The New York Times is writing about the ACA's Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program and the question of whether or not this is causing increased mortality among older patients. This should be of increased interest to nursing facilities since the refusal of readmission after a nursing home sends a resident to the hospital and subsequent death of the resident when returned to the facility may increase scrutiny of the nursing home rather than the correctness of a hospital refusing … [Read more...] about Hospital Re-Admissions and the Elderly
Trump Administration Sued Over Short-Term Health Plans Offering Limited Benefits
A lawsuit accuses President Donald Trump's Treasury, Labor and HHS secretaries of weakening Americans' access to life-saving medical care by letting the rule regarding short-term plans bypass the ACA's essential health benefit and pre-existing condition requirements, according to reports. According to the Trump Administration: This final rule amends the definition of short-term, limited-duration insurance for purposes of its exclusion from the definition of individual health insurance … [Read more...] about Trump Administration Sued Over Short-Term Health Plans Offering Limited Benefits
CMS Announces Option to Claim Hardship Exemption from the Individual Healthcare Mandate
In a press release revealed today, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced its efforts to provides American consumers with the ability to claim a hardship exemption from the tax penalty imposed by the ACA (Obamacare) for not maintaining health coverage for 2018 on their federal income tax returns, making it easier for taxpayers across the nation to claim their exemption. According to this excerpt from the press release: This new option to claim a hardship exemption … [Read more...] about CMS Announces Option to Claim Hardship Exemption from the Individual Healthcare Mandate
$8.6 Million in State Flexibility Grants Awarded by CMS to 30 States For Obamacare
The $8.6 million in State Flexibility Grants announced by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) that would be allocated to 30 states and the District of Columbia comes with the Trump Administration' approval despite recent attempts to disassemble the ACA. The funding from Obamacare, which is part of $250 million for State Rate Review Grants provided by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) to improve the process for how States review proposed health … [Read more...] about $8.6 Million in State Flexibility Grants Awarded by CMS to 30 States For Obamacare
Proposed Rule for Permanent Risk Adjustment Program for 2018
A new Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Press release details the proposed additional rule to address risk adjustment program for the 2018 benefit year. The rule would give payers the ability to receive 2018 risk adjustment payments by resolving legal contentions of the program’s operation and give CMS the ability to issue risk adjustment payments without interruptions for the current plan year. According to reports the risk adjustment payments also reimburse health insurers … [Read more...] about Proposed Rule for Permanent Risk Adjustment Program for 2018
MyHealthEData Initiative to give patients control and access to Healthcare data
In a press release by Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) MyHealthEData, a Trump initiative was announced as a way to empower healthcare patients by giving them control of their healthcare data, and allowing it to follow them through their healthcare journey. "CMS launched the “Blue Button 2.0” tool, calls on all health insurers to make data available to patients. According to the press release: The government-wide MyHealthEData initiative is led by the White House Office … [Read more...] about MyHealthEData Initiative to give patients control and access to Healthcare data
Texas, and 19 other states battle Affordable Care Act as “unconstitutional” in Federal Court
More than 8.8 million Americans are enrolled in the Affordable Care Act healthcare law spearheaded by President Barack Obama. An unpopular mandate of the Affordable Care Act, a tax penalty for the uninsured was repealed by a bill passed by Congress and signed by President Trump in December. Now, Texas is among 20 states where 20 Republican state attorneys general are suing to overturn the law, asking a federal court to hold the Affordable Care Act's individual mandate and the … [Read more...] about Texas, and 19 other states battle Affordable Care Act as “unconstitutional” in Federal Court
“Medicare Extra for All” plan proposed for universal healthcare
A new plan signals revived interest in public options and even Medicare-for-all. To address healthcare challenges, the Center for American Progress proposes a new system— Medicare Extra that would include important enhancements to the current Medicare program: an out-of-pocket limit, coverage of dental care and hearing aids, and integrated drug benefits. Medicare Extra would be available to all Americans, regardless of income, health status, age, or insurance status. According to reports, the … [Read more...] about “Medicare Extra for All” plan proposed for universal healthcare
Doctors, Lawyers want Congress to halt ‘Right-To-Try’ Legislation for Terminally-Ill Patients
President Donald Trump called on Congress to pass right-to-try legislation. According to reports, the right-to-try’ legislation that aims to help terminally ill patients access experimental therapies and drugs that have not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration outside of clinical trials, was passed through the Senate and is now undergoing disputes from doctors, ethicists, and lawyers. The medical providers and supporters who strongly oppose the bill argue that giving … [Read more...] about Doctors, Lawyers want Congress to halt ‘Right-To-Try’ Legislation for Terminally-Ill Patients
Proposed Women’s Health Care Law Requires Insurers to Cover Women’s Preventative Care
With the looming threats by the Republican-led White House to repeal the federal health care law (Obamacare), a new health care bill, Defending Access to Women’s Health Care Services Amendment Act, was introduced to prevent insurance companies from charging more specifically for women's health services like cancer screenings or contraceptive costs. According to news sources, Washington officials signed legislation requiring all insurance companies in the Washington, D.C. to cover a list of … [Read more...] about Proposed Women’s Health Care Law Requires Insurers to Cover Women’s Preventative Care
