Uncertain about the details of Medicare Advantage? Here’s what you need to know. The Medicare open enrollment period, running from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7 annually, is now underway. This gives you the chance to make adjustments to your current Medicare coverage. One potential change worth considering is transitioning from original Medicare (Parts A and […]
Higher satisfaction with problem resolution was observed among beneficiaries who were more inclined to renew their Medicare Advantage plan. Medicare Advantage plans have garnered favorable satisfaction scores, with beneficiaries showing high approval ratings for trustworthiness, operational ease, and coverage adequacy, as outlined in a recent market research study. The 2023 US Medicare Advantage Study encompasses […]
In 2019, the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) found that one in every eight prior authorization requests was denied by Medicaid managed care organizations. Dive Brief: A recent report by the HHS’ Office of the Inspector General suggests that due to high rates of […]
Based on FAIR Health’s Monthly Telehealth Regional Tracker, the national decline in private insurance telehealth claims reached 5.4% in April, comprising 5.3% of all medical claims. This reduction can be observed across all four U.S. census regions: the Midwest (4.7%), Northeast (6.3%), South (6.8%), and West (6.4%). On average, patient visits lasted between 20 and […]
CMS has proposed a rule to simplify prior authorization in government-sponsored health insurance programs. However, some lawmakers are urging the agency to do more. A bipartisan coalition of 233 representatives and 61 senators have written a letter to CMS requesting that the proposed rules be expanded and that the changes be finalized quickly to enhance […]
Medicare Advantage (MA) is becoming more appealing to payers due to its numerous benefits, but providers are struggling to adjust to its effects. Payers are increasingly recognizing the advantages of MA, especially in terms of profitability. According to a study conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF), MA insurers disclosed an average gross margin of […]
Despite ongoing concerns about denials and beneficiary access to care, Medicare Advantage (MA) companies remain in the spotlight as their market penetration continues to grow. In April 2022, a report from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) highlighted a significant issue in the capitated payment model employed […]
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 […]
In the latest American Medical Association (AMA) survey, 93% of physicians said prior authorizations delay patient care, and 82% said the process is so complicated that it causes patients to abandon treatment altogether. Prior authorization (PA) remains the top regulatory burden for most health care and medical professionals, often delaying or preventing access to essential […]
One Medicare Advantage plan used the Ribbon tool to focus on quality measures and saw a 342% net increase in users achieving a 4+ star rating. Increased data transparency between health plans and providers on care and coding gaps results in higher compliance, process improvement and positive behavior changes among network providers, according to a […]