Better Medicare Alliance Statement on 2018 Preliminary Medicare Advantage Rate Notice
CMS Maintains Stable Funding and Freezes Disruptive Policies Impacting Medicare Advantage Beneficiaries
Better Medicare Alliance (BMA) President and CEO Allyson Y. Schwartz released the following statement in response to the CY2018 preliminary Medicare Advantage rate notice released by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)
Contact: Adjoa Adofo
202-735-0037
aadofo@bettermedicarealliance.org
FEBRUARY 1, 2017
Washington, D.C. – Better Medicare Alliance (BMA) President and CEO Allyson Y. Schwartz released the following statement in response to the CY2018 preliminary Medicare Advantage rate notice released by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS):
“At the start of a new year and new Administration, Medicare Advantage is already reporting higher than ever enrollment and support in Congress. Evidence shows that not only is Medicare Advantage an essential part of Medicare but is leading the way in enabling high-quality, value-driven and affordable care.
“This Advance Notice is the first significant actions of the year by CMS, and it shows commitment to a strong Medicare Advantage by maintaining stable payment and mitigating potentially harmful policies.
“It is encouraging that the CY 2018 Advance Notice seeks to ease potential disruption in care for Medicare Advantage beneficiaries by freezing policies that could impact retirees who receive Medicare Advantage health insurance coverage through an employer and slowing the phase in of encounter data as a diagnosis source.
“In the release, CMS acknowledges the problem of an existing policy flaw that caps Medicare Advantage payment to pre-Affordable Care Act levels, undermines quality incentives and as a result prevents millions of beneficiaries from receiving the additional benefits for enrolling in a high-quality Medicare Advantage plan. Better Medicare Alliance remains committed to finding solutions to fix this problem.
“Moving ahead, we look forward to working with the Administration to address payment accuracy, empower beneficiary choice and provide flexibility in care for chronic conditions.
“We will carefully analyze today’s preliminary rate notice and call letter. We will issue a summary analysis and share perspectives from our ally organizations who believe that Medicare Advantage is the bright spot in health care.”
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Better Medicare Alliance is the leading coalition on Medicare Advantage. Our mission is to build a healthy future by advocating for a strong Medicare Advantage. As a community of experts, we’re leading the way on health care through research, advocacy, and grassroots organization to create a path forward for innovative, modern health care on behalf of seniors and people with disabilities.
For more information, please visit www.bettermedicarealliance.org.