Can we talk about fraud? It exists. It’s not good for Medicare. Efforts to eliminate its damage to the program are necessary. But CMS’ war on fraud seems to be indiscriminate, full of tactical errors and collateral damage. Rather … [Read more...] about An Open Letter to CMS About Fraud
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Stop Calling Inpatients Outpatients: Medicare Created Observation Status – Ask Them to Change It!
This summer, the New York Times article “New Medicare Law to Notify Patients of Loophole in Nursing Home Coverage”* told the story of one of many people who contact the Center for Medicare Advocacy for help with hospital … [Read more...] about Stop Calling Inpatients Outpatients: Medicare Created Observation Status – Ask Them to Change It!
Medicare Affordability and Enrollment Act: Important Protection Introduced for Beneficiaries
Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden, D-Ore, introduced the Medicare Affordability and Enrollment Act on Wednesday, September 21, 2016. The Bill would improve low-income protections for beneficiaries, eliminate the two-year waiting … [Read more...] about Medicare Affordability and Enrollment Act: Important Protection Introduced for Beneficiaries
Transition of Coverage: The Affordable Care Act and Medicare
The Affordable Care Act (ACA), signed into law in 2010, was enacted to increase the quality and affordability of health care and lower the rate of uninsured by expanding private and public health insurance. One mechanism the ACA established to … [Read more...] about Transition of Coverage: The Affordable Care Act and Medicare
Preview – 2017 Part D Standard Benefit & Other Threshold Amounts
Note: The amounts in this table do not apply to beneficiaries who have the Part D Low Income Subsidy (“Extra Help”) Annual Deductible Maximum $400 Initial Coverage … [Read more...] about Preview – 2017 Part D Standard Benefit & Other Threshold Amounts
Center for Medicare Advocacy Launches Home Health Access Initiative To Open Doors to Home Health Care
As we have reported, the Center has been hearing more and more about people who meet Medicare criteria but cannot obtain, or retain, necessary home health care ordered by their physicians. In particular, people living with long-term and debilitating … [Read more...] about Center for Medicare Advocacy Launches Home Health Access Initiative To Open Doors to Home Health Care
The Promise of Medicare Home Health Coverage
The Center for Medicare Advocacy has been hearing from people who meet Medicare coverage criteria but are unable to access Medicare-covered home health care, or the appropriate amount of care. In particular, people living with long-term and … [Read more...] about The Promise of Medicare Home Health Coverage
CMS Increases Civil Money Penalty Amounts, Including for Nursing Homes and MA Plans
Effective September 6, 2016, and as required by the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015 (§701 of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015, Pub. L. 114-74),[1] the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) … [Read more...] about CMS Increases Civil Money Penalty Amounts, Including for Nursing Homes and MA Plans
New Beneficiary Help Line for ALJ Appeals Results from CMA Litigation
Pursuant to the settlement agreement in Exley v. Burwell, a class action brought by the Center to address delays in appeals at the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ ) level, the Office of Medicare Hearings and Appeals (OMHA) has established a new help … [Read more...] about New Beneficiary Help Line for ALJ Appeals Results from CMA Litigation
Free Webinar: Transitions Onto (and Off Of) Medicare for Individuals Under Age 65
When: Thursday, September 15, 2016 2 - 3 p.m. ESTCostly mistakes and service disruptions are common for people under 65 transitioning onto or off of Medicare from Marketplace plans, Medicaid, or other insurance. Join Justice in Aging’s … [Read more...] about Free Webinar: Transitions Onto (and Off Of) Medicare for Individuals Under Age 65