Comments on CMS Proposed Rule to update Medicare Advantage and Part D CY2019

Better Medicare Alliance (BMA) is pleased to submit the following comments on the proposed rule updating Medicare Advantage, the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit, and other Medicare programs for the 2019 Contract Year. BMA is a community of more than 100 ally organizations, who, like the nearly 19 million beneficiaries who have chosen Medicare Advantage, share a commitment to a strong Medicare Advantage option. Medicare Advantage is an important part of the Medicare program. It represents a public-private partnership that is addressing the needs of today’s beneficiaries, while looking to technology and innovation to meet the needs of millions of future beneficiaries. Medicare Advantage payment systems and flexibilities are moving providers towards high-value, high-quality care, improving the health care experience for physicians and their patients.

We appreciate the opportunity to offer comments to help ensure Medicare Advantage plans, providers, and community partners continue to lead the way in offering innovative, high-quality, cost-effective care that improves patient experience and outcomes. We particularly support proposals to enhance Medicare Advantage benefit design through flexibility in the uniformity requirements, in segment benefits, and in meaningful differences, codify the Star Ratings methodology, provide beneficiaries with actionable information about their Medicare enrollment choices through changes to disclosure requirements and communications regulations, and permit seamless conversion for certain dual-eligible beneficiaries.

To view the complete letter and our comments, please download the provided PDF.