Settlement eases rules for some Medicare patients

Policy changes planned by the Obama administration could make it easier for tens of thousands of people with chronic conditions and disabilities to qualify for Medicare coverage. Officials have agreed to rewrite the Medicare manual to make clear that Medicare coverage of nursing and therapy services "does not turn on the presence or absence of an individual's potential for improvement," but is based on the beneficiary's need for skilled care. Changes would apply to the traditional Medicare program and to private Medicare Advantage plans.