Politico reported this week that due to (1) Congress not taking measures to stabilize the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace, (2) the repeal of the individual mandate and the (3) “wild card” Administration proposals to allow short-term … [Read more...] about This Week in Healthcare Sabotage: Double Digit Rate Hikes Expected and Proposed “Conscience” Rules
Weekly Alert
Elder Justice Alert: New York Times Publishes Article on Drug Use Among Older Adults
Revelations have shed light on an opioid crises in the United States that remained largely hidden until recently. These drugs have affected the lives of children and adults nationwide. Unfortunately, the inappropriate use of medication – … [Read more...] about Elder Justice Alert: New York Times Publishes Article on Drug Use Among Older Adults
Eighth Anniversary of the Affordable Care Act
Today marks the eighth anniversary of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the most significant piece of healthcare legislation since Medicare was enacted in 1965. Like Medicare, the ACA provides security, peace of mind and comprehensive coverage for … [Read more...] about Eighth Anniversary of the Affordable Care Act
Tipping the Scales Toward Medicare Advantage
Part C of the Medicare program, also known as Medicare Advantage (MA), is an option available to Medicare beneficiaries who wish to receive their benefits through private insurance companies, primarily HMOs. In 2017, more than 19 million … [Read more...] about Tipping the Scales Toward Medicare Advantage
CMS Clarifies 3-Hour “Rule” Should Not Preclude Medicare-Covered Inpatient Rehabilitation Hospital Care
Inpatient rehabilitation hospitals (IRHs, also known as Inpatient Rehab Facilities/IRFs) provide intensive rehabilitation services to patients on an inpatient basis.[1] Over time, a myth developed – based on a discredited CMS Policy … [Read more...] about CMS Clarifies 3-Hour “Rule” Should Not Preclude Medicare-Covered Inpatient Rehabilitation Hospital Care
Proposed CMS Payment Rules Will Worsen the Home Care Crisis
This is the eighth of a ten-part CMA Issue Brief Series examining the growing crisis in access to Medicare home health coverage and necessary care – and outlining the Center for Medicare Advocacy’s work to address these issues. We invite … [Read more...] about Proposed CMS Payment Rules Will Worsen the Home Care Crisis
Center for Medicare Advocacy Submits Comments to CMS’ Draft 2019 Call Letter for Medicare Advantage and Part D
On February 1, 2018, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued its draft 2019 Call Letter, an annual set of proposed rules, guidelines and clarifications for Part C Medicare Advantage (MA) and Part D plans that wish to participate … [Read more...] about Center for Medicare Advocacy Submits Comments to CMS’ Draft 2019 Call Letter for Medicare Advantage and Part D
This Week in Healthcare Sabotage: Administration Wants Older People to Pay More
It was reported this week that the Administration conditioned its support of legislation to stabilize the ACA Marketplace on it including proposals that will undermine benefits and erode coverage protections. In this latest scheme to sabotage the … [Read more...] about This Week in Healthcare Sabotage: Administration Wants Older People to Pay More
JAMA Calls for Release of Medicare Advantage Data – A Full Review of MA is Long Overdue
The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), recently published a Viewpoint article entitled “Time to Release Medicare Advantage Claims Data” by Niall Brennan, Charles Ornstein, and Austin B. Frakt … [Read more...] about JAMA Calls for Release of Medicare Advantage Data – A Full Review of MA is Long Overdue
Bill to Control Medicare Prescription Drug Costs Introduced
Representative Sandy Levin recently introduced the Protecting Medicare from Excessive Price Increases Act, which would require prescription drug manufacturers to pay a rebate when the price of their Part B drug increases faster than inflation. … [Read more...] about Bill to Control Medicare Prescription Drug Costs Introduced