CMS Releases 2009 Medicare Advantage Capitation Rates

On April 7, 2008, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the Announcement of Calendar Year 2009 Medicare Advantage Capitation Rates and Medicare Advantage and Part D Payment Policies (Announcement).  According to the Announcement, the aged and disabled capitation rates for MA plans will increase on average about 3.6 percent.  Furthermore, the final estimate of the 2009 national per capita MA growth percentage for aged and disabled enrollees is 4.24 percent, which includes 3.74 percent for the underlying trend change and approximately 0.5 percent due to corrections to prior years' estimates.  In addition to the Announcement, CMS has posted a Fact Sheet on the CMS website.