Analysis of MA Supplemental Benefit Landscape, Development of Recommendations, and Engagement with CMS

Avalere will focus on three tasks. Task 1 will be to provide a baseline description of commonly offered supplemental benefits in 2018 and survey the landscape of supplemental benefits newly offered for 2019. The team also will conduct an analysis of benefit designs for select chronic illnesses under the Medicare Advantage (MA) Value-Based Insurance Design demonstration for 2018 and 2019. Plan benefit package data for 2018 and 2019 will be used to assess the extent to which MA is using new supplemental benefit flexibility. For task 2, the project team will use its proprietary MA Bid Model to assess the opportunity for plans to provide greater supplemental benefits and identify which plans may have the resources to be leaders in this area. Task 3 will focus on developing recommendations for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to address barriers that limit the availability and plans’ adoption of special supplemental benefits for the chronically ill.