As policymakers in Washington, DC and beyond continue a national discussion about the state of long-term care in the United States, a critical component of the discussion is the quality of care provided in nursing homes across the … [Read more...] about Debunking Nursing Home Myths about Quality of Care and Enforcement of Federal Care Standards
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Observation Status Round Up
While Observation Status continues, recent weeks have seen a great increase in awareness of the problem. In addition, support for legislation to end Observation Status has grown rapidly.What is Observation Status?Observation Status … [Read more...] about Observation Status Round Up
HHS Announces First Guidance Implementing Supreme Court’s Decision on the Defense of Marriage Act
From CMA Press Release, Thursday, August 29, 2013...[T]he Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a memo clarifying that all beneficiaries in private Medicare plans have access to equal coverage when it comes to care in a nursing … [Read more...] about HHS Announces First Guidance Implementing Supreme Court’s Decision on the Defense of Marriage Act
Observation Status: New Final Rules from CMS Do Not Help Medicare Beneficiaries
Effective October 1, 2013, new rules for inpatient hospital reimbursement under the Medicare program[1] make final two sets of proposed rules that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) published in the Spring 2013 – the … [Read more...] about Observation Status: New Final Rules from CMS Do Not Help Medicare Beneficiaries
CMA to Congress about Medicare Proposals: Protect Beneficiaries, Improve Access to Care
Post-Acute CarePost-acute care refers to a range of services that support the individual’s continued recovery from illness or injury, or management of a chronic illness or disability. On June 19, 2013 the House Ways and Means … [Read more...] about CMA to Congress about Medicare Proposals: Protect Beneficiaries, Improve Access to Care
Comments on Post Acute Care (PAC) Reform Proposals
August 19, 2013Senate Finance Committee House of Representatives, Committee on Ways and Means United States CongressSubmitted electronically to: postacutecarereform@finance.senate.gov and postacutecarereform@mail.house.govRe: Comments … [Read more...] about Comments on Post Acute Care (PAC) Reform Proposals
Letter to Ways & Means Committee re: Cost Sharing Proposals
August 16, 2013 Committee on Ways and Means, Subcommittee on Health U.S. House of Representatives 1102 Longworth House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Dear Committee Member: On behalf of the Leadership … [Read more...] about Letter to Ways & Means Committee re: Cost Sharing Proposals
Demise of DOMA: Implementing Federal Benefits for Same-Sex Spouses
On June 26, 2013, the Supreme Court of the United States found a key provision of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) unconstitutional. See U.S. v. Windsor, Executor of the Estate of Spyer, et al (No. 12–307).[1] In its ruling, the Court … [Read more...] about Demise of DOMA: Implementing Federal Benefits for Same-Sex Spouses
Observation Status: OIG Provides an Analysis and CMS Issues Final Regulations
Joining the discussion about hospitals' extended use of observation status, the Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Inspector General (OIG) has issued a memorandum report that describes the nationwide use of observation and … [Read more...] about Observation Status: OIG Provides an Analysis and CMS Issues Final Regulations
Observation Status: “Morphed Into Madness”
Although a large and increasing number of Senators and Representatives now support bipartisan legislation to solve the problem of Observation Status, many beneficiaries and their families continue to face this outpatient status as a barrier to … [Read more...] about Observation Status: “Morphed Into Madness”