U.S. national healthcare spending increased 9.7 percent in 2020
Dec 17, 2021
The increase was due to 36% increase in federal expenditures, mainly in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
CMS updates spousal impoverishment standards
By
Lois A. Bowers
May 22, 2024
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on Wednesday announced updated 2024 spousal impoverishment standards, which apply when married individuals seek coverage of certain long-term services and supports...
CMS updates Medicaid eligibility standards
By
Lois A. Bowers
Jun 02, 2022
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on Thursday afternoon announced updated standards for Medicaid financial eligibility for married individuals seeking coverage of certain long-term services...
Data on Medicaid-funded personal care services need to be improved, GAO says
By
Lois A. Bowers
Apr 26, 2017
One of 79 new actions that Congress or executive branch agencies could take to improve operations across government, according to the Government Accountability Office’s seventh annual report, released...
11 states ready to go live with Medicaid HCBS final rule as deadline approaches, CMS says
By
Kimberly Bonvissuto
Feb 22, 2023
Eleven states are planning to go live under the regulations of the home- and community-based settings final rule on March 18, according to Melissa Harris, deputy director for the CMS Disabled and Elderly...
Buprenorphine prescribing for Medicaid beneficiaries down in 2020
Apr 01, 2022
Despite increases in units per prescription, the amount of buprenorphine dispensed to Medicaid beneficiaries decreased early in the pandemic.
Risk for decline up for low-income seniors after ICU stay
Mar 08, 2022
The risks for disability and transition to probable dementia increased after an ICU stay for seniors with dual eligibility for Medicare and Medicaid.
HHS changes rules for distribution of relief funds to Medicaid providers
By
Lois A. Bowers
Aug 13, 2020
The Department of Health and Human Services has reversed its position and now says that Medicaid providers who previously received a payment from a general distribution of funds from the Coronavirus Aid,...
2011 to 2020 saw increase in annual prescription meds expenditures
Apr 15, 2024
Metabolic agents were the most costly category; antidiabetic agents were the mostly costly therapeutic area.
Philip Esformes sentenced to 20 years in prison in healthcare fraud case
By
Lois A. Bowers
Sep 12, 2019
Former Florida assisted living and skilled nursing facility owner Philip Esformes has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for his role in a case that the federal government continues to describe as “the...