The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, was signed into law by President Biden on December 29, 2022. The omnibus spending bill extended for an additional two years the telehealth flexibilities originally put in place for the COVID-19 Public Health … [Read more...] about CMS: Key Trends in Medicare Telehealth Utilization Report
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Survey: Widespread Clinician Concern Over Older Adults and Telehealth
A recently published national survey reported that clinicians have significant concerns about adults 65 and older relying on telehealth services for their medical needs.[1] Over 7,000 clinicians responded to a survey funded by the West Health … [Read more...] about Survey: Widespread Clinician Concern Over Older Adults and Telehealth
Center Supports Coverage of Gender Affirming Care in Amicus Brief
The Center for Medicare Advocacy has co-authored an amicus brief with the National Health Law Program (NHeLP) in support of West Virginia Medicaid beneficiaries seeking coverage of medically necessary gender affirming care. In Fain v. Crouch, 2022 WL … [Read more...] about Center Supports Coverage of Gender Affirming Care in Amicus Brief
Nursing Homes: Addressing the Worst Operator Behaviors under Existing Law
One of the major challenges today preventing the effective oversight of nursing facilities is the dramatic change in ownership and management practices since the Nursing Home Reform Law was enacted in 1987. Thirty-five years ago, most facilities were … [Read more...] about Nursing Homes: Addressing the Worst Operator Behaviors under Existing Law
Medicare Advantage Round-Up
On December 7, the Medicare Annual Coordinated Election Period (AEP) ended. This is the period during which individuals with Medicare can make coverage choices for the coming year. One thing that sets this AEP apart from prior years’ is that we … [Read more...] about Medicare Advantage Round-Up
CMS Issues Proposed Rules Impacting Medicare Advantage – Part C & D Rule for 2024, and Separate Prior Authorization Rule
As the Center for Medicare Advocacy has long noted, the Medicare Advantage (MA) program is in significant need of heighted regulation and oversight, not just for the sake of the Medicare program’s financial footing, but for the sake of the … [Read more...] about CMS Issues Proposed Rules Impacting Medicare Advantage – Part C & D Rule for 2024, and Separate Prior Authorization Rule
Information Regarding Data Breach at CMS Contractor
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced on December 14 that they are responding to a data breach at Healthcare Management Solutions, LLC (HMS), a CMS subcontractor. HMS handles CMS data as part of processing Medicare … [Read more...] about Information Regarding Data Breach at CMS Contractor
NAHC and CMA Announce New Hospice Resource for Consumers
Posted on December 9, 2022FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEMedia Contact: Thomas ThrelkeldDirector of Communications, NAHC202-547-7424/tom@nahc.orgWashington, D.C. - Over 1.7 million Medicare beneficiaries receive hospice care[1]. It is one of … [Read more...] about NAHC and CMA Announce New Hospice Resource for Consumers
Study Shows Increased Willingness to Use Telehealth Amongst Previously Resistant Populations
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, use of telehealth in the U.S. was relatively minimal.[1] The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) issued waivers to expand access to telehealth services for Medicare beneficiaries in March 2020. In addition to access … [Read more...] about Study Shows Increased Willingness to Use Telehealth Amongst Previously Resistant Populations
Increased Use of Observation Stays Undermined Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program
The Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program (HRRP), enacted as part of the Affordable Care Act, imposes penalties against hospitals that have higher-than-expected rates of readmissions of patients with certain conditions. However, HRRP defined … [Read more...] about Increased Use of Observation Stays Undermined Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program