Medicare Rights partnered with the Legal Action Center and the Center for Medicare Advocacy this week on a STAT First Opinion article to urge greater coverage of substance use disorder (SUD) treatment in Medicare. This comes as a push to remove barriers to mental health and SUD treatment gains traction […]
As part of an ongoing series examining Medicare and Medicaid integration, Health Affairs Forefront recently published an article from the Medicare Rights Center titled “Integrated Appeals Are Essential, But Challenges Remain.” The article highlights the need for states to integrate Medicare and Medicaid appeals processes to best ensure dually eligible individuals […]
Last week, Kaiser Family Foundation released a report examining 62 studies published since 2016 comparing Medicare Advantage (MA) and Original Medicare. The studies measured beneficiary experience, affordability, utilization, and quality of care. The report notes that some findings varied between the studies, “likely due to differences in data and methodology,” […]
Last month, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced an enforcement action against a junk insurance company to reimburse consumers $100 million after finding the company used deceptive advertising and created barriers to prevent consumers from canceling the policies. This important announcement reveals the continued harms of junk plans, which lack […]
Older adults and people with disabilities may face barriers to programs that could help them pay for Medicare and other basic needs, like food, housing, and utilities. These challenges range from confusing or restrictive application and eligibility rules to simply not knowing about a program’s existence. As costs continue to […]
Last week, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a much-anticipated final rule on the “public charge” inadmissibility test, clarifying the public benefit programs where enrollment may negatively impact a person’s immigration application or status. DHS uses this policy to determine if an applicant for admission or lawful permanent resident […]
This week, Medicare Rights submitted comments in response to a proposed rule that would extend Medicare coverage of dental and behavioral health services. If finalized, these policies would broaden the current availability of “medically necessary” dental coverage and expand the number of Medicare mental health and substance use disorder providers. […]
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently announced a proposed rule to streamline Medicaid and CHIP application, eligibility determination, enrollment, and renewal processes, as well as improve program integrity. Several of the changes would ease access to care and coverage for people who are dually enrolled in Medicare […]
