Montana Public Radio’s health care reporter, Aaron Bolton, discussed the challenges facing providers who accept Medicare Advantage plans. Some providers are limiting the number of these plans they accept or even walking away from them altogether due to financial losses and administrative burdens. The president of the Montana Hospital Association also mentioned clinicians spending a significant amount of time on the phone with payers, which affects patient care and costs money.
Bolton conducted a survey of nursing homes in Montana and found that some have stopped taking certain Medicare Advantage plans or are considering dropping them due to slow payment issues. One facility reported waiting three years for $150,000 owed by an insurance company. While the Montana Auditor’s Office does not regulate Medicare payments, federal regulations require plans to pay 95% of their bills within 30 days, with penalties for delays.
The importance of monitoring slow or no-pay issues among Medicare Advantage plans was highlighted, emphasizing the need for federal regulators to address these concerns. The impact of providers walking away from these plans could limit care options for patients, emphasizing the need for continued monitoring of the situation.
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Photo credit www.mtpr.org
