Study Series on Issues for Medicare Beneficiaries That Have Been Amplified During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 Study Series authorization will allow the Fund’s Advancing Medicare program, in collaboration with other Fund staff, to create consulting agreements with select advisors to generate Fund issue briefs on topics related to Medicare beneficiaries during the ongoing pandemic. These topics include mental health benefits, remote access to care, affordability for beneficiaries, health care coverage of older workers, nursing homes and long-term care, home health, and management of chronic conditions. An expert in each respective area will be contacted to work on each topic. The final issue brief will be authored by a team at Health Management Associates. It will provide an analysis and assessment of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ regulatory actions taken to date, as well as a framework for policymakers to use when considering making waivers or new rules permanent.