On July 24, the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee examined the state of the Medicare Advantage (MA) program, which has undergone changes as a new payment benchmark methodology and other policies from the Affordable Care Act are phased in.

Republicans claim the cuts will jeopardize the program, leaving seniors without plans, looking for a new doctor or paying more out of their pocket for care. The cuts have been "masked and delayed" by an $8 billion bonus program that has cushioned plans so far, Health Subcommittee Chairman Kevin Brady (R-Texas) stated. Democrats, meanwhile, accused the GOP of trying to frighten seniors and touted Administration figures on surging MA enrollment, stable premiums and better quality results.

Witnesses at the meeting testified that plans will find it harder to fund coordinated care, particularly for beneficiaries with chronic conditions or those vulnerable beneficiaries eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid. That could mean more hospital stays and less follow-up...

Over the past several months, the Department of Health and Human Services has been busy issuing rules and guidance for the 2015 plan year for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) health insurance marketplaces and Medicare Advantage. These are complex rules and guidance, and the implications for hospitals and hospital systems as caregivers, employers and, in some cases, insurers will vary.

The American Hospital Association has issued a Regulatory Advisory which features a compendium of the key rules and guidance. It provides a brief summary, identifies key hospital-related issues and includes web links to associated regulatory documents.