Category: CMS
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Va. GOP lawmakers detail legal strategy on any efforts by governor to expand Medicaid
Republicans in the state House announce that they’ve retained former U.S. solicitor general Paul Clement, who produced a report saying the governor does not have the authority in Virginia to expand Medicaid without legislative approval. …read more
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Argus Dental & Vision signs new vision contract with Freedom Health and Optimum HealthCare
Argus Dental & Vision, a premier benefits organization, announced a new vision contract with Freedom Health and Optimum HealthCare. Beginning July 1, 2014, Argus Dental & Vision will administer vision benefits to eligible Medicare Advantage members of Freedom Health and Optimum HealthCare plans in Florida as well as America’s 1st Choice in North Carolina and…
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Virginia Gov. signs budget, vetos Medicaid amendment
Gov. Terry McAuliffe will try to bypass the Republican-controlled legislature to expand health coverage for hundreds of thousands of uninsured residents. Medicaid expansion developments in Wisconsin, California and Pennsylvania are also tracked. …read more
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Patient injuries mean Medicare payment penalties for some hospitals
The preliminary analysis of penalties would lower Medicare payments to these hospitals by 1 percent for a year. Elsewhere, lawmakers introduce legislation to change how hospitals that serve a large number of poor patients are affected by Medicare’s penalties. …read more
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Research roundup: Improving colon cancer screening; disparities in heart care; Medicaid expansion’s effect on cities
This report estimated the effect of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) on 14 large and diverse cities: Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Indianapolis, Columbus, Charlotte, Detroit, Memphis, Seattle, Denver, Atlanta, and Miami. …read more
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Low-income, uninsured patients feel stigma when interacting with health care providers
Some low-income, uninsured and Medicaid patients report feeling stigma when interacting with health care providers, finds a new report in The Milbank Quarterly. …read more
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Insider-trading investigation involving Capitol Hill staff and Medicare policy heats up
The Wall Street Journal reports that prosecutors have issued grand jury subpoenas for evidence related to whether congressional staffers provided advance information to stock traders regarding a change in health care policy. …read more
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Lack of federal funding and Medicaid expansions can impact community health centers
A special federal fund to support community health centers expires after September 2015, creating a funding cliff for primary care clinics located in medically underserved areas. …read more
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Viewpoints: Working for benefits; fears for a pill to prevent HIV; possible Medicaid strategy for Virginia
[Economist Robert] Moffitt noted in an email that “the work incentives in the government safety net have greatly increased over the last 20 years: less welfare payments if you don’t work, and much greater government payments if you do.” …read more
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Medicare faces cost tension with lawmakers, advocates
More than 130 lawmakers are urging the Obama administration to expand coverage for a lung-cancer test under Medicare that could cost the program billons, calling the screening important for vulnerable seniors. In a letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the lawmakers called for a timely decision on coverage for low-dose CT scans…