Center for Medicare Advocacy

Advancing Access to Medicare and Healthcare

Medicare Part B

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’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

Self-Help Packet for Outpatient Therapy Denials Including “Improvement Standard” Denials

Introduction Checklist for Outpatient Therapy Discharges Checklist for Outpatient Therapy Appeals Quick Screen: Medicare Coverage for Outpatient Therapy Outpatient Therapy Appeal Details   Additional Information1. Introduction Dear … [Read more...] about Self-Help Packet for Outpatient Therapy Denials Including “Improvement Standard” Denials

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