AHA comments on Medicare Advantage oversight

AHA yesterday submitted comments to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services in response to a request for information on the Medicare Advantage program. AHA in its letter raised concerns over certain Medicare Advantage organization practices and policies that restrict or delay access to care; provided considerations for health equity, behavioral health access, and post-acute care services; outlined implications for continued enrollment growth in the program; and described the unique value that integrated health systems provide in serving Medicare Advantage beneficiaries. In addition, AHA provided a series of “specific recommendations that we believe are necessary to hold [Medicare Advantage organizations] accountable for complying with the law, protecting beneficiaries from harm and ensuring the sustainability of the Medicare program.”