Today, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released proposed payment policy changes for Medicare Advantage and Part D drug programs in 2023 that will create more choices and provide affordable options for consumers that meet their unique health needs. The Calendar Year (CY) 2023 Advance Notice for Medicare Advantage (MA) and Part D plans is open to public comment for 30 days. This year, CMS is specifically soliciting input through a health equity lens on the approach to some future potential changes.
“Our goals for Medicare Advantage mirror our vision for CMS’ programs as a whole, which is to advance health equity; drive comprehensive, person-centered care; and promote affordability and the sustainability of the Medicare program,” said CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure. “Today’s Advance Notice is one tool to engage our Medicare Advantage and Part D plan partners, and the communities we serve, as we work toward these goals.”
CMS is requesting input on a potential change to the MA and Part D Star Ratings that would take into account how well each plan advances health equity. CMS is also requesting comment on including a quality measure in MA and Part D Star Ratings that would specifically assess how often plans are screening for common health-related social needs, such as food insecurity, housing insecurity, and transportation problems.
“The Health Equity Index we seek comment on would enhance the Star Ratings program, creating transparency on how Medicare Advantage plans care for our most disadvantaged beneficiaries, and providing an opportunity to encourage improvements in their care,” said CMS Deputy Administrator and Director of the Center for Medicare Meena Seshamani, MD, PhD. “We are looking for input from our community and partners on this index, which would keep with our commitment to transparency and follow our guiding principle to advance health equity.”
Additionally, CMS is requesting input on considerations for assessing the impact of using sub-state geographic levels of rate setting for enrollees with end stage renal disease, particularly input regarding the impact of MA payment on care provided to rural and urban underserved populations and how such payment changes may impact health equity.
Other areas that CMS is soliciting input on include a variety of payment updates; a new measure concept to assess whether and how MA plans are transforming care by engaging in value-based models with providers; and updates to risk adjustment models to continue to pay appropriately for the people enrolled in MA and Part D plans.
Public comments on the Advance Notice must be submitted by March 4, 2022. The Medicare Advantage and Part D payment policies for 2023 will be finalized in the 2023 Rate Announcement, which will be published no later than April 4, 2022.
For a fact sheet on the 2023 Advance Notice, please visit: https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/2023-medicare-advantage-and-part-d-advance-notice-fact-sheet
To view the 2023 Advance Notice, please visit: https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Health-Plans/MedicareAdvtgSpecRateStats/Announcements-and-Documents.html and select “2023.”
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