Programs that help low-income people afford their Medicare, including the Medicare Savings Programs and the Part D Low Income Subsidy (also called LIS or Extra Help) have income and resource eligibility guidelines that change yearly. The Federal … [Read more...] about 2014 Income and Resource Information for Medicare Low-Income Programs
Search Results for: improvement
Jimmo Class Members Can Now Have Their Coverage Denials Re-Reviewed
If you are covered by Medicare and you have a long-term or chronic condition, you may be eligible to have Medicare re-review your claims that were denied in prior years. Please read carefully. In addition to revising Medicare manual … [Read more...] about Jimmo Class Members Can Now Have Their Coverage Denials Re-Reviewed
CMA Report: Inappropriate Use of Antipsychotic Drugs in Nursing Homes, Part Three – Recommendations to Improve the Citing of Deficiencies
As required by the 1987 federal Nursing Home Reform Law,[1] CMS has developed, tested, and periodically revised a survey protocol that state surveyors, who are generally employed by the state health departments, must use to determine nursing … [Read more...] about CMA Report: Inappropriate Use of Antipsychotic Drugs in Nursing Homes, Part Three – Recommendations to Improve the Citing of Deficiencies
Medicare Therapy Caps: A Call for Repeal
Medicare-covered outpatient physical, speech and occupational therapy services are subject to an annual dollar-amount payment cap. As a result, many Medicare beneficiaries have their therapy terminate prematurely when they reach the cap. … [Read more...] about Medicare Therapy Caps: A Call for Repeal
Medicare Policy Manuals Revised as Required by Jimmo Settlement
As of December 6, 2013, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Policy manuals have been updated to reflect the settlement in Jimmo vs. Sebelius, No.11-cv-17 (D.VT, January 24, 2013). The manuals now make it clear that improvement is … [Read more...] about Medicare Policy Manuals Revised as Required by Jimmo Settlement
CMA Report on Inappropriate Use of Antipsychotic Drugs in Nursing Homes – Part Two: What the Surveyors Say
The Center for Medicare Advocacy (the Center) has reported on the misuse of antipsychotic drugs by nursing homes for many years, discussing Congressional hearings and federal reports and the high personal and financial cost of the misuse of the … [Read more...] about CMA Report on Inappropriate Use of Antipsychotic Drugs in Nursing Homes – Part Two: What the Surveyors Say
Replacing the Broken Medicare Physician Payment Formula: At What Cost for People with Medicare?
Overview The current Medicare physician payment formula, known as the "Sustainable Growth Rate" (SGR), was designed to control the growth in aggregate Medicare expenditures for physicians' services.[1] If … [Read more...] about Replacing the Broken Medicare Physician Payment Formula: At What Cost for People with Medicare?
Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans: Considerations for Reauthorization
Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans (D-SNPs) are a type of Medicare Advantage (MA) plan that enrolls only individuals dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid. Though results have been mixed, D-SNPs were created as a possible route to better … [Read more...] about Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans: Considerations for Reauthorization
Atlantic Philanthropies Awards Center for Medicare Advocacy Three-Year Matching Grant for New and Increased Contributions
As part of a new three-year grant, Atlantic Philanthropies will match new and increased contributions received by the Center for Medicare Advocacy. Atlantic Philanthropies will match a total of $325,000 in new or increased funding during three … [Read more...] about Atlantic Philanthropies Awards Center for Medicare Advocacy Three-Year Matching Grant for New and Increased Contributions
Misuse of Antipsychotic Drugs in Nursing Homes: Are We Making Any Progress?
The recent settlement of criminal and civil charges against Johnson & Johnson for off-label marketing of Risperdal for nursing home residents once again brings the issue of antipsychotic drugs and nursing homes to public attention. A group … [Read more...] about Misuse of Antipsychotic Drugs in Nursing Homes: Are We Making Any Progress?