Improving Care and Lowering Costs for Chronic Care Beneficiaries: Implementing the Bipartisan Budget Act

On February 8, 2018, President Donald Trump signed the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 (BBA 2018), which included important changes to the Medicare program for individuals with multiple chronic conditions. The changes were designed to improve quality of care and lower Medicare costs for patients who may also need help with day-to-day activities, such as bathing or dressing. Generally, these are adults with complex care needs. Under BBA 2018, Medicare Advantage (MA), Medicare’s managed care plans, may provide additional or supplemental services to those with complex care needs. This new flexibility for health plans has significant potential to provide access to non-medical health-related benefits, including those that have proved successful in keeping patients in...