Seniors and Retirement Security

More on Seniors and Retirement Security

Courtney tries again to fix Medicare 'observation' problem

February 12, 2014 In The News

Problems caused by a Medicare rule that forces hospitals to label certain patients under "observation" status rather than as inpatients have only worsened in the four years since U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney first introduced legislation to fix it. That's the assessment of case managers at the region's two hospitals, who both applaud the third bill Courtney and other lawmakers have introduced since 2010 to change Medicare rules so that patients could be covered for skilled nursing care after a hospitalization, regardless of whether they were "observation" patients or inpatients. Under the current rules, Medicare patients discharged to skilled nursing care facilities must pay out of pocket for those services, unless they were labeled as hospital "inpatients" for three consecutive days. Increasingly strict limits on who can be classified as an inpatient - with penalties for hospitals that mislabel patients - have meant hospitals are categorizing more patients as "observation."

Bid to Alter Confusing, and Sometimes Costly, Medicare ‘Observation' Status Gains Support

February 11, 2014 In The News

As Rep. Joe Courtney, D-Conn., sees it, more of his colleagues are becoming aware of the ill effects that can occur when hospitals tell Medicare that a person who spent days being treated within their walls was not an “inpatient.” Courtney and many advocacy groups say that when hospitals instead slot patients as receiving “observation” services, that can deprive them of needed follow-up skilled nursing care. Or, it can cost them dearly if they use these services as after a hospital stay.

Courtney says his office recovered $1.5M

January 4, 2014 In The News

U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney says his office helped to return more than $1.5 million last year to eastern Connecticut constituents who were owed everything from Social Security checks to overdue veterans' benefits.

Courtney Recovers More Than $1.5 Million in Savings for Constituent Taxpayers in 2013

December 31, 2013 Press Release

WASHINGTON, DC –Congressman Joe Courtney today announced that, since the beginning of 2013, his office has helped return $1,587,211 to eastern Connecticut citizens who were owed Social Security checks, veterans’ benefits, tax refunds and other payments from the federal government. Since Courtney’s arrival in Congress in 2007, his casework staff has helped thousands of constituents cut through bureaucratic red tape.

AARP Releases New Report, Recommends Passage of Courtney Legislation

November 15, 2013 Press Release

WASHINGTON--Today, Congressman Joe Courtney released the following statement on a new study from the AARP Public Policy Institute that shows a dramatic increase in the number of observation status hospital stays between 2001 and 2009. Use of the “observation” classification for Medicare beneficiaries more than doubled during that time period as the average length of those hospital stays increased.

Medicare Part B premiums remaining level for 2014

October 31, 2013 In The News

Monthly premiums for Medicare Part B will remain stable in 2014 at $104.90 for most beneficiaries, the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced this week. The premiums paid Medicare recipients with higher incomes -- less than 5 percent of the beneficiaries -- will also remain level in 2014. The deductible for that portion of the program will also stay at its current level, $147. Medicare Part B covers physician and outpatient hospital services, as well as some home health care and durable medical equipment.

Courtney Announces Part B Premiums Will Not Rise for Connecticut Seniors on Medicare

October 29, 2013 Press Release

WASHINGTON—Today, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-2) announced that Medicare beneficiaries will not see any increase in premium costs for Medicare Part B in 2014. Despite reports that premiums would rise significantly for Part B recipients in 2014, the Center for Medicare Services (CMS) confirmed that 2013 rates will remain in effect.

Courtney Deserves Credit for Bipartisan Effort

October 20, 2013 In The News

At a time when bipartisan has somehow become a four-letter word in Washington, Democratic Congressman Joe Courtney of eastern Connecticut's Second District and Congressman Tom Latham, an Iowa Republican, deserve credit for doggedly reaching across party lines to try to correct a senseless and unfair Medicare rule.

Commission on Long-Term Care Recommends Courtney-Sponsored Modifications to Three-Day Hospital Stay Requirement for Skilled Nursing Care Coverage in Medicare

October 4, 2013 Press Release

WASHINGTON—Today, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-2) announced that a new report issued by the Commission on Long-Term Care recommends steps to protect access to skilled nursing care for Medicare beneficiaries—an objective that legislation authored by Courtney would achieve. The Improving Access to Medicare Coverage Act (H.R. 1179) would address an issue that affects thousands of Medicare beneficiaries every year.

Courtney Statement on Medicare Advantage Premium Stability, Saving Seniors Money

September 19, 2013 Press Release

WASHINGTON—Today, Congressman Joe Courtney released the following statement in response to an announcement from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) that enrollment in Medicare Advantage (MA) plans is on the rise, while premium rates have dropped nearly ten percent since 2010: