A new study out this month in the Annals of Family Medicine highlights the reality facing many people with health insurance and Medicare and their families: high out-of-pocket costs and cost-sharing. These costs have a considerable effect on … [Read more...] about Study Shows High Cost-Sharing Significantly Harms Family Health and Finances
Weekly Alert
The Worst-Performing Nursing Facilities Are Seldom Sanctioned; Self-Reporting is Not an Accurate Quality Measurement
According to an analysis by the Center for Medicare Advocacy (the Center) few sanctions are imposed for the poor care provided by nursing facilities identified by the Federal Government as among those providing the poorest quality of care and quality … [Read more...] about The Worst-Performing Nursing Facilities Are Seldom Sanctioned; Self-Reporting is Not an Accurate Quality Measurement
Medicare Facts and Fiction: Costs and Spending Edition
In the past few weeks, the media spotlight on the country's fiscal issues has led to a flurry of attacks on Medicare.[1] Pundits and some policymakers decry Medicare spending as "the largest driver of the federal debt" and argue that … [Read more...] about Medicare Facts and Fiction: Costs and Spending Edition
Notes from the Cliff: The Deal and Its Impact on Medicare
This week, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to approve legislation passed by the Senate to address the "fiscal cliff"- the concurrent expiration of tax cuts and the beginning of automatic spending cuts (the Sequester) set to … [Read more...] about Notes from the Cliff: The Deal and Its Impact on Medicare
States Can’t Get Full Federal Funding for Partial Medicaid Expansion
Under the Affordable Care Act, states will be eligible for greatly increased federal-match payments beginning in 2014 if they expand their Medicaid programs to cover adults with incomes up to 133% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). In a letter … [Read more...] about States Can’t Get Full Federal Funding for Partial Medicaid Expansion
2013 Medicare Cost-Sharing
Hospital Deductible: $1,184 per spell of illness Hospital Coinsurance: Days 0-60: $0 Days 61-90: $296 / day Days 91-150: $592 / day Skilled Nursing Facility Coinsurance Days 0-20: $0 Days 21-100: $148 / day Part A Premium (for … [Read more...] about 2013 Medicare Cost-Sharing
Putting a Donut Hole Back in Medicare: Proposals to Increase Medigap Costs Put Vulnerable Beneficiaries at Risk
Among proposals aimed at reducing federal spending for Medicare, some are suggesting that Medigap insurance be restructured to increase the cost-sharing burden on beneficiaries and/or add a surcharge for those that choose plans offering … [Read more...] about Putting a Donut Hole Back in Medicare: Proposals to Increase Medigap Costs Put Vulnerable Beneficiaries at Risk
Warning: Medicare Payment Limits Are Bad for Health!
One of the deficit reduction proposals being discussed to achieve savings from Medicare is to introduce new cost-sharing for home health care. As a means to ward off such potential home health co-payments, some instead suggest capping Medicare … [Read more...] about Warning: Medicare Payment Limits Are Bad for Health!
Special Report – Independence of Medicare Administrative Law Judges Threatened by Office of Inspector General’s Recommendations
In November, the Office of Inspector General (OIG) issued a report entitled, "Improvements are Needed at the Administrative Law Judge Level of Medicare Appeals." The report can be found at … [Read more...] about Special Report – Independence of Medicare Administrative Law Judges Threatened by Office of Inspector General’s Recommendations
Raising the Medicare Eligibility Age: A Costly and Dangerous Proposal
Despite Medicare's remarkable success as a health and economic lifeline for American families, proposals to dramatically alter the program have resurfaced in the context of deficit reduction. While not a new idea, proponents of increasing … [Read more...] about Raising the Medicare Eligibility Age: A Costly and Dangerous Proposal