Changes Are Coming to Medicare Advantage: What Does This Mean?

​The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will soon cover far more services—including adult day care and home modifications—than ever before, but these benefits may not extend to all Medicare beneficiaries, according to a July 20, 2018, article in the New York Times. As part of its recently announced reinterpretation of Medicare (see HRC Alerts, July 18, 2018: CMS Proposes “Historic Changes" to U.S. Healthcare System), people enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans may see many new benefits covered, such as palliative care at home, home aides to help with bathing and dressing, and transport to medical appointments, as long as these services are deemed “health related." Medicare Advantage, which the Times said covers about one-third of those covered by Medicare, is underwritten by private insurers. “This will potentially help people stay in their homes longer and not have to go to institutions," CMS administrator Seema Verma told the Times. “You could provide a simple device or a home modification that could mean the world to a patient, but plans weren't allowed to do that in the past."