Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Study: Medicare Can Be A More Expensive Option
President Joe Biden and progressive Democrats have proposed to lower Medicare’s eligibility age to 60, to help older adults get affordable coverage. But a new study finds that Medicare can be more expensive than other options, particularly for many people of modest means. There are two reasons: Traditional Medicare has gaps in coverage that most people fill by purchasing supplemental plans, which means they pay added premiums. And premiums for the Obama-era Affordable Care Act have come way down recently due to Biden’s COVID relief bill. That’s made the ACA more attractive for older adults who haven’t reached Medicare’s eligibility age of 65. (Alonso-Zaldivar, 5/19)
More than half of seniors fail to take advantage of one of the most significant benefits available to Medicare beneficiaries. Each year millions of Americans with Medicare have the opportunity to review their current coverage and consider switching to reduce costs or get better coverage. An analysis of recent studies finds that few take advantage of the opportunity. (Slome, 5/19)
In other Medicare news from HHS and Congress —
Hundreds of hospitals across the U.S. will see a boost in Medicare reimbursements for training physicians in their residency programs after a federal court ruling. The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia ruled May 17 that HHS unlawfully changed the Medicare reimbursement calculation for physician training. (Paavola, 5/19)
A group of bipartisan congressional lawmakers is again pushing for Medicare to reimburse home health agencies for telehealth services they provide during the Covid-19 pandemic—and during any future public health emergencies. Many home health providers have used telehealth technology to remotely manage medications; monitor patients; and assess wounds, vital signs and oxygen levels. (Pugh, 5/19)
Key senators are backing extensions of some policies that expanded access to telehealth services over the past year as questions around cost and quality hamper a broad loosening of restrictions to remote care.Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, said Wednesday that Medicare beneficiaries should be able to access mental health services via telehealth. His committee is looking at which policies enacted temporarily during the Covid-19 pandemic should be made permanent, he said. (Ruoff, 5/19)
