The AHA generally supports the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ proposals to increase flexibility in plan design, cost sharing and enrollment for the Medicare Advantage and prescription drug programs in 2019, but recommends caution to ensure that the added flexibility provides value and does not confuse beneficiaries, the association said in comments submitted today. AHA recommends that CMS increase flexibility in MA uniformity requirements “incrementally upon evidence that such an approach supports the desired outcomes,” and “strongly supports” agency efforts to prevent and take action against any plan discrimination in out-of-pocket and cost sharing limits. The association expressed concern that eliminating the “meaningfully different” standard for organizations that offer multiple MA plans in the same county may confuse beneficiaries regarding plan options, and recommends that CMS explore better tools and resources to improve the beneficiary experience if it moves forward with the proposal. AHA also strongly recommends that beneficiaries receive adequate notice of any change in the enrollment process and can get timely answers to their questions.

Related News Articles

Headline
Newsweek’s Access Health newsletter today features a conversation with AHA Chair Tina Freese Decker, president and CEO of Corewell Health in Michigan, where…
Headline
The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health Sept. 10 advanced the Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act (H.R. 3593), AHA-supported…
Headline
The House Appropriations Committee Sept. 9 advanced the fiscal year 2026 appropriations bill for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education…
Headline
A JAMA internal medicine study published Sept. 8 found that since the COVID-19 pandemic, Medicare Advantage beneficiaries have been experiencing longer…
Headline
A Health Affairs study published Sept. 2 found that less than 40% of Medicare beneficiaries with opioid use disorder received standard care in alignment with…
Perspective
Public
Congress returns to Washington, D.C., this week facing a long list of things to do, including several that will impact hospitals’ ability to provide access to…