6th Annual National Voices of Medicare Summit Welcomes Congressman John Lewis as the 2019 Sen. Jay Rockefeller Lecturer – Register Now Improve and Expand Medicare: CMS Should Provide Objective Information About Medicare Options Practice Tip: Office of Medicare Hearings and Appeals Manual Can Be a Useful Tool  There’s Nothing Special About How CMS Treats Special Focus Nursing … Read more →

2019 Sen. Jay Rockefeller Lecturer, Rep. John Lewis. Health Care is a Human Right: Medicare’s Role in Making it a Reality (Past, Present, Future) Support the Center for Medicare Advocacy! Join us for our 6th annual National Voices of Medicare Summit and Senator Jay Rockefeller Lecture. This year’s program will connect leading experts and advocates … Read more →

Improve and Expand Medicare: Create Parity Between Medicare Advantage and Traditional Medicare 2019 Federal Poverty Levels Released: New Income Limits for Medicare Savings Programs State of the Union: Want More Affordable Prescription Drugs? Start with Medicare.  Home Health Outreach Materials Available Improve and Expand Medicare: Create Parity Between Medicare Advantage and Traditional Medicare Recently, the … Read more →

#MedicarePlatform – Improve and Expand Medicare: Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) Center Submits Comments on Proposed Medicare Prescription Drug Rule Congressional Hearings Explore Rising Prescription Drug Costs Medicare’s New “What’s Covered” App Adds to Outreach but More Work Is Needed #MedicarePlatform – Improve and Expand Medicare: Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) Recently, the Center for … Read more →

January 25, 2018 Submitted via www.regulations.gov Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Department of Health and Human Services Attention: CMS-4180-P Re: CMS-4180-P: Modernizing Part D and Medicare Advantage to Lower Drug Prices and Reduce Out-of-Pocket Expenses The Center for Medicare Advocacy (Center) submits the following comments in response to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid … Read more →

Disclaimer: the views expressed in this Issue Brief and during the Alliance call are solely those of the Center for Medicare Advocacy. ACCESS TO CARE    Home Health Between April 2017 and October 2018, the Center completed the “CMA Issue Brief Series: Medicare Home Health Crisis” – a ten-part series examining the growing crisis in … Read more →

Access to Care ​​Home Health (Kathy Holt) Durable Medical Equipment (DME) (Kathy Holt) Observation Status (Judy Stein) Nursing Home Issues (Dara Valanejad)   Leveling the Playing Field – Traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage (David Lipschutz) Policy Changes and CMS Efforts Favoring MA Law, regulations and policy CMS materials Medicare Fully Informed Project  Promoting Free Choice … Read more →

January 2019 – Medicare Advocacy: Highlights from 2018 and Looking Forward in 2019 November 2018 – Special Presentation – Better Advance Care Legal Counseling – Presented by ABA Commission on Law and Aging Director Charles Sabatino

Improve and Expand Medicare: Add an Out-of-Pocket Cap There's Still Time to Go Back to Traditional Medicare or Change MA Plans Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) Updates Healthcare Sabotage Continues Improve and Expand Medicare: Add an Out-of-Pocket Cap Recently, the Center for Medicare Advocacy laid out our Medicare Platform for the New … Read more →

Improve and Expand Medicare: Oral Health Center for Medicare Advocacy is Honored to Welcome Judith Feder, Ph.D as President of our Board of Directors Registered Nurses Are the Key to Reducing Hospital Readmissions of Nursing Home Residents Hot off the Press: 2019 Medicare Handbook Nursing Home Residents at Risk: Advocates Submit Briefing to Congress Improve … Read more →

Improve and Expand Medicare: Ensure Medigap Access Objective Medicare Appeals Jeopardized By New ALJ Selection Process CMA Report: Nurse Staffing Deficiencies In Nursing Facilities Health Affairs Study Calls for Medicare Coverage of Hearing Care Services Senator Cardin Introduces Bill to Add Oral Health Coverage to Medicare Improve and Expand Medicare: Ensure Medigap Access Recently, the … Read more →

Improve Medicare: Correct Medicare Hospital Observation Status Legal Memorandum: Statutory Authority Exists for Medicare to Cover Medically Necessary Oral Health Care Joint Statement on Turmoil in the Nursing Home Industry Improve Medicare: Correct Medicare Hospital Observation Status Recently, the Center for Medicare Advocacy laid out our Medicare Platform for the New Congress. One of the core … Read more →

Note: The memo below is the slightly edited version used by the coaltion of by a coalition of organizations seeking to expand Medicare coverage for medically necessary dental therapies. Medicare coverage for medically necessary oral health care is supported by the Medicare statute, its legislative history, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) policy, and … Read more →

Core Considerations for Medicare for Today & Tomorrow – A Medicare Platform for the New Congress Texas Lawsuit Sabotage of the Affordable Health Care Act Core Considerations for Medicare for Today & Tomorrow – A Medicare Platform for the New Congress The Center for Medicare Advocacy works for a comprehensive Medicare program and quality health … Read more →

Health Care Sabotage Continues as ACA Open Enrollment Comes to an End Center Submits Comments Opposing Proposed “Public Charge” Rule CURE High Drug Prices Act Introduced Elder Justice "No Harm" Newsletter – Issue 10 Checklist for Medicare Outpatient Therapy “Improvement Standard” Denials Health Care Sabotage Continues as ACA Open Enrollment Comes to an End There … Read more →

December 10, 2018 Submitted via www.regulations.gov Samantha Deshommes, Chief Regulatory Coordination Division, Office of Policy and Strategy U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Department of Homeland Security 20 Massachusetts Avenue NW Washington, DC 20529-2140 Re: DHS Docket No. USCIS-2010-0012, RIN 1615-AA22, Comments in Response to Proposed Rulemaking: Inadmissibility on Public Charge Grounds The Center for Medicare … Read more →

The Center for Medicare Advocacy has launched its Year-end Campaign and we need your support! It has been another long year in the fight to save access to quality health care, Medicare, the Affordable Care Act (ACA), and Medicaid. While we did not see the same level of Congressional zeal to repeal the ACA and … Read more →

Important Health Policy Article Published In New England Journal of Medicine: “Medicare Advantage Checkup" ACA Open Enrollment Ends December 15th State Attorneys General Successfully Take on Nursing Home Issues Important Health Policy Article Published In New England Journal of Medicine: “Medicare Advantage Checkup” The November 2018 New England Journal of Medicine features a article by … Read more →

Disclaimer: the views expressed in this Issue Brief and during the Alliance call are solely those of the Center for Medicare Advocacy. BETTER ADVANCE CARE LEGAL COUNSELING   Presented by American Bar Association Commission on Law and Aging Director Charles Sabatino See separate PowerPoint slide presentation and ABA Commission on Law and Aging publication “Advance … Read more →

Special Presentation – Better Advance Care Legal Counseling – Presented by ABA Commission on Law and Aging Director Charles Sabatino This presentation will discuss the importance of advance care planning, advocates' roles in such planning, and offer a conceptual framework and guidelines to align the practice of advance care planning in legal offices with the realities … Read more →

The Center for Medicare Advocacy, Inc. (the Center) is a private, non-profit law organization that works to provide access to Medicare and quality health care for older people and people with disabilities. The Center focuses on the needs of people with long-term and chronic conditions. The organization’s work includes individual advocacy, education, legislative and regulatory … Read more →

CMS to Clarify Medigap Section of the Medicare.gov Plan Finder Tool CMS Proposes Rollback of Emergency Preparedness Requirements to Reduce “Burdens” for Nursing Home Providers CMS to Clarify Medigap Section of the Medicare.gov Plan Finder Tool Concerned that Medicare beneficiaries could reject proper consideration of Medigap supplement plans because of undefined and significantly high costs … Read more →

November 16, 2018 Administrator Seema Verma Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Department of Health and Human Services Attention: CMS-3346-P P.O. Box 8010 Baltimore, MD 21244-1810 Re: CMS-3346-P; Federal Register, Vol. 83, No. 183 (September 20, 2018). Submitted electronically: www.regulations.gov. Dear Administrator Verma, The Long Term Care Community Coalition (LTCCC) is a non-profit organization dedicated … Read more →

Home for the Holidays: Leaving the Nursing Home During a Medicare-Covered Stay Home Health Issue Brief Checklist for Medicare Home Health “Improvement Standard” Denials Home Health Aide Coverage Continues to Shrink in Traditional Medicare While CMS Enhances it in Medicare Advantage Successful Advocacy for Home Health Beneficiary in Need of Maintenance Physical Therapy Home Health … Read more →

Health Care Prominent in Mid-Term Elections – How will the New, Divided Congress React? Center for Medicare Advocacy Comments on Proposed Nursing Home Legislation and Rule Jimmo Implementation: Beneficiary Successfully Appeals Denial of Maintenance Therapy Health Care Prominent in Mid-Term Elections – How will the New, Divided Congress React? As results from this week’s mid-term … Read more →

ACA Open Enrollment Begins Choosing Between Traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage Final Medicare Home Health Payment Rule Threatens Access to Care HHS Publishes Final Rules Providing Annual Inflation-Related Increases for Civil Money Penalties in Its Programs. Better Late than Never? ACA Open Enrollment Begins #SaveMedicareNow The #SaveMedicareNow initiative seeks to educate and raise awareness about … Read more →

Campaign Codewords from the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare Health Care Sabotage: Administration Issues New Guidance Making it Easier to Ignore ACA Rules Medicare Enrollment Reminder: Be Fully Informed Checklist for Medicare Nursing Home “Improvement Standard” Denials Campaign Codewords from the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare Earlier this week … Read more →

2019 Medicare Cost-Sharing Announced Government Watchdog Agency Raises Concerns About Medicare Advantage Denials Home Health Issue Brief #10 – Plans to Address and Resolve the Medicare Home Care Crisis New Checklist for Medicare Home Health Care “Improvement Standard” Denials 2019 Medicare Cost-Sharing Announced #SaveMedicareNow The #SaveMedicareNow initiative seeks to educate and raise awareness about current … Read more →

President's Medicare Op-Ed is Untrue Enforcement Weakens as Civil Money Penalties Shift From Per Day to Per Instance Elder Justice: What "No Harm" Really Means for Residents Webinar – Medicare Advantage Education & Enrollment Issues – Register Now President's Medicare Op-Ed Is Untrue #SaveMedicareNow The #SaveMedicareNow initiative seeks to educate and raise awareness about current … Read more →

Center for Medicare Advocacy Survey: CMS’ Jimmo v. Sebelius “Improvement Standard” Education Still Not Working Health Care Sabotage: Expanded “Short-Term, Limited-Duration Insurance” is Here Study: Three-Day Hospital Requirement for Post-Hospital Care In a Skilled Nursing Facility Increases Medicare Costs Who Owns Nursing Facilities and Why? Center for Medicare Advocacy Survey: CMS’ Jimmo v. Sebelius “Improvement … Read more →

Center Launches SaveMedicareNow Initiative Ahead of Mid-Term Elections Public Charge Proposed Rule – A Strike on the Health Care and Well-Being of Immigrants and American Families Center for Medicare Advocacy Welcomes New Board Members Center Launches SaveMedicareNow Initiative Ahead of Mid-Term Elections How has Medicare, Medicaid or the Affordable Care Act (ACA) helped you or your … Read more →

Disclaimer: the views expressed in this Issue Brief and during the Alliance call are solely those of the Center for Medicare Advocacy. RECENT CHANGES IN LAW, REGULATIONS AND GUIDANCE RELATING TO MEDICARE ADVANTAGE AND PART D CMA Special Report (September 2018): http://www.medicareadvocacy.org/special-report-recent-changes-in-law-regulations-and-guidance-relating-to-medicare-advantage-and-the-prescription-drug-benefit-program/ Overview The first half of 2018 has seen a number of changes in … Read more →

Welcome and Housekeeping  (David Lipschutz, Moderator)  Recent Changes in Law, Regulations and Guidance Relating to Medicare Advantage and Part D (David Lipschutz) CMA Special Report (to be released Monday, 9/17) Summary of Changes Discussion Tipping the Scales Towards MA Impact of Recent Changes on Consumer Decision-Making   Informed Choice and the Mid-Term Elections (Ben Belton) Informed … Read more →

Report: Transfer and Discharge Deficiencies Cited Since 2017: Surveyors Focus On paperwork, Not Residents’ Rights Study Finds Link Between Registered Nurse Hours and Antipsychotic Drug Use Webinar: Skilled Nursing Facilities Update Report: Transfer and Discharge Deficiencies Cited Since 2017: Surveyors Focus On paperwork, Not Residents’ Rights The involuntary transfer and discharge of nursing home residents … Read more →

More Health Care Sabotage: Inadequate Funding for Navigators Court Ruling May Lead to Even More Overpayments to Medicare Advantage MedPAC Discusses Requiring a Three-Day Hospital Stay for All Post-Acute Care, Threatening Access to Care House Committee Holds Hearing on Nursing Home Quality Issues Proposed DMEPOS Rules: Clarification and Enforcement Needed More Health Care Sabotage: Inadequate … Read more →

September 10, 2018 Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Department of Health and Human Services Attention: CMS-1691-P Mail Stop C4-26-05 7500 Security Boulevard Baltimore, Maryland  21244-1850 Submitted electronically to: http://www.regulations.gov Re:  CMS-1691-P; Federal Register, Volume 83, No. 139 (July 19, 2018) The Center for Medicare Advocacy (the Center) provides these comments regarding CMS-1691-P and the … Read more →

Health Care Sabotage: Association Health Plans Are Here New Jimmo Resources from the Center for Medicare Advocacy and The John A. Hartford Foundation Health Care Sabotage: Association Health Plans Are Here Thanks to a final rule issued by the Administration, Association Health Plans (AHPs) will be available starting this month. Expanding AHPs will make it … Read more →

Center Comments on Harmful Proposed Home Health Rule Health Care Sabotage Continues: New Pre-Existing Conditions Legislation Not What It Seems; GAO Critical of HHS ACA Enrollment Actions Re-Review of Some Home Health Denials Now Available Center Comments on Harmful Proposed Home Health Rule The Center for Medicare Advocacy (the Center) submitted comments to the Centers … Read more →

August 27, 2018 Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Department of Health and Human Services Attention: CMS-1689-P P.O. Box 8013 Baltimore, Maryland  21244-8013 Submitted electronically to: http://www.regulations.gov Re:  CMS-1689-P; Federal Register, Volume 83, No. 134 (July 12, 2018) The Center for Medicare Advocacy (the Center) provides these comments regarding CMS-1689-P and the impact of the … Read more →

Home Health Issue Brief – Statistical Trends and Published Articles with Studies and Research from 2002-2017 Final Rules for New Medicare Reimbursement System for Skilled Nursing Facilities: Goodbye Therapy The Center for Medicare Advocacy Submits Comments Opposing Kentucky’s Medicaid Work Requirements Home Health Issue Brief – Statistical Trends and Published Articles with Studies and Research from … Read more →

August 18, 2018 Via Electronic Submission: Medicaid.gov U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 200 Independence Avenue S.W. Washington, DC 20201 RE: Comments on the Kentucky HEALTH Medicaid Section 1115 waiver The Center for Medicare Advocacy (Center) is pleased to provide comments during the re-opened comment period for the Kentucky HEALTH Medicaid Section 1115 waiver … Read more →

Health Care Sabotage – Slandering a Program Which Has Widely Expanded Access and Coverage Joint Statement with Long Term Care Community Coalition – Medical Loss Ratios for Nursing Homes: Protecting Residents and Public Funds Elder Justice: What "No Harm" Really Means for Residents – Latest Issue Released Health Care Sabotage – Slandering a Program Which Has … Read more →

We need your help getting Members of Congress to sign on to letters asking CMS to provide Medicare coverage for medically necessary dental care, as authorized by law. Right now there is an opportunity to encourage your delegation to sign on to these letters. Call (202) 224-3121 to be connected with your Senators and Representative. … Read more →

Major Health Care Sabotage: HHS Issues Final Rule on Short-Term Limited-Duration Insurance Inspector General Reports Concerns About Medicare Hospice Care New Checklist for Medicare Nursing Home “Improvement Standard” Denials Nursing Facilities’ “Quality Measures” Do Not Reflect Actual Quality of Care Provided to Residents Major Health Care Sabotage: HHS Issues Final Rule on Short-Term Limited-Duration Insurance Last … Read more →

Center for Medicare Advocacy Co-Authors Case Study Journal Article on Nurse Staffing Litigation in Arkansas New Medicare Cards:Wave Four Distribution Begins Center for Medicare Advocacy Co-Authors Case Study Journal Article on Nurse Staffing Litigation in Arkansas How has Medicare, Medicaid or the Affordable Care Act (ACA) helped you or your family?  Your stories about the value of … Read more →

July 26, 2018 Dual Eligibles and Access to Part D Drugs: Pretty Good News from the OIG Health Care Sabotage: Poll Shows Voters are Watching Dual Eligibles and Access to Part D Drugs: Pretty Good News from the OIG How has Medicare, Medicaid or the Affordable Care Act (ACA) helped you or your family?  Your stories about … Read more →

MEDICARE HOT TOPICS[1] ORAL HEALTH UPDATE On July 19, 2018 the Center issued the following press release: July 19, 2018 – Washington, DC – The Center for Medicare Advocacy, along with a diverse group of partners, released a white paper, An Oral Health Benefit in Medicare Part B: It’s Time to Include Oral Health in Health Care. … Read more →

Welcome and Housekeeping  (David Lipschutz, Moderator)  Oral Health Update (Wey-Wey Kwok)   Proposed Rule on Durable Medical Equipment  (Kathy Holt) Home Health Update (Kathy Holt) Executive Order re: Administrative Law Judges (ALJs) (David Lipschutz) See Center’s statement at: https://www.medicareadvocacy.org/administrative-law-judges-and-objective-medicare-appeals-jeopardized-by-recent-executive-order/ ACA Sabotage Update (Ben Belton) Litigation Update  (Wey-Wey Kwok) Alexander (formerly Barrows/Bagnall) (Hospital Observation Status) Other Updates General … Read more →

Medigap News: Disparities in Enrollment Rights; Bill Introduced to Strengthen Medigap Access and Protections Nursing Home “In-House” Managed Care Plans May Harm Residents Now Can We Call it Sabotage? Helpful News for Some Lower Income Medicare Beneficiaries SNF "No Harm" Newsletter – New Issue Now Available Medigap News: Disparities in Enrollment Rights; Bill Introduced to … Read more →