At its January 16, 2015 public meeting, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC), the government agency that advises Congress on Medicare payment policy, addressed observation status as part of its discussion of hospital short stay policy … [Read more...] about Observation Status and the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
Weekly Alert
Appeals Court Allows Hospital Patients in “Observation Status” to Continue Court Case
Medicare patients considered hospital outpatients on Observation Status may be helped by a decision issued on January 22, 2015 by a federal appeals court. A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit decided that … [Read more...] about Appeals Court Allows Hospital Patients in “Observation Status” to Continue Court Case
3. Medicare Saves Lives
By Connie Cherba, IowaIn early 2000, Edward, who was then 60 years old, applied for Social Security Disability. Despite having suffered from bipolar disorder for nearly 40 years, Edward had earned a PhD, but was not able to hold a … [Read more...] about 3. Medicare Saves Lives
2. Medicare Reduced Poverty
Medicare has not only provided access to care for people who could not get private insurance, it has also significantly reduced poverty. As Nancy-Ann Min DeParle, former administrator of HCFA (Now CMS) stated in the preface to A Profile of … [Read more...] about 2. Medicare Reduced Poverty
Twelfth Largest U.S. Nursing Home Company Sued for Inadequate Staffing
Inadequate nurse staffing is the most significant predictor of poor care in nursing facilities. Despite the fact that understaffing is a pervasive and nationwide problem,[1] understaffing is rarely cited by state survey agencies.[2] One … [Read more...] about Twelfth Largest U.S. Nursing Home Company Sued for Inadequate Staffing
1. Medicare Was Key to Integrating Hospitals
Most people know Medicare as one of the most successful social programs in our country’s history for its impact on the health of our older citizens and those with disabilities. But did you know that the Medicare program was key to integrating … [Read more...] about 1. Medicare Was Key to Integrating Hospitals
The Year In Review: Good News In Medicare & Health Care
While the Center for MEdicare Advocacy continues to press for systemic improvements to the Medicare program, both big and small, there has been some good news for beneficiaries in the health care arena. As calendar year 2014 draws to a close, … [Read more...] about The Year In Review: Good News In Medicare & Health Care
No Site Neutral Payments for Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities and Skilled Nursing Facilities
The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC), the nonpartisan government agency that advises Congress on Medicare policy, indicated at its November 7, 2014 public meeting that, at its next public meeting in December, it would recommend (1) … [Read more...] about No Site Neutral Payments for Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities and Skilled Nursing Facilities
Medicaid-Medicare Dual Eligible Updates
Over 9.6 million older people and people with significant disabilities are dually eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid. Dual eligible beneficiaries are among the poorest and sickest beneficiaries covered by either program. The dual eligible … [Read more...] about Medicaid-Medicare Dual Eligible Updates
Changes to Nursing Home Compare: Some Good, Some Bad
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced plans to expand its focused surveys on resident assessments and nurse staffing for nursing facilities nationwide (but not in all facilities), beginning in early fiscal year 2015. … [Read more...] about Changes to Nursing Home Compare: Some Good, Some Bad