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!
Weekly Alert
Caution: Home Health Episode Payment Caps
Legislation was introduced on October 4th that could lead to a cap on the home health services available to a Medicare beneficiary. In the midst of a government shutdown, Representatives Matheson (D-Utah) and Guthrie (R-Kentucky) introduced the … [Read more...] about Caution: Home Health Episode Payment Caps
United Healthcare Dramatically Reducing CT Medicare Advantage Plans – Check in YOUR State
For 2014, United Healthcare (UHC) is cutting 2,250 doctors from its Connecticut Medicare Advantage (MA) network. UHC is also closing one of its MA plans in New Haven County that serves 2,900 people and taking similar actions in other states. … [Read more...] about United Healthcare Dramatically Reducing CT Medicare Advantage Plans – Check in YOUR State
Health Insurance Marketplaces Open – What Does it Mean for You?
On October 1, 2013, online health insurance Marketplaces opened in every state. These Marketplaces, which are a central feature of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), allow uninsured Americans to shop for and purchase health insurance. The Marketplaces … [Read more...] about Health Insurance Marketplaces Open – What Does it Mean for You?
Medicare Secondary Payer: Web Portal to Collect Data on Conditional Payment Amounts and Claims Detail
The Medicare Secondary Payer (MSP) program is designed to reduce costs to the Medicare program by requiring other insurers of health care for beneficiaries to pay primary to Medicare. It applies in three situations: where there is liability … [Read more...] about Medicare Secondary Payer: Web Portal to Collect Data on Conditional Payment Amounts and Claims Detail
Disappointing Decision from Court in Challenge to “Observation Status” Highlights Need to Pass Legislation
On September 23, a federal judge in Connecticut dismissed a lawsuit filed by the Center for Medicare Advocacy and the National Senior Citizens Law Center on behalf of Medicare beneficiaries who have been placed on "observation … [Read more...] about Disappointing Decision from Court in Challenge to “Observation Status” Highlights Need to Pass Legislation
Federal Commission on Long-Term Care Concludes Its Work
Five Commissioners, Including the Center for Medicare Advocacy's Judith Stein, Present Alternate RecommendationsSeptember 19, 2013The federal Commission on Long-Term Care was created by the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 (the … [Read more...] about Federal Commission on Long-Term Care Concludes Its Work
Debunking Nursing Home Myths about Quality of Care and Enforcement of Federal Care Standards
As policymakers in Washington, DC and beyond continue a national discussion about the state of long-term care in the United States, a critical component of the discussion is the quality of care provided in nursing homes across the … [Read more...] about Debunking Nursing Home Myths about Quality of Care and Enforcement of Federal Care Standards
Observation Status Round Up
While Observation Status continues, recent weeks have seen a great increase in awareness of the problem. In addition, support for legislation to end Observation Status has grown rapidly.What is Observation Status?Observation Status … [Read more...] about Observation Status Round Up
Observation Status: New Final Rules from CMS Do Not Help Medicare Beneficiaries
Effective October 1, 2013, new rules for inpatient hospital reimbursement under the Medicare program[1] make final two sets of proposed rules that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) published in the Spring 2013 – the … [Read more...] about Observation Status: New Final Rules from CMS Do Not Help Medicare Beneficiaries