Medicare

A health insurance program for aged persons designed to complement the retirement, survivors, and disability insurance benefits under Title II of the Social Security Act. It covers most persons aged 65 and over.

Upcoming Events

March 28, 2024

Event Description This webinar will provide a deeper understanding into the role of Medicare, Medicaid, and private sector in providing care for dually eligible populations and discuss past and present policy efforts and strategies. Panelists will also identify potential future directions and approaches to improve care for dually eligible populations.  This webinar was sponsored by […]

Past Events

February 1, 2024

Event Description This roundtable featured former journalists and health care professionals to explore the current value-based care landscape, highlight anticipated policy discussions for the coming year, and identified key considerations for reporters and media experts. Learning Goals This event was made possible with support from the National Institute for Health Care Management (NIHCM).

January 24, 2024

This event featured an analysis of potential health policy priorities at both state and federal levels for this upcoming election year, and provided a review of major legislative milestones from 2023 and their potential implications for 2024.

June 21, 2023

Event Description Health care services have been moving out of facilities and into home and community settings gradually over an extended period of time. This trend accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic. Medicaid has offered home and community-based services (HCBS) as a subset of long-term services and supports (LTSS) that allows patients to receive health services […]

April 14, 2023

This panel provided a high-level overview of health care coverage programs in the United States, such as Medicare, Medicaid, the Affordable Care Act, and employer-based insurance, as well as recent changes to coverage such as bolstering subsidies. This Session:

November 30, 2022

The November 8 midterm elections have reshaped the contours of federal health policymaking for the remainder of President Biden’s current term. While Democrats outperformed expectations retaining control of the Senate—with the potential of adding a seat—and limiting their losses in the House, Republicans have gained a majority in the House. As a result, avenues for […]

June 24, 2022

During this exclusive briefing, former CMS Administrators Nancy Ann-DeParle and Dr. Mark McClellan provided a forward-thinking perspective about the implications of policy changes to the Medicare program for beneficiaries, the delivery system, and the overall financial sustainability of the Medicare program and then respond to audience questions. Speakers: Nancy-Ann DeParle, J.D., M.A., Managing Partner & […]

May 20, 2022

This event was Part III of the Alliance’s The Future of Medicare series.  Download a summary of this event » The Medicare Hospital Insurance Trust Fund is projected to become insolvent within the next five years, meaning there will not be sufficient funds to cover the cost of promised benefits. The Hospital Insurance Trust Fund […]

May 6, 2022

This event was Part II of the Alliance’s The Future of Medicare series.  Download a summary of this event » Medicare provides access to health care coverage for older adults, as well as people with disabilities or other qualifying health conditions. While Medicare provides comprehensive health coverage, many beneficiaries do not have access to additional […]

April 22, 2022

This event was Part I of the Alliance’s The Future of Medicare series.  Download a summary of this event » During this session, panelists reviewed the basic mechanisms and facets of Medicare. Panelists provided a high-level introduction to the benefit design of each program; reviewed the mechanisms used to determine payments to providers and health […]

March 30, 2022

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, a series of Medicare and Medicaid regulatory flexibilities were implemented to help ensure access to care through expanded eligibility and enrollment, remote service delivery, alternative care sites, and more. Recognizing the programs’ critical roles in increasing access to care, federal policymakers approved funding to expand flexibilities over the course […]

January 21, 2022

This event was Part II of the Alliance’s Health Policy Roundup and 2022 Forecast series. Economic fallout and higher unemployment rates due to the pandemic have raised concerns about health insurance coverage enrollment and affordability in the U.S. Although the national uninsured rate remained mostly unchanged throughout the pandemic (at or around 10–11%), many eligible […]

November 9, 2021

Clinicians, hospitals, and health systems are searching for new ways to improve the oncology patient experience and promote health equity. The ongoing pandemic has complicated this push for improvement, as providers and health systems have had to change care delivery practices dramatically to protect patients from COVID-19. Furthermore, health equity has received significant attention over […]

Toolkits

Medicare Private Fee-for-Service Plans

Over the past three years, enrollment in Medicare private fee-for-service (PFFS) plans has increased significantly. These plans offer a potentially greater choice of providers than beneficiaries will find in Medicare HMOs or PPOs. They often provide extra benefits not found in traditional Medicare. Beneficiaries attracted to the plans hope to lower their out-of-pocket costs compared […]

The Sustainable Growth Rate: Seeking a ‘Doc Fix’

The public is keeping a close eye on federal budget deficit reduction efforts this year, including potential automatic spending cuts initially mandated by the Budget Control Act of 2011. Yet one component of the debate has been largely ignored – the Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR). Indeed, because of the SGR, physicians in January 2013 faced […]

Hospital Readmissions

Beginning on Oct. 1, 2012, hospitals for the first time faced a financial penalty for readmitting a Medicare patient whom they had already cared for in the past month. Data shows that readmissions have already fallen, although the policy remains controversial.

Replacing the SGR

With the cost of repealing the Sustainable Growth Rate for Medicare Physician Payment lower than ever, many suggest that 2014 is the year that permanent change may finally be realized. This toolkit provides a brief summary of the history of the SGR, including the recent actions by the House Energy and Commerce, House Ways and […]

The Future of Medicare

This report summarizes the three-part series “The Future of Medicare,” which explored the basics of the Medicare program.

Sourcebook Chapters

The federal health insurance program for people age 65 and older and for other adults who qualify due to having a permanent disability or end-stage renal disease.

Policymakers

Members of Congress, Congressional and agency staff, federal, state, and local legislators.

Health Care Stakeholders

Industry stakeholders, practitioners and providers, patient advocates, community organizations, academics.

Media

Members of the press, journalists, public relations professionals.