On March 13, 2014, Center for Medicare Advocacy Executive Director and Founder Judith Stein testified before the House Energy & Commerce Committee, Subcommittee on Health, at a hearing entitled "Keeping the Promise: Allowing Seniors to Keep … [Read more...] about Center Executive Director Judith Stein Testifies Before House Energy & Commerce Committee about Medicare Advantage Plans
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Staffing Deficiencies in Nursing Facilities: Rarely Cited, Seldom Sanctioned
Although most nursing facilities nationwide do not have sufficient staff to provide necessary care to their residents, an analysis by the Center for Medicare Advocacy (Center) finds that the federal enforcement system cites very few facilities with … [Read more...] about Staffing Deficiencies in Nursing Facilities: Rarely Cited, Seldom Sanctioned
The President’s Proposed FY 2015 Budget: The Impact on Medicare
This week, President Obama unveiled his Fiscal Year 2015 Budget.[1] With respect to Medicare, it is very similar to last year’s proposed budget, both good and bad.One significant improvement over last year's budget is that it no … [Read more...] about The President’s Proposed FY 2015 Budget: The Impact on Medicare
Medicare Advantage Payment Reductions Are Good News for Medicare
On February 21, 2014, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued its draft 2015 Call Letter to Medicare Advantage (MA) and Part D plan sponsors, which includes a proposed rate for MA payment for 2015.[1] Much anticipated, the … [Read more...] about Medicare Advantage Payment Reductions Are Good News for Medicare
Bourgoin v. Sebelius
No. 13-cv-55-JAW (D.Me.), filed February 20, 2013Issue: Whether the Secretary of Health and Human Services violated the Administrative Procedure Act when she approved a proposed state plan amendment to Maine's Medicaid program that will … [Read more...] about Bourgoin v. Sebelius
New Study: CMS’s New 2-Midnight Rule Increases Hospital’s Use of Observation Status
Final rules published in August 2013 by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) created time-based rules for determining inpatient status in an acute-care hospital.[1] Under the rules' two-midnight presumption, a physician … [Read more...] about New Study: CMS’s New 2-Midnight Rule Increases Hospital’s Use of Observation Status
MSP Reporting Threshold Change – 2/18/2014
On February 18, 2014, CMS’s Financial Services Group announced in an Alert an important change in the reporting threshold for certain liability settlements, judgments awards or other payments required by Section 202 of the Strengthening … [Read more...] about MSP Reporting Threshold Change – 2/18/2014
2014 Income and Resource Information for Medicare Low-Income Programs
Programs that help low-income people afford their Medicare, including the Medicare Savings Programs and the Part D Low Income Subsidy (also called LIS or Extra Help) have income and resource eligibility guidelines that change yearly.The Federal … [Read more...] about 2014 Income and Resource Information for Medicare Low-Income Programs
Jimmo Class Members Can Now Have Their Coverage Denials Re-Reviewed
If you are covered by Medicare and you have a long-term or chronic condition, you may be eligible to have Medicare re-review your claims that were denied in prior years. Please read carefully.In addition to revising Medicare manual … [Read more...] about Jimmo Class Members Can Now Have Their Coverage Denials Re-Reviewed
CMA Report: Inappropriate Use of Antipsychotic Drugs in Nursing Homes, Part Three – Recommendations to Improve the Citing of Deficiencies
As required by the 1987 federal Nursing Home Reform Law,[1] CMS has developed, tested, and periodically revised a survey protocol that state surveyors, who are generally employed by the state health departments, must use to determine nursing … [Read more...] about CMA Report: Inappropriate Use of Antipsychotic Drugs in Nursing Homes, Part Three – Recommendations to Improve the Citing of Deficiencies