Tagged with “Medicare”

Proposal Would Allow People 55-64 to Buy In to Medicare

Senate Finance Committee Chair, Max Baucus (D-MT), has proposed a health care overhaul plan that would allow U.S. residents ages 55 to 64 to buy into the Medicare system. The provision calls for a higher monthly premium for beneficiaries younger than age 65, but would offer the same benefits. Baucus said the buy-in option would remain available until the government develops a more comprehensive plan to address health care reform. Continue reading…

Posted by Joe Arite on March 4th, 2009
Posted in: Policy & Advocacy News | 1 Comment »
Tags: Baucus, Health Care Reform, Medicare

Medicare Won’t Cover CT Colonography

On February 11, 2009 the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a proposed national coverage decision memorandum not to pay for computed tomographic colonography (so-called virtual colonoscopy) to screen for colorectal cancer.

The evidence is inadequate to conclude that CT colonography is an appropriate colorectal cancer screening test under §1861(pp)(1) of the Social Security Act. CT colonography for colorectal cancer screening remains noncovered.

The national coverage decision will not be final until 30 days after February 11 to allow for public comments. Individuals and organizations concerned about the proposed decision can submit a comment online. However, CMS does not now cover screening CT colonography.

IMPORTANT: If you want to submit a comment to CMS online, you MUST click on and open the CMS PHI Posting Policy and then check off that you have read it. If you don’t click on the underlined link, you cannot enter a check mark, your personal information, or your comment. Continue reading…

Posted by Kate Murphy on February 13th, 2009
Posted in: Research & Treatment News | No Comments »
Tags: CMS, CT colonography, Medicare

Medicare Premiums Unchanged in 2009

Premiums for Medicare Part B coverage for doctor visits and other outpatient costs will remain the same in 2009 as they are this year. Participants will pay $96.40 each month. The Part B deductible will also remain the same at $135. Continue reading…

Posted by Kate Murphy on September 22nd, 2008
Posted in: C3 News | No Comments »
Tags: Insurance, Medicare

Congress Overrides President’s Veto

Late Tuesday night Congress successfully averted a 10.6 percent cut to the Medicare physician reimbursement rate just before it was scheduled to take affect at midnight. Congress voted to override the president’s veto of H.R. 6331, the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act.

Under considerable pressure from physician and patient groups, many Republicans split with the president and vote in favor of an override. The House of Representatives voted 383 to 41 to override while the Senate voted 70 to 26. Both well above the required 2/3 majority.

Posted by Joe Arite on July 17th, 2008
Posted in: Policy & Advocacy News | No Comments »
Tags: Congress, Medicare, President Bush