Please use the links below to navigate to a list of articles by topic. Older articles may also be found here.
- Acute Hospital Care
- Chronic Conditions
- Connecticut Consumers
- Discharge Planning
- Home Health Care
- The Improvement Standard
- Medicare Advantage
- Medicare and Health Care Reform
- Medicare Summary
- Medicare Coverage Appeals
- Medicare Coverage for People with Disabilities
- Medicare and Mental Health Services
- Medicare and Hospice Care
- Medicare Part B
- Medicare Part D
- Medicare Savings Programs
- Medicare Secondary Payer Programs
- Medigap
- Observation Status
- Quality of Care
- Rehabilitation Care
- Skilled Nursing Facilities
Acute Hospital Care Articles
- Preserving Access to Necessary Care: Ending Hospital "Observation Status" November 3, 2011
- Congressman Joe Courtney and Center for Medicare Advocacy Hold Congressional Briefing on Observation Status October 24, 2011
- Study Finds that Use of Hospitalists Shifts Costs from Inpatient Care to Post-Discharge Setting September 8, 2011
- CMA And Others Support Legislation to End "Observation Status" June 21, 2011
- Extended Observation Stays in Acute Care Hospitals: Criticism, Legislation and Discussion August 26, 2010
- The Right to Visit Partners and Others In Medicare Participating Hospitals June 22, 2010
- Observation Services: What Can Beneficiaries and Advocates Do? February 18, 2010
Chronic Conditions Articles
- Many Uninsured Individuals with Pre-Existing Conditions Will Find It Easier to Obtain Coverage June 2, 2011
- Medicare for People with Alzheimer's Disease and other Chronic Conditions December 14, 2010
- How the 'Improvement Standard' Improperly Denies Coverage to Medicare Patients with Chronic Conditions – text of article printed in Clearinghouse Review, Vol. 43, No. 9-10, Jan-Feb. 2010 February 22, 2010
- Medicare for People with Chronic Conditions December 17, 2009
- The "Improvement Standard" is a Barrier to Necessary Care March 26, 2009
Connecticut Consumers Articles
- Medigap Rates December 1, 2011
Discharge Planning Articles
- Medicare and Discharge Planning: Thinking Through Your Needs December 3, 2009
Home Health Care Articles
- New Home Health and Hospice Face-to-Face Physician/Practitioner Encounter Requirement January 13, 2011
- A Client Profile January 1, 2010
The Improvement Standard Articles
- Federal Judge Refuses to Dismiss Medicare Beneficiaries' Challenge to the Medicare "Improvement Standard" October 27, 2011
- Recent Coverage: Improvement Standard Lawsuit February 22, 2011
- New Medicare Home Health Regulations: Improvement is Not Required to Obtain Coverage December 30, 2010
- Medicare for People with Alzheimer's Disease and other Chronic Conditions December 14, 2010
- Two Federal Courts Reject "Improvement Standard" for Denying Medicare Coverage November 1, 2010
- The Medicare Improvement Standard: A Barrier to Necessary Care August 10, 2010
- How the 'Improvement Standard' Improperly Denies Coverage to Medicare Patients with Chronic Conditions – text of article printed in Clearinghouse Review, Vol. 43, No. 9-10, Jan-Feb. 2010 February 22, 2010
- Medicare for People with Chronic Conditions December 17, 2009
- The "Improvement Standard" is a Barrier to Necessary Care March 26, 2009
Medicare Advantage Articles
- Annual Enrollment Period Ends... What If You Missed It? December 7, 2011
- Forcing Dual Eligibles Into Private Health Plans is No Quick Fix November 22, 2011
- Medicare Advantage and Part D Changes and Enrollment Updates October 6, 2011
- Annual Enrollment Starts October 15 and Ends December 7 for Medicare Part C & Part D Plans September 22, 2011
- Next Steps for Some Beneficiaries In Medicare Special Needs Plans September 15, 2011
- New Rules for Medicare Advantage and Part D Plans June 2, 2011
- 45 Day Disenrollment Period for Medicare Advantage Members January 6, 2011
- Medicare Annual enrollment Period: Time to Review Coverage Options November 18, 2010
- When a Medicare Advantage Plan Does Not Renew Its Contract November 4, 2010
- Court Emphatically Rejects Beneficiaries' Right to Sue a Part D Plan When the Plan Delays Enrollment September 30, 2010
Medicare and Health Care Reform Articles
- The President's Proposed 2013 Budget: Impact on Medicare February 17, 2012
- Investing in Our Future: Strengthening Medicare for 2012 and Beyond February 9, 2012
- Payroll Tax Extension Includes Important Provisions for Medicare Beneficiaries December 29, 2011
- Forcing Dual Eligibles Into Private Health Plans is No Quick Fix November 22, 2011
- Supercommittee Update November 17, 2011
- Health Care Reform Update: Where Are We, and What's Up for 2012? November 10, 2011
- Breaking Good News for Medicare Beneficiaries October 27, 2011
- "Skin in the Game," Health Equity and Deficit Reduction October 13, 2011
- Medigap - Fact & Fiction October 13, 2011
- The President's Plan for Economic Growth and Deficit Reduction: A First Look at the Impact on Medicare September 29, 2011
- Next Steps for Some Beneficiaries In Medicare Special Needs Plans September 15, 2011
- CMS to Begin Round Two of Its Competitive Bidding Program for the Provision of Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics and Supplies (DMEPOS) September 1, 2011
- Medicare Reimbursement For Skilled Nursing Facilities Remains High For 2012 Despite Reductions In Overpayments August 25, 2011
- Raising the Medicare Eligibility Age Will Actually INCREASE Costs August 25, 2011
- Medicare Facts & Fiction: 3 More Lessons to Combat Medicare Spin August 16, 2011
- Amended Appeal Rules for Employer and Individual Health Plans August 11, 2011
- Medicare Facts & Fiction: 3 Quick Lessons to Combat Medicare Spin August 9, 2011
- What Does the Debt Ceiling Agreement Mean for Medicare? August 4, 2011
- Debunking Medicare Myths: Drug Rebates for Dual Eligibles July 21, 2011
- New Initiatives to Improve Services for Dual Eligibles July 15, 2011
- House Plans Vote to Slash Medicare and Social Security through Balanced Budget Amendment July 15, 2011
- Recommendations for Beneficiary Protections In Models Approved by CMMI July 15, 2011
- Lower-Premium Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plans Take Effect in Many States July 7, 2011
- Real Solutions to Save Medicare Dollars in Skilled Nursing Facilities June 30, 2011
- First Appellate Court Rules on Health Reform Law, Holds it Constitutional June 29, 2011
- Why Medicaid Matters to People with Medicare June 16, 2011
- So, What Would You Do? Real Solutions for Medicare Solvency and Reducing the Deficit June 9, 2011
- New Rules for Medicare Advantage and Part D Plans June 2, 2011
- Many Uninsured Individuals with Pre-Existing Conditions Will Find It Easier to Obtain Coverage June 2, 2011
- Combating Fraud, Waste and Abuse in Health Care May 26, 2011
- 2011 Medicare Trustees Report May 19, 2011
- Send Us Medicare Summary Notices (MSNs) May 19, 2011
- Preserve Medicaid - Share Your Story! May 19, 2011
- Proposed Notice Requirements About Quality of Care: Endorsement, with Concerns May 5, 2011
- New Hospice Face-to-Face Requirement: Help or Hindrance? April 28, 2011
- Senators Kerry and Snowe, with Representatives Courtney and Latham, Introduce Legislation to Ensure Skilled Care for Seniors April 26, 2011
- Health Care Changes: Challenges to Medicare April 25, 2011
- What Happens to Current Nursing Home Residents if the House Budget Resolution Becomes Law? April 21, 2011
- 25 Years of Medicare Advocacy, and Hope for 25 More April 14, 2011
- Keeping Medicare and Medicaid Strong? April 7, 2011
- Why Medicaid Matters to Medicare Beneficiaries and Their Families April 1, 2011
- Happy Anniversary, Health Care Reform March 23, 2011
- More Nurses in Nursing Homes Would Mean Fewer Patients Headed to Hospitals March 10, 2011
- The Burden of Out-of-Pocket Costs on Medicare Beneficiaries February 24, 2011
- New Hospice Regulations are a Mixed Bag for Beneficiaries Seeking High Quality End of Life Care January 20, 2011
- New Home Health and Hospice Face-to-Face Physician/Practitioner Encounter Requirement January 13, 2011
- New Medicare Home Health Regulations: Improvement is Not Required to Obtain Coverage December 30, 2010
- Medicare Changes Effective January 1, 2011 December 30, 2010
- Be Cautious Before Combining Medicare and Medicaid December 23, 2010
- CMA Alert: Medicare Home Health Regs: Improvement NOT Required; Also Extender Act and More December 12, 2010
- Health Care Reform Does Not Cut Medicare Benefits October 28, 2010
- Affordable Care Act Expands Medicare Coverage for Prevention and Wellness September 9, 2010
- Extended Observation Stays in Acute Care Hospitals: Criticism, Legislation and Discussion August 26, 2010
- Medicare's 45th Anniversary: Promise Kept and Promises to Keep July 27, 2010
- The Right to Visit Partners and Others In Medicare Participating Hospitals June 22, 2010
- HEALTH REFORM IN ACTION: DONUT HOLE REBATE CHECKS START ARRIVING JUNE 10, 2010 June 10, 2010
Medicare Summary Articles
- The Medicare Advance Beneficiary Notice of Non-Coverage (ABN): A Tool for Limiting Beneficiary Liability January 26, 2012
- 2012 Medicare Premiums, Deductibles and Co-Pays October 27, 2011
- Annual Enrollment Starts October 15 and Ends December 7 for Medicare Part C & Part D Plans September 22, 2011
- 2011 Medicare Trustees Report May 19, 2011
- Send Us Medicare Summary Notices (MSNs) April 25, 2011
- Quick Medicare Facts & Statistics February 9, 2011
- Medicare Annual Enrollment Period Started November 15, 2010: Time to Review Coverage Options November 18, 2010
- 2011 Medicare Cost Sharing Details November 10, 2010
- CMS Issues Final Rules for Medicare Appeals January 14, 2010
- Medicare Enrollment Periods: AEP, GEP, OEP, L-OEP, SEP… Know Your Acronyms to Know Your Rights March 15, 2007
Medicare Coverage Appeals Articles
Medicare Coverage for People with Disabilities Articles
Medicare and Mental Health Services Articles
- Interim Final Rules to Implement the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 Go Into Effect on April 5, 2010 April 1, 2010
- Medicare Coverage of Mental Health Services May 29, 2009
Medicare and Hospice Care Articles
- Hospice - Care When It's Needed Most October 20, 2011
- New Hospice Face-to-Face Requirement: Help or Hindrance? April 28, 2011
- New Hospice Regulations are a Mixed Bag for Beneficiaries Seeking High Quality End of Life Care January 20, 2011
- New Home Health and Hospice Face-to-Face Physician/Practitioner Encounter Requirement January 13, 2011
- Hospice News: the Good, the Bad, the Ugly October 20, 2009
Medicare Part B Articles
- Reminder: Medicare Covers Obesity Prevention with No Cost-Sharing January 5, 2012
- Breaking Good News for Medicare Beneficiaries October 27, 2011
- 2012 Medicare Premiums, Deductibles and Co-Pays October 27, 2011
- CMS to Begin Round Two of Its Competitive Bidding Program for the Provision of Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics and Supplies (DMEPOS) September 1, 2011
- FAQs on Preventive Services August 17, 2011
- Medicare Coverage of Power Mobility Devices: Tips and Reminders March 28, 2011
- New Home Health and Hospice Face-to-Face Physician/Practitioner Encounter Requirement January 13, 2011
- Medicare Coverage of Power Mobility Devices: Tips and Reminders April 3, 2008
Medicare Part D Articles
- New Medicare Part D Pharmacy Notice Rule In Effect; Stay Tuned for Final Model Notice January 5, 2012
- Annual Enrollment Period Ends... What If You Missed It? December 7, 2011
- 2012 Medicare Premiums, Deductibles and Co-Pays October 27, 2011
- Medicare Advantage and Part D Changes and Enrollment Updates October 6, 2011
- Annual Enrollment Starts October 15 and Ends December 7 for Medicare Part C & Part D Plans September 22, 2011
- Debunking Medicare Myths: Drug Rebates for Dual Eligibles July 21, 2011
- New Rules for Medicare Advantage and Part D Plans June 2, 2011
- CMS Sends Out Reminders to LIS-Eligible Medicare Beneficiaries May 26, 2011
- Help Someone Retain Part D Extra Help March 17, 2011
- Extension of Time to Enroll In a Prescription Drug Plan for Medicare Beneficiaries Who Lost Coverage February 10, 2011
- 2011 Poverty Levels Affect Eligibility for Many Federal Programs January 27, 2011
- 45 Day Disenrollment Period for Medicare Advantage Members January 6, 2011
- Medicare Annual enrollment Period: Time to Review Coverage Options November 18, 2010
- When a Medicare Advantage Plan Does Not Renew Its Contract November 4, 2010
- Court Emphatically Rejects Beneficiaries' Right to Sue a Part D Plan When the Plan Delays Enrollment September 30, 2010
- CMA REPORT: MEDICARE COVERAGE FOR OFF-LABEL DRUG USE September 16, 2010
- HEALTH REFORM IN ACTION: DONUT HOLE REBATE CHECKS START ARRIVING JUNE 10, 2010 June 10, 2010
- LI NET: More Help for Dually-Eligible People December 24, 2009
- Finding Help to Get Prescription Drugs June 11, 2009
- Part Covered, Part Not: "Straddle Claims" in Medicare Part D July 24, 2008
Medicare Savings Programs Articles
- 2012 Poverty Guidelines: How Poverty Levels Affect Eligibility for Many Federal Public Benefit Programs February 2, 2012
- Medicare Cost-Sharing for Qualified Medicare Beneficiaries January 19, 2012
- Medicare General Enrollment Begins January 2nd: An Opportunity for Some Individuals and States to Expand QMB Coverage December 15, 2011
- Help Someone Retain Part D Extra Help March 17, 2011
- 2011 Poverty Levels Affect Eligibility for Many Federal Programs January 27, 2011
- The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Advises States About Medicare Savings Program Enrollment March 1, 2010
- Medicare Cost-Sharing for Dual Eligibles: Who Pays What for Whom? April 24, 2008
Medicare Secondary Payer Programs Articles
- CMS Revises Its Medicare Secondary Payer Collection Letters Following Haro v. Sebelius Decision July 28, 2011
- Medicare Secondary Payer Practices that Harm Medicare Beneficiaries May 12, 2011
- Medicare Secondary Payer Collection Requirements for Insurers Threaten Beneficiary Rights February 17, 2011
- Limits on Medicare's Recovery Health Care Payments When the Beneficiary Has Liabaility or Workers' Compensation Insurance September 17, 2009
Medigap Articles
- Medigap Rates December 1, 2011
- Medigap - Fact & Fiction October 13, 2011
- Health Reform Mandates Changes for Medigap Policies January 7, 2011
- When a Medicare Advantage Plan Does Not Renew Its Contract November 4, 2010
Observation Status Articles
- Preserving Access to Necessary Care: Ending Hospital "Observation Status" November 3, 2011
- Congressman Joe Courtney and Center for Medicare Advocacy Hold Congressional Briefing on Observation Status October 24, 2011
- Study Finds that Use of Hospitalists Shifts Costs from Inpatient Care to Post-Discharge Setting September 8, 2011
- CMA And Others Support Legislation to End "Observation Status" June 21, 2011
- Senators Kerry and Snowe, with Representatives Courtney and Latham, Introduce Legislation to Ensure Skilled Care for Seniors April 26, 2011
- Extended Observation Stays in Acute Care Hospitals: Criticism, Legislation and Discussion August 26, 2010
- Overcoming Barriers to Medicare Coverage of Skilled Nursing Facility Care March 10, 2010
- Observation Services: What Can Beneficiaries and Advocates Do? February 18, 2010
- Keeping Hospital Patients on "Observation Status" Rather Than Admitting Them Harms SNF Patients As Well As Hospital Patients April 19, 2001
- Lormore v. Shalala - Center Successfully Settles "Observation" Case April 19, 2001
Quality of Care Articles
- Voluntary Nursing Home Improvement Campaign Does Not Work January 11, 2012
- Special Focus Facility Study: Nursing Facilities' Self-Regulation Cannot Replace Independent Surveys December 22, 2011
- Toby Edelman Testifies Before Senate Special Committee Regarding Antipsychotics In Nursing Homes December 1, 2011
- Study Finds that Use of Hospitalists Shifts Costs from Inpatient Care to Post-Discharge Setting September 8, 2011
- Proposed Notice Requirements About Quality of Care: Endorsement, with Concerns May 5, 2011
- Private Medicare Plans Do Not Offer Better Health Outcomes August 28, 2010
- Accountable Care Organizations Should Increase Care Coordination in Traditional Medicare July 1, 2010
- Health Reform: Linking Medicare Payment to Quality Outcome June 24, 2010
- New GAO Report Demonstrates Need for Stronger Enforcement of Nursing Home Quality Standards: Health Reform Provisions Could Help May 20, 2010
- A New Entity from Health Reform: The Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation May 6, 2010
- Establishing A Coordinated Care Benefit In The Traditional Medicare Program April 9, 2009
- Addressing Concerns about Quality of Care For Medicare Beneficiaries August 30, 2007
Rehabilitation Care Articles
Skilled Nursing Facilities Articles
- Voluntary Nursing Home Improvement Campaign Does Not Work January 11, 2012
- Special Focus Facility Study: Nursing Facilities' Self-Regulation Cannot Replace Independent Surveys December 22, 2011
- Toby Edelman Testifies Before Senate Special Committee Regarding Antipsychotics In Nursing Homes December 1, 2011
- You Can Leave the Nursing Home (Fall 2011 Update) November 17, 2011
- Preserving Access to Necessary Care: Ending Hospital "Observation Status" November 3, 2011
- 2012 Medicare Premiums, Deductibles and Co-Pays October 27, 2011
- Congressman Joe Courtney and Center for Medicare Advocacy Hold Congressional Briefing on Observation Status October 24, 2011
- Medicare Reimbursement For Skilled Nursing Facilities Remains High For 2012 Despite Reductions In Overpayments August 25, 2011
- The Changing Demographics of Nursing Home Care: Greater Minority Access… Good News, Bad News August 18, 2011
- New Initiatives to Improve Services for Dual Eligibles July 15, 2011
- Real Solutions to Save Medicare Dollars in Skilled Nursing Facilities June 30, 2011
- CMA And Others Support Legislation to End "Observation Status" June 21, 2011
- Senators Kerry and Snowe, with Representatives Courtney and Latham, Introduce Legislation to Ensure Skilled Care for Seniors April 26, 2011
- What Happens to Current Nursing Home Residents if the House Budget Resolution Becomes Law? April 21, 2011
- Reducing Antipsychotic Drug Use in Nursing Homes: Save Residents' Lives, Save Medicare Billions of Dollars March 17, 2011
- More Nurses in Nursing Homes Would Mean Fewer Patients Headed to Hospitals March 10, 2011
- Concern over Skilled Nursing Facilities' Upcoding Medicare Reimbursement Should Not Be Allowed to Deprive Residents of Necessary Care February 10, 2011
- Judge Rejects "Eden Alternative" Defense In Nursing Home Appeal February 3, 2011
- CMS Reins in Overpayments to Skilled Nursing Facilities October 15, 2010
- Extended Observation Stays in Acute Care Hospitals: Criticism, Legislation and Discussion August 26, 2010
- Preventable Emergency Department Visits by Nursing Home Residents August 19, 2010
- Health Reform: The Nursing Home Provisions June 17, 2010
- New GAO Report Demonstrates Need for Stronger Enforcement of Nursing Home Quality Standards: Health Reform Provisions Could Help May 20, 2010
- Off-Label Drug Use Is Common and Hurts Nursing Home Residents March 25, 2010
- Overcoming Barriers to Medicare Coverage of Skilled Nursing Facility Care March 10, 2010
- Observation Services: What Can Beneficiaries and Advocates Do? February 18, 2010
- Nursing Home Residents' Access to Physicians and Pain Medication February 4, 2010
- Serious Deficiencies in Nursing Facilities are Understated and the Problem May Get Worse January 7, 2010
