CMS finalizes certain requirements for MA, prescription drug plans

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Friday issued a rule finalizing certain requirements for private Medicare Advantage and Part D prescription drug plans beginning in contract year 2016. The provisions cover a broad range of administrative areas. They were included in the proposed rule for contract year 2015, published in January 2014, but omitted from that final rule last May. Unless otherwise noted, the new rule’s provisions take effect 30 days after publication in the Feb. 12 Federal Register. For more information, see the CMS factsheet.