The Center for Medicare Advocacy submitted comments this week to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) concerning its proposed rule titled “Medicare Program; FY 2017 Hospice Wage Index and Payment Rate Update and Hospice … [Read more...] about The Center for Medicare Advocacy Submits Comments on Proposed Rule for Hospice
Weekly Alert
Center Comments on Proposed Rules for Medicare Skilled Nursing Facilities
The Center for Medicare Advocacy’s comments on the Medicare prospective payment system for skilled nursing facilities (SNFs),[1] submitted June 20, 2016, support the recommendation of the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) not to … [Read more...] about Center Comments on Proposed Rules for Medicare Skilled Nursing Facilities
SHIP Funding In Danger
Last week, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved a bill that would eliminate federal funding for State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIPs). Since 1992, the SHIP network has provided critical information upon which people with … [Read more...] about SHIP Funding In Danger
Elder Abuse in Nursing Facilities: The Over-Administration of Antipsychotic Drugs to Nursing Home Residents
The Administration on Aging defines a subcategory of elder abuse – “physical abuse” – as “inflicting physical pain or injury on a senior, e.g. slapping, bruising, or restraining by physical or chemical … [Read more...] about Elder Abuse in Nursing Facilities: The Over-Administration of Antipsychotic Drugs to Nursing Home Residents
New Report Supports Need for Advancing Medicare Coverage for Hearing Loss
A report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (about which the Center for Medicare Advocacy has commented) was recently highlighted by ABC News. The Report, Hearing Health Care for Adults: Priorities for Improving Access … [Read more...] about New Report Supports Need for Advancing Medicare Coverage for Hearing Loss
Former CMS Administrator Says Expand Medicare Access to Dental Care
In a recent Boston Globe piece, former CMS Administrator Donald M. Berwick, MD called for expanded access to dental care, which he characterized as a critical aspect of health care that is out of reach for many.People with low incomes, people … [Read more...] about Former CMS Administrator Says Expand Medicare Access to Dental Care
DME: GAO Releases Study on Utilization and Expenditures for Complex Wheelchair Accessories
The Patient Access and Medicare Protection Act (PAMPA), enacted on December 28, 2015, delayed application of competitive bid program (CBP) adjusted payment rates for accessories furnished in connection with complex rehabilitation technology (CRT) … [Read more...] about DME: GAO Releases Study on Utilization and Expenditures for Complex Wheelchair Accessories
Medicare Beneficiaries Still Prefer Traditional Medicare
A recent post by health economist Uwe Reinhardt in the Journal of the American Medical Association Forum discusses the fact that despite all the support Medicare Advantage (MA) plans have received, the vast majority of Medicare beneficiaries still … [Read more...] about Medicare Beneficiaries Still Prefer Traditional Medicare
Exley v. Burwell: Fairness Hearing on Class Action Settlement about Delays in ALJ Appeals Rescheduled to August 1, 2016
As previously reported, a court preliminarily approved settlement in the case of Exley v. Burwell, 3:14-cv-1230 (JAM) (D. Conn.), in March of this year. Since then the government requested and the plaintiffs agreed to a revision in the proposed … [Read more...] about Exley v. Burwell: Fairness Hearing on Class Action Settlement about Delays in ALJ Appeals Rescheduled to August 1, 2016
Case Study: Enrolled In a Medicare Advantage Plan Without Her Knowledge Through “Seamless Conversion Enrollment”
October 21, 2016 - Update on Seamless Conversion: CMS is revisiting the seamless conversion enrollment policy and is temporarily suspending its acceptance of any new seamless enrollment proposals. Read more...Ms. M., a Medicare beneficiary … [Read more...] about Case Study: Enrolled In a Medicare Advantage Plan Without Her Knowledge Through “Seamless Conversion Enrollment”