Category: Medicare

Concern over key health rebate

… when GP clinics are open. “If home visits weren’t available, more families would go to emergency departments for health problems that are not emergencies but cannot wait for treatment until business hours. “For regional communities like many in the …

GOP set to dismantle Obama’s legacy

… a rare trip to Capitol Hill on Wednesday to meet with congressional Democrats and discuss strategy for saving the health care law. Vice President-elect Mike Pence will meet with Republicans. The House will vote on Tuesday on a rules package that …

Democrats prepare major effort to save Obamacare

… protect it by touting all of its benefits. “This is not just about the 20 million previously uninsured who now have health security,” House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-California, said during a call with reporters Monday. “But this is about the …

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Senior House Democrats on Monday extolled the benefits of President Barack Obama’s health care law in hopes of derailing Republican plans to gut the statute and over time replace it. In a conference call with reporters, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said the GOP will begin its “assault” on the health care law when the 115th Congress convenes Tuesday.

Aetna Fight for Humana Awaits Judge’s Ruling in U.S. Case

Aetna Inc.’s fight to complete its purchase of Humana Inc. is now with a federal judge who must decide whether the combination of the two health insurers should be blocked because it risks raising consumers’ costs. U.S. District Judge John D. Bates in Washington heard final arguments Friday from the companies and the Justice Department about the $37 billion deal, which the government says should be stopped.

Bloomberg View: Dona t stop pushing on Medicare payment reform

The quest to create a more rational health-care system took a dispiriting turn this month, when the federal government abandoned an effort to motivate doctors to use the best available drugs, rather than the costliest ones. What’s worrisome is that this could be the start of a more general retreat from payment reform in health care as the White House changes hands.

4 Financial Surprises Awaiting Seniors in 2017

The stock market has been exploring all-time highs since the election, the U.S. unemployment rate is at a nine-year low of 4.6%, and U.S. GDP growth in the third quarter came in at 3.5%, its most robust growth rate in two years. By all accounts, there’s plenty of reason for investors and working Americans to be excited for what 2017 might bring.

New rules to limit Medi-Cal ‘death fees’

… estate recovery program collected close to $70 million, says Tony Cava, spokesman for the state Department of Health Care Services, which administers Medi-Cal. That’s up from roughly $53 million in 2011-2012. Sen. Ed Hernandez, D-West Covina, points …

Sanders will lead Democratic drive to organize rallies in every state against Medicare/Medicaid cuts

Donald Trump has won the presidency after narrowly carrying a few states to put him above 270 electoral votes.But according… Senate Republicans refused to give President Obama’s pick to replace Supreme Court Justice Scalia even the courtesy of a… Bernie Sanders doing the Democratic Party job of persuading congressional colleagues to help organize nationwide pre-inaugural protest rallies over potential cuts in Medicare and Medicaid, as well as other health matters Republicans are likely to take up in Congress come January.

CMS Issues Alert Updating and Clarifying Mandatory Reporting…

On December 12, 2016, CMS issued a Technical Alert that announced a change in reporting requirements for several different types of settlements with total payment obligation to claimant dates on or after January 1, 2017 and no ongoing responsibility for medicals . In the Technical Alert, CMS lowered the mandatory reporting threshold for all liability insurance settlements, including mass tort settlements , from $1000 to $750.

As Others See It: Don’t stop pushing on Medicare payment reform

The quest to create a more rational health care system took a dispiriting turn this month, when the federal government abandoned an effort to motivate doctors to use the best available drugs, rather than the costliest ones. What’s worrisome is that this could be the start of a more general retreat from payment reform in health care as the White House changes hands.

Alere -1.2% as it appeals revoked Medicaid billing for Arriva

Alere is down another 1.2% in after-hours trade following news that its Arriva Medical unit — the largest contract supplier for diabetes testing supplies under the Medicare National Mail Order Competitive Bid Program — has appealed a decision to revoke its Medicare billing privileges. Arrival appealed to an administrative law judge at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services; it expects the appeal to be heard within 30 days and a decision within three months.

Military health system to test U-M-developed V-BID approach

A health care reform idea originated by University of Michigan faculty will get a major test among members of the nation’s military and their families, thanks to a provision in the national defense spending bill signed by President Obama on Friday. Called Value-Based Insurance Design , the approach departs from the traditional “one size fits all” approach to health insurance out-of-pocket costs.

About one month left to sign up for Obamacarea

With about a month left to sign up for 2017 individual health plans on the federal health insurance marketplace, the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is announcing increasing sign-ups leading up to the deadline. About one month left to sign up for Obamacare plans With about a month left to sign up for 2017 individual health plans on the federal health insurance marketplace, the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is announcing increasing sign-ups leading up to the deadline.

5 Changes to Social Security in 2017

As 2017 draws near, there are several changes to Social Security that current and future beneficiaries should be aware of. While benefits aren’t increasing by too much, some workers could see their Social Security tax bill rise significantly, and working beneficiaries could end up with a lot more money in their pockets in 2017.