The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced a Request for Information (RFI), inviting the public to provide feedback on the Medicare Advantage (MA) market. This is part of the ongoing Biden-Harris Administration effort to increase MA transparency, promote competition and improve usage of MA data.
“The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to improving the Medicare Advantage program,” said CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure in the press release. “This Request for Information builds on our existing Medicare Advantage data transparency efforts to further align with Traditional Medicare and provide the data we need to ensure the growing Medicare Advantage program best meets the needs of enrollees.”
In 2023, transparency gained increased significance when MA enrollment exceeded 50% of Medicare memberships. Over the next decade, the government is projected to allocate more than $7 trillion to MA health insurance companies.
The goal of the RFI is to collect information that can help payers and CMS better meet the needs of people on Medicare. CMS is interested in feedback on MA as a whole, including input on:
- Supplemental benefits
- Marketing
- Care quality and outcomes
- Access to care
- Prior authorization
- Provider directories and networks
- Value-based care arrangements and equity
- Healthy competition in the market
- And improved data collection
The comment period for the RFI is 120 days and began at the end of January, so interested constituents have until May 29, 2024, to provide their feedback. Individuals can submit comments electronically or by mail.
“We encourage feedback from a wide array of interested parties, including beneficiaries and beneficiary advocates, plans, providers, community-based organizations, researchers, employers and unions, and all other interested parties, including the public at large,” reads the RFI document.
This is the second recent move by CMS to gather information on MA. Comments are also open until March regarding proposed rule changes for MA plans and marketing. The rules aim to crack down on predatory MA marketing tactics and improve marketplace competition by limiting payments to brokers, among other changes.
We will continue to watch for updates and announcements coming from CMS, so keep an eye on our blog.
Any questions? Reach out to Media Logic today.
Image parts from Freepik.com.