As policymakers in Washington continue to debate ongoing budget issues involving federal spending and the deficit, proposals that affect Medicare beneficiaries remain on the table as targets for federal savings. However, the details and repercussions … [Read more...] about Translating DC-Speak: What Deficit Proposals Mean for Medicare Beneficiaries
Medicare and Health Care Reform
Nursing Home Enforcement by United States Attorneys: What Happened to the Regulatory System?
Two recent cases – one in Georgia and the other in Pennsylvania – enforce nursing home quality of care standards through actions by United States Attorneys. In neither case had the regulatory agencies cited deficiencies for … [Read more...] about Nursing Home Enforcement by United States Attorneys: What Happened to the Regulatory System?
Study Shows High Cost-Sharing Significantly Harms Family Health and Finances
A new study out this month in the Annals of Family Medicine highlights the reality facing many people with health insurance and Medicare and their families: high out-of-pocket costs and cost-sharing. These costs have a considerable effect on … [Read more...] about Study Shows High Cost-Sharing Significantly Harms Family Health and Finances
Medicare Facts and Fiction: Costs and Spending Edition
In the past few weeks, the media spotlight on the country's fiscal issues has led to a flurry of attacks on Medicare.[1] Pundits and some policymakers decry Medicare spending as "the largest driver of the federal debt" and argue that … [Read more...] about Medicare Facts and Fiction: Costs and Spending Edition
Notes from the Cliff: The Deal and Its Impact on Medicare
This week, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to approve legislation passed by the Senate to address the "fiscal cliff"- the concurrent expiration of tax cuts and the beginning of automatic spending cuts (the Sequester) set to … [Read more...] about Notes from the Cliff: The Deal and Its Impact on Medicare
Putting a Donut Hole Back in Medicare: Proposals to Increase Medigap Costs Put Vulnerable Beneficiaries at Risk
Among proposals aimed at reducing federal spending for Medicare, some are suggesting that Medigap insurance be restructured to increase the cost-sharing burden on beneficiaries and/or add a surcharge for those that choose plans offering … [Read more...] about Putting a Donut Hole Back in Medicare: Proposals to Increase Medigap Costs Put Vulnerable Beneficiaries at Risk
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!
Special Report – Independence of Medicare Administrative Law Judges Threatened by Office of Inspector General’s Recommendations
In November, the Office of Inspector General (OIG) issued a report entitled, "Improvements are Needed at the Administrative Law Judge Level of Medicare Appeals." The report can be found at … [Read more...] about Special Report – Independence of Medicare Administrative Law Judges Threatened by Office of Inspector General’s Recommendations
Annual Medicare Payment Limits for Home Health – Even Worse Than Co-Pays for Beneficiaries
The Center for Medicare Advocacy has represented Medicare beneficiaries since 1986. As one of the few advocacy organizations in the nation solely serving Medicare beneficiaries, we strongly oppose home health episodic payment caps or any other such … [Read more...] about Annual Medicare Payment Limits for Home Health – Even Worse Than Co-Pays for Beneficiaries
Raising the Medicare Eligibility Age: A Costly and Dangerous Proposal
Despite Medicare's remarkable success as a health and economic lifeline for American families, proposals to dramatically alter the program have resurfaced in the context of deficit reduction. While not a new idea, proponents of increasing … [Read more...] about Raising the Medicare Eligibility Age: A Costly and Dangerous Proposal