In The News
Kaiser Health News Long Term Care Ombudsmen Face Challenges to Independence (1-27-2013) NSCLC Directing Attorney Eric Carlson says that ombudsman programs outside of state governments are less subject to political pressure
See more recent coverage
NSCLC Helps
Corazon, 72, came close to losing her adult day health care benefits because of a problem with managed care related to needed heart surgery…. Read More.
Issues
Adult Day Health Care Affordable Care Act Assisted Living Chained CPI Clark v Astrue Court Access Dual Eligibles Health Care Reform Home and Community-based Services IHSS Language Access LGBT long term care Medi-Cal Medicaid Medicare Medicare Part D Nursing Homes Olmstead Pickle Amendment Preemption Same Sex Marriage Social Security SSI Supreme Court
Health Network Alert - New Advocates’ Guide Presents Recommendations for LTSS Quality Improvement 01-28-2013
Improving quality in long-term services and supports (LTSS) is vital for Medicaid beneficiaries relying upon such services, particularly given current proposals by many states to implement managed care programs to deliver LTSS. A new advocates’ guide provides information and recommendations …
Health Network Alert - Ohio MOU Incorporates Ombuds Program for Duals 01-23-2013On December 12, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Ohio Office of Medical Assistance to create an ‘Integrated Care Delivery System’ for dual eligibles (people eligible for Medicare and …
Income Network Alert - Social Security Notifies Clark Class Members 01-22-2013The Social Security Administration (SSA) reports that in December it sent informational notices to 30,704 of the approximately 140,000 members of the plaintiff class in Clark v. Astrue.
Health Network Alert - 2013 Transition Policies for Medicare Part D 01-07-2013The new plan year for Medicare Part D began January 1 and many beneficiaries, particularly low-income subsidy individuals who were reassigned, are adjusting to new plans or to new rules in their current plans.
Health Network Alert - Dual Eligibles Can Get Better Access to Physicians in 2013 01-04-2013Starting January 1, 2013, state Medicaid programs are required to pay certain physicians offering primary care services at rates that are no lower than Medicare rates.
Health Network Alert - The Fiscal Cliff Deal: What Does It Mean for Low-Income Older Adults? 01-03-2013On Tuesday, January 1, 2013, by a vote of 257-167, the House of Representatives agreed to approve the Senate amendments to H.R. 8, the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012, also known as the “fiscal cliff deal.” The President agreed …
Health Network Alert - Settlement Reached That Will End Medicare “Improvement Standard” (PDF) 12-06-2012Attorneys from the Center for Medicare Advocacy, Vermont Legal Aid and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) have agreed to settle the “Improvement Standard” case, Jimmo v. Sebelius. A proposed settlement agreement was filed in federal District Court …
Health Network Alert - CMS Finalizes Medicaid Primary Care Payment Rule Affecting Dual Eligibles (PDF) 11-30-2012CMS has finalized a rule that will pay Medicaid primary care physicians at the same rate as Medicare in 2013 and 2014, a move that is likely to improve access to care for individuals who receive both Medicare and Medicaid.
Income Network Alert - Table Helps Calculate Medicaid Eligibility Under Pickle Amendment for 2013 (PDF) 11-15-2012The Social Security Administration recently announced its cost of living adjustment for Social Security and SSI benefits effective Jan. 1. This adjustment affects the calculation of Pickle Amendment eligibility for Medicaid in 2013.
Health Network Alert - Washington Memorandum of Understanding for Duals (PDF) 11-07-2012On October 24, the state of Washington signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to establish the first managed fee-for-service financial alignment model for Medicare-Medicaid enrollees (dual eligibles).
