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ACAP Statement on 2020 Medicare Advantage and Part D Rate Announcement and Final Call Letter
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 2, 2019
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Jeff Van Ness, (202) 204-7515,
jvanness@communityplans.net
ACAP STATEMENT ON 2020 MEDICARE ADVANTAGE AND PART D RATE ANNOUNCEMENT
AND FINAL CALL LETTER
WASHINGTON—Margaret A. Murray, CEO of the Association for Community Affiliated Plans (ACAP), made the following statement regarding the 2020 Medicare Advantage and Part D Rate Announcement and Final Call Letter:
“ACAP appreciates CMS’ work on the 2020 MA and Part D Rate Announcement and Final Call Letter. We’re encouraged to see that CMS plans to work with stakeholders to assess adjustments to Star Rating measures to address socioeconomic status. But we need a lasting way to account for socioeconomic status in the Star Rating system to level the playing field for Special Needs Plans which serve people who are dually enrolled in Medicare and Medicaid.
“As it is now, socioeconomic status isn’t meaningfully addressed. And since Star Ratings are tied to incentive payments, this puts D-SNP plans on an uneven playing field and deters plans from serving populations with low incomes.
“ACAP member plans have long provided coverage to high-need, low-income populations, given their strong community ties. Comparing quality outcomes of these plans to plans that serve a population with fewer social risk factors distorts the true quality of care these health plans provide to their members.
“We hope that CMS in the future will develop a permanent solution to ensure Star Ratings reflect a clear picture of health plan quality.”
About ACAP:
ACAP represents 64 health plans which collectively provide health coverage to more than 20 million people in 29 states. 37 ACAP-member plans participate in Medicare by offering a D-SNP, MMP or MLTSS plan. Safety Net Health Plans serve their members through Medicaid, Medicare, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), the Marketplace and other publicly-sponsored health programs. For more information, visit www.communityplans.net.
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