MA plans ordered to cover COVID-19 lab tests
Coronavirus lab tests for nursing home residents must be covered by Medicare Administrative Contractors and Medicare Advantage plans, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced Friday.
Medicare Advantage
Clinical Briefs for Wednesday, May 27
White House lowers insulin costs to $35 a month for Medicare enrollees … CMS rule changes aim to increase telehealth access for Medicare Advantage beneficiaries … Sleep disturbances appear to predict deterioration in Alzheimer’s … Dementia gene raises risk of severe COVID-19 … Fears of coronavirus second wave prompt flu push at U.S. pharmacies, drugmakers
CMS rule changes aim to increase telehealth access for Medicare Advantage beneficiaries
Changes under a recent final rule encourage Medicare Advantage plans to increase their telehealth benefits and plan options for beneficiaries in rural areas.
Operators treating Medicare Advantage enrollees for depression, dementia and frailty are unfairly penalized: viewpoint
Operators who serve a disproportionate share of beneficiaries with these conditions are penalized twice, argue researchers.
CMS announces new ‘innovations’ to Medicare Advantage plans
The federal government announced a broad array of changes to Medicare Advantage plans last week in hopes it will further pressure providers to up their game in caring for seniors.
New Medicare Advantage rules boost payments to plans, promise drug savings
Medicare Advantage plans will get 3.4% more in federal payments next year, while beneficiaries can hope for drug prices to decline.
CMS proposes Medicare Advantage and Part D updates, including 1.84% payment increase
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has issued Medicare Advantage and Part D updates that include an average payment increase of 1.84% and policy changes that include new supplemental benefits for services that improve health and quality of life.
AHCA warns automatic Medicare Advantage enrollment could ‘significantly impact’ plan sponsors, beneficiaries, providers
The American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living said proposed changes in Medicare Advantage in 2019 could hurt beneficiaries in a letter to Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Also in the News for Friday, Jan. 19
As predicted, HHS announces new division to protect healthcare workers’ “rights of conscience and religious freedom” … Canadian EMTs deliver flu care to nursing homes, heading off ER visits … Study finds thousands of patients would go to lower quality nursing homes on Medicare Advantage
Medicare Advantage partnership announced
naviHealth, a Cardinal Health company, will now manage post-acute care for enrollees in the MVP Health Care Medicare Advantage program, the company announced this month.
