Tag Archives: Medicare

UnitedHealth, Cigna to expand Medicare Advantage footprints, touting telehealth for 2021

Major payers are expanding their Medicare Advantage footprints next year, and focusing on telehealth benefits and reduced cost-sharing — both trends accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The increased competition puts more plans in the market with low or no premiums as bullish payers have reported massive profits from deferred care over the past several months.… Read More »

Half of Medicare patients do not receive recommended healthcare after hospitalization

In the period from October 2015 to September 2016, before the Affordable Care Act, a substantial portion of Medicare patients referred to home healthcare after hospitalization did not receive that care, new findings show. Using national data, the researchers detailed how often Medicare patients referred to home healthcare services after a hospital discharge received one… Read More »

New bill would codify Medicare reimbursement for telehealth services

U.S. Reps. G.K. Butterfield, D-North Carolina, and Glenn Thompson, R-Pa., introduced new legislation this week that would provide for permanent Medicare payments for telehealth services at federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics.  The Helping Ensure Access to Local TeleHealth, or HEALTH Act, would require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to revise… Read More »

After a year on Medicare, advice for journalists on stories that need to be told

The annual Medicare open enrollment period ends soon.  America’s seniors have faced a blizzard of dismaying news about the program. Here are some excerpts from newsworthy stories that you should be aware of. Excerpt: “The federal government recently redesigned a digital tool that helps seniors navigate complicated Medicare choices, but consumer advocates say it’s malfunctioning… Read More »