HHS Inspector General: Observation Status is a Growing Problem for PatientsIn a new report, Vulnerabilities Remain Under Medicare’s 2-Midnight Hospital Policy,[1] the HHS Inspector General documents and confirms what Medicare beneficiaries … [Read more...] about HHS Inspector General: Observation Status is a Growing Problem for Patients
Weekly Alert
“Cures” Act Tips the Scales Even Further in Favor of Medicare Advantage Over Traditional Medicare
On December 13, 2016, President Obama signed into law the 21st Century Cures Act (Public Law No: 114-255, also known as “Cures”, H.R. 34[1]). The bill, which passed with overwhelming bipartisan support, addresses a wide range of … [Read more...] about “Cures” Act Tips the Scales Even Further in Favor of Medicare Advantage Over Traditional Medicare
Reports Highlight Devastating Effects of Repealing the Affordable Care Act and Turning Medicaid into Block Grants
As we approach a new year, a new Administration and a new session of Congress, the catastrophic risks to health care coverage include threats to repeal the Affordable Care Act – without an agreed-upon replacement, turning Medicaid into a block … [Read more...] about Reports Highlight Devastating Effects of Repealing the Affordable Care Act and Turning Medicaid into Block Grants
Hospitals Must Give Patients Notice of Their Observation Status, Beginning March 8, 2017
Effective August 6, 2016, the Notice of Observation Treatment and Implication for Care Eligibility Act (NOTICE Act)[1] requires acute care hospitals to provide oral and written notification to patients who are classified as outpatients or observation … [Read more...] about Hospitals Must Give Patients Notice of Their Observation Status, Beginning March 8, 2017
Protect Our Health Care: It’s All Connected – ACA, Medicaid and Medicare are All Under Threat
The President-Elect and Republican leaders in Congress have promised to repeal, and at some point, “replace” the Affordable Care Act. They also plan to gut the Medicaid program by imposing block granting or per-capita caps. … [Read more...] about Protect Our Health Care: It’s All Connected – ACA, Medicaid and Medicare are All Under Threat
Plenty of Sensible Changes to Help and Preserve Medicare
Center for Medicare Advocacy Executive Director Judith Stein was featured in the New York Times "Room for Debate" this week defending the traditional Medicare program against efforts to privatize and weaken it.Under Speaker Paul … [Read more...] about Plenty of Sensible Changes to Help and Preserve Medicare
Medicare is not “Going Broke”
Medicare is not in crisis. It is on solid financial footing, and, in fact, is stronger than was predicted before the enactment of the Affordable Care Act.Medicare Part A is mostly paid for with payroll taxes which go into a trust fund. Prior to … [Read more...] about Medicare is not “Going Broke”
10 Things To Be Thankful For, From the Center for Medicare Advocacy
The visionaries who designed, launched and supported Medicare to help all American families. The Medicare program for its invaluable contribution to desegregating American hospitals. The Medicare program for helping to keep older Americans out of … [Read more...] about 10 Things To Be Thankful For, From the Center for Medicare Advocacy
Truth: Obamacare Helps Medicare
Speaker Paul Ryan is already in the news saying that because of “Obamacare” Medicare is “going broke” (Fox News, 11/13/2016). As a consequence, he says, he intends to bring back his plan to privatize Medicare and change it … [Read more...] about Truth: Obamacare Helps Medicare
Nursing Home “Advancing Excellence” Quality Program Ends after a Decade
Advancing Excellence in America’s Nursing Homes, a voluntary program promoted as an effort to improve quality of care in nursing homes, has ended after a decade. Unfortunately, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will continue the … [Read more...] about Nursing Home “Advancing Excellence” Quality Program Ends after a Decade