CMS has released a proposed rule concerning several administrative and technical changes to Medicare Advantage (MA) and Medicare Part D plans. Many of the changes were mandated by the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 (BBA), while others are intended to reduce administrative burden on providers, plans, and beneficiaries. The rule will appear in the November [...] Read More
On April 2, 2018, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released a pre-publication version of a final regulation impacting both the Medicare Advantage (MA) and Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit programs. The provisions of the rule will be effective for the 2019 plan year. Update: CMS released the final version of the […]
Read MoreOn April 2, 2018 CMS released the final CY 2019 Call Letter for Medicare Advantage (MA) and Medicare Part D plans. There were no substantial changes to the proposals included in the draft Call Letter, which were finalized generally as proposed. However, the agency did have to update the Standard Benefit Parameters to reflect the […]
Read MoreOn February 1, 2018 CMS released the CY 2019 draft Call Letter for Medicare Advantage (MA) and Medicare Part D plans. CMS states that the updates made will continue to create more choices for Medicare beneficiaries that choose MA and Part D plans in 2019. CMS is accepting comments through March 5, 2018. The final […]
Read MoreOn January 11-12, 2018, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) held the next meeting of their current term and their first meeting of the new year. At the meeting, commissioners spent a significant portion of the meeting discussing Medicare Part D, Medicare Advantage, and the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS). Additionally, the commission conducted its […]
Read MoreOn December 7-8, 2017, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) held a public meeting that focused on payment adequacy in multiple health care. MedPAC annually looks at these payment adequacy issues and presents recommendations for each care setting. In addition, the meeting continued a prior discussion about developing an alternative to the Merit-based Incentive Payment […]
Read MoreThis evening, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the proposed rule Contract Year 2019 Policy and Technical Changes to the Medicare Advantage, Medicare Cost Plan, Medicare Fee-for-Service, the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Programs, and the PACE Program. Included within this rule are proposed changes to the Medicare Advantage program. Some of these […]
Read MoreThis afternoon, the Trump Administration released the first proposed rule under regular order concerning the Affordable Care Act’s Marketplaces (or Exchanges). The rule, which covers benefit and payment parameters for qualified health plans (QHPs) operating on and off the Marketplaces, would impact plans offered in 2019. This is another signal that despite the uncertainty surrounding […]
Read MoreOn Monday, April 3, 2017, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued the final Call Letter for the 2018 Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Benefit plan year. The Call Letter establishes requirements for Medicare Advantage (MA) and Medicare Part D plan sponsors for the 2018 benefit year. The draft call […]
Read MoreOn February 1, 2017, CMS released the CY 2018 draft Call Letter for Medicare Advantage (MA) and Medicare Part D plans. The Call Letter includes requirements and benefit parameters for plan year 2018. CMS announced a proposal to delay two different proposals that would lead to payment cuts for Employer Group Waiver Plans (EQWP), as […]
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