LTC liability costs are up, frequency is down, study shows
Jun 17, 2011
Long-term care liability costs are on the rise due to a 4% annual increase in the average claim size, according to a new study conducted by Aon Corp. and the American Health Care Association.
States should re-evaluate Medicaid managed care plans, report says
Jun 17, 2011
States will have to consider changes to their Medicaid managed care plans in order to accommodate the bigger, more diverse population expected to apply for Medicaid benefits, according to a new report.
CMS official: Medicaid block grants are not a viable option for state budgets
Jun 16, 2011
A top Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services official said this week that turning Medicaid into a block grant program is not a viable solution for easing state budget woes.
CMS actuary voices concern over healthcare reform measures
Jun 15, 2011
In a Society of Actuaries speech on Monday, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ chief actuary accused legislators and policymakers of ignoring his warnings about the sustainability of the...
State Medicaid programs can extend financial protections to same-sex spouses in nursing homes
Jun 13, 2011
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has sent a letter to state Medicaid programs clarifying the ability to offer same-sex couples the same protections opposite-sex couples receive when one partner...
Most states proposing FY 2012 Medicaid cuts
Jun 07, 2011
Nearly all states are enacting Medicaid cuts for fiscal year 2012 to deal with overwhelmed budgets and a slow economic recovery, according to a new report by the National Association of State Budget Officers...
CMS finds group to conduct recovery audits
Jun 03, 2011
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has hired a contractor to conduct recovery audit functions on Medicare Part D drug plan, according to the Bureau of National Affairs.
Republicans and Democrats spar over entitlement cuts
May 27, 2011
The U.S. Senate’s vote rejecting Republicans’ proposed 2012 budget — and all of its provisions to drastically overhaul Medicare and Medicaid — means both sides are back to debating how...
Most Americans want Medicaid to stay ‘as is,’ survey finds
May 26, 2011
Close to 60% of Americans do not want Congress to change the federal-state Medicaid program for low-income individuals, according to a Kaiser Family Foundation survey.
Federal funding for age-related diseases and illnesses is declining, report finds
May 24, 2011
One of the realities of the national budget crisis is that government funding for age-related health conditions — particularly Alzheimer’s — is drying up, says a new report from the Alzheimer’s...