Contextualizing new estimates of coding intensity in Medicare advantage and opportunities for further research

TL;DR

This paper discusses new estimates of coding intensity in Medicare Advantage and suggests ways to study their impact on policy and plan design.

Contribution

The paper introduces new research opportunities related to insurer responses and payment changes in Medicare Advantage.

Findings

New estimates of coding intensity in Medicare Advantage are presented.

Researchers can explore how insurer responses affect policy goals.

Potential changes in insurer payments may influence plan design.

Abstract

In this piece, we provide context for new estimates of coding intensity in Medicare advantage (MA) and highlight how researchers can build on them to inform ongoing policy debates. In particular, we identify opportunities to study how insurer responses may affect the intended goals of the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services’s (CMS) recently introduced risk adjustment model, as well as how potential changes in insurer payments may influence plan design.