Five things to know:
1. The memorandum said a previous moratorium on CMS’ ability to terminate Medicare Advantage contracts based on low Star Ratings expired Dec. 31.
2. As a result, the agency will resume the authority to terminate a contract that has failed to receive at least three stars for three consecutive contract years.
3. CMS will use the Star Ratings released after Dec. 31 as the first set it could count toward a plan’s possible termination.
4. Star Ratings for Medicare Advantage and Part D plans are released in the fall. The 2020 Star Ratings — released in the fall of 2019 — will be the first round of ratings counted toward possible termination.
5. Contracts, therefore, can’t be terminated until Star Ratings for 2022 are released, according to CMS.
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