Combating fraud, waste and abuse in health care and in other federal programs remains a popular refrain for reducing federal expenditures. In a survey conducted by AARP in September 2009, 80% of Medicare beneficiaries age 65 and older agreed that … [Read more...] about Combating Fraud, Waste and Abuse in Health Care
Weekly Alert
2011 Medicare Trustees Report
The Medicare Trustees issued their annual report on Medicare's financial status on Friday, May 13, 2011. According to this year's report, the Hospital Insurance (HI) Trust Fund has sufficient reserves to pay out the full amount of … [Read more...] about 2011 Medicare Trustees Report
Send Us Medicare Summary Notices (MSNs)
The Center is concerned about the use of MSNs that do not reveal to beneficiaries that their service was denied based on a National Coverage Determination. Such an MSN will instead provide a misleading explanation, such as "Medicare does … [Read more...] about Send Us Medicare Summary Notices (MSNs)
Preserve Medicaid – Share Your Story!
The Center for Medicare Advocacy would like to bring to your attention this request from the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) for stories about the importance of Medicaid. Do you provide time and financial support to a family … [Read more...] about Preserve Medicaid – Share Your Story!
Medicare Secondary Payer Practices that Harm Medicare Beneficiaries
A group of organizations has identified collection practices in the Medicare Secondary Payer (MSP) program that are unnecessarily harmful to beneficiaries. On April 28, 2011, the Center for Medicare Advocacy, together with the American Bar … [Read more...] about Medicare Secondary Payer Practices that Harm Medicare Beneficiaries
Proposed Notice Requirements About Quality of Care: Endorsement, with Concerns
On April 4, 2011, the Center for Medicare Advocacy (the Center) filed comments on a proposal by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to establish a new condition of Medicare participation (CoP) for certain Medicare service … [Read more...] about Proposed Notice Requirements About Quality of Care: Endorsement, with Concerns
New Hospice Face-to-Face Requirement: Help or Hindrance?
Eligibility for Medicare coverage of hospice care is contingent in part upon a hospice physician certifying that the beneficiary has a life expectancy of six months or less if the terminal illness runs its normal course. In an effort to … [Read more...] about New Hospice Face-to-Face Requirement: Help or Hindrance?
Send Us Medicare Summary Notices (MSNs)
The Center is concerned about the use of MSNs that do not reveal to beneficiaries that their service was denied based on a National Coverage Determination. Such an MSN will instead provide a misleading explanation, such as "Medicare does … [Read more...] about Send Us Medicare Summary Notices (MSNs)
What Happens to Current Nursing Home Residents if the House Budget Resolution Becomes Law?
Under the proposed budget resolution passed by Republicans in the House of Representatives, nearly a million nursing home residents could immediately lose coverage for nursing home care. Further, all of the standards that govern nursing home … [Read more...] about What Happens to Current Nursing Home Residents if the House Budget Resolution Becomes Law?
25 Years of Medicare Advocacy, and Hope for 25 More
In April 2011, the Center for Medicare Advocacy celebrates 25 years of advocating for, and on behalf of, older people and people with disabilities who rely on Medicare. We started as a small organization in Connecticut, added a Data Unit in … [Read more...] about 25 Years of Medicare Advocacy, and Hope for 25 More