Medicare Advantage: Changes to Benefits
Recently, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) finalized policies that will increase plan choices and benefits for Medicare Advantage, starting in plan year 2020. Because we know you’re busy, here is what you need to know about this change.
Telehealth
Medicare Advantage beneficiaries will be able to access telehealth from their homes, regardless if they live in a rural or urban area. Patients will be able to video chat or talk via phone with their doctors instead of going to a healthcare facility. Historically, Medicare Advantage plans have been able to offer more telehealth services than Original Medicare, as part of their supplemental benefits. This change will expand patients’ access to telehealth services to more providers and in more parts of the country than before, whether they live in rural or urban areas.
Medicare Advantage and Part D Prescription Drug Plan Quality Rating System
Changes are being finalized to make improvements to Medicare Advantage and Part D Prescription Drug Plan Quality Rating System to help consumers identify high value plans. The new methodology will improve the stability and predictability for plans, and will adjust how the ratings are set in the event of extreme and uncontrollable events such as hurricanes. This will improve stability and predictability and so that cut points do not increase or decrease more than a 5 percent cap from one year to the next.
Program Quality and Accessibility
For those who are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid, “Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans”, or D-SNPs, the final rule will improve the quality of care. This rule will make it simpler for enrollees by eliminating the need to contact multiple organizations for any complaints or access to items and services. There will be one appeal process across Medicare and Medicaid for enrollees which will make it easier to navigate the healthcare system and have access to high quality services.
Patients with Medicare Advantage will benefit from expanding opportunities to meet their unique health needs. CMS will continue to provide MA patients with more MA options and new benefits.
If you have any questions on this updated information, please call your Brokerage Sales Specialists, Libby, Linda or Dan, or by calling 1.800-878-1058 ext. 1380.
