Medicare Advantage in the headlines: 10 recent updates

CMS revised the star ratings for some Medicare Advantage plans and introduced major proposed reforms to the program in recent weeks. 

Here are 10 Medicare Advantage updates Becker's has reported since Nov. 7: 

1. CMS revised the star ratings for some UnitedHealthcare and Centene Medicare Advantage contracts, after UnitedHealthcare successfully challenged CMS' ratings in court. Other challenges from Humana, Elevance Health and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana are still pending.
   
   
2. Humana misrepresented the providers its Medicare Advantage plans will be in-network with in 2025 on its website, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison alleged. The attorney general urged the insurer to describe the steps it will take to correct any possible incorrect information.
   
   
3. CMS proposed major reforms to the Medicare Advantage and Part D programs for contract year 2026, including changes to prior authorization and weight loss drug coverage.
   
   
4. Most Medicare Advantage markets are highly concentrated, according to the American Medical Association's annual Competition in Health Insurance report. Here are the most and least competitive MA markets.
   
   
5. Prospective CMS Administrator Mehmet Oz, MD, has been a major proponent of Medicare Advantage, and has pitched expanding the program to extend coverage to all Americans. Here are five things to know about Dr. Oz's record on MA.
   
   
6. The CEOs of some major Medicare Advantage insurers say they are positioned to come out of the turbulent year ahead, while others are looking at an uncertain 2025. Here's what six payer CEOs had to say about the year ahead.
   
   
7. KFF Health News is suing HHS to release audits of Medicare Advantage plans and other records, the health news outlet said.
   
   
8. Donald Trump's second term as president likely will have significant implications for healthcare, including the Medicare Advantage program. Here's what to know.
   
   
9. Medicare Advantage plans were paid more than $1 billion for veterans who did not use any Medicare services, according to a study published in Health Affairs.
   
   
10. Aetna, Cigna and Elevance Health eliminated broker commissions for some Medicare Advantage plans. The companies will still pay commissions to brokers for renewing existing members.