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Melanie Bella on How CMS is Working to Increase Access of Quality Services for Dual Eligibles
Melanie Bella, director, Medicare-Medicaid Coordination Office, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, says the sole focus of the Medicare-Medicaid Coordination Office is to increase coordination and access to services from many fronts.
Melanie Bella, director, Medicare-Medicaid Coordination Office, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), says the sole focus of the Medicare-Medicaid Coordination Office is to increase coordination and access to services on many fronts. One way CMS is increasing access for dual eligibles is through the Program Alignment Initiative. It looks at programs and how they do or do not work together for beneficiaries.
“We are very focused on data, which may not sound like a direct benefit to beneficiaries, but getting Medicare data linked with Medicaid data and into the hands of care managers allows us to foster coordination and access for beneficiaries,” said Ms Bella.
CMS is also sponsoring demonstrations that integrate the full spectrum of Medicaid and Medicare services. These provide beneficiary enhancements so that beneficiaries are getting access to all the care they are entitled to under both programs.
A meta-analysis showed that control group outcomes in psilocybin trials for depression were significantly weaker than those in selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) and esketamine trials, suggesting that psilocybin’s large observed treatment effects may be inflated by methodological factors such as functional unblinding and expectancy bias.
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Legal Navigation Services Key to Addressing Disparities in Cancer Care
July 31st 2025A significant number of patients with cancer, caregivers, and health care professionals face significant disparities in legal issues, with the most common needs revolving around health insurance, finances, employment, and disability insurance.
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Proposed SNAP Cuts Could Threaten Prevention for Cognitive Decline, Dementias
July 30th 2025Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits may slow cognitive decline in older adults, highlighting the importance of food assistance in combating Alzheimer disease and dementia risks.
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The Legal Architecture of Psychedelic Therapy: Risks, Responsibilities, and Reimbursement Realities
July 30th 2025Key legal, ethical, and compliance considerations for managed care professionals navigating the evolving landscape of psychedelic-assisted therapy include regulatory risks, data privacy challenges, reimbursement limitations, and the need for culturally informed care models.
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