NATIONAL HEALTH POLICY GROUP

See Next Page for Narrative.Promoted Permanent Or Long-Term Extension Of SNP Legislative Authority; Advocated For Appropriate Medicare Risk Adjusted Payment Methods For Snps Serving High Risk Populations, Including Reducing The Disparities Between Medicare Advantage Payments For Beneficiaries Who Are Dually Eligible For Medicare And Medicaid, And Medicaid and For Non-Duals, Evaluating And Advocating For Adjustments To Account For Unfunded Costs Associated With Social Determinants Of Health, Ensuring That Snps Are Not Paid Less Than Fee-For-Service For Beneficiaries Eligible For Medicare And Medicaid Services, And Other Matters; Worked Toward Advancing More Appropriate Basis For The Evaluation And Approval Of Special Needs Plans, Including Aligning Model Of Care Requirements And Structure And Process Measures; Modifying The Star Rating Measures To Be More Relevant To Populations Served By Special Needs Plans; And Risk Adjusting Or Stratifying Measures To Account For The Impact Of Socioeconomic Status On Ratings For Plans Serving Disadvantaged Populations Like Dual Eligible Enrollees; Promoted Amendment And Reintroduction Of Sections 101, 102 And 208 Of S. 2110 And Related Sections Of S. 2553 To Achieve Performance Evaluation Objectives Related To Social Determinants Of Health; Advocated For Enactment Of HR 4994, The IMPACT Act (Improving Medicare Post-Acute Care Transformation Act Of 2014) Which Included Provisions Requiring The Secretary To Carry Out Studies Related To The Impact Of Social Determinants Of Health On Resource Utilization Outcomes And To Account For Such Impacts In The Medicare Payment System; Worked With The Medicare/Medicaid Coordination Office, Congress, And Others Towards Advancing The Integration Of Medicare And Medicaid Benefits For Medicare-Medicaid Enrollees; Advocated Against The Termination Of Medicare Advantage Special Needs Plans On The Basis Of Low Performing Icons; Requested That CMS Delay The Decision To Act On Termination And To Modify The Timeframe During Which Plans Would Be Evaluated For Performance In Relation To Termination; And Worked With Congress Is Support Of This Objective. Advocated For An Evaluation Of The Reliability Of Data From Self-Report Survey Instruments When Completed By Persons With Cognitive Impairment Or Mental Illness When Data Are Used For Public Reporting As Part Of The Public Comments On Updates To The Health Outcome Survey.

Client expense: — · Firm income: $210,000

Matched citations: S. 2553

Promoted permanent or long-term extension of SNP legislative authority; Advocated for appropriate Medicare risk adjusted payment methods for SNPs serving high risk populations, including implementing the updated HCC risk adjustment model used for PACE, implementing an individual level frailty adjuster for SNPs, extending the expanded MA supplemental benefit offering to all SNPs, restoring some of the risk factors eliminated by CMS for the 2014 HCC risk adjustment model, evaluating and advocating for adjustments to account for unfunded costs associated with social determinants of health, ensuring that SNPs are not paid less than fee-for-service for beneficiaries eligible for Medicare and Medicaid services, and other matters; Worked toward advancing more appropriate basis for the evaluation and approval of special needs plans, including aligning Model of Care requirements and Structure and Process measures; modifying the Star rating measures to be more relevant to populations served by special needs plans; and risk adjusting or stratifying measures to account for the impact of socioeconomic status on ratings for plans serving disadvantaged populations like dual eligible enrollee Promoted amendment and reintroduction of Sections 101, 102 and 208 of S. 2110 and related sections of S. 2553 to achieve this end; Worked with the Medicare/Medicaid Coordination Office, Congress, and others towards advancing the integration of Medicare and Medicaid benefits for Medicare-Medicaid Enrollees; Advocated changes to the Better Care, Lower Cost Act (S. 1932) to ensure that SNPs are not disadvantaged relative to new health plan models and ACOs; Advocated for changes to proposed rules regarding the release of Medicare Advantage related encounter data to nongovernmental external entities that could use competitively sensitive information to gain unfair advantage over competitors or publish research that may compromise plans competitive positions; Advocated to ensure that Medicare Advantage plans and SNPs would be fully compensated for costs associated with a new high-price drug called Sovaldi that was approved after the 2014 and 2015 Medicare Advantage rates were set; Advocated against the termination of Medicare Advantage special needs plans on the basis of low performing icons and requested that CMS delay the decision to act on termination and to modify the time frame during which plans would be evaluated for performance in relation to termination; Advocated for an evaluation of the reliability of data from self-report survey instruments when completed by persons with cognitive impairment or mental illness when data are used for public reporting as part of the public comments on updates to the Health Outcome survey.

Client expense: — · Firm income: $190,000

Matched citations: S. 1932

Promoted permanent or long-term extension of SNP legislative authority; Advocated for appropriate Medicare risk adjusted payment methods for SNPs serving high risk populations, including implementing the updated HCC risk adjustment model used for PACE, implementing an individual level frailty adjuster for SNPs, extending the expanded MA supplemental benefit offering to all SNPs, restoring some of the risk factors eliminated by CMS for the 2014 HCC risk adjustment model, evaluating and advocating for adjustments to account for unfunded costs associated with social determinants of health, ensuring that SNPs are not paid less than fee-for-service for beneficiaries eligible for Medicare and Medicaid services, and other matters; Worked toward advancing more appropriate basis for the evaluation and approval of special needs plans, including aligning Model of Care requirements and Structure and Process measures; modifying the Star rating measures to be more relevant to populations served by special needs plans; and risk adjusting or stratifying measures to account for the impact of socioeconomic status on ratings for plans serving disadvantaged populations like dual eligible enrollee Promoted amendment and reintroduction of Sections 101, 102 and 208 of S. 2110 and related sections of S. 2553 to achieve this end; Worked with the Medicare/Medicaid Coordination Office, Congress, and others towards advancing the integration of Medicare and Medicaid benefits for Medicare-Medicaid Enrollees; Advocated changes to the Better Care, Lower Cost Act (S. 1932) to ensure that SNPs are not disadvantaged relative to new health plan models and ACOs; Advocated for changes to proposed rules regarding the release of Medicare Advantage related encounter data to nongovernmental external entities that could use competitively sensitive information to gain unfair advantage over competitors or publish research that may compromise plans competitive positions; Advocated to ensure that Medicare Advantage plans and SNPs would be fully compensated for costs associated with a new high-price drug called Sovaldi that was approved after the 2014 and 2015 Medicare Advantage rates were set; Advocated against the termination of Medicare Advantage special needs plans on the basis of low performing icons and requested that CMS delay the decision to act on termination and to modify the time frame during which plans would be evaluated for performance in relation to termination; Advocated for an evaluation of the reliability of data from self-report survey instruments when completed by persons with cognitive impairment or mental illness when data are used for public reporting as part of the public comments on updates to the Health Outcome survey.

Client expense: — · Firm income: $190,000

Matched citations: S. 2110

Promoted permanent or long-term extension of SNP legislative authority; Advocated for appropriate Medicare risk adjusted payment methods for SNPs serving high risk populations, including implementing the updated HCC risk adjustment model used for PACE, implementing an individual level frailty adjuster for SNPs, extending the expanded MA supplemental benefit offering to all SNPs, restoring some of the risk factors eliminated by CMS for the 2014 HCC risk adjustment model, evaluating and advocating for adjustments to account for unfunded costs associated with social determinants of health, ensuring that SNPs are not paid less than fee-for-service for beneficiaries eligible for Medicare and Medicaid services, and other matters; Worked toward advancing more appropriate basis for the evaluation and approval of special needs plans, including aligning Model of Care requirements and Structure and Process measures; modifying the Star rating measures to be more relevant to populations served by special needs plans; and risk adjusting or stratifying measures to account for the impact of socioeconomic status on ratings for plans serving disadvantaged populations like dual eligible enrollee Promoted amendment and reintroduction of Sections 101, 102 and 208 of S. 2110 and related sections of S. 2553 to achieve this end; Worked with the Medicare/Medicaid Coordination Office, Congress, and others towards advancing the integration of Medicare and Medicaid benefits for Medicare-Medicaid Enrollees; Advocated changes to the Better Care, Lower Cost Act (S. 1932) to ensure that SNPs are not disadvantaged relative to new health plan models and ACOs; Advocated for changes to proposed rules regarding the release of Medicare Advantage related encounter data to nongovernmental external entities that could use competitively sensitive information to gain unfair advantage over competitors or publish research that may compromise plans competitive positions; Advocated to ensure that Medicare Advantage plans and SNPs would be fully compensated for costs associated with a new high-price drug called Sovaldi that was approved after the 2014 and 2015 Medicare Advantage rates were set; Advocated against the termination of Medicare Advantage special needs plans on the basis of low performing icons and requested that CMS delay the decision to act on termination and to modify the time frame during which plans would be evaluated for performance in relation to termination; Advocated for an evaluation of the reliability of data from self-report survey instruments when completed by persons with cognitive impairment or mental illness when data are used for public reporting as part of the public comments on updates to the Health Outcome survey.

Client expense: — · Firm income: $190,000

Matched citations: S. 2553

See Next Page for Narrative.Promoted permanent extension of SNP legislative authority which ultimately was enacted under HR 4302, Protecting Access to Medicare Act of 2014 and also was included related legislation including S. 2110, Medicare SGR Repeal and Beneficiary Access Improvement Act of 2014; Advocated for appropriate Medicare risk adjusted payment methods for SNPs serving high risk populations, including implementing the updated HCC risk adjustment model used for PACE, implementing an individual level frailty adjuster for SNPs, extending the expanded MA supplemental benefit offering to all SNPs, restoring some of the risk factors eliminated by CMS for the 2014 HCC risk adjustment model, evaluating and advocating for adjustments to account for unfunded costs associated with social determinants of health, ensuring that SNPs are not paid less than fee-for-service for beneficiaries eligible for Medicare and Medicaid services, and other matters; Worked toward advancing more appropriate basis for the evaluation and approval of special needs plans, including aligning Model of Care requirements and Structure and Process measures and modifying the Star rating measures to be more relevant to populations served by special needs plans; and advancing changes to account for the impact of social determinants of health on plan ratings; Worked with the Medicare/Medicaid Coordination Office, Congress, and others towards advancing the integration of Medicare and Medicaid benefits for Medicare-Medicaid Enrollees; Advocated for changes to the proposed model of care requirements and scoring criteria used by NCQA to evaluate Models of Care for special needs plans; Advocated for changes to the proposed modifications of Chapter 16b regulations governing special needs plans; Advocated for changes to performance evaluation methods for special needs plans and Medicare-Medicaid plans, including risk adjustments to account for the impact of socioeconomic status on ratings for plans serving disadvantaged populations like dual eligible enrollees, and submitted extensive comments to the National Quality Forum in this regard; Advocated for multiple financial, administrative and clinical changes to proposed rule for Medicare Advantage plans; Advocated against proposed changes to the 2015 Medicare Advantage payment methodology that would result in further cuts to Medicare Advantage plans; Advocating changes to the Better Care, Lower Cost Act (S. 1932/HR 3890) to ensure that SNPs are not disadvantaged relative to new health plan models and ACOs.

Client expense: — · Firm income: $230,000

Matched citations: HR 3890

See Next Page for Narrative.Promoted permanent extension of SNP legislative authority which ultimately was enacted under HR 4302, Protecting Access to Medicare Act of 2014 and also was included related legislation including S. 2110, Medicare SGR Repeal and Beneficiary Access Improvement Act of 2014; Advocated for appropriate Medicare risk adjusted payment methods for SNPs serving high risk populations, including implementing the updated HCC risk adjustment model used for PACE, implementing an individual level frailty adjuster for SNPs, extending the expanded MA supplemental benefit offering to all SNPs, restoring some of the risk factors eliminated by CMS for the 2014 HCC risk adjustment model, evaluating and advocating for adjustments to account for unfunded costs associated with social determinants of health, ensuring that SNPs are not paid less than fee-for-service for beneficiaries eligible for Medicare and Medicaid services, and other matters; Worked toward advancing more appropriate basis for the evaluation and approval of special needs plans, including aligning Model of Care requirements and Structure and Process measures and modifying the Star rating measures to be more relevant to populations served by special needs plans; and advancing changes to account for the impact of social determinants of health on plan ratings; Worked with the Medicare/Medicaid Coordination Office, Congress, and others towards advancing the integration of Medicare and Medicaid benefits for Medicare-Medicaid Enrollees; Advocated for changes to the proposed model of care requirements and scoring criteria used by NCQA to evaluate Models of Care for special needs plans; Advocated for changes to the proposed modifications of Chapter 16b regulations governing special needs plans; Advocated for changes to performance evaluation methods for special needs plans and Medicare-Medicaid plans, including risk adjustments to account for the impact of socioeconomic status on ratings for plans serving disadvantaged populations like dual eligible enrollees, and submitted extensive comments to the National Quality Forum in this regard; Advocated for multiple financial, administrative and clinical changes to proposed rule for Medicare Advantage plans; Advocated against proposed changes to the 2015 Medicare Advantage payment methodology that would result in further cuts to Medicare Advantage plans; Advocating changes to the Better Care, Lower Cost Act (S. 1932/HR 3890) to ensure that SNPs are not disadvantaged relative to new health plan models and ACOs.

Client expense: — · Firm income: $230,000

Matched citations: HR 4302

See Next Page for Narrative.Promoted permanent extension of SNP legislative authority which ultimately was enacted under HR 4302, Protecting Access to Medicare Act of 2014 and also was included related legislation including S. 2110, Medicare SGR Repeal and Beneficiary Access Improvement Act of 2014; Advocated for appropriate Medicare risk adjusted payment methods for SNPs serving high risk populations, including implementing the updated HCC risk adjustment model used for PACE, implementing an individual level frailty adjuster for SNPs, extending the expanded MA supplemental benefit offering to all SNPs, restoring some of the risk factors eliminated by CMS for the 2014 HCC risk adjustment model, evaluating and advocating for adjustments to account for unfunded costs associated with social determinants of health, ensuring that SNPs are not paid less than fee-for-service for beneficiaries eligible for Medicare and Medicaid services, and other matters; Worked toward advancing more appropriate basis for the evaluation and approval of special needs plans, including aligning Model of Care requirements and Structure and Process measures and modifying the Star rating measures to be more relevant to populations served by special needs plans; and advancing changes to account for the impact of social determinants of health on plan ratings; Worked with the Medicare/Medicaid Coordination Office, Congress, and others towards advancing the integration of Medicare and Medicaid benefits for Medicare-Medicaid Enrollees; Advocated for changes to the proposed model of care requirements and scoring criteria used by NCQA to evaluate Models of Care for special needs plans; Advocated for changes to the proposed modifications of Chapter 16b regulations governing special needs plans; Advocated for changes to performance evaluation methods for special needs plans and Medicare-Medicaid plans, including risk adjustments to account for the impact of socioeconomic status on ratings for plans serving disadvantaged populations like dual eligible enrollees, and submitted extensive comments to the National Quality Forum in this regard; Advocated for multiple financial, administrative and clinical changes to proposed rule for Medicare Advantage plans; Advocated against proposed changes to the 2015 Medicare Advantage payment methodology that would result in further cuts to Medicare Advantage plans; Advocating changes to the Better Care, Lower Cost Act (S. 1932/HR 3890) to ensure that SNPs are not disadvantaged relative to new health plan models and ACOs.

Client expense: — · Firm income: $230,000

Matched citations: S. 1932

See Next Page for Narrative.Promoted permanent extension of SNP legislative authority which ultimately was enacted under HR 4302, Protecting Access to Medicare Act of 2014 and also was included related legislation including S. 2110, Medicare SGR Repeal and Beneficiary Access Improvement Act of 2014; Advocated for appropriate Medicare risk adjusted payment methods for SNPs serving high risk populations, including implementing the updated HCC risk adjustment model used for PACE, implementing an individual level frailty adjuster for SNPs, extending the expanded MA supplemental benefit offering to all SNPs, restoring some of the risk factors eliminated by CMS for the 2014 HCC risk adjustment model, evaluating and advocating for adjustments to account for unfunded costs associated with social determinants of health, ensuring that SNPs are not paid less than fee-for-service for beneficiaries eligible for Medicare and Medicaid services, and other matters; Worked toward advancing more appropriate basis for the evaluation and approval of special needs plans, including aligning Model of Care requirements and Structure and Process measures and modifying the Star rating measures to be more relevant to populations served by special needs plans; and advancing changes to account for the impact of social determinants of health on plan ratings; Worked with the Medicare/Medicaid Coordination Office, Congress, and others towards advancing the integration of Medicare and Medicaid benefits for Medicare-Medicaid Enrollees; Advocated for changes to the proposed model of care requirements and scoring criteria used by NCQA to evaluate Models of Care for special needs plans; Advocated for changes to the proposed modifications of Chapter 16b regulations governing special needs plans; Advocated for changes to performance evaluation methods for special needs plans and Medicare-Medicaid plans, including risk adjustments to account for the impact of socioeconomic status on ratings for plans serving disadvantaged populations like dual eligible enrollees, and submitted extensive comments to the National Quality Forum in this regard; Advocated for multiple financial, administrative and clinical changes to proposed rule for Medicare Advantage plans; Advocated against proposed changes to the 2015 Medicare Advantage payment methodology that would result in further cuts to Medicare Advantage plans; Advocating changes to the Better Care, Lower Cost Act (S. 1932/HR 3890) to ensure that SNPs are not disadvantaged relative to new health plan models and ACOs.

Client expense: — · Firm income: $230,000

Matched citations: S. 2110

See Next Page for Narrative.Promote SNP Extension provisions contained in The American Tax Payers Relief Act, Public Law 112-240 (HR 8); Post Tax Payer Relief Act, which only provided short-term extension of SNP authority, advocating for a permanent extension of SNP legislative authority, as well as changes to MedPAC recommendations on SNP extension presented at MedPACs January 2013 meeting and in their March Report to Congress; Advancing dual integration demonstration projects and other legislative and regulatory pathways for integrating Medicare and Medicaid benefits and services outside of the CMS Medicare Medicaid Coordination Office integration demonstrations, with special emphasis on adequate risk adjusted payment methods for high-risk enrollees; streamlined population-based performance measures aligned with enrollees special needs; and alignment of Medicare and Medicaid administrative requirements. Aligning marketing and enrollment requirements with the characteristics of dual eligibile beneficiaries, including the ability to market Medicare and Medicaid benefits as an integrated benefit package, to exclude confusing references to out of pocket maximum costs for dual eligibles with no cost-sharing obligations and to provide passive renewal of Medicaid eligibility for duals. Advancing better alignment between SNP Model of Care Requirements and SNP performance measures and between SNP population characteristics and quality measures, including more appropriate measures and methods for determining plan ratings for SNPs. Advancing greater use of true outcome measures and . alignment of conflicting and duplicative reporting requirements across Medicare Advantage, Medicaid and SNPs Advocating for greater transparency in the evaluation of SNPs, including access to performance evaluation criteria for quality improvement projects. Advocating for appropriate Medicare risk adjusted payment methods for SNPs serving high risk populations, including implementing the updated HCC risk adjustment model used for PACE, implementing an individual level frailty adjuster for SNPs, extending the expanded MA supplemental benefit offering to all SNPs, modifying application of coding intensity adjustment for plans in realtion to populations condition complexity, assuring appropriate definition of activities to improve quality in MLR and appropriate inclusions and exclusions from numerator and denominator of MLR, and other matters; Advancing more appropriate basis for the evaluation and approval of special needs plans (SNPs) by NCQA; Advocating for Congress to direct CMS to develop 2014 MA payment rates based on an assumption that physician payments would not be cut by 25% in 2014.

Client expense: — · Firm income: $210,000

Matched citations: HR 8

See Next Page for Narrative. Advocating for a 3-5 year extension of SNP legislative authority; Advancing dual integration demonstration projects and appropriate roles for special needs beneficiaries with special emphasis on plan selection criteria that ensures capabilities in integrated Medicare and Medicaid care and program integration; protection of high-risk beneficiaries being passively enrolled in demo plans; adequate risk adjusted payment methods for high-risk enrollees; streamlined population-based performance measures aligned with enrollees special needs; and other strategies for maximizing potential for success; Advancing more appropriate measures and methods for determining plan ratings for SNPs, including SNP specific measures, and aligning conflicting and duplicative reporting requirements for Medicare Advantage, Medicaid and SNPs; Advocating for appropriate Medicare risk adjusted payment methods for SNPs serving high risk populations, including implementing the updated HCC risk adjustment model used for PACE, implementing an individual level frailty adjuster for SNPs, extending the expanded MA supplemental benefit offering to all SNPs, and other matters; Advancing more appropriate basis for the evaluation and approval of special needs plans (SNPs) by NCQA; SNP Extension provisions contained in The American Tax Payers Relief Act , Public Law 112-240; HR 8.

Client expense: — · Firm income: $200,000

Matched citations: HR 8

Regulatory issues related to the ongoing implementation of MIPPA regulations including comprehensive written statements of Medicaid benefits and protections, performance measurements for SNPs developed by CMS and the National Commission on Quality Assurance, a broad range of marketing rules including permissible provider-based activities for institutional SNPs, C-SNP validation rules, call center process issues, and related issues; Worked with CMS and NCQA and Congress on the role of the new Federal Health Care Office, the use of Star measures in calculating quality bonus payments for SNPs and the new approval process NCQA will be implementing for special needs plans effective 2012; Worked with Congress and CMS to facilitate implementation of frailty adjusted payments for fully integrated special needs plans effective 2011 MA payment year, consistent with provisions in Public Law 111-148, but contrary to CMS final notice of MA payment changes for contract year 2011; Worked on health care extenders bills, including H.R. 3962, Affordable Health Care for America Act, to provide CMS the authority to modify Medicare Advantage 2011 contract year bids to include physician fee updates in MA payment rates retrospectively, assuming Congress acts on the sustainable growth rate issue before January 1, 2011, and related matters; Continued efforts to advance full integration of Medicare and Medicaid legislation and initiated exploration of alternative statutory authority for special needs plans; H.R.3962, Preservation of Access to Care for Medicare Beneficiaries and Pension Relief Act of 2010; Worked with CMS on issues related to the submission of MA bids, including denials regarding supplemental benefits for services required by CMS for special needs plans, TBC edits, partial county approvals for compliant networks, denials of SNPs related to meaningful benefit differences, documentation of summary of benefits in relation to MOOP requirements and related issues. Worked with CMS on MIPPA contracting issues for D-SNPs related to Medicaid benefit documentation, differences in Medicare and Medicaid model of care requirements and related issues; documentation related to warning letters for low-performing plans.

Client expense: — · Firm income: $200,000

Matched citations: H.R. 3962

Regulatory issues related to the ongoing implementation of MIPPA regulations including comprehensive written statements of Medicaid benefits and protections, performance measurements for SNPs developed by CMS and the National Commission on Quality Assurance, a broad range of marketing rules including permissible provider-based activities for institutional SNPs, C-SNP validation rules, call center process issues, and related issues; Worked with CMS and NCQA on Accountable Care Act implementation issues, Public laws 111-148 and 111-152, including the role of the new Federal Coordinated Health Care Office, the use of Star measures in calculating quality bonus payments for SNPs and the new approval process NCQA will be implementing for special needs plans effective 2012; Worked with Congress and CMS to facilitate implementation of frailty adjusted payments for fully integrated special needs plans effective 2011 MA payment year, consistent with provisions in Public Law 111-148, but contrary to CMS final notice of MA payment changes for contract year 2011; Worked with Congress and CMS to obtain regulatory relief under proposed rules for Policy and Technical Changes to the Medicare Advantage and the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Programs, under 42 CFR 422.100(f)(4). These rules would have required all MA plans, including special needs plans (SNPs), to establish a maximum out of pocket (MOOP) expense for Medicare A and B services, pay for all Medicare cost sharing in excess of $6,700, and include these costs in their bids. Our focus was on creating exemptions in 2011 MA bids in relation to full benefit dual eligibles and qualified Medicare beneficiaries who have no cost sharing obligations; Worked on health care extenders bills, including H.R. 3962, Affordable Health Care for America Act, to provide CMS the authority to modify Medicare Advantage 2011 contract year bids to include physician fee updates in MA payment rates retrospectively, assuming Congress acts on the sustainable growth rate issue before January 1, 2011, and related matters; Continued efforts to advance full integration of Medicare and Medicaid legislation and initiated exploration of alternative statutory authority for special needs plans; H.R.3962, Preservation of Access to Care for Medicare Beneficiaries and Pension Relief Act of 2010

Client expense: — · Firm income: $200,000

Matched citations: H.R. 3962

Attempted to amend legislation to prevent physician fee cuts -- to obtain Congressional authority for CMS to modify 2011 Medicare Advantage payments related to physician services, consistent with the 2011 physician fee schedule that will result if Congress passes legislation to halt scheduled cuts in physician fees through December 31, 2011. This included HR 4213, the Tax Extenders Act of 2009. Issues related to the implementation of MIPPA regulations including model of care requirements, state contracts for Dual SNPs, comprehensive written statements of Medicaid benefits and protections, performance measurements for SNPs developed by CMS and the National Commission on Quality Assurance, a broad range of marketing rules including permissible provider-based activities, C-SNP validation rules, call center process issues, comprehensive written benefit statement requirements and related issues regarding structure of the summary of benefits, etc.; Worked to incorporate provisions from HR 2758 and S. 1307, "The Medicare Specialty Care Improvement and Protection Act of 2009," into various versions of House and Senate Health Care Reform legislation, including HR 3962, "Americas Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009, S.1796, Americas Healthy Future Act, HR 3590, "The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act," and HR 4872, Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act Advocated on issues in the health care reform legislation related to SNP extension, improvement of risk adjusted payments for high risk, the structure of the quality bonus payments, establishment of an office on Medicare/Medicaid integration, changes in enrollment policies for SNPs, Dual SNP contracting provisions, the structure of MA benefits for SNPs, SNP certification programs, an exemption of Medicare and Medicaid premiums from the annual health insurance fee included in the Senate bill, the structure of the MA bidding system for SNPs, authority for CMS to include physician fee updates in MA payment rates retrospectively, assuming Congress acts of the sustainable growth rate issue before January 1, 2011, and related matters.

Client expense: — · Firm income: $200,000

Matched citations: HR 2758

Attempted to amend legislation to prevent physician fee cuts -- to obtain Congressional authority for CMS to modify 2011 Medicare Advantage payments related to physician services, consistent with the 2011 physician fee schedule that will result if Congress passes legislation to halt scheduled cuts in physician fees through December 31, 2011. This included HR 4213, the Tax Extenders Act of 2009. Issues related to the implementation of MIPPA regulations including model of care requirements, state contracts for Dual SNPs, comprehensive written statements of Medicaid benefits and protections, performance measurements for SNPs developed by CMS and the National Commission on Quality Assurance, a broad range of marketing rules including permissible provider-based activities, C-SNP validation rules, call center process issues, comprehensive written benefit statement requirements and related issues regarding structure of the summary of benefits, etc.; Worked to incorporate provisions from HR 2758 and S. 1307, "The Medicare Specialty Care Improvement and Protection Act of 2009," into various versions of House and Senate Health Care Reform legislation, including HR 3962, "Americas Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009, S.1796, Americas Healthy Future Act, HR 3590, "The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act," and HR 4872, Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act Advocated on issues in the health care reform legislation related to SNP extension, improvement of risk adjusted payments for high risk, the structure of the quality bonus payments, establishment of an office on Medicare/Medicaid integration, changes in enrollment policies for SNPs, Dual SNP contracting provisions, the structure of MA benefits for SNPs, SNP certification programs, an exemption of Medicare and Medicaid premiums from the annual health insurance fee included in the Senate bill, the structure of the MA bidding system for SNPs, authority for CMS to include physician fee updates in MA payment rates retrospectively, assuming Congress acts of the sustainable growth rate issue before January 1, 2011, and related matters.

Client expense: — · Firm income: $200,000

Matched citations: S. 1307

Attempted to amend legislation to prevent physician fee cuts -- to obtain Congressional authority for CMS to modify 2011 Medicare Advantage payments related to physician services, consistent with the 2011 physician fee schedule that will result if Congress passes legislation to halt scheduled cuts in physician fees through December 31, 2011. This included HR 4213, the Tax Extenders Act of 2009. Issues related to the implementation of MIPPA regulations including model of care requirements, state contracts for Dual SNPs, comprehensive written statements of Medicaid benefits and protections, performance measurements for SNPs developed by CMS and the National Commission on Quality Assurance, a broad range of marketing rules including permissible provider-based activities, C-SNP validation rules, call center process issues, comprehensive written benefit statement requirements and related issues regarding structure of the summary of benefits, etc.; Worked to incorporate provisions from HR 2758 and S. 1307, "The Medicare Specialty Care Improvement and Protection Act of 2009," into various versions of House and Senate Health Care Reform legislation, including HR 3962, "Americas Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009, S.1796, Americas Healthy Future Act, HR 3590, "The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act," and HR 4872, Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act Advocated on issues in the health care reform legislation related to SNP extension, improvement of risk adjusted payments for high risk, the structure of the quality bonus payments, establishment of an office on Medicare/Medicaid integration, changes in enrollment policies for SNPs, Dual SNP contracting provisions, the structure of MA benefits for SNPs, SNP certification programs, an exemption of Medicare and Medicaid premiums from the annual health insurance fee included in the Senate bill, the structure of the MA bidding system for SNPs, authority for CMS to include physician fee updates in MA payment rates retrospectively, assuming Congress acts of the sustainable growth rate issue before January 1, 2011, and related matters.

Client expense: — · Firm income: $200,000

Matched citations: S.1796

Worked on behalf of SNP Alliance members on various regulatory issues related to the implementation of MIPPA regulations including model of care requirements, a broad range of marketing rules, state contracts for Dual SNPs, comprehensive written statements of Medicaid benefits and protections, performance measurements for SNPs developed by CMS and the National Commission on Quality Assurance, etc; Worked to incorporate provisions from HR 2758 and S. 1307, "The Medicare Specialty Care Improvement and Protection Act of 2009," into various versions of House and Senate Health Care Reform legislation, including: HR 3200 and HR 3962, two different versions of "Americas Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009;" S. 1796, "Americas Healthy Future Act of 2009;" and HR 3590, "The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act." In particular, the Alliance focused on issues related to SNP extension, improvement of risk adjusted payments for high risk, the structure of the quality bonus payments, establishment of an office on Medicare/Medicaid integration, changes in HR 3200 enrollment policies for C-SNPs, Dual SNP contracting provisions, the structure of MA benefits for SNPs, SNP certification programs, an exemption of Medicare and Medicaid premiums from an annual health insurance fee or excise tax, the structure of the MA bidding system for SNPs and related matters.

Client expense: — · Firm income: $220,000

Matched citations: HR 3590

Worked on behalf of SNP Alliance members on various regulatory issues related to the implementation of MIPPA regulations including model of care requirements, a broad range of marketing rules, state contracts for Dual SNPs, comprehensive written statements of Medicaid benefits and protections, performance measurements for SNPs developed by CMS and the National Commission on Quality Assurance, etc; Worked to incorporate provisions from HR 2758 and S. 1307, "The Medicare Specialty Care Improvement and Protection Act of 2009," into various versions of House and Senate Health Care Reform legislation, including: HR 3200 and HR 3962, two different versions of "Americas Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009;" S. 1796, "Americas Healthy Future Act of 2009;" and HR 3590, "The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act." In particular, the Alliance focused on issues related to SNP extension, improvement of risk adjusted payments for high risk, the structure of the quality bonus payments, establishment of an office on Medicare/Medicaid integration, changes in HR 3200 enrollment policies for C-SNPs, Dual SNP contracting provisions, the structure of MA benefits for SNPs, SNP certification programs, an exemption of Medicare and Medicaid premiums from an annual health insurance fee or excise tax, the structure of the MA bidding system for SNPs and related matters.

Client expense: — · Firm income: $220,000

Matched citations: HR 2758

Worked on behalf of SNP Alliance members on various regulatory issues related to the implementation of MIPPA regulations including model of care requirements, a broad range of marketing rules, state contracts for Dual SNPs, comprehensive written statements of Medicaid benefits and protections, performance measurements for SNPs developed by CMS and the National Commission on Quality Assurance, etc; Worked to incorporate provisions from HR 2758 and S. 1307, "The Medicare Specialty Care Improvement and Protection Act of 2009," into various versions of House and Senate Health Care Reform legislation, including: HR 3200 and HR 3962, two different versions of "Americas Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009;" S. 1796, "Americas Healthy Future Act of 2009;" and HR 3590, "The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act." In particular, the Alliance focused on issues related to SNP extension, improvement of risk adjusted payments for high risk, the structure of the quality bonus payments, establishment of an office on Medicare/Medicaid integration, changes in HR 3200 enrollment policies for C-SNPs, Dual SNP contracting provisions, the structure of MA benefits for SNPs, SNP certification programs, an exemption of Medicare and Medicaid premiums from an annual health insurance fee or excise tax, the structure of the MA bidding system for SNPs and related matters.

Client expense: — · Firm income: $220,000

Matched citations: HR 3200

Worked on behalf of SNP Alliance members on various regulatory issues related to the implementation of MIPPA regulations including model of care requirements, a broad range of marketing rules, state contracts for Dual SNPs, comprehensive written statements of Medicaid benefits and protections, performance measurements for SNPs developed by CMS and the National Commission on Quality Assurance, etc; Worked to incorporate provisions from HR 2758 and S. 1307, "The Medicare Specialty Care Improvement and Protection Act of 2009," into various versions of House and Senate Health Care Reform legislation, including: HR 3200 and HR 3962, two different versions of "Americas Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009;" S. 1796, "Americas Healthy Future Act of 2009;" and HR 3590, "The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act." In particular, the Alliance focused on issues related to SNP extension, improvement of risk adjusted payments for high risk, the structure of the quality bonus payments, establishment of an office on Medicare/Medicaid integration, changes in HR 3200 enrollment policies for C-SNPs, Dual SNP contracting provisions, the structure of MA benefits for SNPs, SNP certification programs, an exemption of Medicare and Medicaid premiums from an annual health insurance fee or excise tax, the structure of the MA bidding system for SNPs and related matters.

Client expense: — · Firm income: $220,000

Matched citations: S. 1307

Worked on behalf of SNP Alliance members on various regulatory issues related to the implementation of MIPPA regulations including model of care requirements, a broad range of marketing rules, state contracts for Dual SNPs, comprehensive written statements of Medicaid benefits and protections, performance measurements for SNPs developed by CMS and the National Commission on Quality Assurance, etc; Worked to incorporate provisions from HR 2758 and S. 1307, "The Medicare Specialty Care Improvement and Protection Act of 2009," into various versions of House and Senate Health Care Reform legislation, including: HR 3200 and HR 3962, two different versions of "Americas Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009;" S. 1796, "Americas Healthy Future Act of 2009;" and HR 3590, "The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act." In particular, the Alliance focused on issues related to SNP extension, improvement of risk adjusted payments for high risk, the structure of the quality bonus payments, establishment of an office on Medicare/Medicaid integration, changes in HR 3200 enrollment policies for C-SNPs, Dual SNP contracting provisions, the structure of MA benefits for SNPs, SNP certification programs, an exemption of Medicare and Medicaid premiums from an annual health insurance fee or excise tax, the structure of the MA bidding system for SNPs and related matters.

Client expense: — · Firm income: $220,000

Matched citations: S. 1796

Worked on behalf of SNP Alliance members on various issues related to the implementation of MIPPA regulations including model of care requirements, marketing rules, state contracts for Dual SNPs, comprehensive written statements of Medicaid benefits and protections, etc; Worked to incorporate provisions from HR 2758, The Medicare Specialty Care Improvement and Protection Act of 2009, and the House TriCommittee Draft on Health Care Reform into HR 3200, Americas Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009, and with a special focus on issues related to SNP extension, improvement of risk adjusted payments for high risk, the structure of the quality bonus payments, establishment of an office on Medicare/Medicaid integration, changes in HR 3200 enrollment policies for C-SNPs, and related matters. Worked to include provisions from S. 1307, Medicare Specialty Care Improvement and Protection Act of 2009, into the Senate Finance Committee health care reform package. Special focus on issues related to SNP extension, improvement of risk adjusted payments for high risk, the structure of the quality bonus payments, establishment of an office on Medicare/Medicaid integration, structure for MA payment reform for dual eligible beneficiaries in chairmans mark and related matters.

Client expense: — · Firm income: $220,000

Matched citations: HR 2758