Vizient Shares Feedback with CMS on Medicare Advantage Data

IRVING, Texas, May 29, 2024 – Today, Vizient, Inc. submitted comments to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in response to its Request for Information (RFI) on Medicare Advantage (MA) data. As MA plans continue to pose challenges to both providers and patients, Vizient's comments included recommendations on how better data can support healthcare providers in providing quality care and improving outcomes for MA beneficiaries.

In line with previous feedback to the agency, Vizient encouraged CMS to improve the prior authorization (PA) process by requiring more granular data reporting and information sharing by MA plans for PA requests, denials, and appeals to improve workflows and bolster transparency. Additionally, recognizing the significant impact of post-acute care denials on patient care, especially among vulnerable populations, Vizient urged CMS to require more comprehensive data to identify potential fraud and enhance patient outcomes. Vizient also recommended CMS publish more specific data to better assess the quality of MA plans.

Also, Vizient urged CMS to evaluate the impact of white/brown bagging by collecting data related to payer-mandated white/brown bagging policies, including on the impact to patient care, hospital operations, and administrative burden.

"Our feedback to CMS is driven by the real-world experiences of our providers," said Shoshana Krilow, senior vice president of public policy and government relations at Vizient. "By advocating for these data-related enhancements, we aim to foster an environment where MA plans support rather than hinder the delivery of patient-centered care. We appreciate CMS's ongoing commitment to improving the MA program, especially as enrollment continues to grow significantly."

Vizient remains committed to being a trusted advisor on these issues, continually engaging through initiatives, such as our recent congressional briefing, to educate policymakers and assist providers and CMS as they navigate future rulemaking.

About Vizient, Inc.
Vizient, Inc., the nation's largest provider-driven healthcare performance improvement company, serves more than 65% of the nation's acute care providers, which includes 97% of the nation's academic medical centers, and more than 35% of the non-acute care market. Vizient provides expertise, analytics and consulting services, as well as a contract portfolio that represents $140 billion in annual purchasing volume. Solutions and services from Vizient improve the delivery of high-value care by aligning cost, quality and market performance. Headquartered in Irving, Texas, Vizient has offices throughout the United States. Learn more at www.vizientinc.com.