CMS has released the 2016 Medicare Advantage (MA) and Part D Rate Announcement and Call Letter.  According to a CMS fact sheet, the final policies increase Medicare Advantage rates by 1.25% (compared to an earlier forecast of a 0.95% reduction), although considering coding trends the agency expects revenues to increase by 3.25%. In addition, CMS also, among other things, finalized proposed updates to the Part D risk adjustment model, required more public information on preferred cost sharing pharmacies, addressed plan requirements to maintain accurate provider directories, and discussed promoting valued-based payment models among health plans.

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