The Chair of the Leadership Council of Aging Organizations (LCAO), Max Richtman, sent a letter to Senators today urging support of the “Protecting Medicare Beneficiaries Act of 2015” S. 2148. This legislation would keep the 2016 premiums … [Read more...] about Advocacy Organizations Support Legislation to Mitigate Huge Part B Premium/Deductible Increases
Medicare Part B
Center Urges Action on Drastic Part B Premium Increase
According to the 2015 Medicare Trustees Report, Part B premiums are expected to increase for 30% of beneficiaries by 52% – from $104.90 to $159.30 per month. The trustees also predict that this increase will be accompanied by an increase in the … [Read more...] about Center Urges Action on Drastic Part B Premium Increase
The Medicare Dental Exclusion: Is it Being Used to Deny Vulnerable Beneficiaries Needed Care?
Government contractors administering Medicare benefits are routinely denying coverage to cancer patients for claims involving the surgical removal of decayed and infected teeth caused by an aggressive course of radiation treatment to the head and … [Read more...] about The Medicare Dental Exclusion: Is it Being Used to Deny Vulnerable Beneficiaries Needed Care?
Medicare Takes a Big Step Forward to Help People Communicate – But There’s More to Do
Beneficiaries who seek Medicare coverage for expanded types and features of Speech Generating Devices (SGDs) have reason to be optimistic. Electronic devices that meet the definition of a Speech Generating Device will be coverable. This … [Read more...] about Medicare Takes a Big Step Forward to Help People Communicate – But There’s More to Do
Welcome Reprieve for People Who Need Speech Generating Devices (SGDs) To Communicate
CMS Rescinds Restrictive Policy and Will Reconsider Technological AdvancesCMS announced yesterday that it has begun the process of updating its Medicare coverage policy for Speech Generating Devices (SGDs). A new SGD National Coverage … [Read more...] about Welcome Reprieve for People Who Need Speech Generating Devices (SGDs) To Communicate
Medical Equipment Suppliers’ Ongoing Opposition to the Competitive Bidding Program and Consequences for Beneficiaries
Report prepared by Mario Ramsey, Center for Medicare Advocacy Summer Health Policy FellowI. IntroductionSince the introduction of … [Read more...] about Medical Equipment Suppliers’ Ongoing Opposition to the Competitive Bidding Program and Consequences for Beneficiaries
Medicare and Telemedicine (or Telehealth)
On July 11, 2014, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released its proposed rules for the 2015 calendar year. Among these proposed rules, CMS adds four additions to covered telehealth services: psychoanalysis and … [Read more...] about Medicare and Telemedicine (or Telehealth)
The DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Process: Is It Working?
June 26, 2014Medicare's Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive Bidding Program was enacted by Congress as a cost and fraud protection measure. From its inception, there have been questions … [Read more...] about The DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Process: Is It Working?
Medicare’s Reluctance to Embrace Technology: Effects on the Coverage of Speech Generating Devices
Technology can help the most vulnerable among us live with more capabilities than we would have considered possible, even a few short years ago. Rather than encourage technological advances that promote independence and safety, however, the … [Read more...] about Medicare’s Reluctance to Embrace Technology: Effects on the Coverage of Speech Generating Devices
Medicare Physician Payment – Another One-Year Fix Passes Congress, With Usual “Extenders” and Some New, Permanent Payment Policies
On Tuesday, April 1st, President Obama signed into law the "Protecting Access to Medicare Act of 2014" (H.R. 4302).[1] This bill is a one year short-term "fix" or "patch" to pending Medicare physician payment cuts under … [Read more...] about Medicare Physician Payment – Another One-Year Fix Passes Congress, With Usual “Extenders” and Some New, Permanent Payment Policies