Today, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released preliminary data on COVID-19 derived from Medicare claims. The data provides a highly instructive picture of the impact of COVID-19 on the Medicare population, further confirming a number of long understood patterns in the disease such as the elevated risk for seniors with underlying health conditions. Additionally, in presenting stark socio-economic and racial/ethnic disparities, the data makes the transition from a fee-for-service system to a value-based one that fosters accountability for outcomes more urgent than ever.

With a mild winter and warm spring past us, this year it’s hard to tell where one season ends and another begins. For those of us in CMS’ Division of Training, a sure sign that summer has arrived is a new round of National Medicare Train-the-Trainer Workshops!

Late spring means the annual SHIP conference is on its way—the 18th Annual SHIP Director’s Conference will be held June 4—7 in Atlanta.

On December 19, 2011, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) published a proposed rule implementing the Physician Payments Sunshine Act, which was included as section 6002 of the Affordable Care Act of 2010.  This provision will provide important transparency in requiring reporting of payments or gifts to physicians, and physician ownership and investment interests.  During the 60 day comment period, CMS received over 300 comments from a wide range of stakeholders.

Did you know that 31% of Hispanics are uninsured, compared to 12% of non-Hispanic whites? Or that less than one-third of African American adults with diabetes receive the recommended services? Or that fewer than 40% of American Indian and Alaska Native adults over 50 have gotten screened for colorectal cancer?