May 21, 2014The May 20, 2014 hearing on "Current Hospital Issues in the Medicare Program," held by the Health Subcommittee of the House Committee on Ways and Means, was the first Congressional hearing to consider the impact of … [Read more...] about Harm from Medicare’s Hospital Observation Status Debated In Congressional Hearing – Center for Medicare Advocacy Presents Beneficiary Perspective
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Senior Policy Attorney Toby S. Edelman Testifies about Observation Status before Congress
Center for Medicare Advocacy Senior Policy Attorney Toby S. Edelman will testify before the House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee on Tuesday, May 20, 2014 at 9:30 AM regarding current hospital issues in the Medicare program, specifically the … [Read more...] about Senior Policy Attorney Toby S. Edelman Testifies about Observation Status before Congress
Bill Introduced to Ensure Equality Under Social Security for Same-Sex Spouses
On May 8, 2014, Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) and Sen. Mark Udall (D-CO) introduced a bill to amend the Social Security Act so that all legal marriages are appropriately recognized. See: … [Read more...] about Bill Introduced to Ensure Equality Under Social Security for Same-Sex Spouses
Federal Nursing Home Enforcement System is Not Punitive: Setting the Record Straight Again
The Department of Health and Human Services' Inspector General recently reported that nearly one third-of nursing home residents suffered an adverse event or other harm during a stay in a Medicare-participating nursing home in August 2011, and … [Read more...] about Federal Nursing Home Enforcement System is Not Punitive: Setting the Record Straight Again
Submitting Claims to Part D for Prescription Drugs Administered in the Hospital During an Observation Status Stay
The use of Medicare observation status in hospitals has increased dramatically over the past several years.[1] The most notable adverse consequence of Observation Status on beneficiaries is financial liability for any post-hospitalization care at a … [Read more...] about Submitting Claims to Part D for Prescription Drugs Administered in the Hospital During an Observation Status Stay
April is Minority Health Month
Each year, the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health uses the month of April to raise awareness about persistent racial disparities that exist in access to health care and health outcomes. This year's theme, Prevention … [Read more...] about April is Minority Health Month
Tinkering With Hospice: The Medicare Care Choices Model
Some croon, "Everyone wants to go to Heaven, but nobody wants to die." As a general rule, Americans not only don't want to die, we also don't want to talk about death and dying. As a consequence of this reticence, many … [Read more...] about Tinkering With Hospice: The Medicare Care Choices Model
The Myth of Improved Quality in Nursing Home Care: Setting the Record Straight Again
April 17, 2014A recent report by the Department of Health and Human Services' Inspector General found that one third-of nursing home residents in a Medicare-nursing home stay suffered an adverse event or other harm in August 2011 and that … [Read more...] about The Myth of Improved Quality in Nursing Home Care: Setting the Record Straight Again
Hospice and Access to Medications – New CMS Guidance
On March 10, 2014, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a memorandum to Part D Plan Sponsors and Medicare Hospice Providers entitled, "Part D Payment for Drugs for Beneficiaries Enrolled in Hospice – Final 2014 … [Read more...] about Hospice and Access to Medications – New CMS Guidance
Medicare Physician Payment – Another One-Year Fix Passes Congress, With Usual “Extenders” and Some New, Permanent Payment Policies
On Tuesday, April 1st, President Obama signed into law the "Protecting Access to Medicare Act of 2014" (H.R. 4302).[1] This bill is a one year short-term "fix" or "patch" to pending Medicare physician payment cuts under … [Read more...] about Medicare Physician Payment – Another One-Year Fix Passes Congress, With Usual “Extenders” and Some New, Permanent Payment Policies