News Briefs: Nebraska Awards Medicaid Contracts to Three MCOs
Nebraska on Sept. 23 revealed that it awarded Medicaid managed care contracts to three health plans: Molina Healthcare of Nebraska, Nebraska Total Care (a subsidiary of Centene Corp.) and UnitedHealth Care of the Midlands. The contracts, which the state awarded after reviewing five total bids, will last five years with two-year optional renewals. The transition to the new contracts will take place on Jan. 1, 2024. Community Care Plan of Nebraska (doing business as Healthy Blue) and Medica Community Health Plan were the two bidders that were not selected.
The Medicare Part B standard monthly premium will fall 3% in 2023, going from $170.10 to $164.90, CMS said on Sept. 27. The decline — which President Joe Biden noted is the first in more than a decade — is due in part because lower-than-expected spending on the Alzheimer’s treatment Aduhelm increased the funds available in the Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund. The Medicare Part B standard premium jumped by $21.60 in 2022, which CMS blamed in part on the anticipated costs associated with Aduhelm. The annual deductible for all Medicare Part B beneficiaries, meanwhile, will also drop next year, by $7 to reach $226.
