As we approach the final week of the Medicare Annual Coordinated Election Period (ACEP), individuals continue to make decisions about how they want to access their Medicare benefits in 2019. Consumer advocates are concerned, however, that the … [Read more...] about As Medicare Enrollment Period Draws to a Close, MA Steering Continues – Advocates & Members of Congress Write Letters of Concern to CMS
Medicare Advantage
Important Health Policy Article Published In New England Journal of Medicine: “Medicare Advantage Checkup”
The November 2018 New England Journal of Medicine features a article by KFF’s Tricia Neuman and Gretchen Jacobson of the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) that “examine[s] the extent to which Medicare Advantage plans are achieving goals with … [Read more...] about Important Health Policy Article Published In New England Journal of Medicine: “Medicare Advantage Checkup”
Government Watchdog Agency Raises Concerns About Medicare Advantage Denials
The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) recently issued a report entitled “Medicare Advantage Appeal Outcomes and Audit Findings Raise Concerns About Service and Payment Denials” … [Read more...] about Government Watchdog Agency Raises Concerns About Medicare Advantage Denials
Special Report: Recent Changes in Law, Regulations and Guidance Relating to Medicare Advantage and the Prescription Drug Benefit Program
September 2018 Numerous changes were made to Medicare law, regulations and guidance during the first half of 2018.The changes are particularly noteworthy regarding Part C, governing private Medicare plans, known as Medicare Advantage (MA), and … [Read more...] about Special Report: Recent Changes in Law, Regulations and Guidance Relating to Medicare Advantage and the Prescription Drug Benefit Program
Court Ruling May Lead to Even More Overpayments to Medicare Advantage
As reported in FierceHealthcare, “Medicare Advantage insurers scored a significant legal victory” when a U.S. District Court judge recently “struck down a 2014 rule requiring [plans] to report and return overpayments.” … [Read more...] about Court Ruling May Lead to Even More Overpayments to Medicare Advantage
Studies Differ Regarding Traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage
Researchers studying patients with hip fractures found that patients with Medicare Advantage (MA) plans have shorter stays in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) and receive less rehabilitation than patients in traditional Medicare, but are, … [Read more...] about Studies Differ Regarding Traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage
Tipping the Scales Toward Medicare Advantage (at the Expense of Medicare)
Ranking Committee Members Echo Advocates’ Complaints to CMS about Draft 2019 Medicare & You As discussed in a previous CMA Alert, the Center for Medicare Advocacy, Justice in Aging and the Medicare Rights Center recently sent a letter to … [Read more...] about Tipping the Scales Toward Medicare Advantage (at the Expense of Medicare)
Advocates Raise Concerns About Inaccuracies and Bias in Draft MEDICARE & YOU Handbook
The Center for Medicare Advocacy, Justice in Aging and the Medicare Rights Center recently sent a letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) raising “strong objections to serious inaccuracies” in the draft 2019 … [Read more...] about Advocates Raise Concerns About Inaccuracies and Bias in Draft MEDICARE & YOU Handbook
Center for Medicare Advocacy Submits Comments on New CMS Medicare Marketing
On April 26, 2018, the Center for Medicare Advocacy provided comments to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in response to an April 12, 2018 Request for Input on the 2019 Medicare Communications and Marketing Guidelines … [Read more...] about Center for Medicare Advocacy Submits Comments on New CMS Medicare Marketing
Tipping the Scales Toward Medicare Advantage
Part C of the Medicare program, also known as Medicare Advantage (MA), is an option available to Medicare beneficiaries who wish to receive their benefits through private insurance companies, primarily HMOs. In 2017, more than 19 million … [Read more...] about Tipping the Scales Toward Medicare Advantage