President Donald Trump signed a new executive order created to expand Medicare Advantage. The order requires HHS and CMS to eliminate payment discrepancies between Medicare Advantage and traditional Medicare within 180 days. In other words, the order instructs policymakers to use Medicare Advantage-negotiated rates to set rates for traditional Medicare.
The executive order contains an eclectic mix of other policy directives. These include removing regulations “that create inefficiencies or otherwise undermine patient outcomes”; combating waste, fraud and abuse in the program; and streamlining access to “innovative products” such as new treatments and medical devices.
Although specific policy details were lacking in this executive order, it may have a serious impact on many providers. We will break down what this order means for home health and hospice providers in our monthly newsletter. If you would like to receive a copy at no charge, contact us today!