Congress is now considering the AHCA, the Bill to repeal the Affordable Care Act. The proposed repeal legislation would lead to extreme cuts in Medicaid. Thus, it is essential to underscore the role Medicaid plays for millions of Medicare … [Read more...] about Medicaid is Essential for Millions of Medicare Beneficiaries
Weekly Alert
Look for the Moon!
Beginning no later than March 8, 2017, hospitals are required to give written and oral notice to Medicare patients when they are placed in “outpatient” observation status for 24 hours and are not formally admitted as inpatients.[1] The … [Read more...] about Look for the Moon!
Health Savings Accounts and Medicare Beneficiaries
Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) DefinedHealth Savings Accounts (HSAs) are savings accounts that allow consumers to put money aside to pay for certain “qualified health expenses” on a tax-free basis. HSAs are used in tandem with high … [Read more...] about Health Savings Accounts and Medicare Beneficiaries
President Trump’s Address to Congress Brings No New News on Health
Last night, President Trump, in a speech to Congress, discussed health care but offered no new insight into his Administration’s plans concerning the Affordable Care Act, Medicaid and Medicare. A day after noting that “nobody knew … [Read more...] about President Trump’s Address to Congress Brings No New News on Health
Back to the Future: High Risk Pools Annotated Bibliography
Many Americans are greatly concerned that repeal of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) will once again leave people with pre-existing conditions without health insurance. The ACA replacement proposal released by Speaker Ryan on February 16 would move … [Read more...] about Back to the Future: High Risk Pools Annotated Bibliography
Repealing Medicaid Expansion Could Lead to Thousands of Deaths in the U.S. Annually
According to a recent report from Vox, Congressional plans to repeal key provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) will have devastating consequences for thousands of Americans each year. Vox’s Julia Belluz cites evidence to estimate that … [Read more...] about Repealing Medicaid Expansion Could Lead to Thousands of Deaths in the U.S. Annually
CMS Issues Instructions Regarding the Medicare Outpatient Observation Notice (MOON)
Beginning no later than March 8, 2017, and as required by the Notice of Observation Treatment and Implication for Care Eligibility Act (NOTICE Act),[1] hospitals and critical access hospitals (CAHs) are required to give patients both oral and written … [Read more...] about CMS Issues Instructions Regarding the Medicare Outpatient Observation Notice (MOON)
Affordable Care Act Replacement Proposals – Concerns and Resources
The Administration and the Republican Congress threaten to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA), and have suggested various ideas about what a replacement to ACA would include. To better understand these proposals we’ve compiled a list of ACA … [Read more...] about Affordable Care Act Replacement Proposals – Concerns and Resources
Issue Brief: CMS Issues New Rules Governing Medicare Appeals
CMS recently finalized significant changes affecting Medicare appeals, particularly at the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) level of review. These changes apply to appeals of payment and coverage determinations for items and services furnished to … [Read more...] about Issue Brief: CMS Issues New Rules Governing Medicare Appeals
Court Orders Corrective Action Plan for Government’s Noncompliance with Settlement in Jimmo v. Burwell
In a decision released February 2, 2017, the federal judge overseeing the Settlement Agreement in the Medicare “Improvement Standard” case (Jimmo v. Burwell) ordered the Secretary of Health & Human Services to carry out a Corrective … [Read more...] about Court Orders Corrective Action Plan for Government’s Noncompliance with Settlement in Jimmo v. Burwell