Medicare

Federal Health Policy Update for Thursday, June 3

The following is the latest health policy news from the federal government as of 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 3. Some of the language used below is taken directly from government documents. White House Health Policy News Late last week the Biden administration released its proposed FY 2022 budget. Most of the health care provisions had already been disclosed and discussed prior to the formal budget release. For additional information about the proposed budget, see the following resources: A budget in brief document. An OMB summary. An OMB budget fact sheet. COVID-19 President Biden announced a “National Month of Action” [...]

iqtsupport2021-06-03T17:30:36-04:00June 3, 2021|Coronavirus, COVID-19, MACPAC, Medicaid, Medicare, Medicare regulations, Medicare reimbursement policy, MedPAC|

Medicare Beneficiaries Happier With Their Health Insurance Than Privately Insured

People who are enrolled in Medicare are happier with their health insurance than those with private health insurance, according to a recent JAMA report. Researchers found that the privately insured had a more difficult time finding doctors, were less likely to have a personal physician, had to deal with higher medical costs, were more likely to have medical debt, were more likely not to fill prescriptions because of their cost, and were less satisfied with their care than people insured by Medicare. The findings were true whether people purchased their own health insurance or had employer-sponsored insurance. Learn more about [...]

iqtsupport2021-06-03T06:00:26-04:00June 3, 2021|Medicaid, Medicare|

Federal Health Policy Update for Wednesday, May 19

The following is the latest health policy news from the federal government as of 2:15 p.m. on Wednesday, May 19. Some of the language used below is taken directly from government documents. NASH Advocacy NASH has written to all members of Congress urging them to contact Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra about directing more of its remaining CARES Act Provider Relief Fund money to private safety-net hospitals to help them serve their diverse, predominantly low-income communities during the COVID-19 emergency. Go here to see NASH’s message to Congress. The White House COVID-19 The White House has posted a [...]

iqtsupport2021-05-19T18:01:19-04:00May 19, 2021|Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Congress, Coronavirus, hospitals, Medicare, Medicare reimbursement policy, MedPAC, Telehealth|

Federal Health Policy Update for Friday, May 14

The following is the latest health policy news from the federal government as of 2:30 p.m. on Friday, May 14. Some of the language used below is taken directly from government documents. The CDC and Mask Guidance The CDC has updated its guidance on when people who have been vaccinated against COVID-19 do and do not need to wear masks and when they do and do not need to seek testing when they believe they have been exposed to someone with the virus. This is the guidance that was released amid a great deal of public attention on Thursday. The [...]

iqtsupport2021-05-14T16:26:03-04:00May 14, 2021|Coronavirus, COVID-19, Medicaid, Medicare|

Federal Health Policy Update for Wednesday, May 12

The following is the latest health policy news from the federal government as of 2:45 p.m. on Wednesday, May 12. Some of the language used below is taken directly from government documents. The White House COVID-19 The White House has announced additional efforts to encourage people to get vaccinated against COVID-19, including free rides to vaccination sites from Lyft and Uber, vaccination clinics at community colleges, and additional resources for states’ community outreach efforts. This will include funding for FEMA for phone banks, door-to-door canvassing, and pop-up vaccination clinics in workplaces and churches. See the White House fact sheet for [...]

iqtsupport2021-05-12T17:06:06-04:00May 12, 2021|Coronavirus, COVID-19, Medicare|

Federal Health Policy Update for Tuesday, April 27

The following is the latest health policy news from the federal government as of 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 27. The White House COVID-19 The White House has posted a transcript of the April 23 press briefing provided by its COVID-19 response team and public health officials. Health Policy News The White House has nominated Miriam Delphin-Rittmon to serve as Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use in the Department of Health and Human Services. The nomination is subject to Senate confirmation. Congress The New Democrat Coalition is a group of 94 mostly centrist Democrats working to bridge the gap [...]

iqtsupport2021-04-27T22:25:58-04:00April 27, 2021|Congress, Coronavirus, COVID-19, Medicaid, Medicare|

CMS Reconsidering Medicare Payment Models

Five Medicare alternative payment models previously slated for implementation are being delayed, cancelled, or reconsidered. The five APMs whose futures are not clear are: The Community Health Access and Rural Transformation Model ACO Track Primary Care First Kidney Care Choices Geographic Direct Contracting Part D Payment Modernization Model Learn more about the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ latest actions on these models in the Becker’s Hospital Review article “5 CMS payment models that are under review, delayed.”

iqtsupport2021-04-26T06:00:47-04:00April 26, 2021|ACO, Alternative payment models, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Medicare, Medicare reimbursement policy|

Federal Health Policy Update for Thursday, April 22

The following is the latest health policy news from the federal government as of 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 22. Department of Health and Human Services COVID-19 HHS’s Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response has published a new edition of its online publication The Exchange. The issue focuses on the work of hospital allied and supportive care providers during COVID-19 and is divided into three subjects: COVID-19 and acute hospital care, home care, and hospice; the role of allied health care professionals; and engineering and environmental support during COVID-19. For each subject the issue directs readers to [...]

iqtsupport2021-04-22T17:30:26-04:00April 22, 2021|Coronavirus, COVID-19, Medicare, Medicare regulations|

Federal Health Policy Update for Tuesday, April 20

The following is the latest health policy news from the federal government as of 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 20. Congress This afternoon Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) put a hold on the president’s nomination of Chiquita Brooks-LaSure to be CMS administrator in response to the administration’s decision to revoke a Medicaid waiver the previous administration granted to his state. The White House COVID-19 The White House has posted a transcript of the April 19 press briefing provided by its COVID-19 response team and public health officials. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services COVID-19 CMS has issued section 1135 waivers to Colorado, Maine, [...]

iqtsupport2021-04-20T17:08:52-04:00April 20, 2021|Congress, COVID-19, MACPAC, Medicare|

Medicaid Coverage “Cliff” Poses Threat to Low-Income Medicare Beneficiaries

Nearly one-third of Medicare beneficiaries do not meet the criteria for Medicaid eligibility but have so little income that they are unlikely to be able to afford their share of their Medicare costs, such as co-pays and deductibles. This is known as the “Medicaid coverage cliff,” and Becker’s Hospital Review, drawing from a recent study published in the journal Health Affairs, takes a brief look at what the Medicaid cliff is and how it may affect the well-being of those affected by this cliff. Learn more in the Becker’s Hospital Review article “5 things to know about the Medicaid coverage [...]

iqtsupport2021-04-16T06:00:43-04:00April 16, 2021|Medicaid, Medicare|