Policy Updates

CMS is proposing a set of new Medicare Advantage rules, including new standards that would impose more limits on plans' payments to brokers and limit the role of third-party marketers. 

CMS is proposing new health equity changes for prior authorization policies and procedures at Medicare Advantage organizations to better determine any disproportionate impact on underserved populations that may delay or deny access to services. 

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts is removing 14,000 prior authorization requirements for home care services for its 2.6 million commercial members beginning Jan. 1. 

The second and final wave of UnitedHealthcare's prior authorization cuts began Nov. 1. 

Payers' negotiated prices for office visits and medical services can vary widely from county to county, according to a price transparency study published Oct. 27 in JAMA Health Forum.

Lawmakers are introducing a bill to crack down on inaccurate provider directories in Medicare Advantage. 

A group of U.S. senators and representatives are introducing legislation to provide Medicaid enrollees with a year of continuous coverage. 

A group of senators says CMS actions to crack down on misleading marketing of Medicare Advantage plans do not go far enough. 

The Better Medicare Alliance is recommending a set of policies to Congress and CMS to improve prior authorization, behavioral health access, equity and more in the program. 

Michigan has codified several provisions of the Affordable Care Act into state law, ahead of a Supreme Court case that could strike down the law's preventive care coverage requirements.