A top CMS official was silent when asked about an impending split between UPMC and Highmark at a recent forum, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's editorial board.
Five things to know:
1. CMS Chief of Staff Paul Mango was "deliberately mum" on a consent decree set to expire June 30, affecting approximately 175,000 Highmark Medicare Advantage plan members, according to the board.
2. Mr. Mango was speaking about Medicare initiatives at the Pittsburgh Business Group on Health's annual forum, but the editorial board claims he refused to answer any questions on the UPMC-Highmark split.
3. "Answering questions is the least that should be expected from a government entity that deals with the health insurance needs of thousands upon thousands of senior citizens, disabled people and the poor," according to the Post-Gazette's editorial board.
4. In December, Pennsylvania senators and representatives wrote to CMS to see if the agency could give more information to patients who will be affected by the split. While the editorial board said it believes "CMS has an ethical obligation to help its customers navigate these uncharted waters," it added, "Don't expect any help from CMS, evidenced by Mr. Mango's silence."
5. On Feb. 7, the Pennsylvania Attorney General's office filed a petition against UPMC seeking to modify the consent decree. UPMC plans to fight the petition.