The Center for Medicare Advocacy has heard increasingly about beneficiaries throughout the country whose entire stays in a hospital, including stays as long as 14 days, are classified by the hospital as outpatient observation. In some … [Read more...] about Preserving Access to Necessary Care: Ending Hospital “Observation Status”
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Federal Judge Refuses to Dismiss Medicare Beneficiaries’ Challenge to the Medicare “Improvement Standard”
Plaintiffs in a lawsuit filed by the Center for Medicare Advocacy and Vermont Legal Aid on behalf of Medicare beneficiaries with long-term and chronic conditions have overcome a major hurdle. In a comprehensive 35-page decision, a federal judge … [Read more...] about Federal Judge Refuses to Dismiss Medicare Beneficiaries’ Challenge to the Medicare “Improvement Standard”
Breaking Good News for Medicare Beneficiaries
Part B Cost-Sharing Lower Than Expected for 2012 Today the Obama Administration announced that, overall, Part B cost-sharing will be less than projected for all beneficiaries in 2012. The Part B deductible will decrease by $22 in 2012, from … [Read more...] about Breaking Good News for Medicare Beneficiaries
Congressman Joe Courtney and Center for Medicare Advocacy Hold Congressional Briefing on Observation Status
Coalition Urges Congress to Pass Legislation Safeguarding Medicare Beneficiaries' Skilled Nursing Care For Immediate Release October 21, 2012 Terry Berthelot 860-456-7790 Toby … [Read more...] about Congressman Joe Courtney and Center for Medicare Advocacy Hold Congressional Briefing on Observation Status
Hospice – Care When It’s Needed Most
November is National Hospice Month. The first White House proclamation honoring hospice month was signed by President Jimmy Carter in 1978. Access to care has improved significantly in the three decades since November has been celebrated as … [Read more...] about Hospice – Care When It’s Needed Most
“Skin in the Game,” Health Equity and Deficit Reduction
"Patients should pay more for their health care." Both Republicans and Democrats, including President Obama, promote policies to increase patients' costs as a solution to curbing the use of "inappropriate" health care services … [Read more...] about “Skin in the Game,” Health Equity and Deficit Reduction
Medigap – Fact & Fiction
Nearly one in five Medicare beneficiaries rely on Medicare Supplemental insurance policies (Medigap) to fill in the gaps of some of their Medicare coverage. As noted by the Kaiser Family Foundation, "Medigap policies help shield … [Read more...] about Medigap – Fact & Fiction
Medicare Advantage and Part D Changes and Enrollment Updates
Once again the Medicare Advantage and Part D Annual Coordinated Election Period (ACEP) is upon us; it's time to contemplate Medicare prescription drug and Medicare Advantage choices for another calendar year. The big news is that the ACEP, … [Read more...] about Medicare Advantage and Part D Changes and Enrollment Updates
The President’s Plan for Economic Growth and Deficit Reduction: A First Look at the Impact on Medicare
Last week, President Obama unveiled his recommendations to Congress's Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction ("Super Committee").[1] The President's Plan for Economic Growth and Deficit Reduction seeks to pay for the … [Read more...] about The President’s Plan for Economic Growth and Deficit Reduction: A First Look at the Impact on Medicare
COBRA: A Summary
The Center for Medicare Advocacy (the Center) is experiencing an increase in inquiries about obtaining health insurance coverage under COBRA, the Consolidated Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985.[1] This higher volume is likely related to the … [Read more...] about COBRA: A Summary