The Biden administration wrote to companies on Thursday requesting they keep their employees insured as millions transition to Medicaid coverage. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Medicaid coverage terminations were paused until March 31, 2023. Now, state Medicaid agencies are returning to regular operations, renewing coverage for eligible individuals and terminating it for those who no longer…

Most people work their entire adult lives saving for retirement. Between stocks, annuities, and savings, they think they’re covered. Then a catastrophic illness or accident happens, and they’re forced to enter long-term care. And the average cost of a semi-private room is $9,167 per month. This can wipe out a savings quickly. Although this scenario…

The Mississippi Division of Medicaid removed more than 29,000 Mississippians from Medicaid at the end of June after the federal government ended the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency. This marks the first wave of disenrollments as the agency reviews the eligibility of its beneficiaries following the end of pandemic-era protections. Mississippi examined records for 67,695 Medicaid…

Up to 15 million Medicaid beneficiaries could lose coverage as pandemic subsidies dry up by the end of the year. State officials say eligible recipients should contact their state Medicaid office to ensure their coverage isn’t interrupted. “There are substantial protections in place,” said Brian Blase, founder and president of Paragon Health Institute (PHI), a…

The Biden administration’s effort to retry former healthcare executive Philip Esformes is “a travesty of justice,” Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) said at a congressional oversight hearing on June 22. Convicted in a healthcare fraud scheme, Esformes was sentenced to 20 years in prison in 2019. In December 2020, then-President Donald Trump commuted to time served…

The Supreme Court limited the reach of the federal Identity Theft Penalty Enhancement Act, unanimously rebuffing the Biden administration’s efforts to prosecute a man already convicted of Medicaid fraud with a separate charge of aggravated identity theft arising out of the same fraud case. The 9–0 opinion (pdf) in Dubin v. United States (court file 22-10)…

Lawmakers in more than a handful of states have passed measures this legislative session to expand Medicaid postpartum care coverage for mothers from 60 days to 12 months. This year, Montana, Mississippi, Missouri, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Wyoming, and Alaska have joined dozens of states that have already implemented the expansion option under the American…

In a unanimous ruling on June 1, the Supreme Court revived whistleblower lawsuits against pharmacy operators SuperValu and Safeway for allegedly overcharging the government by filing false Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement claims for prescription drugs they sold. The case was considered important because it concerns the federal False Claims Act (FCA), which is a key tool for…

Retiring is a step that seniors look forward to. Working days will have ended, and you can begin to live on the money you have saved in various retirement accounts over the years. There are plans to fulfill and trips to make. While no one wants to consider the need for long-term care—have you included…

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs announced new actions against more than 100 medical service providers for defrauding the state and targeting vulnerable populations, particularly people in Arizona’s tribal nations. During a May 16 news conference, Hobbs said these service providers targeted vulnerable people struggling with homelessness and addiction and promised them food, treatment, and housing at group…