ATI Advisory and LTQA Releases Policy Recommendations to Advance New Supplemental Benefits in Medicare Advantage

The Long-Term Quality Alliance and ATI Advisory released a policy report last week highlighting three top recommendations for Congress to advance non-medical benefits in Medicare Advantage (MA).
 
The report notes that the Creating High-Quality Results and Outcomes Necessary to Improve Chronic (CHRONIC) Care Act made strides in advancing holistic care to improve the quality of life for Americans with complex medical needs. In addition, the Special Supplemental Benefits for the Chronically Ill (SSBCI) gave MA the flexibility to address the diverse needs of these individuals, but according to the report, they believe three policy recommendations would advance these supplemental benefits to improve upon the framework already in place.

​The priorities, which focus on eligibility, data reporting, and evaluation, are:
 

1. Modify eligibility criteria for SSBCI to maximize the potential value of the services in a person-centered way
2. Implement requirements and incentives for plans to report on utilization of SSBCI 3
3. Mandate and provide funding for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to work with an evaluation partner to conduct a meaningful and realistic evaluation of non-medical benefits using a phased approach

 
Read the full report here.