The 2024 Advance Notice released today by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) makes small but important adjustments to Medicare Advantage (MA) payment methodology. The Medicare Rights Center welcomes the provisions that would begin to rein in soaring, unnecessary MA costs and urges additional, comprehensive reforms. CMS projects […]
The end of the COVID-19-related Medicaid continuous enrollment policy is projected to cause significant coverage losses in New York and nationally as states begin recertifying eligibility for Medicaid and the Medicare Savings Program (MSP). Some current enrollees will no longer qualify, but those who do are also at risk; they […]
Since 2020, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) has allowed states to maintain Medicaid rolls in exchange for an enhanced federal matching rate (FMAP). Originally tied to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE), Congress passed legislation in December 2022 decoupling the two. The PHE is currently set to expire […]
The Action Network Initiative (ANI), a non-partisan advocacy network that supports the mission of Arnold Ventures (AV) to maximize opportunity and minimize injustice through evidence-based policy reform, recently launched a campaign highlighting needed Medicare Advantage (MA) modernizations. This effort comes on the heels of CMS’s proposed 2024 MA payment updates. […]
Today marks the thirteenth anniversary of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The landmark health law introduced significant access and affordability reforms, including new insurance Marketplaces for individuals and critical Medicare and Medicaid modernizations. These policies have improved care and lowered costs for millions of Americans. In recognition of the anniversary, […]
Medicare Rights Advocacy Governor Hochul releases New York State budget Governor Hochul recently released the 2024 NYS Executive Budget. Medicare Rights is pleased to report that the Managed Care Consumer Assistance Program (MCCAP) and the Community Health Advocates (CHA) program received level funding. Medicare Rights also supports proposals to increase funding […]
Implementation of the drug pricing provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) is underway. This week, Medicare Rights submitted comments on the law’s inflation rebate programs, and CMS offered new details on how those systems will operate. The agency also released initial guidance on drug negotiation, and new reports highlight […]
This week, Medicare Rights submitted comments on a proposed rule that would give Medicare Advantage (MA) enrollees and potential enrollees more information about plans’ prior authorization practices and processes. This proposed rule comes at an important time as MA plans face greater scrutiny of their use of prior authorization and […]
Today, the White House released President Biden’s budget request for fiscal year (FY) 2024, which begins on October 1. Though non-binding on Congress, presidential budgets are important policy documents that articulate the administration’s goals and priorities. They are often used to guide future reforms, introduce or refine ideas, and stake […]
The COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) will end in May. This will mean several changes in health programs like Medicare and Medicaid and for providers, including hospitals, nursing homes, and certain specialists. While there are still significant numbers of COVID-19 cases in many communities, the end of the PHE will […]
