Medicare Advantage
CMS Issues Technical/Operational Guidance for MA-Hospice Demonstration Model (Part 2 of 2)
Read part 1 of this article published in NAHC Report yesterday. Also see this article about CMS VBID webinars. In recent days, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued “Value-Based Insurance Design Model (VBID): Hospice Benefit Component, Calendar Year 2021 Technical and Operational Guidance,” (Technical Guidance) containing supplemental technical guidance for both VBID […]
Read MoreCMS Issues List of Plans, Locations for MA Coverage of Hospice under VBID Demonstration Model
On Thursday, September 24, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the list of Medicare Advantage (MA) plans that will participate in the Medicare Advantage (MA) Value-Based Insurance Design (VBID) Model during Calendar Year (CY) 2021 and information about the 2022 application process for eligible MA organizations. Included among the list of plans […]
Read MoreTake Action! Urge Congressional Delay of MA-Hospice Carve-in Demonstration
GO HERE to defend hospice right now! Easy and takes only seconds! Join NAHC’s Summer 2020 Backyard Advocacy campaign! In recent months a growing chorus of hospice organizations, Medicare Advantage (MA) stakeholders, and members of Congress have urged the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) to delay the January 2021 launch of a planned […]
Read MoreCMS Issues Billing Guidance Related to Planned Test of Hospice-MA Carve-In
—Despite MA Coverage under Demonstration, Hospices Will Continue to Submit Claims to MACs As announced first in January 2019, starting in calendar year (CY) 2021 (and through CY2024) the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will begin a demonstration program under the Value-Based Insurance Design (VBID) model to test coverage of hospice care as […]
Read MoreFinal MA Rule Provides Insight into Special Election Periods for Hospice Beneficiaries
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released the Medicare Program: Contract Year 2021 Policy and Technical Changes to the Medicare Advantage Program, Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Program, and Medicare Cost Plan Program, with important information about the special election period for hospice beneficiaries. In recent years policymakers have given increased attention to current […]
Read MoreCMS Issues Part One of MA Final Rule
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued the final rule: Contract Year 2021 Policy and Technical Changes to the Medicare Program, Medicare Prescription Benefit Program, and Medicare Cost Plan Program. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and to give the MA plans adequate time to implement the changes, CMS is issuing the […]
Read MoreCMS Announces Hospice MA-VBID Model Webinar Series
In January 2019, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced plans to test inclusion of the Medicare hospice benefit under the Medicare Advantage (MA) benefit package through its ongoing Value-Based Insurance Design (VBID) MA demonstration program. Additional details around the model were released in late December as part of CMS’ Request for Applications […]
Read MoreCMS Outlines Planned Payment for Hospice Medicare Advantage Coverage under VBID Test
In CY2021 the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) plans to test coverage of hospice as part of the Medicare Advantage (MA) benefit package through its ongoing Value-Based Insurance Design (VBID) model. (See this NAHC Report article for more information.) A December 2019 Request for Applications (RFA) outlining of the model, participating plans must […]
Read MoreCMS Issues Proposals for Medicare Advantage Plans
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released a proposed rule titled: Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Contract Year 2021 and 2022 Policy and Technical Changes to the Medicare Advantage Program, Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Program, Medicaid Program, Medicare Cost Plan Program, and Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly. Also released, is Part […]
Read MoreCMS Releases Long-awaited Details on MA/Hospice Carve-in
Demonstration Planned for CY2021 Late December 19, 2019, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a Request for Applications (RFA) for the Value-Based Insurance Design (VBID) Model Incorporation of the Medicare Hospice Benefit into Medicare Advantage (MA), through which it is seeking participation by MA plans. Eligible MA plans in all states and […]
Read MoreAnnual Update to Threshold Amounts for Medicare Appeals
The annual adjustment in the amount in controversy (AIC) threshold amounts for Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) hearings and judicial review under the Medicare appeals process has been updated. The adjustment to the AIC threshold amounts will be effective for requests for ALJ hearings and judicial review filed on or after January 1, 2020. The calendar […]
Read MoreExecutive Order Provides Limited Detail but Presages Policies to Advance Medicare Advantage, Other Changes
On October 3, President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order (EO) on “Protecting and Improving Medicare for Our Nation’s Seniors” expressing disapproval of efforts by some in Congress to encourage “Medicare for All” policies and, instead, to promote health initiatives endorsed by the Administration. While the EO does not, of itself, directly change any existing […]
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