On April 26, 2018, the Center for Medicare Advocacy provided comments to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in response to an April 12, 2018 Request for Input on the 2019 Medicare Communications and Marketing Guidelines … [Read more...] about Center for Medicare Advocacy Submits Comments on New CMS Medicare Marketing
Weekly Alert
Older Americans Month 2018
Each May our nation takes time to celebrate the lives and contributions of older Americans. Older Americans belong to the greatest generations who fought wars for our freedom, marched for civil rights, and created a more equitable society for their … [Read more...] about Older Americans Month 2018
The Sabotage of Health Care Continues – Center Comments on “Junk Plans”
This week, the Center working with other advocacy organizations, submitted comments for the Administration’s proposed rule on Short-Term Limited Duration Insurance. This refers to the “fake insurance” or “junk plans” … [Read more...] about The Sabotage of Health Care Continues – Center Comments on “Junk Plans”
State of Decay: Report Examines Oral Health for Older Americans
Oral Health America (OHA) recently published the fourth volume in a series of reports titled A State of Decay, surveying the state of oral health for older Americans. The first volume in the series focused on the cost of services and financial … [Read more...] about State of Decay: Report Examines Oral Health for Older Americans
NPR Observation Status Story: How Medicare’s Conflicting Hospitalization Rules Cost Me Thousands Of Dollars
On April 20, 2018, Alison Kodjak of NPR published the story of trying to navigate her own Mother’s “Outpatient” Observation Status and follow-up care. After four nights in the hospital, all coded as observation, Alison’s … [Read more...] about NPR Observation Status Story: How Medicare’s Conflicting Hospitalization Rules Cost Me Thousands Of Dollars
Choose Medicare Act Introduced – Improving Medicare, Moving Toward Universal Coverage
On April 18, 2018, Senators Chris Murphy (D-CT) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) introduced the “Choose Medicare Act.” The Act would create a new Medicare plan, “Medicare Part E,” which would allow virtually all Americans to … [Read more...] about Choose Medicare Act Introduced – Improving Medicare, Moving Toward Universal Coverage
The Sabotage of Health Care Continues – Important News
Last week the United States Department of Health and Human Services issued the Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2019 final rule. This final rule is another assault on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and its benefit and coverage protections. … [Read more...] about The Sabotage of Health Care Continues – Important News
The Center for Medicare Advocacy and Florida Health Justice Project Sue to Obtain “Off-label” Part D Prescription Drug Coverage for Beneficiary
On April 6, 2018 the Center for Medicare Advocacy and Florida Health Justice Project filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida on behalf of a 49-year-old beneficiary seeking Medicare coverage for his … [Read more...] about The Center for Medicare Advocacy and Florida Health Justice Project Sue to Obtain “Off-label” Part D Prescription Drug Coverage for Beneficiary
Nursing Home Roundup
Nurse Staffing in Nursing Homes: CMS Transition to Payroll-Based Journal Staffing Data on Nursing Home Compare Will Provide Better Information for the PublicBeginning in April 2018, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will … [Read more...] about Nursing Home Roundup
Congress Poised to Vote for Harmful Balanced Budget Amendment
As early as today, the House of Representatives plans to vote on a Balanced Budget Amendment (BBA) to the Constitution that would prohibit federal spending from exceeding federal revenues. (For a history of such efforts to “make deficits … [Read more...] about Congress Poised to Vote for Harmful Balanced Budget Amendment