Tag: Medicare

Reaching the US Debt Ceiling Could Affect Social Security Benefits

On Jan. 19, 2023, the U.S. government again reached its debt ceiling. Congress sets the limit, and once reached, no more debt can be incurred without paying on the national debt. Disagreements have left Congress trying to figure out how to proceed. Many are afraid that it will affect Social Security and Medicare payments. In…


Trump Issues Warning to Republicans About Social Security and Medicare

Former President Donald Trump on Friday urged Republicans in Congress not to cut Social Security or Medicare as some GOP lawmakers have signaled they would use the looming debt ceiling battle as leverage to push for more spending cuts. “Under no circumstances should Republicans vote to cut a single penny from Medicare or Social Security,”…


Record-High Number of Americans Forced to Delay Medical Treatment in 2022 as Inflation Surged: Poll

The number of Americans reporting that they or a family member were forced to put off medical treatment in 2022 due to rising costs has surged to a record high, according to a new Gallup poll. The poll, published on Jan. 17, found that 38 percent of those surveyed reported that they or a family member had…


Australian Health Minister Says General Practice in ‘Worst Shape’ Since Medicare’s Inception

Australian Health Minister Mark Butler has blamed the former Coalition governments for the current state of general practices across the country, saying they were in “worst shape” in 40 years. In an interview with ABC radio, the health minister said the Medicare system needed a “comprehensive revamp” to keep local clinics operating. He added that…


2023 Is Going to Be a Year of Big Retirement Changes

The Secure 2.0 Act of 2022, a bipartisan retirement savings law, was signed into law by President Biden on December 23, 2022. As part of Secure 2.0, workplace savings plans will be expanded, retirement account contributions will be rewarded, and retirement tax incentives will be reshaped. As a result, retirement savings accounts will undergo numerous…


Supreme Court Will Hear Pharma Fraud Cases Against SuperValu and Safeway

The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a whistleblower-initiated case that pharmacy operators SuperValu and Safeway submitted false Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement claims for prescription drugs. The case is considered to be important because it could have an impact on the government’s ability to crack down on health care fraud. Lawsuits brought by whistleblowers allege…


Supreme Court Will Hear Pharma Fraud Cases Against SuperValu, Safeway

The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a whistleblower-initiated case that pharmacy operators SuperValu and Safeway submitted false Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement claims for prescription drugs. The case is considered to be important because it could impact the government’s ability to crack down on health care fraud. Lawsuits brought by whistleblowers allege the two supermarket…


Medicare Advisory Board Recommends Congress Raise Medicare Payment Rates to Hospitals, Doctors

The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) voted unanimously on Jan. 12 to recommend increased Medicare payment rates for hospitals and physicians next year while simultaneously slashing fees to skilled nursing facilities amid labor shortages and increases costs. MedPAC, a nonpartisan independent legislative branch agency that makes payment and policy recommendations to Congress on Medicare issues, approved a string…


New Alzheimer’s Treatment Would Cost $26,500 Per Year

A new Alzheimer’s treatment would cost patients an estimated $26,500 per year, said the drug developer. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced on Jan. 6 that it would grant accelerated approval to Biogen and Eisai, after the drug appeared to partially slow the development of mild cases of Alzheimer’s disease in clinical trials. The same day, Eisai submitted…


Federal Agency Warns Thousands of Medicare Recipients May Have Had Data Stolen

The federal agency that manages Medicare warned that a subcontractor suffered a data breach that might involve “beneficiaries’ personally identifiable information” or “protected health information.” In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that a federal subcontractor, Healthcare Management Solutions, suffered the breach. No CMS systems were impacted and no…