03/18/2010
An advocacy group for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender seniors says changes to federal rules governing Medicaid, Social Security and other issues could help shore up the medical, financial and social safety nets for GLBT seniors. AARP and the American Society for Aging endorsed the report. Los Angeles Times.
03/17/2010
Beginning April 1, the Pacific Heart Institute physician group will charge some patients fees ranging from $500 to $7,500 to help offset recent cuts to Medicare reimbursements and help support e-mail communication with doctors and other services. The American College of Cardiology is suing to block some of the Medicare cuts. Kaiser Health News.
03/11/2010
Yesterday, the Senate voted 62-36 to approve a $140 billion jobs bill that would avert scheduled cuts to Medicare reimbursements for physicians. The bill also would extend subsidies for COBRA coverage and offer funds to states through Medicaid. Washington Post, The Hill.
03/10/2010
Yesterday, the Senate invoked cloture to advance a jobs bill to a final vote scheduled for today. The bill includes provisions that would avert cuts to Medicare physician reimbursements and extend temporary aid to state Medicaid programs. CQ Today, Congress Daily.
03/10/2010
This week, President Obama is expected to authorize more federal agencies and health care programs to contract private companies to conduct audits. The directive is part of a broader effort to combat fraud in federal programs such as Medicaid and Medicare. Wall Street Journal.
03/08/2010
In an amicus brief filed last week, Obama administration attorneys contend that Gov. Schwarzenegger's proposal to reduce eligibility for California's In-Home Supportive Services program could violate the Americans with Disabilities Act. Lawmakers approved the IHSS cuts in an effort to reduce state spending by $82.1 million this fiscal year. Sacramento Bee's "Capitol Alert."
03/05/2010
HHS' Office of the Inspector General has released a report indicating that CMS' system to identify adverse events is missing many incidents, resulting in Medicare overpayments to hospitals. Federal law bars Medicare from reimbursing hospitals for treatment of 10 conditions arising from adverse events. HealthLeaders Media.
03/03/2010
Yesterday, the U.S. Commerce Department announced an alternative poverty formula that will consider the costs of medical treatment and other factors. The new measure will not immediately affect the allocation process for federal aid programs. Washington Post, AP/Boston Globe.
03/03/2010
Yesterday, the Senate voted to approve a jobs bill that would extend COBRA health care benefits and avert a planned 21% cut in Medicare reimbursements to physicians. The Senate now will consider a measure to further extend some of those provisions. Washington Post et al.
03/02/2010
Pointing to Medicare reimbursement cuts that took effect yesterday, several Ventura County physicians announced that they would stop accepting Medicare beneficiaries as new patients. Congress is working to repeal the pay cuts, which could be avoided if legislation is enacted in the next 10 days. Ventura County Star.
03/02/2010
A Rand study finds that pollution-related conditions led to nearly 30,000 emergency department visits or hospital admissions in California between 2005 and 2007. It also found that Medicare and Medi-Cal are covering two-thirds of the costs for such illnesses. Sacramento Bee et al.
03/01/2010
Today, a 21% payment reduction in Medicare physician reimbursement rates is scheduled to take effect. However, some Senate Democrats believe they might be able to retroactively block the cuts if they manage to pass legislation during the next two weeks. CQ HealthBeat et al.
02/24/2010
During the past 30 years, many major health care bills passed under the budget reconciliation process. Reconciliation helped pass the COBRA coverage extensions, the Children's Health Insurance Program and changes to Medicaid and Medicare. NPR's "Morning Edition."
02/22/2010
Premiums for private Medicare Advantage plans increased by an average of 14.2% in 2010, after an increase of 5.2% in 2009, according to a study released on Friday by Avalere Health. The study found that the average monthly Medicare Advantage premium for 2010 is $39.61, about $5 more than the average premium in 2009. AP/San Diego Union-Tribune.
02/19/2010
California is set to receive $675 million in budget relief through a temporary federal formula change for the Medicare prescription drug benefit. The change will allow California to contribute less to cover drug costs for residents dually eligible for Medicare and Medi-Cal. San Francisco Business Times et al.