Connecticut State Ombudsman, Mairead Painter, is Quoted on Medicare Advantage Plans Shortening Nursing Home Stays

October 04, 2022

Connecticut State Ombudsman, Mairead Painter, is quoted in an article by Kaiser Health News on Medicare Advantage plans ending coverage for nursing home and rehabilitation services before patients are healthy enough to go home. Half of the nearly 65 million people with Medicare are enrolled in the private health plans called Medicare Advantage, an alternative to the traditional government program. The plans must cover — at a minimum — the same benefits as traditional Medicare, including up to 100 days of skilled nursing home care every year. The private plans have leeway when deciding how much nursing home care a patient needs. Mairead Painter, Connecticut State Ombudsman, said, “People are going to the nursing home, and then very quickly getting a denial, and then told to appeal, which adds to their stress when they’re already trying to recuperate.”

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