In important news for nursing home enforcement, the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has rescinded 2017 guidance, allowing the reinstatement of per day civil money penalties (CMPs) for deficiencies that reflect past noncompliance.[1] … [Read more...] about Per Day Civil Money Penalties are Back for Nursing Facilities
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New Medicare Home Health Fact Sheet – Focus on Home Health Aides
Medicare home health coverage can be an important resource for Medicare beneficiaries who need health care at home. When properly implemented, the Medicare home health benefit provides coverage for an array of skilled and nonskilled services, all of … [Read more...] about New Medicare Home Health Fact Sheet – Focus on Home Health Aides
Celebrating Medicare’s 56th Anniversary and Its Leadership in Advancing Health Equity
The Center for Medicare Advocacy’s mission includes advancing equitable access to quality health care. We ground our policy proposals and advocacy in health equity and social determinants of health – recognizing that quality health care for all is … [Read more...] about Celebrating Medicare’s 56th Anniversary and Its Leadership in Advancing Health Equity
With 44% of Nursing Home Staff Not Yet Fully Vaccinated, New Funding Initiatives to Study Vaccine Hesitancy Among LTC Workers Are Launched
COVID-19 has infected almost 1.5 million individuals in our nation’s long-term care facilities and claimed the lives of over 180,000.[1] Despite COVID’s devastating impact on our nation’s long-term care facilities, nursing home staff continue to be … [Read more...] about With 44% of Nursing Home Staff Not Yet Fully Vaccinated, New Funding Initiatives to Study Vaccine Hesitancy Among LTC Workers Are Launched
Immunity for Long-Term Care Facilities During the Coronavirus Pandemic
A new report by the National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care (Consumer Voice) identifies 38 states, as of June 1, 2021, that since the coronavirus pandemic have either issued executive orders or passed legislation giving long-term care … [Read more...] about Immunity for Long-Term Care Facilities During the Coronavirus Pandemic
Appeals Court Temporarily Pauses Implementation of Observation Status Decision While Considering Government’s Request for a Stay
In March 2020, a nationwide class of hospitalized Medicare beneficiaries who were reclassified from inpatients to “outpatients,” receiving “observation services,” won the right to appeal their designation, which can have severe ramifications for … [Read more...] about Appeals Court Temporarily Pauses Implementation of Observation Status Decision While Considering Government’s Request for a Stay
Advocates Call on Congress to Improve Medicare
On July 20, 2021, the Center for Medicare Advocacy and nine other organizations sent a letter to Congress and the Biden Administration, urging them to move forward with improvements to the Medicare program as part of creating a more equitable and … [Read more...] about Advocates Call on Congress to Improve Medicare
Reports Call for Changes for the Direct Care Workforce
The coronavirus pandemic has brought to greater public attention the workers who provide care to older people and people with disabilities and the challenges they face. Two new reports, one by PHI, a national nonprofit organization focused on the … [Read more...] about Reports Call for Changes for the Direct Care Workforce
Remembering John Lewis
As Congress discusses historic legislation to improve Medicare and access to health care for all, we remember a titan of health care and equity, Rep. John Lewis, as this weekend marks the anniversary of his passing. Often called “one of the most … [Read more...] about Remembering John Lewis
Honoring Disability Pride Month
On July 26th, 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act was signed into law. In the thirty-one years since, that day has come to mark a recognition of “disability pride”, defined by the publication AmeriDisability as “accepting and honoring each … [Read more...] about Honoring Disability Pride Month