Saves Lives January 22, 2015
2. Medicare Reduced Poverty January 16, 2015
Twelfth Largest U.S. Nursing Home Company Sued for Inadequate Staffing January 15, 2015
1. Medicare Was Key to Integrating Hospitals January 8, 2015
The Year In Review: Good News In Medicare & Health Care December 18, 2014
No Site Neutral Payments for Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities and Skilled Nursing Facilities December 11, 2014
Medicaid-Medicare Dual Eligible Updates December 4, 2014
Changes to Nursing Home Compare: Some Good, Some Bad November 20, 2014
Affordable Care Act Enrollment Season Begins Saturday for 2015 Coverage November 13, 2014
Suppliers Objections to DMEPOS Competitive Bidding; CMA Comments in Response to CMS Requests; More November 6, 2014
Federal Case Settled for Vermont Plaintiff in Landmark Jimmo v. Sebelius Class Action − Medicare Coverage Finally Granted for Jimmo’s Skilled Maintenance Care October 30, 2014
Update on MA and Part D Plans October 23, 2014
Administration Plans Major Improvements to Nursing Home Compare October 16, 2014
2015 Medicare Cost Sharing October 9, 2014
Hospice Patients’ Rights Enhanced by New Medicare Rule October 2, 2014
Annual Enrollment for Medicare Advantage & Part D: October 15 – December 7 September 18, 2014
New Resources to Help LTC Facility Staff Work with LGBT Older Persons and Their Families August 28, 2014
Center for Medicare Advocacy Sues to Fix Broken Medicare Appeals System August 28, 2014
Nursing Facilities Owned by Private Equity Firms: Fewer Nurses, More Deficiencies August 20, 2014
Observation Status: Mixed Messages from Federal Government as Beneficiaries Continue to be Hurt August 14, 2014
Medicare and Telemedicine (or Telehealth) August 7, 2014
Medicare Advantage Patient Bill of Rights Legislation Introduced in Congress August 1, 2014
Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities and Skilled Nursing facilities: Vive La Difference! July 31, 2014
Hospice and Access to Medications Update: CMS Replacement Guidance July 24, 2014
CMS Restructures Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) Program July 17, 2014
Delivery and Set-Up Guidelines for Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) July 10, 2014
Memorandum: GAO and OIG Reports Note No Problems In Beneficiary Access to DMEPOS. Beneficiary Advocates Disagree. July 10, 2014
Corporations Don’t Bleed: The Disturbing Hobby Lobby Decision July 3, 2014
The DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Process: Is It Working? June 26, 2014
Observation Status – Notice and Appeal June 19, 2014
The Center Joins 26 Other Organizations in Calling for Suspension of Hospice and Part D Guidance June 12, 2014
Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement (QAPI) In Nursing Homes: Diverting CMS Attention from Enforcement June 12, 2014
Medicare’s Reluctance to Embrace Technology: Effects on the Coverage of Speech Generating Devices June 5, 2014
Further Federal Protections for Same-Sex Married Couples May 29, 2014
Harm from Medicare’s Hospital Observation Status Debated In Congressional Hearing – Center for Medicare Advocacy Presents Beneficiary Perspective May 21, 2014
Senior Policy Attorney Toby S. Edelman Testifies about Observation Status before Congress May 15, 2014
Bill Introduced to Ensure Equality Under Social Security for Same-Sex Spouses May 15, 2014
Federal Nursing Home Enforcement System is Not Punitive: Setting the Record Straight Again May 8, 2014
Submitting Claims to Part D for Prescription Drugs Administered in the Hospital During an Observation Status Stay May 1, 2014
April is Minority Health Month April 24, 2014
Tinkering With Hospice: The Medicare Care Choices Model April 24, 2014
The Myth of Improved Quality in Nursing Home Care: Setting the Record Straight Again April 17, 2014
Hospice and Access to Medications – New CMS Guidance April 10, 2014
Medicare Physician Payment – Another One-Year Fix Passes Congress, With Usual “Extenders” and Some New, Permanent Payment Policies April 3, 2014
Reflections on the 1st Annual National Voices of Medicare Summit and Senator Jay Rockefeller Lecture March 27, 2014
OIG Report: Care in Skilled Nursing Facilities Harmed Nearly One-Third of Medicare Residents in August 2011 March 19, 2014
Center Executive Director Judith Stein Testifies Before House Energy & Commerce Committee about Medicare Advantage Plans March 13, 2014
Staffing Deficiencies in Nursing Facilities: Rarely Cited, Seldom Sanctioned March 7, 2014
The President’s Proposed FY 2015 Budget: The Impact on Medicare March 6, 2014
Medicare Advantage Payment Reductions Are Good News for Medicare February 27, 2014
New Study: CMS’s New 2-Midnight Rule Increases Hospital’s Use of Observation Status February 20, 2014
MSP Reporting Threshold Change – 2/18/2014 February 20, 2014
2014 Income and Resource Information for Medicare Low-Income Programs February 6, 2014
Jimmo Class Members Can Now Have Their Coverage Denials Re-Reviewed January 30, 2014
CMA Report: Inappropriate Use of Antipsychotic Drugs in Nursing Homes, Part Three – Recommendations to Improve the Citing of Deficiencies January 23, 2014
Medicare Therapy Caps: A Call for Repeal January 16, 2014
Medicare Hospice Care: We Want Your Stories! January 9, 2014
Medicare Policy Manuals Revised as Required by Jimmo Settlement January 9, 2014
CMA Report on Inappropriate Use of Antipsychotic Drugs in Nursing Homes – Part Two: What the Surveyors Say January 2, 2014
Replacing the Broken Medicare Physician Payment Formula: At What Cost for People with Medicare? December 19, 2013
Kaiser Family Foundation Report Finds Medicare Beneficiaries Have Very Good Access to Doctors December 19, 2013
CMA Report: Examining Inappropriate Use of Antipsychotic Drugs in Nursing Facilities December 12, 2013
Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans: Considerations for Reauthorization December 5, 2013
Three Observation Status Bills Have Been Introduced; Only Congressman Courtney’s Has Immediate Promise November 27, 2013
Atlantic Philanthropies Awards Center for Medicare Advocacy Three-Year Matching Grant for New and Increased Contributions November 21, 2013
Misuse of Antipsychotic Drugs in Nursing Homes: Are We Making Any Progress? November 14, 2013
New CMS Proposed Homebound Policy Would Leave Medicare Beneficiaries Without Coverage November 7, 2013
New CMS Rules Do NOT Change Requirement for 3-Day Qualifying Inpatient Hospital Stay October 31, 2013
New Report: Expanded Dental Coverage Needed to Confront Health Crisis October 24, 2013
The Health Care Reform Marketplace is NOT for People with Medicare! October 17, 2013
The Medicare Annual Coordinated Election Period Has Begun! October 17, 2013
Caution: Home Health Episode Payment Caps October 10, 2013
United Healthcare Dramatically Reducing CT Medicare Advantage Plans – Check in YOUR State October 10, 2013
Health Insurance Marketplaces Open – What Does it Mean for You? October 3, 2013
Medicare Secondary Payer: Web Portal to Collect Data on Conditional Payment Amounts and Claims Detail October 3, 2013
Disappointing Decision from Court in Challenge to “Observation Status” Highlights Need to Pass Legislation September 26, 2013
Federal Commission on Long-Term Care Concludes Its Work September 19, 2013
Debunking Nursing Home Myths about Quality of Care and Enforcement of Federal Care Standards September 12, 2013
Observation Status Round Up September 5, 2013
Observation Status: New Final Rules from CMS Do Not Help Medicare Beneficiaries August 29, 2013
CMA to Congress about Medicare Proposals: Protect Beneficiaries, Improve Access to Care August 21, 2013
Demise of DOMA: Implementing Federal Benefits for Same-Sex Spouses August 15, 2013
Observation Status: OIG Provides an Analysis and CMS Issues Final Regulations August 8, 2013
Observation Status: “Morphed Into Madness” August 1, 2013
Happy Birthday, Medicare! July 25, 2013
Setting the Record Straight: The Social Security Disability Insurance Program July 18, 2013
The Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act: Improving Enrollment in the Medicare Savings Program Five Years Later July 11, 2013
Federal Commission on Long-Term Care Holds First Meeting July 3, 2013
Celebrating Pride and Equality: New SSA Rules on Gender Discrimination & DOMA Ruling June 27, 2013
Medicare’s National Mail Order Program for Diabetic Testing Supplies June 20, 2013
Let DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Proceed While Addressing Identified Problems and Concerns June 13, 2013
New Report: Immigrants and Immigration Reform are Good for Medicare June 6, 2013
CMS Updates Guidance for Hospital Discharge Planning May 30, 2013
Center for Medicare Advocacy Submits Joint Testimony to Congress on Medicare Reform Proposals May 23, 2013
CMS Addresses Observation Status Again… And Again, No Help for Beneficiaries May 16, 2013
Debunking Medicare Myths: Drug Rebates for Dual Eligibles May 8, 2013
Immigration Reform and Access to Health Care May 2, 2013
Privatization: Not Right for Medicaid, Not Right for Medicare April 25, 2013
Medicare Paid $5.1 Billion to SNFs that Did Not Provide Care-Planning and Discharge-Planning (February 2013 OIG Report) April 18, 2013
The Impact of the President’s Budget on People Who Depend on Medicare and Social Security April 11, 2013
Medicare Benefit Redesign: Proposals to Restructure Could Hurt More than Help April 4, 2013
CMS’ Proposed Rules on Observation Status Would Not Help Beneficiaries March 28, 2013
Bills Concerning Hospital Observation Status Reintroduced March 21, 2013
Happy Anniversary, Affordable Care Act March 21, 2013
Medicare Advantage “Cuts?” Don’t Believe it. March 14, 2013
Medicare and Mental Health March 14, 2013
Protect Medicare: Reject Paul Ryan’s Budget Proposal March 14, 2013
Honor Women’s History Month: Preserve a Strong Medicare Program March 7, 2013
Sequester Update: Issues Facing Older and Disabled People March 7, 2013
New CMS Website: Medicare Secondary Payer Conditional Payment Information February 21, 2013
Translating DC-Speak: What Deficit Proposals Mean for Medicare Beneficiaries February 14, 2013
Reminder: Medicare Advantage Disenrollment Period (MADP) Ends February 14th February 7, 2013
Nursing Home Enforcement by United States Attorneys: What Happened to the Regulatory System? February 7, 2013
Study Shows High Cost-Sharing Significantly Harms Family Health and Finances February 1, 2013
The Worst-Performing Nursing Facilities Are Seldom Sanctioned; Self-Reporting is Not an Accurate Quality Measurement January 24, 2013
Medicare Facts and Fiction: Costs and Spending Edition January 10, 2013
Notes from the Cliff: The Deal and Its Impact on Medicare January 3, 2013
States Can’t Get Full Federal Funding for Partial Medicaid Expansion December 27, 2012
2013 Medicare Cost-Sharing December 27, 2012
Putting a Donut Hole Back in Medicare: Proposals to Increase Medigap Costs Put Vulnerable Beneficiaries at Risk December 20, 2012
Warning: Medicare Payment Limits Are Bad for Health! December 13, 2012
Special Report – Independence of Medicare Administrative Law Judges Threatened by Office of Inspector General’s Recommendations December 6, 2012
Raising the Medicare Eligibility Age: A Costly and Dangerous Proposal November 29, 2012
Déjà Vu All Over Again: CMS Decides (Again) Not to Decide About Observation Status November 20, 2012
Deficit Reduction and Medicare: Save Money Without Harming Beneficiaries November 15, 2012
The Affordable Care Act Moves Forward: What’s Up for 2013 November 8, 2012
Medicare and ACA Facts and Updates; Jimmo Update November 1, 2012
Settlement Reached to End Medicare’s “Improvement Standard” October 25, 2012
Picking a Plan During the Annual Enrollment Period? Choose Carefully October 18, 2012
CMA in Action: Judith Stein Testifies in Congress on the Ryan Plan to End Medicare October 4, 2012
New Procedures for Review of Quality of Care Complaints September 27, 2012
Making Sense of Medicare’s Preventive Service Benefits September 20, 2012
Improving LGBT Health: The 2012 Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) Annual LGBT Report September 13, 2012
How the Ryan Budget (and Republican Platform) Would Hurt Current Nursing Home Residents August 30, 2012
We Don’t Need the Ryan Plan − Medicare Is Not Going Broke August 30, 2012
Increased Funding for AIDS Drugs Assistance Program Responds to Need for Additional HIV/AIDS Services August 23, 2012
CMS Clarifies When the Advance Beneficiary Notice of Non-Coverage (ABN) Must be Issued August 16, 2012
The $700 Billion Medicare Myth August 16, 2012
CMS Invites Public Comment on Observation Status August 9, 2012
Medicare Secondary Payer (MSP) Program: Proposed Rules for the Treatment of Funds Intended for Future Medical Expenses August 2, 2012
Organizations Unite to Urge Caution in Demonstration Programs Serving Low-Income Medicare Beneficiaries July 26, 2012
More Concerns About Observation Status: Hospitals Join the Chorus July 12, 2012
House Votes for 33rd Time to Repeal Health Reform July 12, 2012
Good News for Medicare: Supreme Court Upholds Affordable Care Act July 5, 2012
Supreme Court Upholds Health Care Reform, Including Improvements to Medicare June 28, 2012
MedPAC Reviews Blending Medicare and Medicaid June 21, 2012
Honoring LGBT Pride Month: New Resources Available June 21, 2012
Recognizing Elder Abuse Awareness Day: Working Together to Curb Misuse of Powerful Antipsychotic Drugs in Nursing Homes June 14, 2012
Brown University Confirms Observation Continues to Replace Hospital Admission Status June 7, 2012
National Alzheimer’s Plan: A Step Forward, More Work Ahead May 17, 2012
Low Staffing in Nursing Homes Leads to More Deaths May 3, 2012
Affordable Care Act in Action: People with Medicare Continue to See Savings May 3, 2012
Rewarding Mediocrity: GAO Report Concerning Medicare Advantage “Bonus” Payments April 26, 2012
Fact vs. Fiction: Medicare is Not Going “Bankrupt” April 26, 2012
Medicare Under Threat: Health Reform Versus the Ryan Budget April 5, 2012
Health Care Reform On Trial March 29, 2012
The Second Anniversary of Health Care Reform is Good News Will There be a Third? March 21, 2012
Non-Profit vs. For-Profit Nursing Homes: Is there a Difference in Care? March 15, 2012
Bad Apples: Combating Medicare Fraud While Ensuring Access for Beneficiaries March 8, 2012
Congressional Subcommittee Examines Issues of Dental Health March 8, 2012
New Medicare Summary Notice March 8, 2012
Reducing Rehospitalizations… The Right Way March 1, 2012
The President’s Proposed 2013 Budget: Impact on Medicare February 17, 2012
Investing in Our Future: Strengthening Medicare for 2012 and Beyond February 9, 2012
Center for Medicare Advocacy Files Amicus Brief In Support Of the Affordable Care Act February 2, 2012
The Medicare Advance Beneficiary Notice of Non-Coverage (ABN): A Tool for Limiting Beneficiary Liability January 26, 2012
Medicare Cost-Sharing for Qualified Medicare Beneficiaries January 19, 2012
Voluntary Nursing Home Improvement Campaign Does Not Work January 11, 2012
New Medicare Part D Pharmacy Notice Rule In Effect; Stay Tuned for Final Model Notice January 5, 2012
Reminder: Medicare Covers Obesity Prevention with No Cost-Sharing January 5, 2012
Payroll Tax Extension Includes Important Provisions for Medicare Beneficiaries December 29, 2011
Special Focus Facility Study: Nursing Facilities’ Self-Regulation Cannot Replace Independent Surveys December 22, 2011
Fall Updates! Enrollment; Antipsychotic Drugs in SNFs; DME December 1, 2011
Forcing Dual Eligibles Into Private Health Plans is No Quick Fix November 22, 2011
Supercommittee Update November 17, 2011
Health Care Reform Update: Where Are We, and What’s Up for 2012? November 10, 2011
Preserving Access to Necessary Care: Ending Hospital “Observation Status” November 3, 2011
Federal Judge Refuses to Dismiss Medicare Beneficiaries’ Challenge to the Medicare “Improvement Standard” October 27, 2011
Breaking Good News for Medicare Beneficiaries October 27, 2011
2012 Medicare Premiums, Deductibles and Co-Pays October 27, 2011
Hospice – Care When It’s Needed Most October 20, 2011
“Skin in the Game,” Health Equity and Deficit Reduction October 13, 2011
Medicare Advantage and Part D Changes and Enrollment Updates October 6, 2011
The President’s Plan for Economic Growth and Deficit Reduction: A First Look at the Impact on Medicare September 29, 2011
COBRA: A Summary September 24, 2011
Annual Enrollment Starts October 15 and Ends December 7 for Medicare Part C & Part D Plans September 22, 2011
Study Finds that Use of Hospitalists Shifts Costs from Inpatient Care to Post-Discharge Setting September 8, 2011
CMS to Begin Round Two of Its Competitive Bidding Program for the Provision of Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics and Supplies (DMEPOS) September 1, 2011
Medicare Reimbursement For Skilled Nursing Facilities Remains High For 2012 Despite Reductions In Overpayments August 25, 2011
The Changing Demographics of Nursing Home Care: Greater Minority Access… Good News, Bad News August 18, 2011
Amended Appeal Rules for Employer and Individual Health Plans August 11, 2011
What Does the Debt Ceiling Agreement Mean for Medicare? August 4, 2011
CMS Revises Its Medicare Secondary Payer Collection Letters Following Haro v. Sebelius Decision July 28, 2011
New Initiatives to Improve Services for Dual Eligibles July 15, 2011
House Plans Vote to Slash Medicare and Social Security through Balanced Budget Amendment July 15, 2011
Lower-Premium Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plans Take Effect in Many States July 7, 2011
Real Solutions to Save Medicare Dollars in Skilled Nursing Facilities June 30, 2011
CMS Permits States to Extend Certain Medicaid Spousal Protections to Same-Sex Couples June 23, 2011
Why Medicaid Matters to People with Medicare June 16, 2011
So, What Would You Do? Real Solutions for Medicare Solvency and Reducing the Deficit June 9, 2011
Bittersweet Transitions at the Center for Medicare Advocacy June 2, 2011
New Rules for Medicare Advantage and Part D Plans June 2, 2011
Many Uninsured Individuals with Pre-Existing Conditions Will Find It Easier to Obtain Coverage June 2, 2011
CMS Sends Out Reminders to LIS-Eligible Medicare Beneficiaries May 26, 2011
Combating Fraud, Waste and Abuse in Health Care May 26, 2011
2011 Medicare Trustees Report May 19, 2011
Send Us Medicare Summary Notices (MSNs) May 19, 2011
Preserve Medicaid – Share Your Story! May 19, 2011
Medicare Secondary Payer Practices that Harm Medicare Beneficiaries May 12, 2011
Proposed Notice Requirements About Quality of Care: Endorsement, with Concerns May 5, 2011
New Hospice Face-to-Face Requirement: Help or Hindrance? April 28, 2011
Send Us Medicare Summary Notices (MSNs) April 25, 2011
What Happens to Current Nursing Home Residents if the House Budget Resolution Becomes Law? April 21, 2011
25 Years of Medicare Advocacy, and Hope for 25 More April 14, 2011
Keeping Medicare and Medicaid Strong? April 7, 2011
Why Medicaid Matters to Medicare Beneficiaries and Their Families April 1, 2011
Happy Anniversary, Health Care Reform March 23, 2011
Reducing Antipsychotic Drug Use in Nursing Homes: Save Residents’ Lives, Save Medicare Billions of Dollars March 17, 2011
Help Someone Retain Part D Extra Help March 17, 2011
More Nurses in Nursing Homes Would Mean Fewer Patients Headed to Hospitals March 10, 2011
Medicare General Enrollment Ends March 31st: Opportunity for Some to Access QMB Coverage March 3, 2011
The Burden of Out-of-Pocket Costs on Medicare Beneficiaries February 24, 2011
Medicare Secondary Payer Collection Requirements for Insurers Threaten Beneficiary Rights February 17, 2011
Extension of Time to Enroll In a Prescription Drug Plan for Medicare Beneficiaries Who Lost Coverage February 10, 2011
Concern over Skilled Nursing Facilities’ Upcoding Medicare Reimbursement Should Not Be Allowed to Deprive Residents of Necessary Care February 10, 2011
Judge Rejects “Eden Alternative” Defense In Nursing Home Appeal February 3, 2011
2011 Poverty Levels Affect Eligibility for Many Federal Programs January 27, 2011
New Hospice Regulations are a Mixed Bag for Beneficiaries Seeking High Quality End of Life Care January 20, 2011
45 Day Disenrollment Period for Medicare Advantage Members January 6, 2011

Archived Alerts – 2011 to Present

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