Tagged with Medicare Advantage

Florida First State to Receive Federal Approval for 1135 Medicaid Waiver to Address COVID-19

CMS has announced its approval of Florida’s Section 1135 Medicaid waiver request, giving the state greater flexibility to respond to COVID-19. These increased flexibilities include the removal of service barriers; streamlining provider enrollment processes; allowing care to be provided in alternative settings; suspending certain nursing home screening requirements; and extending deadlines for appeals.

HHS Releases Final Interoperability Rules

CMS and the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS)’ Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology have released two interoperability rules. The new rules aim to make it easier for patients to access and share their information and aim to end information blocking by requiring public and private entities to securely share health information with patients and penalize those who fail to do so.

CMS Releases 2021 MA and Part D Advance Notice Part II

On February 5, CMS released Part II of the Calendar Year (CY) 2021 Advance Notice of Methodological Changes for Medicare Advantage (MA) Capitation Rates and Part C and Part D Payment Policies. In the CY 2021 Advance Notice, the agency is proposing updates and changes to the methodologies used to pay MA plans, Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) organizations, and Part D sponsors.

CMS Releases 2021 Medicare Advantage Risk Adjustment Payment Changes

On January 6, CMS released Part I of its annual Advance Notice of Methodological Changes for calendar year (CY) 2021. The proposed updates include changes to the Part C CMS Hierarchical Condition Categories (HCC) risk adjustment model as well as proposed changes to how risk scores are calculated for Medicare Advantage (MA) payment.

Humana Releases Latest Claims Payment Policy Updates

Humana has published its latest medical claims payment policy updates, including its reimbursement policy for ambulance transportation, requirements for billing and documentation of observation services, as well as a new policy for obstetric billing, including antepartum, delivery and postpartum care.

Executive Order Issued to Protect Traditional Medicare and MA Plans

The president, on October 3, signed an executive order directing the Department of Health and Human Services to increase efforts to provide more insurance plan options under Medicare Advantage and to remove regulations that are considered burdensome to health care providers. The order is intended to protect traditional Medicare and private Medicare Advantage while ramping up alternative payment models, time spent with patients, access to innovative technology and reducing the regulatory burdens on providers.

Anthem Announces Fee Schedule Changes

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield (Anthem) recently notified members of the upcoming changes to its Anthem Plan Fee Schedules, scheduled to take place July 1.

MedPAC Votes to Setup MA Withholds to Improve Encounter Data

MedPAC commissioners have voted in favor of a recommendation that would instruct CMS to use a payment withhold to incentivize Medicare Advantage (MA) plans to submit accurate, complete encounter data and to run MA provider claims through a contractor to ensure encounter data is handled correctly if enough plans don’t submit the data.

CMS Releases 2020 Medicare Advantage and Part D Rates

On April 1, CMS released its finalized payment and policy changes for Medicare Advantage (MA) and Medicare Part D plans for the 2020 coverage year. CMS states the final updates will continue to maximize competition among Medicare Advantage and Part D plans, as well as include important actions to address the nation’s opioid crisis.

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