Trump Administration Decides Against Controversial Changes to Medicare Drug Program
July 18, 2019
Last week, the Trump administration decided to shelve a proposed rule that sought to change the way Medicare prescription drug
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Medicare Watch
Medicare Watch articles are featured in Medicare Rights’ weekly newsletter, which helps readers stay updated on Medicare policy and advocacy developments and learn about changes in Medicare benefits and rules. Subscribe now by visiting www.medicarerights.org/newsletters.
Court Blocks Drug Ad Pricing Requirement
July 11, 2019
A rule from the Trump administration that sought to require prescription drug manufacturers to include pricing information in their television
Affordable Care Act Faces Its Latest Legal Challenge
July 11, 2019
This week, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit heard oral arguments in Texas v. U.S., the latest legal challenge
New Issue Brief Clarifies When Medicare Should Cover Skilled Care
June 27, 2019
This week, the Center for Medicare Advocacy released a new resource on the Medicare Improvement Standard. The issue brief, “Implementing Jimmo v. Sebelius: An Overview Settlement implementation,” is intended to provide Medicare stakeholders with an overview of the Jimmo Settlement, what it means in different care settings, and links and references to helpful resource materials.
The BENES Act Advances in the House
June 27, 2019
This week, the House Committee on Ways and Means advanced the Beneficiary Enrollment Notification and Eligibility Simplification (BENES) Act (S. 1280/H.R. 2477) in a markup that considered a series of Medicare-related bills. The BENES Act is now included in a larger bipartisan package that was unanimously reported favorably out of Committee—the Beneficiary Education Tools, Telehealth, and Extenders Reauthorization (BETTER) Act of 2019 (H.R. 3417).
Inefficient Medicare Part D Appeals Process Can Result in Dangerous Medication Delays
June 20, 2019
The Medicare Rights Center applauds Senators Ben Cardin (D-MD) and John Cornyn (R-TX) for introducing the bipartisan Streamlining Part D Appeals Process Act (S. 1861).
The bill would eliminate unnecessary steps in the Medicare Part D appeals process, making the system less burdensome for people with Medicare, providers, and plans. Specifically, the Cardin-Cornyn bill would simplify the process for Part D enrollees who experience medication denials at the pharmacy counter.
MedPAC Calls for Improvements in Medicare Part B Enrollment Process
June 20, 2019
In its June 2019 report to Congress, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) recommends improvements to the complex Medicare Part B enrollment process, including strengthening notification requirements which is, in part, what the Beneficiary Enrollment Notification and Eligibility Simplification (BENES) Act proposes to do (S. 1280/H.R. 2477).
Medicare Rights Lists 30 Policy Goals for Medicare’s Future
June 13, 2019
This June, the Medicare Rights Center celebrates 30 years of getting Medicare right. Our policy goals are informed by 30 years of serving people with Medicare on our national helpline and through our educational programs. This anniversary represents an important opportunity to look forward and explore how policymakers can make the Medicare program even better.
Less Than One Third of People New to Medicare Choose Medicare Advantage
June 13, 2019
The Kaiser Family Foundation recently released new findings about what coverage new Medicare enrollees choose. This information is important for
Medicare Rights Testifies About Expiring Medicare Programs
June 6, 2019
On June 4, Medicare Rights Center President Fred Riccardi testified at a hearing of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Health titled “Investing in America’s Health Care.”
The hearing examined an array of public health initiatives set to expire in September. Riccardi spoke to several of the Medicare-related programs, urging Congress to address these expirations in a health care “extenders” legislative package later this year.
Trump Administration Decides Against Controversial Changes to Medicare Drug Program
July 18, 2019
Last week, the Trump administration decided to shelve a proposed rule that sought to change the way Medicare prescription drug
Court Blocks Drug Ad Pricing Requirement
July 11, 2019
A rule from the Trump administration that sought to require prescription drug manufacturers to include pricing information in their television
Affordable Care Act Faces Its Latest Legal Challenge
July 11, 2019
This week, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit heard oral arguments in Texas v. U.S., the latest legal challenge
New Issue Brief Clarifies When Medicare Should Cover Skilled Care
June 27, 2019
This week, the Center for Medicare Advocacy released a new resource on the Medicare Improvement Standard. The issue brief, “Implementing Jimmo v. Sebelius: An Overview Settlement implementation,” is intended to provide Medicare stakeholders with an overview of the Jimmo Settlement, what it means in different care settings, and links and references to helpful resource materials.
The BENES Act Advances in the House
June 27, 2019
This week, the House Committee on Ways and Means advanced the Beneficiary Enrollment Notification and Eligibility Simplification (BENES) Act (S. 1280/H.R. 2477) in a markup that considered a series of Medicare-related bills. The BENES Act is now included in a larger bipartisan package that was unanimously reported favorably out of Committee—the Beneficiary Education Tools, Telehealth, and Extenders Reauthorization (BETTER) Act of 2019 (H.R. 3417).
Inefficient Medicare Part D Appeals Process Can Result in Dangerous Medication Delays
June 20, 2019
The Medicare Rights Center applauds Senators Ben Cardin (D-MD) and John Cornyn (R-TX) for introducing the bipartisan Streamlining Part D Appeals Process Act (S. 1861).
The bill would eliminate unnecessary steps in the Medicare Part D appeals process, making the system less burdensome for people with Medicare, providers, and plans. Specifically, the Cardin-Cornyn bill would simplify the process for Part D enrollees who experience medication denials at the pharmacy counter.
MedPAC Calls for Improvements in Medicare Part B Enrollment Process
June 20, 2019
In its June 2019 report to Congress, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) recommends improvements to the complex Medicare Part B enrollment process, including strengthening notification requirements which is, in part, what the Beneficiary Enrollment Notification and Eligibility Simplification (BENES) Act proposes to do (S. 1280/H.R. 2477).
Medicare Rights Lists 30 Policy Goals for Medicare’s Future
June 13, 2019
This June, the Medicare Rights Center celebrates 30 years of getting Medicare right. Our policy goals are informed by 30 years of serving people with Medicare on our national helpline and through our educational programs. This anniversary represents an important opportunity to look forward and explore how policymakers can make the Medicare program even better.
Less Than One Third of People New to Medicare Choose Medicare Advantage
June 13, 2019
The Kaiser Family Foundation recently released new findings about what coverage new Medicare enrollees choose. This information is important for
Medicare Rights Testifies About Expiring Medicare Programs
June 6, 2019
On June 4, Medicare Rights Center President Fred Riccardi testified at a hearing of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Health titled “Investing in America’s Health Care.”
The hearing examined an array of public health initiatives set to expire in September. Riccardi spoke to several of the Medicare-related programs, urging Congress to address these expirations in a health care “extenders” legislative package later this year.