The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services late today announced proposed changes to the Medicare Advantage and Part D prescription drug programs for calendar year 2016, which would reduce payments by a net 0.95%. When combined with expected growth in plan risk scores due to coding, CMS said the changes would increase revenue for MA plans and Part D sponsors by an average 1.05%. Among other policy changes, CMS proposes to reiterate existing rules requiring Medicare Advantage organizations to maintain accurate provider network directories for enrollees; reduce the weight of seven measures in its star rating system to counterbalance the lack of socioeconomic adjustments; and publish information on access to preferred cost sharing pharmacies for each Part D plan offering a preferred cost sharing benefit structure. CMS will accept comments on the 2016 Advance Notice and Draft Call Letter through March 6, and expects to publish a final rate announcement and call letter on April 6.

Related News Articles

Headline
The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee yesterday voted 12-11 along party lines to recommend the confirmation of Brian Christine, M.D., to…
Headline
A report from AARP and the National Alliance for Caregiving released today found nearly 1 in 4 U.S. adults (63 million) are caring for an adult or child…
Perspective
Public
The 2025 AHA Leadership Summit wrapped up on July 22, and as always, it was energizing and inspiring to connect with so many talented and dedicated people…
Headline
The Food and Drug Administration has identified a Class I recall of Edwards Lifesciences OptiSite Arterial Perfusion Cannula devices due to the potential for…
Headline
Microsoft July 22 released an update on the ongoing cyberattacks to SharePoint servers used within organizations, attributing the incidents to China-based…
Headline
The FBI, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, Department of Health and Human Services, and Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center…