Proposed changes for the Medicare Advantage and Part D drug programs for 2018 were recently released by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
“The net payment impact of the proposed updates would result in a modest increase of 0.25 percent on average for Medicare Advantage plans, although individual plans’ experiences will vary,” CMS said in a release. “This moderate growth is consistent with last year’s update and reflects a similar pattern in Medicare fee-for-service.”
The final version of the updates will deliver stable, fair payments to plans, CMS said.
“Medicare Advantage is an essential, growing part of the Medicare program” Dr. Patrick Conway, CMS acting administrator, said in the release. “These proposals will continue to keep Medicare Advantage strong and stable and provide high quality, affordable care to seniors and people living with disabilities."
Medicare Advantage and Part D plans that enhance the care quality for enrollees could see higher updates, while also growing and improving enrollee benefits, CMS said.
“The proposed policies in the Advance Notice and Draft Call Letter continue to strengthen and improve the Medicare Advantage program for current and future generations,” CMS said in the release.
