Last week’s Alert discussed the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS’s) National Partnership to Improve Dementia Care and the Government Accountability Office’s (GAO) recent report on antipsychotic … [Read more...] about Antipsychotic Drugs and Nursing Home Residents: What Do the Different Numbers Mean?
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Center for Medicare Advocacy Submits Comments to Draft 2016 Call Letter for Medicare Parts C and D
Every year, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) releases a draft of payment, performance and other rules that apply to Medicare Advantage (MA) and Part D plans that choose to participate in the Medicare program in the following … [Read more...] about Center for Medicare Advocacy Submits Comments to Draft 2016 Call Letter for Medicare Parts C and D
9. Medicare is Good. It Could Have Been Even Better.
Many people outside the Medicare and health care world don’t know that in 1989 Medicare was briefly, dramatically altered. The “Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Act,” (MCCA) was the most significant revision to Medicare … [Read more...] about 9. Medicare is Good. It Could Have Been Even Better.
8. Medicare is at the Heart of America’s Character
By Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro, CT-3"Along with Medicaid, Social Security and now the Affordable Care Act, Medicare is a bedrock part of the American social insurance system. Its enactment was a turning point in our history that has helped … [Read more...] about 8. Medicare is at the Heart of America’s Character
7. Medicare Beneficiaries are Remarkable
We are continuously amazed at the courage and empathy of our clients. The plaintiffs in Jimmo v. Sebelius, a class action lawsuit, filed by the Center for Medicare Advocacy in 2011 and settled in 2013, are remarkable examples of … [Read more...] about 7. Medicare Beneficiaries are Remarkable
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.
In September 2014, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)[1] reported that the National Partnership to Improve Dementia Care had reduced the use of antipsychotic drugs with nursing home residents by 15.1%, “exceeding” the … [Read more...] about 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.
Changes to Nursing Home Compare and the Five Star Quality Rating System
Two-Thirds of Nursing Facilities Nationwide Will See Decline In their Quality Measures; One-Third of Facilities Will See Decline in Their Overall ScoreAs promised in October 2014,[1] the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has … [Read more...] about Changes to Nursing Home Compare and the Five Star Quality Rating System
2016 Medicare Advantage (Part C) and Part D Final Rule Issued
On February 12, 2015, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published final rules entitled “Medicare Program; Contract Year 2016 Policy and Technical Changes to the Medicare Advantage and the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit … [Read more...] about 2016 Medicare Advantage (Part C) and Part D Final Rule Issued
Medicaid Expansion Update
As originally enacted, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) required each state to expand Medicaid eligibility to 138 % of the Federal Poverty Level. However, the 2012 U.S. Supreme Court’s decision National Federation of Independent … [Read more...] about Medicaid Expansion Update
5. Medicare is a Sacred Trust that Must Be Preserved
By Former U.S. Senator Christopher J. DoddFor half a century our nation, through Medicare, has made a sacred trust, a promise to our seniors. A promise which says that after a lifetime of hard work and paying into the system, they could enjoy the … [Read more...] about 5. Medicare is a Sacred Trust that Must Be Preserved