CMS finalizes policy and technical changes to Medicare, MA, Part D for CY 2027

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services April 1 released a final rule on policy and technical changes to Medicare Advantage, the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Program, Medicare Cost Plan Program, and Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly for contract year 2027. The agency states that the aim of the rule is to improve quality and access to care in these programs by finalizing updates to star ratings quality measurements and streamlining certain enrollment processes. As such, CMS is finalizing its proposal to streamline and refocus the measure set for the Medicare Advantage Star Ratings, including removing measures focused on administrative processes and areas where CMS says beneficiaries cannot distinguish performance between plans. Included in the measures removed are those related to appeals and provider complaints. CMS declined to finalize a proposal to establish a special enrollment period for provider terminations but will consider whether to engage in future rulemaking.