This week, our In Focus reviews the Medicare Advantage (MA) and Part D landscape files and quality performance data for the 2020 plan year from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Data on MA and Part D offerings include premiums and benefit design, as well as Star Ratings for each MA contract. This year’s release signals continued growth for the MA program in 2020. The total number of MA plans increased by 403 offerings to 3,144, up from 2,741 in 2019, the highest number since inception of the program. Notably, growth appears to be occurring in parts of the country with existing market saturation, as many MA organizations are offering new plans in states with MA enrollment levels of 30 percent or higher. There is also significant growth in the number of Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans (D-SNPs) offered by MA organizations, particularly among top MA sponsors Humana and CVS (Aetna).
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Highlights from Kaiser/HMA 50-State Medicaid Director Survey
This week, our In Focus section reviews highlights and shares key takeaways from the 19th annual Medicaid Budget Survey conducted by The Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) and Health Management Associates (HMA). Survey results were released on October 18, 2019, in two new reports: A View from the States: Key Medicaid Policy Changes: Results from a 50-State Medicaid Budget Survey for State Fiscal Years 2019 and 2020 and Medicaid Enrollment & Spending Growth: FY 2019 & 2020. The report was prepared by Kathleen Gifford and Aimee Lashbrook from HMA; Eileen Ellis and Mike Nardone; and by Elizabeth Hinton, Robin Rudowitz, Maria Diaz, and Marina Tian from the Kaiser Family Foundation. The survey was conducted in collaboration with the National Association of Medicaid Directors.
Annual 50-state Medicaid director survey released: states report expansion and enhancement
Results of the 19th annual Medicaid Budget Survey were released Oct. 18, 2019 and examine changes taking place in Medicaid in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) and HMA conducted the annual survey in partnership with the National Association of Medicaid Directors.
Key findings of the survey include:
- Multiple states reported expansions or enhancements to provider rates and benefits.
- Several states implemented, adopted, or continued to debate the ACA Medicaid expansion.
- A growing number of states continued to pursue work requirements and other policies promoted by the Trump administration that could restrict eligibility.
- States are implementing Medicaid initiatives to address social determinants of health, control prescription drug spending, improve birth outcomes and reduce infant mortality, and address the opioid epidemic.
The report was prepared by Kathleen Gifford and Aimee Lashbrook, Eileen Ellis and Mike Nardone, and by Elizabeth Hinton, Robin Rudowitz, Maria Diaz, and Marina Tian.
Pennsylvania Releases HealthChoices Physical Health RFA
This week, our In Focus section reviews the Pennsylvania HealthChoices Physical Health Medicaid managed care request for applications (RFA), issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services on October 15, 2019. Medicaid managed care organizations (MCOs) will serve the five HealthChoices zones covering all 67 counties: Southeast, Southwest, Lehigh-Capital, Northwest, and Northeast. Contracts are worth nearly $13 billion.
Utah Releases Medicaid Expansion Fall Back Plan Waiver Amendment
This week, our In Focus section reviews the Utah Medicaid Section 1115 Demonstration Waiver amendment Fallback Plan, released for public comment on September 27, 2019. The Fallback Plan would raise Utah’s Medicaid expansion income limit to 138 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL)[1]. Voters in the state passed full Medicaid expansion through a ballot initiative in 2018, however, the state only enacted partial expansion through a waiver. The Fallback Plan looks to fully expand Medicaid, while also implementing certain provisions, including work requirements and premiums.
HMA Medicare Experts in Demand
HMA Principal Mary Hsieh offered her expertise and insights during a panel discussion at the America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) Conference. The panel, Blockbuster Medicare Innovations, focused on sweeping policy changes announced by the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services.
Medicaid Managed Care Enrollment Update – Q2 2019
This week, our In Focus section reviews recent Medicaid enrollment trends in capitated, risk-based managed care in 29 states.[1] Many state Medicaid agencies post monthly enrollment figures by health plan for their Medicaid managed care population to their websites. This data allows for the timeliest analysis of enrollment trends across states and managed care organizations. All 29 states highlighted in this review have released monthly Medicaid managed care enrollment data into the second quarter (Q2) of 2019. This report reflects the most recent data posted. HMA has made the following observations related to the enrollment data shown on Table 1 (below):