Medicare

Latest California Healthline Stories

Reviews Mixed for New Law on Nursing Home Ratings

Beginning in 2011, California nursing homes that participate in Medicare or Medicaid will be required to post their ratings from CMS’ five-star system.  Supporters of the law say it will help consumers make health care decisions, but nursing home operators say CMS’ system is inaccurate.

Reform Could Shift Medicare Money Away From California

Realigning regional spending on Medicare could help pay for national health reform by saving $1.42 trillion over the next 15 years, but some parts of the country — including California — stand to pay a higher Medicare toll for reform than others.

Obama, Democratic Leaders Push for Swift Action on Reform

President Obama has called for both houses of Congress to pass health care reform legislation before lawmakers adjourn for the August recess.  House Democrats stepped up to the plate and unveiled their proposal yesterday, and the Senate HELP Committees approved its bill this morning.

State To End Part B Premium Payments for Some Beneficiaries

Thousands of low-income seniors will soon be responsible for paying $96.40 monthly premiums for Medicare Part B that California previously had paid. Senior advocates worry that the change will push some beneficiaries to opt out of Part B, which covers outpatient care.

Aging Population Could Push Major Changes to Health Care

An Institute of Medicine report released last week called for major changes in the health care system to meet the needs of an aging population. One of the report’s authors said changes could be of the same scale as those that came out of the emergence of HIV/AIDS.

State Partnerships for Long-term Care Policies Under Fire

California health officials defend the state’s public-private partnership that urges people to buy long-term care insurance, but consumer advocates caution consumers to examine such policies carefully before taking the plunge.

California Seeks Changes to Medicare Audit Program

CMS has piloted a Medicare audit program in California since 2005, but many California hospitals, nursing homes and now lawmakers say there are major problems in the program and are calling for it to be re-examined before it is rolled out nationwide.