CMS proposes 2018 payment and policy updates for Medicare Health and Drug Plans
Proposed policies maintain stability of Medicare Advantage program
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) today released proposed changes for the Medicare Advantage and Part D Prescription Drug Programs in 2018 that will, if finalized, provide stable and fair payments to plans.
“Medicare Advantage is an essential, growing part of the Medicare program” said Dr. Patrick Conway, CMS Acting Administrator. “These proposals will continue to keep Medicare Advantage strong and stable and provide high quality, affordable care to seniors and people living with disabilities."
The net payment impact of the proposed updates would result in a modest increase of 0.25 percent on average for Medicare Advantage plans, although individual plans’ experiences will vary. This moderate growth is consistent with last year’s update and reflects a similar pattern in Medicare fee-for-service. Plans that improve the quality of care they deliver to enrollees can see higher updates and can grow and enhance the benefits they offer to enrollees.
The proposed policies in the Advance Notice and Draft Call Letter continue to strengthen and improve the Medicare Advantage program for current and future generations.
Advance Notice and Draft Call Letter
For a general fact sheet on the 2018 Advance Notice and Draft Call Letter, please visit: https://www.cms.gov/Newsroom/MediaReleaseDatabase/Fact-sheets/2017-Fact-Sheet-items/2017-02-01.html.
The 2018 Advance Notice and Draft Call Letter may viewed through: https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Health-Plans/MedicareAdvtgSpecRateStats/Announcements-and-Documents.html and selecting “2018 Advance Notice.” Comments on the proposed Advance Notice and Draft Call Letter are invited from industry, seniors, consumer advocates, and the public and must be submitted by March 3, 2017. The 2018 Final Rate Announcement and Call Letter will be published on Monday, April 3, 2017.
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