Category: CMS
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States prepare for Medicaid coverage changes — even those not expanding under Obamacare
States grapple with Medicaid expansion issues — even in states like South Carolina that aren’t using the health law’s provision to expand coverage. In Texas, 1 million people may fall into a Medicaid “doughnut hole,” and Ohio Gov. John Kasich waits to see how his push for expansion will affect his re-election chances. From: http://www.news-medical.net/news/20131001/States-prepare-for-Medicaid-coverage-changes-even-those-not-expanding-under-Obamacare.aspx
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Notices about Medicare advantage changes coming
Medicare Advantage plans are informing seniors of changes to their plans by mail this week. Meanwhile, KHN’s Mary Agnes Carey talks about what Obamacare changes older Americans can expect. From: http://www.news-medical.net/news/20130929/Notices-about-Medicare-advantage-changes-coming.aspx
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ACS, ASMBS disappointed with CMS’ decision on bariatric surgery for Medicare patients
Despite strong opposition from leading surgical and medical groups, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has ruled it will no longer require Medicare patients to undergo bariatric surgical procedures at accredited facilities. From: http://www.news-medical.net/news/20130926/ACS-ASMBS-disappointed-with-CMS-decision-on-bariatric-surgery-for-Medicare-patients.aspx
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State highlights: N.M. officials seek less Medicaid money next year
The agency managing New Mexico’s largest health care program is asking for less — not more — state money to operate in the upcoming budget year. It’s the first time in more than a decade the Human Services Department isn’t seeking an increase in state aid for Medicaid, which provides health care for a fourth…
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Michigan’s Medicaid expansion could act as model for bipartisan health care reform in other states
Michigan’s newly expanded Medicaid program could act as a model for other states to achieve bipartisan health care reform even in a heated national political climate, says the head of the University of Michigan’s health policy institute in an article published online today by the New England Journal of Medicine. Source: Michigan’s Medicaid expansion could…
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Fed, state work on Medicaid applications in the marketplaces face delays
Meanwhile, in New Hampshire, the panel tasked with deciding if the state will expand its program faces an Oct. 15 deadline to provide recommendations to the legislature. From: http://www.news-medical.net/news/20130926/Fed-state-work-on-Medicaid-applications-in-the-marketplaces-face-delays.aspx
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Medicare: Judge dismisses observation care lawsuit; Medicare penalizes every D.C. hospital, 5 in VA. suburbs;
A federal court judge dismissed a lawsuit Monday which was filed against the government by 14 Medicare beneficiaries who were denied nursing home coverage because they had been kept in the hospital under “observation status.” From: http://www.news-medical.net/news/20130925/Medicare-Judge-dismisses-observation-care-lawsuit3b-Medicare-penalizes-every-DC-hospital-5-in-VA-suburbs3b.aspx
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State highlights: N.C. Medicaid director resigns, heads to private sector; Ohio readies funding for new Medicaid computer system
Carol Steckel, the state’s Medicaid director, is leaving after eight months on the job. Her departure is the latest in a string of high-profile departures from the Department of Health and Human Services, which has been plagued of late by personnel issues (Hoban, 9/23). From: http://www.news-medical.net/news/20130925/State-highlights-NC-Medicaid-director-resigns-heads-to-private-sector3b-Ohio-readies-funding-for-new-Medicaid-computer-system.aspx
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New Hampshire seniors favor Medicare home health services, oppose Medicare payment cuts
New Hampshire’s home health leaders today released new polling data on New Hampshire seniors’ opinions on the value of skilled home healthcare services in the Medicare program and proposed cuts that threaten to reduce Medicare payments by an unprecedented 14 percent. The survey polled 549 New Hampshire registered voters aged 65 and older. From: http://www.news-medical.net/news/20130921/New-Hampshire-seniors-favor-Medicare-home-health-services-oppose-Medicare-payment-cuts.aspx
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States hammering out Medicaid decisions on qualifications, expansion
In news about state Medicaid expansions, a hospital association in Missouri explores the state’s place nationally and globally in caring for its poor. Elsewhere, Pennsylvania could require those out-of-work and on Medicaid to look for a job, and South Dakota mulls expanding the program. From: http://www.news-medical.net/news/20130920/States-hammering-out-Medicaid-decisions-on-qualifications-expansion.aspx