Medicare releases preliminary demographic data on COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations

Jun 23, 2020 - 03:17 PM
cms-nh-work-for-medicaid

Hospitalization rates for COVID-19 were nearly four times higher for black, and two times higher for Hispanic, Medicare beneficiaries than for white Medicare beneficiaries, according to data on COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations released yesterday by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

The analysis also showed that hospitalization rates were over three times higher for urban than rural Medicare beneficiaries, and that those who have end-stage renal disease or are dually eligible for Medicaid had the highest hospitalization rates. The findings reflect Medicare claims data from Jan. 1 through May 16.

CMS intends to provide a monthly snapshot of COVID-19 case and hospitalization data for Medicare beneficiaries broken down by race/ethnicity, dual-eligible status, age, gender and rural/urban geography.

Related News Articles

Headline
AHA responds to House request for information on modernizing MACRA
The AHA Jan. 20 made recommendations to Congress on modernizing the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act. Among the proposals, the AHA recommended…
Headline
Comment deadline nears for 2027 Medicare Advantage, Part D policy proposals
The comment period for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' proposed rule for policies governing the Medicare Advantage and Part D programs for…
Headline
MedPAC recommends Medicare 2027 payment updates to Congress for inpatient, outpatient services
The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission Jan. 15 voted to recommend that Congress update Medicare payment rates for hospital inpatient and outpatient services…
Headline
UHG launches pilot program for rural hospitals in 4 states to cut MA payment collection times by half
UnitedHealth Group announced Jan. 14 that it launched a six-month pilot program to reduce Medicare Advantage payment processing times by half for rural…
Headline
Senate report says UHG used ‘aggressive strategies’ to increase MA payments 
A Senate Judiciary Committee report released Jan. 12 found that UnitedHealth Group used “aggressive strategies” to maximize its Medicare Advantage risk-…
Headline
CMS issues RFI on effort to revamp Medicare claims system 
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has released a request for information seeking input on replacing its Medicare claims processing system with a…