For Immediate Release January 25, 2012 … [Read more...] about Protecting Medicare and the Middle Class: Themes from the President’s State of the Union Speech
Medicare and Health Care Reform
Payroll Tax Extension Includes Important Provisions for Medicare Beneficiaries
The payroll tax extension that finally became law on December 23, 2011 includes many provisions that will help Medicare beneficiaries and lower income families (Temporary Payroll Tax Cut Continuation Act of 2011, H.R. 3765; no public law number … [Read more...] about Payroll Tax Extension Includes Important Provisions for Medicare Beneficiaries
Forcing Dual Eligibles Into Private Health Plans is No Quick Fix
The nearly nine million Medicare beneficiaries who are also eligible for some form of Medicaid, the so-called dual eligibles, are the subject of federal, state and local policy discussions because many of them are among the highest users of health … [Read more...] about Forcing Dual Eligibles Into Private Health Plans is No Quick Fix
Supercommittee Update
With six days left until their November 23rd deadline, the Supercommittee has yet to reach a deal that meets its target of achieving $1.2 trillion in federal savings. Republicans on the panel tasked with reducing the deficit have indicated their … [Read more...] about Supercommittee Update
Health Care Reform Update: Where Are We, and What’s Up for 2012?
The Affordable Care Act (ACA), passed in March 2010, has been implemented steadily over the past two years.[1] Implementation of various provisions will continue next year and in 2013, with the core of the ACA – expanded health insurance coverage … [Read more...] about Health Care Reform Update: Where Are We, and What’s Up for 2012?
Breaking Good News for Medicare Beneficiaries
Part B Cost-Sharing Lower Than Expected for 2012 Today the Obama Administration announced that, overall, Part B cost-sharing will be less than projected for all beneficiaries in 2012. The Part B deductible will decrease by $22 in 2012, from … [Read more...] about Breaking Good News for Medicare Beneficiaries
“Skin in the Game,” Health Equity and Deficit Reduction
"Patients should pay more for their health care." Both Republicans and Democrats, including President Obama, promote policies to increase patients' costs as a solution to curbing the use of "inappropriate" health care services … [Read more...] about “Skin in the Game,” Health Equity and Deficit Reduction
Medigap – Fact & Fiction
Nearly one in five Medicare beneficiaries rely on Medicare Supplemental insurance policies (Medigap) to fill in the gaps of some of their Medicare coverage. As noted by the Kaiser Family Foundation, "Medigap policies help shield … [Read more...] about Medigap – Fact & Fiction
The President’s Plan for Economic Growth and Deficit Reduction: A First Look at the Impact on Medicare
Last week, President Obama unveiled his recommendations to Congress's Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction ("Super Committee").[1] The President's Plan for Economic Growth and Deficit Reduction seeks to pay for the … [Read more...] about The President’s Plan for Economic Growth and Deficit Reduction: A First Look at the Impact on Medicare
CMS to Begin Round Two of Its Competitive Bidding Program for the Provision of Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics and Supplies (DMEPOS)
On August 19, 2011, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced Round 2 of its DMEPOS competitive bidding program.[1] Bidding is to begin in January 2012. Round 2 adds more product categories for competitive bidding … [Read more...] about CMS to Begin Round Two of Its Competitive Bidding Program for the Provision of Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics and Supplies (DMEPOS)