Slow expansion of SDOH benefits expected in 2020 MA health plans

• Health plan executives expect only modest expansions of SDOH benefits in 2020.
• Among factors limiting SDOH benefits are challenges in creating networks of vendors that can offer them.
• CMS is watching to ensure MA plans’ marketing materials don’t promise all enrollees they can obtain such benefits.

Medicare Advantage (MA) health plans are expected to add few new benefits to address social determinants of health (SDOH) in 2020, despite the expanding opportunities to do so under federal rules.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has been expanding the nonmedical services that MA plans can cover, including 2019 options to cover temporary home modifications and bathroom safety devices.

But only 270...