Pursuit's Take
CMS collects MA encounter data to help ensure the proper use of federal funds by improving risk adjustment in the MA program—the private health plan alternative to traditional Medicare—and for other potential purposes. CMS’s ability to make proper payments depends on the completeness and accuracy of MA encounter data. In July 2014, GAO reported that CMS had taken some, but not all, appropriate actions to validate the completeness and accuracy of encounter data and had not fully developed plans for using them.
Since GAO issued its July 2014 report, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has made limited progress to validate the completeness and accuracy of Medicare Advantage (MA) encounter data. CMS collects encounter data—detailed information about the care and health status of MA enrollees—to determine payments to MA organizations (MAO). These entities received approximately $170 billion to provide coverage to nearly one-third of all Medicare beneficiaries in 2015.
Read the full report