Delivering on the Promise of Better Care for Older Adults

CMS BLOG http://blog.cms.gov/2016/08/11/delivering-on-the-promise-of-better-care-for-older-adults August 11, 2016 By Andy Slavitt, Acting Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Since becoming acting administrator, I have spoken frequently about to the importance of moving to the next chapter in implementing the Affordable Care Act. This new chapter goes beyond providing people with quality, affordable coverage – but making sure that we are …

Affordable Care Act payment model continues to improve care, lower costs

CMS News FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 9, 2016 Contact: CMS Media Relations (202) 690-6145 | CMS Media Inquiries The Independence at Home Demonstration continues to provide high quality primary care services for chronically ill Medicare beneficiaries in the home setting while saving the Medicare program money, according to a new analysis released today by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid …

picture of sign that says "Danger Fraud Alert"

CMS extends, expands fraud-fighting enrollment moratoria efforts in six states

CMS extends, expands fraud-fighting enrollment moratoria efforts in six states New demonstration enhances agency’s enrollment and investigative options Today, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced an extension and statewide expansion of fraud-fighting temporary provider enrollment moratoria efforts in six states, along with a new related demonstration project to allow for certain exceptions to the moratoria and heightened …

Medicare projects relatively stable average prescription drug premiums in 2017

CMS NEWS FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 29, 2016 Contact: CMS Media Relations (202) 690-6145 | CMS Media Inquiries Medicare projects relatively stable average prescription drug premiums in 2017 Today, Medicare announced that the average basic premium for a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan in 2017 is projected to remain relatively stable at an estimated $34 per month. This represents …

Doctors Are Improperly Billing Some on Medicare, U.S. Says

WASHINGTON — Doctors are improperly billing poor people on Medicare for deductibles, co-payments and other costs from which they are supposed to be exempt, the Obama administration says. Federal officials have warned doctors that they may be subject to penalties if they persist in these practices. They could, for example, be fined or excluded from Medicare. The people who are …

Medicare’s “Big Data” Tools Fight & Prevent Fraud to Yield Over $1.5 Billion in Savings

By Dr. Shantanu Agrawal, Raymond Wedgeworth and Kelly D. Bowman In 2015, National ROI of $11.60 for Each Federal Dollar Spent A version of this commentary was published in May 24 editions of Modern Healthcare. New anecdotal content has been added. Please see the following link to view the original content – http://www.modernhealthcare.com/article/20160524/NEWS/160529960/commentary-medicares-big-data-tools-to-fight-and-prevent-fraud-yield Over the past five years, the CMS …

Pitching Medicaid IT in Silicon Valley

By Andy Slavitt, CMS Acting Administrator @aslavitt Earlier this year, I announced a new effort to connect new, innovative companies and their investors to the state Medicaid program IT space. Since this announcement, I have been encouraged by the initial interest from companies that may not have otherwise ever thought about participating in this important health insurance program that covers …

Senator Stabenow Applauds Medicare Proposal to Implement HOPE for Alzheimer’s Act

Tuesday, July 12, 2016 WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) today announced that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid has proposed covering new care planning sessions under Medicare for Alzheimer’s patients and their families to provide an early assessment of the disease and possible treatment options. This proposal would effectively implement legislation introduced by Senator Stabenow, the Health …