A recent piece in the Washington Post highlighted the importance of oral health to overall health, exploring the possible link between poor oral health and increased dementia risk. Stressing that more research is needed, the article said that … [Read more...] about Oral Health & Possible Dementia Risk
Weekly Alert
Your Experiences and Expertise Matter! Tips for Drafting and Submitting Comments on Regulations.gov
The 2019 Supreme Court decision Azar v. Allina Health Services, 139 S. Ct. 1804 (2019) has resulted in an increase in formal rulemaking and comment opportunities regarding Medicare. This is because the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services … [Read more...] about Your Experiences and Expertise Matter! Tips for Drafting and Submitting Comments on Regulations.gov
Counterweight to Medicare Advantage Marketing Still Needed
As the Center for Medicare Advocacy (the Center) has highlighted in past years, during the Medicare Annual Election Period (AEP), when individuals can enroll in traditional Medicare and change or disenroll from Medicare Advantage (MA) and Part D … [Read more...] about Counterweight to Medicare Advantage Marketing Still Needed
New Study – Medicare Advantage Overpayments as High as $140 Billion a Year
On October 4, 2023, Physicians for a National Health Program (PNHP) released a report titled “Our Payments Their Profits”, showing that insurance companies offering Medicare Advantage (MA) plans are overpaid by up to $140 billion a year by … [Read more...] about New Study – Medicare Advantage Overpayments as High as $140 Billion a Year
Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program Begins After Encouraging Court Decision
A federal court has rejected a bid by the pharmaceutical industry and its allies to stop the newly established Medicare drug price negotiation program before it starts. On September 29, 2023, Judge Michael J. Newman of the U.S. District Court for … [Read more...] about Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program Begins After Encouraging Court Decision
CMS Releases Notices Regarding LIS
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) notified Medicare Advantage organizations and Part D Plans that it will conduct reassignment this month of beneficiaries eligible for the Part D Low-Income Subsidy (LIS) who are enrolled in … [Read more...] about CMS Releases Notices Regarding LIS
Proposed Nursing Home Staffing Rule Described as “Dangerously Inadequate”
An analysis of the proposed nursing home nurse staffing rule by legal and nursing scholars and Consumer Voice criticizes the proposed rule as “so minimal and with such huge exceptions that many nursing home residents will see no benefit at all.” The … [Read more...] about Proposed Nursing Home Staffing Rule Described as “Dangerously Inadequate”
New Medicare Rule Increases Access to Medicare Savings Programs
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently finalized a rule that will simplify processes for Medicare beneficiaries to enroll and retain eligibility in a Medicare Savings Program (MSP). CMS estimates that the changes in the rule … [Read more...] about New Medicare Rule Increases Access to Medicare Savings Programs
Look Before You Leap: Medicare Annual Enrollment Period Approaches
Studies Highlight Marketing Concerns and Pitfalls of Navigating Enrollment ChoicesMedicare Advantage (MA) and Part D plans can start marketing their product offerings for the 2024 plan year starting October 1, in advance of the Medicare Annual … [Read more...] about Look Before You Leap: Medicare Annual Enrollment Period Approaches
Center Symposium on the Jimmo Settlement Calls for Sustainable Implementation
On September 27, 2023 the Center for Medicare Advocacy convened a symposium to discuss the Jimmo v. Sebelius "Improvement Standard" Settlement. This virtual meeting brought together advocates, providers, beneficiaries, and others to discuss practical … [Read more...] about Center Symposium on the Jimmo Settlement Calls for Sustainable Implementation