黑料不打烊 experts evaluate differences between Medicare Advantage and Fee-For-Service Medicare responses to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic
November 10, 2021
In a听new report听released by the Better Medicare Alliance听(BMA),听黑料不打烊 colleagues Zach Gaumer and Elaine Henry听concluded that the greater flexibility of the Medicare Advantage plan model enabled plans to offer providers additional support during 2020听that听were not found within the听Fee-For-Service (FFS)听Medicare听program. The report鈥檚 findings were previewed in a recent panel discussion during the听BMA鈥檚听.听
During BMA鈥檚 summit,听Gaumer and听Henry听discussed the听research methods and听findings听of their new report,听.听They explained that the听information contained in the report听was听compiled through听interviews with health plans and听interviews听conducted听with providers, as well as through an extensive literature review.听听
The report听itemizes听the听various听challenges faced by providers and health plans during 2020 as well as the solutions both health plans and providers implemented to mitigate these challenges.听The report听identifies provider challenges such as reduced visit volumes, financial strain, poor communication of COVID-19 guidance with patients, and staff fatigue.听听
Providers听reported FFS听Medicare offered some very helpful coverage expansions during 2020, such as the expansion of telehealth coverage and the loosening of provider scope of practice rules. However, providers听also听stated that听health plans supported them听financially during 2020听by making regular听capitated payments and by offering them听advanced payments.听听
Health plans听supported providers with administrative solutions,听including听expanding听patient education听campaigns听and听care management programs.听In addition, providers stated that they relied on MA plans鈥� supplemental benefit offerings听to serve isolated patients quarantining at home. Providers underscored that many of the supports offered by MA health plans were not available through the FFS Medicare program.听听
The new BMA-黑料不打烊听report concludes that the flexibility of the MA health plan model enabled plans听in 2020听to offer providers a broad array of support that was not available through FFS Medicare.听