Proposed MA Rule Floats Many Star Ratings Changes — Can Plans Keep Up?
In addition to codifying previous policy changes and extending some new flexibilities to Medicare Advantage organizations, a recent 900-page proposed rule (85 Fed. Reg. 9002, Feb. 18, 2020) from CMS contains some significant changes to the star quality ratings. And while CMS is giving plans plenty of lead time to prepare for proposed modifications that would take effect with the 2021 measurement year, it may be hard for plans to keep up with the sheer volume of planned changes, suggests Melissa Smith, senior vice president of stars & strategy at Gorman Health Group, LLC.
“I think the good news is that CMS is delivering on its promise for transparency and stability and plenty of warning,” says Smith, referring to a 2019 final rule that codified key aspects of the Parts C and D star ratings rather than allowing CMS to continually make retroactive changes to measures (RMA 4/5/18, p. 7).
Related Posts
Meet Our Reporters
-
Jill Drachenberg Reporter, Health Plan Weekly and Radar on Drug Benefits
View Jill Drachenberg's Profile -
Lauren Flynn Kelly Executive Editor, AIS Health, and Managing Editor, Radar on Medicare Advantage
View Lauren Flynn Kelly's Profile -
Angela Maas Managing Editor, Radar on Specialty Pharmacy and Spotlight on Market Access
View Angela Maas's Profile -
Leslie Small Managing Editor, Health Plan Weekly and Radar on Drug Benefits
View Leslie Small's Profile -
Tim Casey Reporter, Health Plan Weekly and Radar on Drug Benefits
View Tim Casey's Profile -
Carina Belles Reporter, Radar on Medicare Advantage and Spotlight on Market Access
View Carina Belles's Profile -
Jinghong Chen Reporter, Health Plan Weekly and Radar on Drug Benefits
View Jinghong Chen's Profile
