Federal & State Policy
As the largest, single US healthcare payer, the government plays a dominant role in shaping the healthcare marketplace. Our experts track, interpret, and model federal and state policies that affect insurance coverage, access, and consumer choice so you can see around the bend.
Featured Content
Strategic Opportunities for Health Plans: 2020 and Beyond
Health plans today have a range of strategic opportunities that align well with emerging policy themes for 2020.
Transitioning RA Drugs from Part B to Part D Would Increase Catastrophic Benefit Fills
New Avalere analysis finds that shifting Part B-covered rheumatoid arthritis (RA) drugs to Part D benefit would increase the share of prescriptions occurring in the catastrophic phase for impacted beneficiaries by more than 5 times.
Avalere Analysis Examines Drug Spending in Medicare Part D
As policymakers increasingly consider policy options to reform Medicare Part D and reduce program expenditures, an Avalere analysis examines spending across classes with various availability of brand and generic drugs.
The Administration Provides Employers and Employees with Enhanced Flexibility in Connection with Health Reimbursement Arrangements
Final rule by the Treasury Department, Department of Labor, and the Department of Health and Human Services reverses previous Treasury Department guidance blocking tax-advantaged HRAs that were not integrated with a comprehensive employer-sponsored plan.
Is Tiered Provider Reimbursement on the Horizon for Medicare Part B?
As policymakers explore opportunities to reform Medicare Part B, a tiered average sales price (ASP) add-on payment may be under consideration to align system incentives and curb spending.
Proposed Rebate Rule May Impact Commercial Coverage in Some States
While the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) did not intend for proposed changes to Anti-Kickback Statute (AKS) regulations to impact commercial market drug negotiations, some state laws may indirectly lead to commercial market implications.
Medicare Advantage Plans Outperform Fee-For-Service Medicare in Caring for Dual-Eligible Beneficiaries with Chronic Conditions
Avalere experts will present “Comparing Utilization, Cost and Quality in Dual Eligible Medicare Advantage and Fee-For-Service Medicare Beneficiaries” at the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research meeting on May 21.
CMS Finalizes Modified Medicare Advantage and Part D Changes
On May 16, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released its final rule, Modernizing Part D and Medicare Advantage to Lower Drug Prices and Reduce Out-of-Pocket Expenses.
CMS Grants Flexibility to Counter Drug Manufacturers’ Coupons
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released the final Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters (NBPP) for the 2020 plan year. This annual rule, released today, updates guidance and regulations related to exchanges as well as the broader individual, small group, and large group insurance markets.
US Healthcare Spending Projected to Grow 5.5% Annually Through 2027
Healthcare spending is expected to represent 19.4% of US GDP in 2027.
FDA Reform: It’s Time to Act, But Not as an Independent Agency
As former federal officials, Dan Troy, David Beier, and I share our perspectives on the call by former FDA officials representing both political parties to make the FDA an independent agency separate from its parent, HHS.
CMS Methodology for Calculating Payment Errors May Result in Underpayments to Health Plans
In February 2012, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced a final payment error calculation methodology for its contract-level Risk-Adjustment Data Validation (RADV) audits of Medicare Advantage (MA) plans.
State-Run Reinsurance Programs Reduce ACA Premiums by 19.9% on Average
New analysis from Avalere finds that states with their own reinsurance programs reduce individual market premiums by 19.9% on average in their first year.
Top 4 Steps to Ensure Operational Readiness for RAPS to EDS Transition
As CMS continues to transition from the Risk Adjustment Processing System (RAPS) to the Encounter Data System (EDS) for Medicare Advantage (MA) risk score calculation, plans must evaluate operations and close gaps to minimize the impact of risk score differences using this claims data source.
Effect of Potential Policy Change to Part D Generic Tiering on Patient Cost Sharing and Part D Plan Costs
In a new analysis, Avalere examines the implications of CMS’ potential new requirement that Part D plans place generics only on generic tiers.
Medicare Reimbursement of Virtual Care Delivery and Remote Monitoring
Beginning in 2019, CMS will reimburse for 5 codes relating to virtual care delivery and remote monitoring
Uses and Limitations of Medicare Advantage Encounter Data
In a recent post on the Health Affairs Blog, we examine the potential uses and limitations of Medicare Advantage (MA) encounter data.
HHS Proposed Changes Could Reduce ACA Coverage and Increase Premiums
New analysis from Avalere finds that exchange plan sign-ups could decline by 1.1 million, while premiums could increase by 6.3%, by 2025 should HHS finalize recently proposed changes to auto-reenrollment in the exchange and the calculation of tax credit subsidies.
Avalere Welcomes Jason Altmire as Senior Advisor
Former U.S. Congressman Jason Altmire has joined Avalere Health as a senior advisor, offering his deep understanding of the policy-making process to inform business strategy.
CMS Highlights Potential Changes that Could Restrict Access to and Increase the Costs of Certain Brand Drugs to Obamacare Enrollees
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released the proposed Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters (NBPP) for the 2020 plan year. The rule could limit exchange plan enrollees' access to certain brand name drugs and increase the out-of-pocket costs within plans.