CMS: Key Changes and Updates Finalized in the 2015 Rate Announcement and Final Call Letter for Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Benefit (Part D) Programs

1.    Lower Out-of-Pocket Drug Spending: Beneficiaries in the Part D prescription drug coverage gap, or “donut hole,” will benefit from greater savings on prescription drugs

2.    Greater Protection for Beneficiaries: CMS intends to again use its authority to protect Medicare Advantage enrollees from significant increases in costs or cuts in benefits

3.    Increased Protections for Beneficiaries Affected by Changes in Medicare Advantage Plan Networks: Strengthens tools used to ensure compliance with established provider access requirements

4.    Payments to Medicare Advantage Plans: CMS estimates that the overall net change to plan payments between 2014 and 2015 to be +0.4 percent

Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services