The misuse of antipsychotic drugs by nursing homes has been the subject of Congressional hearings and Government reports for many decades.[1] More than 300,000 nursing home residents take antipsychotic drugs and, as the Inspector General found, … [Read more...] about CMA Report: Examining Inappropriate Use of Antipsychotic Drugs in Nursing Facilities
Weekly Alert
Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans: Considerations for Reauthorization
Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans (D-SNPs) are a type of Medicare Advantage (MA) plan that enrolls only individuals dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid. Though results have been mixed, D-SNPs were created as a possible route to better … [Read more...] about Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans: Considerations for Reauthorization
Three Observation Status Bills Have Been Introduced; Only Congressman Courtney’s Has Immediate Promise
>Hospitals' increasing use of observation status harms more Medicare beneficiaries daily as patients hospitalized for multiple days are denied coverage of subsequent care in a skilled nursing facility because their time in the hospital was … [Read more...] about Three Observation Status Bills Have Been Introduced; Only Congressman Courtney’s Has Immediate Promise
Atlantic Philanthropies Awards Center for Medicare Advocacy Three-Year Matching Grant for New and Increased Contributions
As part of a new three-year grant, Atlantic Philanthropies will match new and increased contributions received by the Center for Medicare Advocacy. Atlantic Philanthropies will match a total of $325,000 in new or increased funding during three … [Read more...] about Atlantic Philanthropies Awards Center for Medicare Advocacy Three-Year Matching Grant for New and Increased Contributions
Misuse of Antipsychotic Drugs in Nursing Homes: Are We Making Any Progress?
The recent settlement of criminal and civil charges against Johnson & Johnson for off-label marketing of Risperdal for nursing home residents once again brings the issue of antipsychotic drugs and nursing homes to public attention. A group … [Read more...] about Misuse of Antipsychotic Drugs in Nursing Homes: Are We Making Any Progress?
New CMS Proposed Homebound Policy Would Leave Medicare Beneficiaries Without Coverage
Medicare only covers home health care if, among other requirements, the beneficiary is homebound. As of November 19, 2013, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will require new criteria for purposes of meeting the homebound … [Read more...] about New CMS Proposed Homebound Policy Would Leave Medicare Beneficiaries Without Coverage
New CMS Rules Do NOT Change Requirement for 3-Day Qualifying Inpatient Hospital Stay
The Center for Medicare Advocacy has heard that some Medicare beneficiaries believe that new federal rules authorize Medicare to pay for their nursing home care if they are inpatients in a hospital for two midnights. This belief is NOT … [Read more...] about New CMS Rules Do NOT Change Requirement for 3-Day Qualifying Inpatient Hospital Stay
New Report: Expanded Dental Coverage Needed to Confront Health Crisis
As policymakers consider proposals to slash successful community programs including Medicare and Medicaid, older Americans and their families continue to face barriers to necessary health care, including access to dental coverage and services. A new … [Read more...] about New Report: Expanded Dental Coverage Needed to Confront Health Crisis
The Health Care Reform Marketplace is NOT for People with Medicare!
Beware of Scammers Trying to Sell Marketplace Plans to People with MedicareThe Health Insurance Marketplace, created by the Affordable Care Act (ACA), opened for business on October 1, 2013. Uninsured people can shop for and purchase health … [Read more...] about The Health Care Reform Marketplace is NOT for People with Medicare!
The Medicare Annual Coordinated Election Period Has Begun!
During the Annual Coordinated Election Period, which runs from October 15th through December 7th, people with Medicare can change their choice of health coverage (whether they receive that coverage through a private Medicare Advantage plan or … [Read more...] about The Medicare Annual Coordinated Election Period Has Begun!