Tag: Medicare Advantage
In brief: Complex rehab momentum, telehealth risks, Medicare Advantage bill
September 16, 2022HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – A record 300-plus advocates participated in the NCART/NRRTS Virtual Congressional Fly-in on Sept. 14.
Those advocates, who included consumers, clinicians, providers, manufacturers, family members, caregivers and others, held meetings with 292 congressional offices throughout the day.
“In the weeks ahead, we will be carrying out the important task of following up with offices on the ‘congressional asks’ presented,” said Don Clayback in an...
BMA applauds House for passing Medicare Advantage bill
September 15, 2022HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – The Better Medicare Alliance applauds the House of Representatives for passing H.R. 3173, the Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act. The bipartisan legislation, which was sponsored by Reps. Suzan DelBen, D-Wash., Mike Kelly, R-Pa., Ami Bera, MD, D-Calif., and Larry Bucshon, MD, R-Ind., and endorsed by Better Medicare Alliance, would modernize the way Medicare Advantage uses prior authorization as a clinical tool to coordinate beneficiary care. “The Improving...
AAH locks in on Medicare Advantage
September 9, 2022Liz Beaulieu, Editor
WASHINGTON – While there has been a spotlight on Medicare Advantage recently, AAHomecare has been focused on the program for more than a year and it’s ready to go-live with a number of new resources for HME providers.
The resources include a digital brochure that spells out how providers reduce costs, improve outcomes and increase patient satisfaction, complete with embedded videos from patients and the association’s president and CEO, Tom Ryan.
“We’re...
Stakeholders on Medicare Advantage: ‘We need an avenue to go to’
September 2, 2022Liz Beaulieu, Editor
WASHINGTON – Industry stakeholders didn’t waste the opportunity to provide CMS with feedback on Medicare Advantage, telling the agency there’s an urgent need to improve oversight of the program.
Industry organizations, state and regional associations, and individual providers all submitted comments to a request for information before an Aug. 31 deadline, says Laura Williard, vice president of payer relations for AAHomecare.
“While there are some protections...
Medicare Advantage enrollment doubles
September 1, 2022HME News Staff
YARMOUTH, Maine – Medicare Advantage enrollment as a share of the eligible Medicare population has more than doubled from 2007 to 2022 (19% to 48%), according to a new analysis by the Kaiser Family Foundation.
Between 2021 and 2022, total enrollment grew by about 2.2 million beneficiaries, or 8%, a slightly slower growth rate than the prior year (10%).
The average Medicare beneficiary in 2022 has access to 39 Medicare Advantage plans, the largest number of options available...
In brief: ResMed buys mementor, CMS wants input on MA
August 5, 2022HME News Staff
MARTINSRIED and LEIPZIG, Germany – ResMed has acquired Leipzig, Germany-based mementor in a move that strengthens its overall sleep portfolio with a digital solution for insomnia, the company says.
mementor developed and owns somnio, Germany’s first, and so far only, Digital Health Application (DiGA) for the treatment of insomnia that’s reimbursable.
“mementor is an ideal fit for ResMed Germany and, more important, millions of people across Germany who want...
CMS wants input on Medicare Advantage
August 1, 2022HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – CMS has released a request for information seeking public comment on the Medicare Advantage program.
The agency is asking for input on ways to achieve its vision that all parts of Medicare are working toward a future where all beneficiaries receive more equitable, high quality and person-centered care that is affordable and sustainable.
“We see a huge opportunity for partnership with as many stakeholders as possible to better understand how care innovations...
OIG report ‘exposes’ Medicare Advantage
July 1, 2022Liz Beaulieu, Editor
YARMOUTH, Maine – The OIG’s recent finding that some Medicare Advantage plans are delaying or denying access to services shines a light on “one of the most financially damaging things happening to HME providers right now,” says Dan Fedor.
“It’s really ugly what’s happening,” said Fedor, director of reimbursement and education for U.S. Rehab, a division of the VGM Group, who has been known to call Medicare Advantage “Medicare Disadvantage.”
Here’s...
MA plans fall short of responsibilities, say respondents
June 24, 2022Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
YARMOUTH, Maine – Medicare Advantage plans are routinely delaying or denying coverage for products and services that meet Medicare guidelines, say 88% of respondents to a recent HME Newspoll.
“Medicare Advantage organizations don’t seem to fully understand Medicare coverage criteria,” wrote one respondent. “We routinely get denied for items that would easily pass audit scrutiny with traditional Medicare. It is extremely frustrating as a provider to work with...
Medicare bennies are satisfied with Medicare Advantage, survey finds
June 14, 2022HME News Staff
SANTA CLARA, Calif. – While Medicare Advantage plans have come under scrutiny by some policy makers and the media, a majority of enrollees are happy with their coverage, according to a survey conducted by eHealth, an online private health insurance marketplace. Nearly nine in 10 (88%) say they are either “very satisfied” (63%) or “somewhat satisfied” (25%) with their plans, according to the survey of more than 2,800 Medicare beneficiaries. A similar number (68%)...