Alongside its positive impact on health outcomes, the Medicare Advantage value-based care plans implemented by an insurance provider resulted in a significant $8 billion in cost savings throughout 2022. Reports from the payer revealed that Medicare Advantage beneficiaries under value-based care exhibited improved health conditions, marked by reduced inpatient admissions and emergency room visits. The […]
While not every policy alteration by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) grabs headlines, it’s often these less-publicized changes that lead to the most billing complications. Here are a couple of recent adjustments made by CMS that you might have overlooked. New Place of Service Code CMS introduced a new Place of Service […]
As a former emergency department physician from the U.K., this individual was well aware of claim denials and rejections, with payers frequently withholding or reducing payments. However, it was only when his personal insurance company, denied his medical claim for a vitamin D test that he decided to delve deeper into the issue. He found […]
The bill was crafted partly in response to rising complaints among seniors over aggressive marketing practices for Medicare Advantage plans. U.S. Sens. Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., and Dr. Roger Marshall, R-Kansas, have introduced the bipartisan Medicare & You Handbook Improvement Act, which is meant to ensure that when seniors assess their Medicare coverage options, they have the necessary […]
Providers’ experiences with Medicare Advantage plans’ capitated payment models, supplemental benefits, and overall influence gave them recommendations for CMS. There has been a lot of valuable conversation around the benefits that Medicare Advantage health plans can offer to consumers, but now providers have offered their perspectives on this form of health insurance in Better Medicare […]
Since not shopping around can have an impact on enrollees’ coverage and costs, CMS recommends they review and compare plans each year. The numbers are similar across both Medicare Advantage and traditional Medicare, with 68% of MA beneficiaries saying they don’t compare medical plans, and 73% of those in traditional Medicare claiming the same. The […]
The ideal value chain for any industry or company is one built for lifelong customer retention and loyalty. One component of such a chain is a portfolio strategy that continues to offer maximum choice and affordability. For insurers in the Medicare market, this equates to a mix of plan designs and standalone prescription drug […]
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a proposed rule that would update Medicare Advantage plan (MA, or Part C) and the Medicare prescription drug benefit (Part D) program. In years past, CMS has also issued a “call letter,” not subject to the regulatory process, to provide additional information for plans to use […]
Medicare Advantage Plan contracts are “take-it-or-leave-it” agreements Many questions are swirling about regarding Medicare Advantage Plan (MAP) denials asking what to do about the increasing number and given reasons. I’ve heard or read some amazing stories where payers have gone to astounding lengths to deny claims. Answers are also swirling about based on understandings of […]