A recent Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) report, Access to Care Issues Among Qualified Medicare Beneficiaries (QMB), revealed several access to care problems for low-income Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in the QMB program.The … [Read more...] about CMS Report Finds Access to Care Problems for Low-Income Medicare Beneficiaries
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Observation Status Again!
Hospitals often classify hospitalized Medicare patients as outpatients, even though their hospital care may be indistinguishable from the care they would receive if they were formally admitted as inpatients. This issue – called … [Read more...] about Observation Status Again!
Social Security – 9 Facts You May Not Know
9 Facts About Social Security, a recent blog post by Jason Furman, Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers, and Jeff Zients, Director of the National Economic Council, identifies nine important accomplishments for our aging society and for … [Read more...] about Social Security – 9 Facts You May Not Know
We Celebrate Social Security and all Those Who Work to Keep it Strong
This photo of the signing of the Social Security Act was sent to us by a friend of the Center whose father received it, signed, from President Roosevelt’s son.When President Franklin Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act … [Read more...] about We Celebrate Social Security and all Those Who Work to Keep it Strong
Case Study: Home Health Coverage and Medicare Advantage Plan Responsibilities
The Center for Medicare Advocacy received an e-mail inquiry from an individual requesting assistance advocating for her sister, Mrs. B. Mrs. B is a Medicare beneficiary enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan and in need of home health … [Read more...] about Case Study: Home Health Coverage and Medicare Advantage Plan Responsibilities
Medicare Can Help People In Rural Areas Access Mental Health Care
Medicare pays for a limited number of Part B services furnished by a physician or practitioner to an eligible beneficiary via a telecommunications system. For eligible telehealth services, the use of a telecommunications system substitutes for an … [Read more...] about Medicare Can Help People In Rural Areas Access Mental Health Care
Observation Status: The NOTICE Act Will Soon Be Law
An increasing number of patients in hospitals are not formally admitted as inpatients, but as “outpatients” on “observation status.” Although they receive whatever medical and nursing care, diagnostic tests, medications, … [Read more...] about Observation Status: The NOTICE Act Will Soon Be Law
Better Medicare Coverage of Speech Generating Devices
Over the past week, problems with Medicare coverage of Speech Generating Devices (SGDs) have been favorably addressed through both final Administrative and Congressional action.Prior to these actions, Medicare only covered SGDs to generate … [Read more...] about Better Medicare Coverage of Speech Generating Devices
Therapy Services Must be Extended in All Therapy Disciplines – L.B., CCC SL
As a retired speech/language pathologist I have intimate knowledge of the benefits and need to increase eligibility for services.In my professional capacity, I would often evaluate a dementia or Alzeheimer patient who was experiencing severe … [Read more...] about Therapy Services Must be Extended in All Therapy Disciplines – L.B., CCC SL
Medicare is 50!
The 50th anniversary of Medicare has given us an opportunity to reflect on all it has accomplished to advance the health and well-being of families throughout the country. It also reminds us what could have been better – and what could still be … [Read more...] about Medicare is 50!