Center for Medicare Advocacy

Advancing Access to Medicare and Healthcare

Chronic Conditions

NIH Establishes New Research Program to Address Health Disparities of Chronic Diseases

The National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD), part of the National Institutes of Health, is launching the Transdisciplinary Collaborative Centers (TCC) for Health Disparities Research on Chronic Disease Prevention program. … [Read more...] about NIH Establishes New Research Program to Address Health Disparities of Chronic Diseases

Center Submits Comments to Senate Finance Committee’s Bipartisan Chronic Care Working Group (CCWG)

In December 2015, the Senate Finance Committee’s Bipartisan Chronic Care Working Group released a Policy Options Document.  The Policy Options Document was issued as part of a process begun in May 2015 to develop legislation to address … [Read more...] about Center Submits Comments to Senate Finance Committee’s Bipartisan Chronic Care Working Group (CCWG)

Center for Medicare Advocacy Submits Comments to Senate Finance Committee and CMS Regarding Important Health Care Proposals

1. Comments to Senate Finance Committee Chronic Care Workgroup On June 22, 2015, the Center for Medicare Advocacy submitted comments to the Senate Finance Committee Chronic Care Workgroup in response to the Committee’s May 22, 2015 request … [Read more...] about Center for Medicare Advocacy Submits Comments to Senate Finance Committee and CMS Regarding Important Health Care Proposals

New IRS guidance will impact people eligible for Medicare based on End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) and those who must pay a premium for Part A

Introduction In general, people who are eligible for Medicare may not purchase Marketplace plans (also called Qualified Health Plans or QHPs).[1] However, IRS guidance released in June, 2013 clarifies that two sub-populations of Medicare eligible … [Read more...] about New IRS guidance will impact people eligible for Medicare based on End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) and those who must pay a premium for Part A

Warning: Medicare Payment Limits Are Bad for Health!

One of the deficit reduction proposals being discussed to achieve savings from Medicare is to introduce new cost-sharing for home health care. As a means to ward off such potential home health co-payments, some instead suggest capping Medicare … [Read more...] about Warning: Medicare Payment Limits Are Bad for Health!

Settlement Reached to End Medicare’s “Improvement Standard”

Attorneys from the Center for Medicare Advocacy, Vermont Legal Aid and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) have agreed to settle the "Improvement Standard" case, Jimmo v. Sebelius.[1] A proposed settlement agreement[2] … [Read more...] about Settlement Reached to End Medicare’s “Improvement Standard”

Many Uninsured Individuals with Pre-Existing Conditions Will Find It Easier to Obtain Coverage

Individuals with pre-existing conditions who have been uninsured for six months may now find it easier to obtain coverage through the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP).  PCIP was created by the Affordable Care Act to provide interim … [Read more...] about Many Uninsured Individuals with Pre-Existing Conditions Will Find It Easier to Obtain Coverage

Medicare for People with Alzheimer's Disease and other Chronic Conditions

As the New York Times reported on March 31, 2002 (p.1), Medicare advocates have been successful in convincing the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to loosen Medicare's denial practices for people with Alzheimer's disease and other … [Read more...] about Medicare for People with Alzheimer's Disease and other Chronic Conditions