“Skilled Nursing Care & Skilled Therapy Services to Maintain Function Or Prevent or Slow Decline: ReminderMedicare covers skilled nursing care and skilled therapy services under skilled nursing facility, home health, and outpatient therapy … [Read more...] about Know Jimmo | CMS Reminded Providers & Contractors Back in 2021
Weekly Alert
Issue Brief | Statement on the 60th Anniversary of Medicare
Read CMA’s new issue brief regarding Medicare’s 60th Anniversary here.(The below content was sent out as a News Release on 7/29/25)On July 30, 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed Medicare into law, creating a promise that older adults … [Read more...] about Issue Brief | Statement on the 60th Anniversary of Medicare
Impact of the “Big Bill” on Medicare
On July 4, 2025, President Trump signed into law H.R. 1 – the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBB). This sweeping legislation narrowly passed Congress through a special budget process (“reconciliation”), which allowed it to pass the Senate with a … [Read more...] about Impact of the “Big Bill” on Medicare
When Should Medicare Cover Home Health Care?*
A 90-year-old woman needed home care after a hospital and SNF stay. Her family worked to set up the care with a knowledgeable, compassionate care coordinator. Nonetheless, the coordinator definitively informed the family that Medicare simply does not … [Read more...] about When Should Medicare Cover Home Health Care?*
Issue Brief | Medicare Advantage “Flex Cards” Update
This update expands on our earlier CMA Issue Brief about the “flex cards” offered by many Medicare Advantage (MA) plans. Flex cards, sometimes called Over-the-Counter (OTC) cards, are essentially preloaded debit cards used by MA plans to provide … [Read more...] about Issue Brief | Medicare Advantage “Flex Cards” Update
Podcast on the Nursing Home Reform Act Featuring Center Attorney Toby Edelman
In 1987, after multiple reports, articles, and studies described inadequate conditions in nursing homes, Congress passed the Nursing Home Reform Act. The comprehensive law raised the standard of care for residents of nursing homes across the country … [Read more...] about Podcast on the Nursing Home Reform Act Featuring Center Attorney Toby Edelman
Study Confirms that Nursing Facilities “Staff Up” For Surveys
For many years, advocates for nursing home residents have said that nursing facilities significantly improve their staffing levels when they anticipate that surveyors will soon be on-site to conduct an annual inspection. A new study confirms … [Read more...] about Study Confirms that Nursing Facilities “Staff Up” For Surveys
Helpful Hint | Who to Contact; Social Security or Medicare?
Many people are surprised to learn how intertwined Medicare is with the Social Security Administration (SSA). For that reason, it can be confusing to know which agency to contact for assistance and information. For example, the following actions … [Read more...] about Helpful Hint | Who to Contact; Social Security or Medicare?
Know Jimmo | Jimmo Applies to Medicare Advantage
Skilled Nursing and therapy to maintain an individual's condition are covered by Medicare. Improvement is not required. This applies to Medicare Advantage as well as traditional Medicare.CMS wrote in the 2/13/2024 memo "Reminder: Jimmo Settlement … [Read more...] about Know Jimmo | Jimmo Applies to Medicare Advantage
Medicare Will Not Expand on Dental Payment Examples in 2026
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced this week that it will not codify additional examples of clinical scenarios in which dental services may be paid by Medicare as part of its CY 2026 Physician Fee Schedule … [Read more...] about Medicare Will Not Expand on Dental Payment Examples in 2026