On February 1st, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released Part II of the Advance Notice and the draft Call Letter, which propose policy and payment updates for Medicare Advantage (MA) and Part D plans for calendar year 2019. These include, but are not limited to: capitation rate setting, risk adjustment, opioid response, employer group waiver plans, Star Ratings, and supplemental benefits. Part I of the Advance Notice was released at the end of 2017.
This document summarizes key provisions of Part I and II of the Advance Notice and the draft Call letter. CMS will accept comments on Part I and II through March 5, 2017 and policies will be finalized in the 2019 Rate Announcement and final Call Letter on April 2, 2017. The text of the proposals is available here, and the fact sheet is here.