On May 1, UnitedHealthcare made nine changes to its reimbursement policies for its commercial, individual and family, and Medicare Advantage plans. Some of the changes go into effect June 1, while others will begin August 1. Here are nine UnitedHealthcare reimbursement changes happening in the coming months: Commercial plans: Molecular pathology policy, professional and facility: […]
A new final rule from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will make it harder for Medicare Advantage (MA) plans to require prior authorizations for their coverage The rule comes in the wake of a 2022 report from the Office of Inspector General of the US Department of Health and Human Services that […]
Federal healthcare leaders say they are committed to helping physicians, patients, and health insurance companies by improving the prior authorization process for medical care. On Jan. 17, Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator and U.S. Surgeon General Vice Admiral, held a listening session with health care stakeholders. That was followed by a conference call […]
The bill would aim to standardize processes and require greater oversight on Medicare Advantage plans’ utilization and denial of prior authorizations. Better Medicare Alliance (BMA) has endorsed HR 3173, the Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act, a law that seeks to reform prior authorization in Medicare Advantage. “When it comes to the use of […]
The COVID-19 pandemic has taught us it’s possible for the health care system to transform care delivery—and quickly. We saw vaccines come to market in record time, heightened cross-industry collaboration to track vaccine statuses, and virtual care use surge. Similarly, the pandemic demonstrated that value-based care delivery models, where payment is based on outcomes versus […]
CMS encouraged Medicare Advantage plans to waive prior authorizations during the public health emergency, but AHA urged the agency to make it a requirement instead of a suggestion. The American Hospital Association (AHA) has asked CMS to work with Congress and require Medicare Advantage plans to waive prior authorization processes during the current and future […]
Medicare Advantage plans expanded their supplemental benefits offerings in 2022, with more health plans offering special supplemental benefits for the chronically ill (SSBCI), according to an issue brief commissioned by Better Medicare Alliance. Medicare beneficiaries typically join Medicare Advantage plans because of the array of supplemental benefits that the program offers in addition to traditional […]
CMS is proposing a new rule that aims to cut prescription drug costs, increase contract vetting and improve health equity, according to a Jan. 6 news release. The proposed changes primarily target Medicare Advantage and Part D plans. CMS also noted that the proposed changes come with “modest costs” that should not affect bidding, premiums […]
Traditional Medicare coverage rules make up the bulk of denied services and spending compared to a Medicare Advantage plan, according to a new study in the latest Health Affairs issue. The study, led by the University of Pennsylvania, Harvard University and CVS Health, relied on Medicare Advantage claims that were denied for beneficiaries enrolled with […]
COVID-19 continued to affect the industry, which has plowed forward with expanded offerings, digital transformation and other bold moves. It was difficult to predict trend lines for the payer and health insurance industry in 2021, largely because of persistent uncertainties due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Consumer behavior has become more unpredictable, care models and […]