Skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) often tell Medicare beneficiaries and their families that they intend to “discharge” a Medicare beneficiary because Medicare will not pay for the beneficiary’s stay under either Part A (traditional Medicare) or Part … [Read more...] about “Discharge” from a Skilled Nursing Facility: What Does it Mean and What Rights Does a Resident Have?
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January 2016 – Senate Finance Request for Comments on Chronic Care & Other Issues
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE Senate Finance Committee Releases Document for Comment In December 2015, the Senate Finance Committee’s Bipartisan Chronic Care Working Group released a Policy Options Document. The following is an excerpt … [Read more...] about January 2016 – Senate Finance Request for Comments on Chronic Care & Other Issues
The Center for Medicare Advocacy Responds to Requests for Comments from CMS
Together with other beneficiary advocacy groups, the Center for Medicare Advocacy responded to several requests for comment from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in December. Below, we include summaries of these comments … [Read more...] about The Center for Medicare Advocacy Responds to Requests for Comments from CMS
Center Comments on Proposed Discharge Planning Rule (December 2015)
December 23, 2015 Filing code for submitting comments: CMS-3317-P. Dear Sir or Madam: Comments on the Proposed Discharge Planning Rule as put forth by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) The Center for … [Read more...] about Center Comments on Proposed Discharge Planning Rule (December 2015)
Office of Inspector General Authorizes Hospitals to Discount or Waive Certain Drug Charges for Patients Classified as “Outpatients”
The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released a statement on October 30, 2015 that advises hospitals that it will not administratively sanction them if they discount or waive charges for an … [Read more...] about Office of Inspector General Authorizes Hospitals to Discount or Waive Certain Drug Charges for Patients Classified as “Outpatients”
Home Health Care
The Center has been hearing from people unable to access Medicare-covered home health care, or the appropriate amount of care, despite meeting Medicare coverage criteria. In particular, people living with long-term and debilitating … [Read more...] about Home Health Care
People with Medicare Beware: COBRA Is Not Coverage as a “Current” Employee
Caution Advocates have seen an increase in the number of Medicare beneficiaries who have delayed enrolling in Medicare Part B, thinking, erroneously, that because they are paying for and receiving continued health coverage under COBRA, they do not … [Read more...] about People with Medicare Beware: COBRA Is Not Coverage as a “Current” Employee
Budget Act of 2015 Increases Penalties for Programs under the Social Security Act, Including Nursing Facilities
For the first time in 20 years, there will be an increase in the amounts of federal fines that nursing facilities may be required to pay for violating the Nursing Home Reform Law. A little-noticed provision of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015, … [Read more...] about Budget Act of 2015 Increases Penalties for Programs under the Social Security Act, Including Nursing Facilities
Discharge Planning: Tips for Evaluating a Hospital’s Skilled Nursing Facility Placement Choices
Medicare beneficiaries often need care in a Medicare- participating skilled nursing facility (SNF) after an inpatient hospitalization. For these patients, hospitals are responsible for identifying skilled nursing facilities within the … [Read more...] about Discharge Planning: Tips for Evaluating a Hospital’s Skilled Nursing Facility Placement Choices
November 2015 – Budget Act of 2015 Mitigates Increased Part B Premiums And Deductibles; Other Issues
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE: CONGRESS MITIGATES INCREASES IN 2016 PART B PREMIUM AND DEDUCTIBLE Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 – Overview On Monday November 2, 2015, President Obama signed into law the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015. This … [Read more...] about November 2015 – Budget Act of 2015 Mitigates Increased Part B Premiums And Deductibles; Other Issues