Every year, thousands of Americans hear the devastating news that they have Alzheimer’s disease. This diagnosis carries with it a certain future of declining mental and behavioral capabilities, and the eventual need for round-the-clock end-of-life care. The financial costs can be staggering, and the emotional costs immeasurable. While the impact of Alzheimer’s can be slowed, […]
Read MoreThis evening, the Medicare Board of Trustees released their annual report on the status of two separate trust funds, the Hospital Insurance (HI) Trust Fund and the Supplementary Insurance (SMI) Trust Fund. The Boards of Trustee report annually on the financial operations and actuarial status of the program in a combined report that covers Medicare […]
Read MoreOn the evening of April 24th, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the proposed rule for the Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment Systems for Acute Care Hospitals and the Long-Term Care Hospital Prospective Payment System and Proposed Policy Changes. The rule outlines payment policy for hospitals beginning October 1, 2018 (FY 2019) and […]
Read MoreOn April 5-6, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) held their final meeting of the current term. The commissioners wrapped up the term voting on recommendations related to the use of hospital emergency department services and discussing Medicare Advantage encounter data, and hospital quality incentives. The first session of the meeting looked at using payment […]
Read MoreOn April 2, 2018, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released a pre-publication version of a final regulation impacting both the Medicare Advantage (MA) and Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit programs. The provisions of the rule will be effective for the 2019 plan year. Update: CMS released the final version of the […]
Read MoreOn April 2, 2018 CMS released the final CY 2019 Call Letter for Medicare Advantage (MA) and Medicare Part D plans. There were no substantial changes to the proposals included in the draft Call Letter, which were finalized generally as proposed. However, the agency did have to update the Standard Benefit Parameters to reflect the […]
Read MoreOn March 1, 2018, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) hosted the next public meeting of their current term. The meeting covered a variety of topics including sequential stays in post-acute care settings, encouraging use of higher-quality post-acute care providers, appropriate access and use of emergency departments, and a demonstration for dual-eligible beneficiaries from the […]
Read MoreToday, the White House Office of Management and Budget released An American Budget, the fiscal year 2019 budget for the US Government. Concurrently, the Department of Health and Human Services released its FY 2019 Budget in Brief. Together, these documents propose significant savings while making a number of changes to federal healthcare programs. A brief summary […]
Read MoreOn February 9, 2018, the Council of Economic Advisers released a report looking at drug pricing proposals entitled “Reforming Biopharmaceutical Pricing at Home and Abroad.” The report highlights two goals: reducing the price that Americans pay for biopharmaceutical products and raising innovation incentives as a way to reduce the overall price of health in the […]
Read MoreOn February 1, 2018 CMS released the CY 2019 draft Call Letter for Medicare Advantage (MA) and Medicare Part D plans. CMS states that the updates made will continue to create more choices for Medicare beneficiaries that choose MA and Part D plans in 2019. CMS is accepting comments through March 5, 2018. The final […]
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