Kaiser Family Foundation Poll: Potential Impact of Affordable Care Act (ACA) on the Mid-term ElectionsOn September 9, 2014, the Kaiser Family Foundation issued its August - September 2014 Health Tracking Poll analyzing the potential impact … [Read more...] about Impact of ACA on Mid-term Elections; Beneficiary and Family-Centered QIOs; and More
Medicare Advantage
Medicare Advantage Patient Bill of Rights Legislation Introduced in Congress
Medicare Advantage (MA) plans are increasingly dropping doctors and other health care providers from their contracted networks, often in the middle of a plan year, when most plan enrollees are not permitted to change plans. MA enrollees often … [Read more...] about Medicare Advantage Patient Bill of Rights Legislation Introduced in Congress
Center Executive Director Judith Stein Testifies Before House Energy & Commerce Committee about Medicare Advantage Plans
On March 13, 2014, Center for Medicare Advocacy Executive Director and Founder Judith Stein testified before the House Energy & Commerce Committee, Subcommittee on Health, at a hearing entitled "Keeping the Promise: Allowing Seniors to Keep … [Read more...] about Center Executive Director Judith Stein Testifies Before House Energy & Commerce Committee about Medicare Advantage Plans
Testimony of Judith A. Stein Re: Medicare Advantage
Testimony of Judith A. Stein Executive Director, Center for Medicare Advocacy, Inc.United States House of Representatives Energy & Commerce, Subcommittee on Health"Keeping the Promise: Allowing Seniors to Keep Their Medicare … [Read more...] about Testimony of Judith A. Stein Re: Medicare Advantage
Medicare Advantage Payment Reductions Are Good News for Medicare
On February 21, 2014, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued its draft 2015 Call Letter to Medicare Advantage (MA) and Part D plan sponsors, which includes a proposed rate for MA payment for 2015.[1] Much anticipated, the … [Read more...] about Medicare Advantage Payment Reductions Are Good News for Medicare
Medicare Advantage Plan “Cuts:” Savings That Make Sense
February 24, 2014 – The Affordable Care Act (ACA) is reining in overpayments to private Medicare Advantage (MA) plans by bringing MA payments closer to what traditional Medicare spends on a given beneficiary. The insurance industry and some … [Read more...] about Medicare Advantage Plan “Cuts:” Savings That Make Sense
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
The Medicare Annual Coordinated Election Period Has Begun!
During the Annual Coordinated Election Period, which runs from October 15th through December 7th, people with Medicare can change their choice of health coverage (whether they receive that coverage through a private Medicare Advantage plan or … [Read more...] about The Medicare Annual Coordinated Election Period Has Begun!
United Healthcare Dramatically Reducing CT Medicare Advantage Plans – Check in YOUR State
For 2014, United Healthcare (UHC) is cutting 2,250 doctors from its Connecticut Medicare Advantage (MA) network. UHC is also closing one of its MA plans in New Haven County that serves 2,900 people and taking similar actions in other states. … [Read more...] about United Healthcare Dramatically Reducing CT Medicare Advantage Plans – Check in YOUR State
Medicare Advantage “Cuts?” Don’t Believe it.
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) is beginning to rein in Medicare Advantage (MA) overpayments by bringing MA payment more in line with what traditional Medicare spends on a given beneficiary. The insurance industry is not only fighting this … [Read more...] about Medicare Advantage “Cuts?” Don’t Believe it.