Fall is the time for Medicare beneficiaries to explore their options regarding Part D prescription drug and Part C Medicare Advantage plans. In years past, the annual enrollment period began in mid-November and lasted to the end of the year, … [Read more...] about Annual Enrollment Starts October 15 and Ends December 7 for Medicare Part C & Part D Plans
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Study Finds that Use of Hospitalists Shifts Costs from Inpatient Care to Post-Discharge Setting
Hospitalists are defined as physicians who are based full-time in acute care hospitals and who provide care to hospitalized patients. The past decade has witnessed a rapid growth in hospitals' use of hospitalists, who have been shown to … [Read more...] about Study Finds that Use of Hospitalists Shifts Costs from Inpatient Care to Post-Discharge Setting
CMS to Begin Round Two of Its Competitive Bidding Program for the Provision of Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics and Supplies (DMEPOS)
On August 19, 2011, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced Round 2 of its DMEPOS competitive bidding program.[1] Bidding is to begin in January 2012. Round 2 adds more product categories for competitive bidding … [Read more...] about CMS to Begin Round Two of Its Competitive Bidding Program for the Provision of Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics and Supplies (DMEPOS)
Medicare Reimbursement For Skilled Nursing Facilities Remains High For 2012 Despite Reductions In Overpayments
In final rules setting out Medicare reimbursement rates for skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2012 (which starts October 1, 2011), the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) reduced reimbursement by $3.87 billion, or … [Read more...] about Medicare Reimbursement For Skilled Nursing Facilities Remains High For 2012 Despite Reductions In Overpayments
Raising the Medicare Eligibility Age Will Actually INCREASE Costs
Policymakers and pundits continue to propose Medicare changes that would have severe repercussions for beneficiaries and their families. These proposals will continue to make news as deficit discussions heat up. Too often, however, … [Read more...] about Raising the Medicare Eligibility Age Will Actually INCREASE Costs
The Changing Demographics of Nursing Home Care: Greater Minority Access… Good News, Bad News
A major public policy goal in the United States is "rebalancing" the long-term care system – reducing what was formerly, for many people, a near-total reliance on nursing facilities and increasing the use of home and community-based … [Read more...] about The Changing Demographics of Nursing Home Care: Greater Minority Access… Good News, Bad News
FAQs on Preventive Services
CMS has posted 27 FAQs for Providers/Suppliers of preventive services for traditional Medicare to the Medicare Learning Network® Products Preventive Services webpage; to access the entire list of 27 FAQs, scroll to the “Related Links … [Read more...] about FAQs on Preventive Services
Medicare Facts & Fiction: 3 More Lessons to Combat Medicare Spin
Congress continues to propose Medicare changes that will have severe repercussions for beneficiaries and their families. Policymakers and pundits are feeding the media and the public misinformation about Medicare. The truth is, most people … [Read more...] about Medicare Facts & Fiction: 3 More Lessons to Combat Medicare Spin
Amended Appeal Rules for Employer and Individual Health Plans
On June 24, 2011, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), in conjunction with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA), released amendments to a set of interim final rules regarding … [Read more...] about Amended Appeal Rules for Employer and Individual Health Plans
Medicare Facts & Fiction: 3 Quick Lessons to Combat Medicare Spin
Congress continues to propose Medicare changes that will have severe repercussions for beneficiaries and their families. Policymakers and pundits are feeding the media and the public misinformation about Medicare. The truth is, most … [Read more...] about Medicare Facts & Fiction: 3 Quick Lessons to Combat Medicare Spin