Since the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, outpatient therapy under Medicare Part B has been subject to dollar limits, or caps.[1] During most of these 20 years, an “exceptions” process has allowed beneficiaries and providers to seek … [Read more...] about Outpatient Therapy Caps: What Now?
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Nursing Home Resident’s Rights Newsletter – January Edition
Elder Justice: What "No Harm" Really Means for Residents is a monthly newsletter published by the Center for Medicare Advocacy and the Long Term Care Community Coalition. The purpose of the newsletter is to provide residents, families, … [Read more...] about Nursing Home Resident’s Rights Newsletter – January Edition
Kaiser Family Foundation Issues Report on Medicare Beneficiaries’ Out-of-Pocket Spending
The Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) just released a report entitled “Medicare Beneficiaries’ Out-of-Pocket Health Care Spending as a Share of Income Now and Projections for the Future” (January 2018). As noted in the report, … [Read more...] about Kaiser Family Foundation Issues Report on Medicare Beneficiaries’ Out-of-Pocket Spending
State of the Union Speech Touches on Health Care Issues
In anticipation of last night’s State of the Union address, the Center issued a guide entitled “How to Listen to Tonight’s State of the Union Address” that included some suggestions for how to listen to, and translate, key … [Read more...] about State of the Union Speech Touches on Health Care Issues
How to Listen to Tonight’s State of the Union Address
Sometimes policymakers, including presidents, speak in code – they say one thing, but mean something else.Here are some suggestions for how to listen to, and translate, key statements related to health care that may be in the State of the … [Read more...] about How to Listen to Tonight’s State of the Union Address
Lawsuit Challenging Chronic SNF Understaffing Settled for $72 Million
A lawsuit by former residents at 12 Arkansas nursing facilities owned by Golden Living alleged that the facilities were chronically understaffed between December 2006 and July 2009, in violation of the facilities’ admission agreement, the … [Read more...] about Lawsuit Challenging Chronic SNF Understaffing Settled for $72 Million
CMS to Propose Revising the Nursing Home Requirements of Participation
In October 2017, CMS announced its new “Patients over Paperwork” initiative.[1] The objective of the initiative is to adhere to the Trump Administration’s Executive Order (EO 13771), which tasked agencies with cutting … [Read more...] about CMS to Propose Revising the Nursing Home Requirements of Participation
Medicare Advantage Enrollees Have Fewer SNF Options than Traditional Medicare Beneficiaries
“Medicare Advantage Enrollees More Likely to Enter Lower-Quality Nursing Homes Compared to Fee-For-Service Enrollees,” a report recently published by Health Affairs, examines the quality of skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) used by … [Read more...] about Medicare Advantage Enrollees Have Fewer SNF Options than Traditional Medicare Beneficiaries
Remember People with Medicare in Renewed Spending Bill Debates
Following the reopening of the federal government on January 23, 2018, the Center for Medicare Advocacy and the Medicare Rights Center issued a joint statement highlighting how Congress has so far failed to address several issues critical to people … [Read more...] about Remember People with Medicare in Renewed Spending Bill Debates
Health Care Sabotage Continues
Throughout 2017 we called on the Administration to stop undermining the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and protect the care of millions of consumers in need of quality coverage. We highlighted the Administration’s actions cutting the ACA enrollment … [Read more...] about Health Care Sabotage Continues