Medicare Program; Revisions to the Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Benefit Programs

This interim final rule with comment period (IFC) revises the regulations governing the Medicare Advantage (MA) program (Part C), prescription drug benefit program (Part D) and section 1876 cost plans. This IFC makes conforming changes to the MA regulations to reflect new statutory requirements regarding special needs plans (SNP), private- fee-for-service plans (PFFS), regional preferred provider organizations (RPPO) plans, Medicare medical savings accounts (MSA) plans, and new statutory provisions governing cost-sharing for dual-eligible enrollees in the MA program prescription drug pricing, coverage, and payment processes in the Part D program. In addition, this IFC sets forth new requirements governing the marketing of Part C and Part D plans which by statute must be in place at a date specified by the Secretary, but no later than November 15, 2008. Both the conforming changes to the regulations to reflect new statutory provisions and the new marketing requirements are based on provisions in the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (MIPPA), which became law on July 15, 2008.