Twenty-one months after winning a national class action lawsuit that sought to overturn Medicare's practice of denying skilled maintenance care to patients who did not meet an "improvement standard," plaintiff Glenda Jimmo is finally … [Read more...] about Federal Case Settled for Vermont Plaintiff in Landmark Jimmo v. Sebelius Class Action − Medicare Coverage Finally Granted for Jimmo’s Skilled Maintenance Care
Weekly Alert
Update on MA and Part D Plans
A Brief Survey of Recent Reports, and a New Special Enrollment Period for 2015Medicare's Annual Coordinated Election Period (ACEP) for Medicare Advantage and Part D plans began on October 15th and runs through December 7th. During the … [Read more...] about Update on MA and Part D Plans
Administration Plans Major Improvements to Nursing Home Compare
The federal nursing home website, Nursing Home Compare, is about to undergo major changes that should significantly improve the accuracy of information about nursing homes that is provided to the public. The Improving Medicare Post-Acute Care … [Read more...] about Administration Plans Major Improvements to Nursing Home Compare
2015 Medicare Cost Sharing
Hospital Deductible: $1,260.00 / Benefit periodHospital Coinsurance:Days 0-60: $0 Days 61-90: $315 / Day Days 91-150: $630/ DaySkilled Nursing Facility Coinsurance:Days 1-20: $0 Days 21-100: $157.50/ DayPart A … [Read more...] about 2015 Medicare Cost Sharing
Hospice Patients’ Rights Enhanced by New Medicare Rule
Hospice care is specialized, compassionate care for those diagnosed with a limited life expectancy. Good hospice care should enhance quality of life for the patient and should support caregivers. The Medicare Conditions of Participation … [Read more...] about Hospice Patients’ Rights Enhanced by New Medicare Rule
Annual Enrollment for Medicare Advantage & Part D: October 15 – December 7
Fall is the time for Medicare beneficiaries to explore their options regarding Part D prescription drug plans and Part C Medicare Advantage plans. The Annual Coordinated Election Period (ACEP) for Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D … [Read more...] about Annual Enrollment for Medicare Advantage & Part D: October 15 – December 7
New Resources to Help LTC Facility Staff Work with LGBT Older Persons and Their Families
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has recently issued a Survey and Certification Tool, with an introduction by Secretary Greenlee of the Administration for Community Living (ACL) within the Department of Health and Human … [Read more...] about New Resources to Help LTC Facility Staff Work with LGBT Older Persons and Their Families
Center for Medicare Advocacy Sues to Fix Broken Medicare Appeals System
On August 26, 2014, the Center for Medicare Advocacy filed a nationwide class action lawsuit in United States District Court (Lessler et al. v. Burwell, 3:14-CV-1230, D. Conn.). The five named plaintiffs, from Connecticut, New York and Ohio, have all … [Read more...] about Center for Medicare Advocacy Sues to Fix Broken Medicare Appeals System
Nursing Facilities Owned by Private Equity Firms: Fewer Nurses, More Deficiencies
A recent study in the Journal of Health Care Finance finds that Florida nursing facilities owned by private equity firms have fewer registered nurses and more deficiencies than chain-owned for-profit facilities and that the longer the facilities are … [Read more...] about Nursing Facilities Owned by Private Equity Firms: Fewer Nurses, More Deficiencies
Observation Status: Mixed Messages from Federal Government as Beneficiaries Continue to be Hurt
The use of “Observation Status” – treating certain hospitalized Medicare patients as outpatients when their care is indistinguishable from that of formally admitted inpatients – continues to garner considerable public and … [Read more...] about Observation Status: Mixed Messages from Federal Government as Beneficiaries Continue to be Hurt