California’s Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) is in the final stages of establishing new Medical Loss Ratio (MLR) requirements in Medi-Cal Managed Care. Most significantly, the guidelines specify that the MLR...more
On January 12, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the Contract Year 2023 Policy and Technical Changes to the Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Programs proposed rule,...more
In December 2021, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the proposed Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2023. This proposal kicks off the annual rulemaking cycle for the Marketplaces and the...more
For those of you who know me, I like to have fun with my Zoom backgrounds – choosing photos of interesting scenery or changing them mid-call to reflect my mood or negotiating strategy. Sitting in front of my computer this...more
On September 25, 2015, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released a proposed rule entitled “Medicare Program: Medicare Clinical Diagnostic Laboratory Tests Payment System”. This proposed rule would...more
The proposals strive to balance increased federal government oversight and administration with continued recognition of, and flexibility for, state managed care programs. This is the first article in a series that takes...more
The Affordable Care Act’s medical loss ratio (“MLR”) rule requires health insurance companies (but not self-insured plans) in the group or individual market to provide an annual rebate to enrollees if the insurer’s MLR falls...more
In This Issue: - Top News ..Tavenner Wins Senate Confirmation to Head CMS ..US Charges 89 in Nationwide Medicare Fraud Crackdown - State News ..Vermont Becomes Fourth State to Allow Physician-Assisted...more
Last week, CMS published a final rule implementing the ACA’s medical loss ratio (“MLR”) requirements that will apply to the Medicare Advantage (Part C) and prescription drug (Part D) programs beginning in contract year 2014. ...more