Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Medicaid Expansion Credited For Improved Colon Cancer Care
UPI: Medicaid Expansion Likely Improved Colon Cancer Care, Study Finds
Medicaid expansion has likely improved care of colon cancer, researchers said in a study published Monday in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons. The researchers compared states that expanded Medicaid health insurance in 2014 to non-expansion states and found that expansion led to earlier diagnosis, better access to care and improved surgical care. (Brokaw, 11/23)
McKnight's Senior Living: CMS May Announce Cuts To Medicare Part B Therapy Services Soon: NASL Executive Director
There may be more awaiting long-term care providers this week than meals of turkey, stuffing and mashed potatoes. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services may release its final rule regarding cuts to Medicare Part B therapy services, according to Cynthia Morton, executive director of the National Association for the Support of Long Term Care (NASL).“It could be any day now,” said Morton, who addressed stakeholders during a regulatory update to members on Friday, the last day of NASL’s annual conference. (Berger, 11/24)
Also —
KHN: Medicare Open Enrollment Is Complicated. Here’s How To Get Good Advice.
If you’ve been watching TV lately, you may have seen actor Danny Glover or Joe Namath, the 77-year-old NFL legend, urging you to call an 800 number to get fabulous extra benefits from Medicare. There are plenty of other Medicare ads, too, many set against a red-white-and-blue background meant to suggest officialdom — though if you stand about a foot from the television screen, you might see the fine print saying they are not endorsed by any government agency. (Wolfson, 11/24)
Palm Coast Observer: Florida Medicaid Enrollment Is Up 16% Since March
Despite efforts to return to normalcy amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Florida continues to see increasing Medicaid enrollment, with an estimate now that as many as 4.6 million people will rely on the health-care program in the upcoming fiscal year, according to the state’s Medicaid office. A revised projection of enrollment for the 2021-2022 state fiscal year, which will start July 1, includes about 220,000 more people than economists previously projected. (Sexton, 11/23)
The Highland County Press: Ohio’s Medicaid Audit Finds Significant Errors, Including Ineligible Payments
Auditor of State Keith Faber’s office has released a report that examines the Ohio Department of Medicaid eligibility determination process. Auditors looked at compliance with select requirements, barriers in the enrollment process, risk for inaccurate eligibility determinations, and payments in correlation with eligibility. The audit found significant errors including ineligible payments across the Medicaid system. Correcting these deficiencies and avoiding erroneous payments in the 27 participating counties could result in nearly $500 million in savings and potentially more statewide. (11/23)
WOAI: Man With Autism Told He Would Be Cut Off From Medicaid Plan Due To Unemployment Boost
Shortly after the federal government stepped in to help those who lost their jobs during the pandemic, a young man with Autism was told he would no longer be eligible for his Medicaid plan. The 23 year old man, who prefers only to be referred to as John, was diagnosed with Autism at age 5. ... Shortly after John's monthly unemployment payments increased, he got a letter from Supplemental Security Income letting him know his SSI payments would decrease from 783 dollars per month to zero beginning in October. More concerning according to his mom was the second page of the letter, which read, since he "is not receiving SSI, he cannot get Medicaid based on SSI." (Molina, 11/22)
