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?
Weekly Alert
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
Keeping Medicare and Medicaid Strong?
Medicare and Medicaid have been providing health insurance coverage to older people, people with disabilities, women, and families with children for more than 45 years. These programs ensure that vulnerable populations who could not get health … [Read more...] about Keeping Medicare and Medicaid Strong?
Why Medicaid Matters to Medicare Beneficiaries and Their Families
Medicare and Medicaid, which together serve over 95 million Americans,[1] are our two major national public programs offering secure and stable access to health care for beneficiaries, and peace of mind to the their families. Medicaid is under … [Read more...] about Why Medicaid Matters to Medicare Beneficiaries and Their Families
Happy Anniversary, Health Care Reform
One year ago, on March 23, 2010, President Obama signed into law the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, the Health Care Reform law[1] that will provide access to health insurance for virtually all Americans. As the Center for Medicare … [Read more...] about Happy Anniversary, Health Care Reform
Reducing Antipsychotic Drug Use in Nursing Homes: Save Residents’ Lives, Save Medicare Billions of Dollars
Many nursing home residents who do not have a diagnosis that supports their taking antipsychotic medications are nevertheless given antipsychotic drugs. These drugs are both dangerous to residents and extremely expensive for the Medicare … [Read more...] about Reducing Antipsychotic Drug Use in Nursing Homes: Save Residents’ Lives, Save Medicare Billions of Dollars
Help Someone Retain Part D Extra Help
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has released state by state information on numbers of individuals whose Part D low income subsidy (extra help) will end March 31 if they do not respond to SSA’s request for information concerning their … [Read more...] about Help Someone Retain Part D Extra Help
More Nurses in Nursing Homes Would Mean Fewer Patients Headed to Hospitals
Nursing home residents are frequently hospitalized. Residents who have recently been admitted from the hospital are frequently rehospitalized.[1] Many of these hospitalizations, which "can cause discomfort for residents, anxiety for … [Read more...] about More Nurses in Nursing Homes Would Mean Fewer Patients Headed to Hospitals