NATIONAL MEDICARE ADVOCATES ALLIANCE CALL AGENDA Monday, June 11, 2012– 2:00 P.M., Eastern Time Call-in Number: 1 (888) 206-2266 Pass Code: 1050263# NOTE: We ask people calling from the same location to gather around one … [Read more...] about June 11, 2012 – Rehospitalization: Issues, Trends, and Advocacy
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Situ v. Leavitt
No. C06-02841-TEH (N.D.Cal.), filed April 26, 2006 Issue: Whether CMS' failure to correctly implement the Part D prescription benefit for hundreds of thousands of dual eligibles violates the Medicare statute and the Due Process Clause. Relief … [Read more...] about Situ v. Leavitt
Center for Medicare Advocacy, Inc. v. Department of Health & Human Services (No. 10-cv-645)
No. 10-cv-645 (D.Conn.), filed April 27, 2010 Issue: Whether a request under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. § 552, about how Medicare's Improvement Standard is explained to employees of CMS and its contractors, had to be … [Read more...] about Center for Medicare Advocacy, Inc. v. Department of Health & Human Services (No. 10-cv-645)
Anderson v. Leavitt
No. 09-cv-16 (D.Vt.), filed January 22, 2009 Issue: Whether the Secretary's policy of terminating Medicare coverage for a home health patient on the ground that her condition is stable or is not improving violates the Medicare … [Read more...] about Anderson v. Leavitt
National Alzheimer’s Plan: A Step Forward, More Work Ahead
This week, the Obama Administration launched a National Alzheimer's Plan to help the more than 5 million Americans with Alzheimer's disease and their 15 million caregivers. Consisting of funding for clinical research, provider education and … [Read more...] about National Alzheimer’s Plan: A Step Forward, More Work Ahead
Center for Medicare Advocacy in Congress, Voicing Concerns on Behalf of Beneficiaries
On May 9, 2012, the Center for Medicare Advocacy (the Center) testified before the Subcommittee on Health, Committee on Ways and Means, U. S. Congress. The Subcommittee hearing was called by its Chair, Wally Herger (R-CA), to explore the … [Read more...] about Center for Medicare Advocacy in Congress, Voicing Concerns on Behalf of Beneficiaries
Low Staffing in Nursing Homes Leads to More Deaths
When research conducted a decade ago documented that mortality rates actually increased when employment rates increased, health economists sought to identify the cause. Focusing on employed workers did not explain the increased mortality … [Read more...] about Low Staffing in Nursing Homes Leads to More Deaths
Affordable Care Act in Action: People with Medicare Continue to See Savings
New data released this week shows that families and individuals who rely on Medicare continue to see direct benefits from the Affordable Care Act by saving billions of dollars on prescription drug costs.[1] So far in 2012, older and disabled … [Read more...] about Affordable Care Act in Action: People with Medicare Continue to See Savings
Medicare Hospital Readmissions
Reducing hospital readmissions is generating lots of confusion. The rules are complicated. In addition, some hospitals, facilities, and health care networks have adopted protocols, and have in place some level of procedures … [Read more...] about Medicare Hospital Readmissions
Rewarding Mediocrity: GAO Report Concerning Medicare Advantage “Bonus” Payments
On April 23, 2012, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report that concludes, among other things, that a Medicare demonstration program providing bonus payments to Medicare Advantage (MA) plans mainly benefits plans whose … [Read more...] about Rewarding Mediocrity: GAO Report Concerning Medicare Advantage “Bonus” Payments