For the last several years, the Center has been trying to address the problem of Observation Status in the hospital, which can affect both what Medicare beneficiaries pay for hospital stays, and their coverage of subsequent care in a nursing … [Read more...] about Observation Status Bills Reintroduced in Both the House and the Senate (H.R. 1571/S. 843)
Medicare and Health Care Reform
“Doc Fix” Package Passed by House Takes Too Much from Beneficiaries with Too Little In Return
Today, March 26, the House of Representatives passed the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (H.R. 2). While the Center for Medicare Advocacy believes it’s in the best interest of Medicare beneficiaries to find a … [Read more...] about “Doc Fix” Package Passed by House Takes Too Much from Beneficiaries with Too Little In Return
Analysis of SGR Legislation From the Center for Medicare Advocacy
“Beneficiaries Would Pay Too Much, With Too Little in Return”March 24, 2015 – The Center for Medicare Advocacy believes it is in the best interest of Medicare beneficiaries and their doctors to find a permanent solution to … [Read more...] about Analysis of SGR Legislation From the Center for Medicare Advocacy
No Way to Celebrate Medicare’s 50th: Proposed Congressional Budgets Offer More of the Same, Less for Medicare and Beneficiaries
Today the Senate releases its budget, which like the companion House budget released yesterday, appears to have significant cuts to the Medicare program. Yet again, yesterday’s House budget includes a proposal to create a “premium … [Read more...] about No Way to Celebrate Medicare’s 50th: Proposed Congressional Budgets Offer More of the Same, Less for Medicare and Beneficiaries
Ongoing “Doc Fix” Negotiations
Unless Congress takes action by March 31, 2015, doctors who treat Medicare patients will see a 21% payment cut due to the current physician payment formula called the "sustainable growth rate" or "SGR." Lawmakers have … [Read more...] about Ongoing “Doc Fix” Negotiations
The President’s Proposed FY 2016 Budget: The Impact on Medicare
On Monday, February 2nd, President Obama unveiled his Fiscal Year 2016 Budget.[1] For an overview of the budget’s Medicare-related provisions, including both projected costs and savings to the Medicare program, see the Kaiser Family … [Read more...] about The President’s Proposed FY 2016 Budget: The Impact on Medicare
Medicaid-Medicare Dual Eligible Updates
Over 9.6 million older people and people with significant disabilities are dually eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid. Dual eligible beneficiaries are among the poorest and sickest beneficiaries covered by either program. The dual eligible … [Read more...] about Medicaid-Medicare Dual Eligible Updates
Center Executive Director Judith Stein Testifies Before House Energy & Commerce Committee about Medicare Advantage Plans
On March 13, 2014, Center for Medicare Advocacy Executive Director and Founder Judith Stein testified before the House Energy & Commerce Committee, Subcommittee on Health, at a hearing entitled "Keeping the Promise: Allowing Seniors to Keep … [Read more...] about Center Executive Director Judith Stein Testifies Before House Energy & Commerce Committee about Medicare Advantage Plans
The President’s Proposed FY 2015 Budget: The Impact on Medicare
This week, President Obama unveiled his Fiscal Year 2015 Budget.[1] With respect to Medicare, it is very similar to last year’s proposed budget, both good and bad.One significant improvement over last year's budget is that it no … [Read more...] about The President’s Proposed FY 2015 Budget: The Impact on Medicare
Replacing the Broken Medicare Physician Payment Formula: At What Cost for People with Medicare?
OverviewThe current Medicare physician payment formula, known as the "Sustainable Growth Rate" (SGR), was designed to control the growth in aggregate Medicare expenditures for physicians' services.[1] If … [Read more...] about Replacing the Broken Medicare Physician Payment Formula: At What Cost for People with Medicare?