June 26, 2014 Medicare's Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive Bidding Program was enacted by Congress as a cost and fraud protection measure. From its inception, there have been questions … [Read more...] about The DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Process: Is It Working?
Weekly Alert
Observation Status – Notice and Appeal
Connecticut Passes Observation Notice Law On June 12, 2014, Connecticut Governor Dannel P. Malloy signed into law a requirement that, starting October 1, 2014, Connecticut hospitals give oral and written notice to patients placed on observation … [Read more...] about Observation Status – Notice and Appeal
The Center Joins 26 Other Organizations in Calling for Suspension of Hospice and Part D Guidance
Research suggests that medications that should be covered by the Medicare Hospice Benefit are sometimes paid for by Medicare Part D plans. In March, to prevent this from happening, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a … [Read more...] about The Center Joins 26 Other Organizations in Calling for Suspension of Hospice and Part D Guidance
Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement (QAPI) In Nursing Homes: Diverting CMS Attention from Enforcement
June 12, 2014 Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement (QAPI) In Nursing Homes: Diverting CMS Attention from Enforcement In the past few years, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has focused considerable attention on … [Read more...] about Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement (QAPI) In Nursing Homes: Diverting CMS Attention from Enforcement
Medicare’s Reluctance to Embrace Technology: Effects on the Coverage of Speech Generating Devices
Technology can help the most vulnerable among us live with more capabilities than we would have considered possible, even a few short years ago. Rather than encourage technological advances that promote independence and safety, however, the … [Read more...] about Medicare’s Reluctance to Embrace Technology: Effects on the Coverage of Speech Generating Devices
Further Federal Protections for Same-Sex Married Couples
In May 2014, the Administration for Community Living (ACL), an agency within the Department of Health and Human Services, issued guidance applicable to all ACL grantees concerning the federal government's policy on same-sex marriages … [Read more...] about Further Federal Protections for Same-Sex Married Couples
Harm from Medicare’s Hospital Observation Status Debated In Congressional Hearing – Center for Medicare Advocacy Presents Beneficiary Perspective
May 21, 2014 The May 20, 2014 hearing on "Current Hospital Issues in the Medicare Program," held by the Health Subcommittee of the House Committee on Ways and Means, was the first Congressional hearing to consider the impact of … [Read more...] about Harm from Medicare’s Hospital Observation Status Debated In Congressional Hearing – Center for Medicare Advocacy Presents Beneficiary Perspective
Senior Policy Attorney Toby S. Edelman Testifies about Observation Status before Congress
Center for Medicare Advocacy Senior Policy Attorney Toby S. Edelman will testify before the House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee on Tuesday, May 20, 2014 at 9:30 AM regarding current hospital issues in the Medicare program, specifically the … [Read more...] about Senior Policy Attorney Toby S. Edelman Testifies about Observation Status before Congress
Bill Introduced to Ensure Equality Under Social Security for Same-Sex Spouses
On May 8, 2014, Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) and Sen. Mark Udall (D-CO) introduced a bill to amend the Social Security Act so that all legal marriages are appropriately recognized. See: … [Read more...] about Bill Introduced to Ensure Equality Under Social Security for Same-Sex Spouses
Federal Nursing Home Enforcement System is Not Punitive: Setting the Record Straight Again
The Department of Health and Human Services' Inspector General recently reported that nearly one third-of nursing home residents suffered an adverse event or other harm during a stay in a Medicare-participating nursing home in August 2011, and … [Read more...] about Federal Nursing Home Enforcement System is Not Punitive: Setting the Record Straight Again