On February 9, 2018, the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 was signed into law by the President. The budget act includes a “health extenders” package that, among other changes, permanently repeals annual Medicare payment limits (or caps) on … [Read more...] about Congress Repeals Medicare Outpatient Therapy Caps, Strengthening the Jimmo Settlement Agreement
Weekly Alert
Elder Justice Alert: Human Rights Watch Publishes In-Depth Report on Antipsychotic Drug Use in U.S. Nursing Homes
On February 5, 2018, Human Rights Watch published an in-depth report on antipsychotic drug use in U.S. nursing homes. The Report, entitled “‘They Want Docile’: How Nursing Homes in the United States Overmedicate People with … [Read more...] about Elder Justice Alert: Human Rights Watch Publishes In-Depth Report on Antipsychotic Drug Use in U.S. Nursing Homes
Barriers to Home Care Created by CMS Payment, Quality Measurement, and Fraud Investigation Systems
This is Part Seven 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 Barriers to Home Care Created by CMS Payment, Quality Measurement, and Fraud Investigation Systems
Center for Medicare Advocacy Comments on HHS Request for Information
Last week, the Center, collaborating with other advocates, provided comments to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Request for Information (RFI): Promoting Healthcare Choice and Competition Across the United States. Our … [Read more...] about Center for Medicare Advocacy Comments on HHS Request for Information
Outpatient Therapy Caps: What Now?
Since the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, outpatient therapy under Medicare Part B has been subject to dollar limits, or caps.[1] During most of these 20 years, an “exceptions” process has allowed beneficiaries and providers to seek … [Read more...] about Outpatient Therapy Caps: What Now?
Nursing Home Resident’s Rights Newsletter – January Edition
Elder Justice: What "No Harm" Really Means for Residents is a monthly newsletter published by the Center for Medicare Advocacy and the Long Term Care Community Coalition. The purpose of the newsletter is to provide residents, families, … [Read more...] about Nursing Home Resident’s Rights Newsletter – January Edition
Kaiser Family Foundation Issues Report on Medicare Beneficiaries’ Out-of-Pocket Spending
The Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) just released a report entitled “Medicare Beneficiaries’ Out-of-Pocket Health Care Spending as a Share of Income Now and Projections for the Future” (January 2018). As noted in the report, … [Read more...] about Kaiser Family Foundation Issues Report on Medicare Beneficiaries’ Out-of-Pocket Spending
State of the Union Speech Touches on Health Care Issues
In anticipation of last night’s State of the Union address, the Center issued a guide entitled “How to Listen to Tonight’s State of the Union Address” that included some suggestions for how to listen to, and translate, key … [Read more...] about State of the Union Speech Touches on Health Care Issues
How to Listen to Tonight’s State of the Union Address
Sometimes policymakers, including presidents, speak in code – they say one thing, but mean something else.Here are some suggestions for how to listen to, and translate, key statements related to health care that may be in the State of the … [Read more...] about How to Listen to Tonight’s State of the Union Address
Lawsuit Challenging Chronic SNF Understaffing Settled for $72 Million
A lawsuit by former residents at 12 Arkansas nursing facilities owned by Golden Living alleged that the facilities were chronically understaffed between December 2006 and July 2009, in violation of the facilities’ admission agreement, the … [Read more...] about Lawsuit Challenging Chronic SNF Understaffing Settled for $72 Million