Today, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced significant improvements in managing the Medicaid program in partnership with states.  Identified early as a priority for both the Trump Administration and the National Association of Medicaid Director’s (NAMD), CMS has implemented changes resulting in faster processing of state requests to make program or benefit changes to their Medicaid program through the state plan amendment (SPA) and section 1915 waiver review process.  

On August 9, 2018, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a proposed rule that would set a new direction for the Medicare Shared Savings Program (Shared Savings Program).

Today’s notice of proposed rulemaking, “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; Methodology for the HHS-operated Permanent Risk Adjustment Program for 2018 Proposed Rule,” proposes to adopt the risk adjustment methodology that HHS previously established for the 2018 benefit year which uses the statewide average premium in the payment transfer formula.

Agency is providing flexibility through private sector tools to negotiate lower prescription drug prices on behalf of beneficiaries.

Today, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) introduced much-needed competition and negotiation into the market for physician-administered and other Part B medications that will result in better deals and lower drug costs for patients. As part of the agency’s ongoing activities to deliver on President Trump’s promises outlined in his American Patients First Blueprint, CMS will provide Medicare Advantage plans the option of applying step therapy for physician-administered and other Part B drugs in a way that lowers costs and improves the quality of care for Medicare beneficiaries.

(As prepared for delivery – August 6, 2018)