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Medicare Watch

Medicare Watch articles are featured in a weekly newsletter that helps readers stay up-to-date on Medicare policy and advocacy developments, and learn about changes in Medicare benefits and rules.

Early Analysis Shows Flat to Decreasing Heath Care Utilization and Spending During the Coronavirus Crisis

At the start of the pandemic, estimates about the impact of the COVID-19 public health emergency, and related economic crisis, on health care spending diverged widely. Some experts predicted increased health care costs due to the expense of treating patients with the novel disease, while others anticipated reduced spending as a result of lockdowns and the deferral of non-emergent procedures and treatments.

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Trump Administration Winds Down with Flurry of Regulatory Actions

In the waning days of the Trump administration, the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), along with other federal agencies, are rushing to propose and finalize various rules before President-Elect Biden takes office. Many of these rules will face increased legal jeopardy for lacking standard notice-and-comment rulemaking in some way. Others are likely to be delayed or withdrawn by President Biden.

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New Paper Suggests Needed Changes to Medicare Appeals Processes

The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network released a paper this week that outlines problems and potential solutions for various issues within Medicare appeals processes. The hurdles in various appeals processes can pose insurmountable burdens for people with Medicare who need access to care, services, medication, and items.

Read More »

Health Care for Millions in Supreme Court’s Hands

On November 10, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in a case that could up-end the country’s entire health care system. The case, California v. Texas, was brought by 18 states and the Trump administration. If successful, it would strip health care coverage from millions of Americans

Read More »

2021 Part B Premiums Announced

Last week, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced the Part B premiums and deductible amounts for 2021. Medicare Part B covers physician services, outpatient services, some home health services, durable medical equipment (DME) and some other medical services.

Read More »

Early Analysis Shows Flat to Decreasing Heath Care Utilization and Spending During the Coronavirus Crisis

At the start of the pandemic, estimates about the impact of the COVID-19 public health emergency, and related economic crisis, on health care spending diverged widely. Some experts predicted increased health care costs due to the expense of treating patients with the novel disease, while others anticipated reduced spending as a result of lockdowns and the deferral of non-emergent procedures and treatments.

Trump Administration Winds Down with Flurry of Regulatory Actions

In the waning days of the Trump administration, the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), along with other federal agencies, are rushing to propose and finalize various rules before President-Elect Biden takes office. Many of these rules will face increased legal jeopardy for lacking standard notice-and-comment rulemaking in some way. Others are likely to be delayed or withdrawn by President Biden.

As COVID-19 Vaccines Approach, Governments Gear Up for Distribution

This week, the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) released an analysis of different state government plans for COVID-19 vaccine distribution. Current projections show that a limited number of COVID-19 vaccine doses may start to become available as early as December, with more doses available over time.

New Paper Suggests Needed Changes to Medicare Appeals Processes

The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network released a paper this week that outlines problems and potential solutions for various issues within Medicare appeals processes. The hurdles in various appeals processes can pose insurmountable burdens for people with Medicare who need access to care, services, medication, and items.

Health Care for Millions in Supreme Court’s Hands

On November 10, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in a case that could up-end the country’s entire health care system. The case, California v. Texas, was brought by 18 states and the Trump administration. If successful, it would strip health care coverage from millions of Americans

2021 Part B Premiums Announced

Last week, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced the Part B premiums and deductible amounts for 2021. Medicare Part B covers physician services, outpatient services, some home health services, durable medical equipment (DME) and some other medical services.