The Medicare Secondary Payer (MSP) program authorizes the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to recover compensation payments from beneficiaries who have private insurance that should be primarily responsible for their medical … [Read more...] about CMS Revises Its Medicare Secondary Payer Collection Letters Following Haro v. Sebelius Decision
Article
New Initiatives to Improve Services for Dual Eligibles
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently announced several new initiatives focused on improving care for people who are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid (dual eligibles).Two initiatives relate to providing fully … [Read more...] about New Initiatives to Improve Services for Dual Eligibles
House Plans Vote to Slash Medicare and Social Security through Balanced Budget Amendment
Next week, the House of Representatives is scheduled to vote on a proposal that will directly impact and harm Medicare beneficiaries, Social Security recipients, and others that rely on critical safety net programs. The Goodlatte-Walsh Balanced … [Read more...] about House Plans Vote to Slash Medicare and Social Security through Balanced Budget Amendment
Recommendations for Beneficiary Protections In Models Approved by CMMI
Introduction The Affordable Care Act includes a provision establishing a Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovations (CMMI) that is authorized to test models to reduce Medicare and Medicaid expenditures while preserving or improving quality for … [Read more...] about Recommendations for Beneficiary Protections In Models Approved by CMMI
Lower-Premium Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plans Take Effect in Many States
One year ago on July 1, 2010, Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius announced the availability of new insurance coverage for individuals who were denied insurance because they had a pre-existing condition.[i] These plans, … [Read more...] about Lower-Premium Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plans Take Effect in Many States
Real Solutions to Save Medicare Dollars in Skilled Nursing Facilities
For many years, advocates for nursing home residents have argued that when residents are denied good care, the costs of trying to treat and correct avoidable conditions and bad resident outcomes are high. Advocates refer to this phenomenon as … [Read more...] about Real Solutions to Save Medicare Dollars in Skilled Nursing Facilities
First Appellate Court Rules on Health Reform Law, Holds it Constitutional
In a decision issued earlier today, the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit issued the first appellate decision on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA, often referred to as Healh Care Reform) and held that it was … [Read more...] about First Appellate Court Rules on Health Reform Law, Holds it Constitutional
CMS Permits States to Extend Certain Medicaid Spousal Protections to Same-Sex Couples
In a continuation of the Obama Administration's effort to extend rights to same sex couples, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a new State Medicaid Director Letter 11-006 (SMDL). There are currently federal … [Read more...] about CMS Permits States to Extend Certain Medicaid Spousal Protections to Same-Sex Couples
CMA And Others Support Legislation to End “Observation Status”
Max Richtman, Chair May 20, 2011 The Honorable John Kerry The Honorable Olympia Snowe United States Senate Washington, DC 20510 The Honorable Joe Courtney The Honorable Tom Latham United States House of Representatives Washington, DC … [Read more...] about CMA And Others Support Legislation to End “Observation Status”
Why Medicaid Matters to People with Medicare
Medicare and Medicaid, which together serve over 95 million Americans,[1] or nearly one third of the U.S. population, are our two major national public health insurance programs offering secure and stable access to health care for beneficiaries, and … [Read more...] about Why Medicaid Matters to People with Medicare