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Florida Times-Union

Medicare change could cost standalone proton therapy centers millions

Medicare change could cost standalone proton therapy centers millions

Proposed Medicare pricing changes could slash revenue for two Jacksonville proton therapy centers and limit patient access to care across the U.S.

Congresswoman Clarke Joins Bipartisan Group Warning CMS on Rural Medicare Remote Monitoring Changes

Congresswoman Clarke Joins Bipartisan Group Warning CMS on Rural Medicare Remote Monitoring Changes

Congresswoman Yvette Clarke of New York has joined a bipartisan group of 32 House lawmakers in expressing concern to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) regarding a proposed rule change that could significantly impact remote monitoring services for rural Medicare patients. The proposed rule, set to take effect on January 1, 2027, would limit Medicare reimbursement for remote monitoring to services performed by clinical staff directly employed by the billing practice, excluding outside companies. Lawmakers, including Clarke, argue that this change could disrupt care models, particularly for rural health clinics that heavily rely on external clinical and technology partners. They warn that such a prohibition could force care back into more expensive emergency departments and institutional settings, negatively affecting older adults who manage conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes from home.

Medicare Advantage Plan Availability Declines in North Dakota and Other States for 2027

Medicare Advantage Plan Availability Declines in North Dakota and Other States for 2027

For 2027, Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug (MA-PD) plan availability is set to decrease in several U.S. counties, with North Dakota being one of the states newly affected. According to a KFF analysis of CMS Landscape files, 193 counties nationwide will have no MA-PD options for general enrollment, an increase from 123 counties in 2026. This change impacts approximately 638,000 Medicare beneficiaries, up from 399,000 in the previous year. The states newly added to the list of those with counties lacking MA-PD options are New Hampshire, North Dakota, and Oklahoma. Major insurers like UnitedHealth Group and Humana are exiting more counties than they are entering. Health Care Service Corporation is making the largest reduction, exiting 498 counties, while Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Mutual Ins. Co., which previously offered MA-PDs in North Dakota, will only offer them in Michigan and Wyoming for 2027. Conversely, Devoted Health is expanding its footprint, entering 342 counties.

RAND Corporation Study Reveals Lack of Consensus on Medicare Advantage Reforms Among Stakeholders

RAND Corporation Study Reveals Lack of Consensus on Medicare Advantage Reforms Among Stakeholders

A recent study by the RAND Corporation, utilizing the Delphi method, surveyed 52 experts from various sectors including researchers, the Medicare Advantage (MA) industry, patient advocates, and policymakers regarding potential reforms to the Medicare Advantage program. The study aimed to identify policy proposals that would be broadly supported across these diverse groups. However, the findings indicated a significant lack of consensus, with no single policy idea among 14 proposals receiving unanimous support. Dmitry Khodyakov, a senior sociologist at RAND and co-author of the study, highlighted the inherent complexity of healthcare policy changes, noting that any reform is likely to displease at least one stakeholder group. For instance, enhancing traditional Medicare to be more competitive with MA, while beneficial for enrollees, could negatively impact insurers through reduced enrollment and profitability. The study also suggested that generating savings for the federal government would likely necessita...

Senators Padilla and Schmitt Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Combat Critical Infrastructure Vandalism

Senators Padilla and Schmitt Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Combat Critical Infrastructure Vandalism

U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) and Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.) have introduced the Combating Critical Infrastructure Vandalism Act, a bipartisan bill aimed at strengthening federal protections for telecommunications and information services infrastructure. The proposed legislation seeks to make the willful or malicious theft, destruction, or damage of copper, fiber, and coaxial cables a federal criminal offense. This initiative comes in response to a growing number of incidents involving vandalism and theft targeting critical communications networks, which have led to service disruptions and increased costs for consumers. The bill expands existing federal law to cover privately-operated facilities and imposes criminal penalties for such acts, including attempts and conspiracies.

Did you get an extra $90 from Social Security? Here's why

Did you get an extra $90 from Social Security? Here's why

Millions enrolled in Medicare are beginning to receive a $90 payment as part of a new initiative announced by President Donald Trump.

Senate Passes John A. Hauser Mental Health in Aviation Act to Modernize FAA Regulations

Senate Passes John A. Hauser Mental Health in Aviation Act to Modernize FAA Regulations

The U.S. Senate has unanimously passed two bipartisan bills aimed at reforming mental health regulations and medication transparency for pilots and air traffic controllers. The primary legislation, the John A. Hauser Mental Health in Aviation Act, mandates the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to update its mental health rules and allocates up to $15 million annually from 2026 to 2028 for recruiting and training aviation medical examiners, including psychiatrists. The second bill, the Aviation Medication Transparency Act, requires the FAA to publish a clear, annually updated list of approved medications for aviation personnel. These bills were sponsored by Senators John Hoeven (R-North Dakota) and Tammy Duckworth (D-Illinois). The John A. Hauser Act is named after a University of North Dakota aviation student who died by suicide in 2021, whose family has since advocated for changes in aviation mental health policies.

Pharmaceutical lobby sues Trump administration over most-favored-nation pricing

Pharmaceutical lobby sues Trump administration over most-favored-nation pricing

By Michael Erman Oct 7 (Reuters) - The pharmaceutical industry's top lobby group on Wednesday sued to invalidate one piece of the Trump administration's efforts to benchmark US drug prices to lower costs overseas in the Medicare health insurance program, arguing that it is an illegal overreach by

Pharma lobby sues Trump administration over Medicare drug price cuts

Pharma lobby sues Trump administration over Medicare drug price cuts

By Michael Erman Oct 7 (Reuters) - The pharmaceutical industry's top lobby group on Wednesday sued to invalidate the Trump administration's efforts to benchmark US drug prices to lower costs overseas in the Medicare health insurance program, arguing that it is an illegal government overreach.

Trump's $90 Medicare rebate rolls out, but millions are left out. Critics say it's a political stunt

Trump's $90 Medicare rebate rolls out, but millions are left out. Critics say it's a political stunt

President Donald Trump's Trump’s promised $90 Medicare rebate rolls out this week, but millions of people will be left out

Trump's $90 Medicare rebate rolls out, but millions aren't eligible. Critics see a political stunt

Trump's $90 Medicare rebate rolls out, but millions aren't eligible. Critics see a political stunt

President Donald Trump's Trump’s promised $90 Medicare rebate rolls out this week, but millions of people will be left out

20 million Medicare beneficiaries may get a one-time $90 payment

20 million Medicare beneficiaries may get a one-time $90 payment

Twenty million seniors are getting a check. The fine print matters.