The Center for Medicare Advocacy (the Center) has reported on the misuse of antipsychotic drugs by nursing homes for many years, discussing Congressional hearings and federal reports and the high personal and financial cost of the misuse of the … [Read more...] about CMA Report on Inappropriate Use of Antipsychotic Drugs in Nursing Homes – Part Two: What the Surveyors Say
Article
Replacing the Broken Medicare Physician Payment Formula: At What Cost for People with Medicare?
OverviewThe current Medicare physician payment formula, known as the "Sustainable Growth Rate" (SGR), was designed to control the growth in aggregate Medicare expenditures for physicians' services.[1] If … [Read more...] about Replacing the Broken Medicare Physician Payment Formula: At What Cost for People with Medicare?
Kaiser Family Foundation Report Finds Medicare Beneficiaries Have Very Good Access to Doctors
Media reports over the past several years have suggested that Medicare beneficiaries have trouble finding doctors who will accept their insurance.[1] The perceived threat of a Medicare provider shortage has been used to advocate for a slew of … [Read more...] about Kaiser Family Foundation Report Finds Medicare Beneficiaries Have Very Good Access to Doctors
CMA Report: Examining Inappropriate Use of Antipsychotic Drugs in Nursing Facilities
The misuse of antipsychotic drugs by nursing homes has been the subject of Congressional hearings and Government reports for many decades.[1] More than 300,000 nursing home residents take antipsychotic drugs and, as the Inspector General found, … [Read more...] about CMA Report: Examining Inappropriate Use of Antipsychotic Drugs in Nursing Facilities
Improvement Standard Update: CMS Revises Medicare Policy to Ensure Coverage for Skilled Maintenance Care
December 9, 2013 – The Center for Medicare Advocacy is pleased to announce that the Medicare Policy Manuals have been revised pursuant to the Jimmo vs. Sebelius Settlement. The Manual revisions, which clarify that improvement is not required to … [Read more...] about Improvement Standard Update: CMS Revises Medicare Policy to Ensure Coverage for Skilled Maintenance Care
Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans: Considerations for Reauthorization
Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans (D-SNPs) are a type of Medicare Advantage (MA) plan that enrolls only individuals dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid. Though results have been mixed, D-SNPs were created as a possible route to better … [Read more...] about Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans: Considerations for Reauthorization
Three Observation Status Bills Have Been Introduced; Only Congressman Courtney’s Has Immediate Promise
>Hospitals' increasing use of observation status harms more Medicare beneficiaries daily as patients hospitalized for multiple days are denied coverage of subsequent care in a skilled nursing facility because their time in the hospital was … [Read more...] about Three Observation Status Bills Have Been Introduced; Only Congressman Courtney’s Has Immediate Promise
Medicare Prescription Drug Rebate Debate
The Medicare Part D Prescription drug program is forbidden by law from getting the best prices for prescription drugs. Unlike the Veterans Administration and Medicaid, Medicare is at the mercy of drug company pricing, forbidden from seeking … [Read more...] about Medicare Prescription Drug Rebate Debate
Atlantic Philanthropies Awards Center for Medicare Advocacy Three-Year Matching Grant for New and Increased Contributions
As part of a new three-year grant, Atlantic Philanthropies will match new and increased contributions received by the Center for Medicare Advocacy. Atlantic Philanthropies will match a total of $325,000 in new or increased funding during three … [Read more...] about Atlantic Philanthropies Awards Center for Medicare Advocacy Three-Year Matching Grant for New and Increased Contributions
Misuse of Antipsychotic Drugs in Nursing Homes: Are We Making Any Progress?
The recent settlement of criminal and civil charges against Johnson & Johnson for off-label marketing of Risperdal for nursing home residents once again brings the issue of antipsychotic drugs and nursing homes to public attention. A group … [Read more...] about Misuse of Antipsychotic Drugs in Nursing Homes: Are We Making Any Progress?