Eligibility for Medicare coverage of hospice care is contingent in part upon a hospice physician certifying that the beneficiary has a life expectancy of six months or less if the terminal illness runs its normal course. In an effort to … [Read more...] about New Hospice Face-to-Face Requirement: Help or Hindrance?
Medicare and Health Care Reform
Senators Kerry and Snowe, with Representatives Courtney and Latham, Introduce Legislation to Ensure Skilled Care for Seniors
Improving Access to Medicare Coverage Act of 2011 Section by Section Summary Sen. John F. Kerry & Sen. Olympia Snowe Section 1: Short Title—"Improving Access to Medicare Coverage Act of 2011". Section 2: Counting … [Read more...] about Senators Kerry and Snowe, with Representatives Courtney and Latham, Introduce Legislation to Ensure Skilled Care for Seniors
Health Care Changes: Challenges to Medicare
An article from NAELA Journal, Volume 7, Number 1, written by Center for Medicare Advocacy attorneys Vicki Gottlich, Patricia Nemore, and Alfred J. Chiplin Jr. Read it at: http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/4afec968#/4afec968/25 (external … [Read more...] about Health Care Changes: Challenges to Medicare
What Happens to Current Nursing Home Residents if the House Budget Resolution Becomes Law?
Under the proposed budget resolution passed by Republicans in the House of Representatives, nearly a million nursing home residents could immediately lose coverage for nursing home care. Further, all of the standards that govern nursing home … [Read more...] about What Happens to Current Nursing Home Residents if the House Budget Resolution Becomes Law?
25 Years of Medicare Advocacy, and Hope for 25 More
In April 2011, the Center for Medicare Advocacy celebrates 25 years of advocating for, and on behalf of, older people and people with disabilities who rely on Medicare. We started as a small organization in Connecticut, added a Data Unit in … [Read more...] about 25 Years of Medicare Advocacy, and Hope for 25 More
Keeping Medicare and Medicaid Strong?
Medicare and Medicaid have been providing health insurance coverage to older people, people with disabilities, women, and families with children for more than 45 years. These programs ensure that vulnerable populations who could not get health … [Read more...] about Keeping Medicare and Medicaid Strong?
Why Medicaid Matters to Medicare Beneficiaries and Their Families
Medicare and Medicaid, which together serve over 95 million Americans,[1] are our two major national public programs offering secure and stable access to health care for beneficiaries, and peace of mind to the their families. Medicaid is under … [Read more...] about Why Medicaid Matters to Medicare Beneficiaries and Their Families
Happy Anniversary, Health Care Reform
One year ago, on March 23, 2010, President Obama signed into law the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, the Health Care Reform law[1] that will provide access to health insurance for virtually all Americans. As the Center for Medicare … [Read more...] about Happy Anniversary, Health Care Reform
More Nurses in Nursing Homes Would Mean Fewer Patients Headed to Hospitals
Nursing home residents are frequently hospitalized. Residents who have recently been admitted from the hospital are frequently rehospitalized.[1] Many of these hospitalizations, which "can cause discomfort for residents, anxiety for … [Read more...] about More Nurses in Nursing Homes Would Mean Fewer Patients Headed to Hospitals
The Burden of Out-of-Pocket Costs on Medicare Beneficiaries
Medicare provides a vital foundation for the health and wellness of Americans who are 65 or older or have significant disabilities. The program currently covers a portion of health care costs for over 47 million individuals throughout the United … [Read more...] about The Burden of Out-of-Pocket Costs on Medicare Beneficiaries