CMS is terminating Centene's WellCare Medicare Advantage prescription drug plans in Arizona and North Carolina at the end of 2024 following three consecutive years of star ratings below three stars.
In addition to the termination of the Part D contract, the agency is imposing "intermediate sanctions" to suspend all enrollment and marketing activities for the plans, effective Jan. 12.
"The intermediate sanctions will remain in effect until CMS is satisfied that the deficiencies that are the basis for the sanction determination have been corrected and are not likely to recur," CMS wrote Dec. 27.
WellCare does have the opportunity to appeal. Centene has been working to improve its Medicare Advantage star ratings. The percentage of Centene members with four-star or higher plans dropped from 48 percent to 3 percent in 2022.