Contract with Eligible Medicare Advantage Organization Pursuant to Sections 1851 through 1859 of the Social Security Act for the Operation of a Medicare Advantage Private Fee-For-Service Plan(s)
Exhibit
10.15
Contract
with Eligible Medicare Advantage Organization Pursuant to
Sections
1851 through 1859 of the Social Security Act for the Operation
of
a
Medicare Advantage Private Fee-For-Service Plan(s)
CONTRACT
(#1340)
Between
Centers
for Medicare & Medicaid Services (hereinafter referred to as
CMS)
And
Advance
/ WellCare PFFS Insurance, Inc.
(hereinafter
referred to as the MA Organization)
CMS
and
the MA Organization, an entity which has been determined to be an eligible
Medicare Advantage Organization by the Administrator of the Centers for
Medicare
& Medicaid Services under 42 CFR 422.503, agree to the following for the
purposes of sections 1851 through 1859 of the Social Security Act (hereinafter
referred to as the Act):
(NOTE:
Citations indicated in brackets are placed in the text of this contract
to note
the regulatory authority for certain contract provisions. All references
to Part
422 are to 42 CFR Part 422.)
Addendum
Type
|
Initials
|
|
ü
|
Part
D Addendum
|
TF
|
ü
|
Employer-Only
MA-PD Addendum (800 Series)
|
TF
|
__
|
Employer-Only
MA Only Addendum (800 Series)
|
____
|
__
|
Variances/Waivers
(Provided directly to Demonstration Organizations by CMS)
|
____
|
Article
I
Term
of
Contract
The
term
of this contract shall be from the date of signature by CMS'
authorized representative through December 31, 2007, after which this contract
may be renewed for successive one-year periods in accordance with 42
CFR
422.505(c). [422.505]
This
contract governs the respective rights and obligations of the parties as
of the
effective date set forth above, and supersedes any prior agreements between
the
MA
Organization and CMS as of such date. MA organizations offering Part
D
benefits
also must execute an Addendum to the Medicare Managed Care Contract Pursuant
to
Sections 1860D-1 through 1860D-42 of the Social Security Act for the Operation
of a Voluntary Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (hereafter the "Part D
Addendum").
For MA
Organizations offering MA-PD
plans,
the Part D Addendum governs the rights and obligations of the parties relating
to the provision of Part D benefits, in accordance with its terms, as of
its
effective date.
Article
II
Private
Fee-For-Service
Plan
A.
The MA
Organization agrees to operate one or more private fee-for-service
plans
(as defined in
42 CFR
422.4(a)(3)),
as
described in its final Plan Benefit Package (PBP)
bid
submission (benefit
and price bid) proposal as approved by CMS and as attested to in the Medicare
Advantage
Attestation of Benefit Plan and Price, and in compliance with the requirements
of this contract
and applicable Federal statutes, regulations, and policies.
B.
Except
as provided in paragraph (C)
of this
Article, this contract is deemed to incorporate any changes
that are required by statute to be implemented during the term of the contract
and any regulations
or policies implementing or interpreting such statutory provisions.
C.CMS
will not
implement, other than at the beginning of a calendar year, requirements
under 42
CFR
Part
422 that impose a new significant
cost
or burden on MA organizations or plans, unless a
different effective date is required by statute.
[422.521]
Article
III
Functions
To Be Performed By Medicare Advantage Organization
A.
PROVISION OF BENEFITS
1.
The MA
Organization agrees to provide enrollees
in each
of its MA plans the basic benefits as required under §422.101 and, to the extent
applicable, supplemental benefits under §422.102 and as established in the MA
Organization's final benefit and price bid proposal as approved by CMS
and
listed in The MA Organization Attestation of Benefit
Plan
and Price, which is attached to this contract. The MA Organization agrees
to
provide access to such benefits as required under subpart
C in a
manner consistent with professionally recognized standards of health care
and
according to the access standards stated in §422.114. The MA Organization agrees
to
2
provide
post-hospital extended care services, should an MA enrollee
elect
such coverage, through a skilled nursing facility according to the requirements
of section 1852(1) of the Act and §422.133 .
A home
skilled nursing facility is a facility in which an MA enrollee resided
at the
time of admission to the hospital, a facility that provides services through
a
continuing care retirement community, or a facility in which the spouse
of the
enrollee is residing at the time of the enrollee's
discharge from the hospital, or hospital, or wherever the enrollee resides
immediately before admission for extended care services. [422.133;
422.504(a)(3)]
2.
The MA
Organization shall authorize benefits according to the local medical review
policies (LMRPs)
for
services provided in geographic areas where the LMRPs
represent an expansion of Medicare coverage policies as compared to national
Medicare coverage policies.
[422.101(b)(2)]
B.
ENROLLMENT REQUIREMENTS
1.
The MA
Organization agrees to accept new enrollments, make enrollments effective,
process voluntary disenrollments,
and
limit involuntary disenrollments,
as
provided in subpart
B of
part 422.
2.
The MA
Organization shall comply with the provisions of §422.110 concerning
prohibitions against discrimination in beneficiary enrollment. [422.504(a)(2)]
C.
BENEFICIARY PROTECTIONS
1.
The MA
Organization agrees to comply with all requirements in subpart M
of part
422 governing coverage determinations, grievances, and appeals. [422.504(a)(7)]
2.
The MA
Organization agrees to comply with the confidentiality and enrollee record
accuracy requirements in §422.118.
3.
Beneficiary
Financial Protection.
The MA
Organization agrees to comply with the following requirements:
(a)
Each
MA Organization must adopt and maintain arrangements satisfactory to
CMS
to
protect its enrollees
from
incurring liability for payment of any fees that are the legal obligation
of the
MA Organization. To meet this requirement the MA Organization must—
(i)
Ensure
that all contractual (including deemed contracts under §422.216) or other
written arrangements with providers prohibit the Organization's providers
from
holding any beneficiary enrollee liable for payment of any fees that are
the
legal obligation of the MA Organization; and
(ii)
Indemnify the beneficiary enrollee for payment of any fees that are the
legal
obligation of the MA Organization for services furnished by providers that
do
not contract, or that have not otherwise entered into an agreement with
the MA
Organization, to provide services to the organization's beneficiary enrollees.
This provision does not apply to providers operating under deemed contracts
under §422.216. [422.504(g)(l)]
(iii)
Ensure
that in the MA Organization's terms and conditions of payment to hospitals,
if
balance billing is imposed, the hospitals are obligated to provide notice
to
enrollees of their potential liability for services where balance billing
could
amount to not less than $500. This notice shall be provided according to
the
requirements of §422.216(d)(2).
(b)
The MA
Organization must provide for continuation of enrollee health care benefits-(i)
For all
enrollees, for the duration of the contract period for which CMS payments
have
been made; and
3
(ii)
For
enrollees
who are
hospitalized on the date its contract with CMS
terminates, or, in the event of the MA
Organization's insolvency, through the date of discharge. [422.504(g)(2)]
(c)
In
meeting the requirements of this section (C),
other
than the provider contract requirements specified in paragraph (C)(3)(a)
of this
Article, the MA Organization may use—
(i)
Contractual arrangements;
(ii)
Insurance acceptable to CMS;
(iii)
Financial reserves acceptable to CMS; or
(iv)
Any
other arrangement acceptable to CMS.
[(422.504(g)(3)]
D.
PROVIDER
PROTECTIONS
1.
The MA
Organization agrees to comply with all applicable provider requirements
in 42
CFR
Part
422
Subpart E,
including provider certification
requirements, anti-discrimination requirements, provider participation
and
consultation requirements, the prohibition on interference with provider
advice,
limits on provider indemnification, rules governing payments to providers,
and
limits on physician incentive plans.
[422.504(a)(6)]
2.
Prompt
Payment.
(a)
The
MA Organization must pay 95 percent of "clean claims" within 30 days of
receipt
if they are submitted by, or on behalf of, an enrollee
of a MA
PFFS
plan or
are for claims for services that are not furnished
under a written agreement between the organization and the
provider.
(i)
The
MA Organization must pay interest on clean claims that are not paid within
30
days in accordance with sections 1816(c)(2) and 1842(c)(2) of the
Act.
(ii)
All
other claims from non-contracted providers must be paid or denied within
60
calendar days from the date of the request. [422.520(a)]
(b)
Contracts, deemed contracts, or other written agreements between the MA
Organization and its providers must contain a prompt payment provision,
the
terms of which are developed and agreed to by both the MA Organization
and the
relevant provider.
[422.520(b)]
(c)
If
CMS determines, after giving notice and opportunity for hearing, that the
MA
Organization has failed to make payments in accordance with subparagraph
(2)(a)
of this section, CMS may provide—
(i)
For
direct payment of the sums owed to providers; and
(ii)
For
appropriate reduction in the amounts that would otherwise be paid to
the
MA Organization,
to reflect the amounts of the direct payments and the cost of making those
payments.
[422.520(c)]
3.
Payment
Rates:
(a)
The
MA Organization shall make payments to providers according to the requirements
of §422.114.
(b)
CMS
and the MA Organization shall reach agreement, on or before the effective
date
of this contract, on provider payment methodologies, which shall include
provider payment proxies, also described as estimated Original Medicare
payment
amounts.
(c)
The
MA Organization agrees to implement revised provider payment schedules
on the
same date that such changes are required of contractors administering the
Original Medicare benefit.
4
(d)
The
MA
Organization agrees that it shall revise its provider payment schedule
to
reflect the requirements of legislative or regulatory changes made during
the
term of this contract. Also, the MA Organization agrees that CMS
may
require the MA Organization to revise its provider payment schedule if
CMS
determines that the existing schedule does not comply with the provisions
of
§422.114(a)(2). [422.114]
(e)
The MA
Organization agrees that it shall establish and maintain a payment appeal
system
under which MA plan providers may have their payment claims reviewed in
the
event that the provider believes he was paid less than he would have been
paid
under Original Medicare. Under such a system, if a provider reasonably
demonstrates that they have not received proper payment, the MA Organization
shall pay the provider the difference between what the provider had received
and
what he would have received under Original Medicare.
(f)
The MA
Organization agrees to make its provider payment schedule available to
the
public in such a manner as to allow providers a reasonable opportunity
to be
informed about payment methodologies under the MA plan. This includes posting
the schedule on a Web site maintained by the Organization.
E.
QUALITY REQUIREMENTS: The MA Organization agrees to comply with quality
requirements as described in §422.152(f).
F.
COMPLIANCE PLAN: The
MA
Organization agrees to implement a compliance plan in accordance with the
requirements
of §422.503(b)(4)(vi).
[422.503(b)(4)(vi)]
G.
COMPLIANCE DEEMED ON THE BASIS OF ACCREDITATION: CMS may deem the MA
Organization to have met the quality improvement requirements of§1852(e) of the
Act and §422.152, the confidentiality and accuracy of
enrollee
records
requirements of§1852(h) of the Act and §422.118, the anti-discrimination
requirements of§1852(b) of the Act and §422.110, the access to services
requirements of§1852(d) of the Act and §422.112, the advance directives
requirements of§1852(i) of the Act and §422.128, the provider participation
requirements of §1852(j)
of the
Act and 42 CFR
Part
422, Subpart
F, and
the applicable requirements described in §423.165, if the MA Organization is
fully accredited (and periodically reaccredited)
by a
private, national accreditation organization approved by CMS and the
accreditation organization used the standards approved by CMS for the purposes
of assessing the MA Organization's compliance with Medicare requirements.
The
provisions of §422.156 shall govern the MA Organization's
use of
deemed status to meet MA program requirements.
H.
PROGRAM INTEGRITY
1.
The MA
Organization agrees to provide notice based on best knowledge, information,
and
belief to CMS of any integrity items related to payments from governmental
entities, both federal and state, for healthcare
or
prescription drug services. These items include any investigations, legal
actions or matters subject to arbitration brought involving the MA Organization
(or MA Organization's firm
if
applicable) and its subcontractors (excluding contracted network providers),
including any key management or executive staff, or any major shareholders
(5%
or more), by a government agency (state or federal) on matters relating
to
payments from governmental entities, both federal and state, for healthcare
and/or
prescription drug services. In
5
providing
the notice, the sponsor shall keep the government informed of when the
integrity
item is initiated and when it is closed. Notice should be provided of the
details concerning any resolution and monetary payments as well as any
settlement agreements or corporate integrity agreements.
2.
The
MA
Organization agrees to provide notice based on best knowledge, information,
and
belief to CMS
in the
event the MA Organization or any of its subcontractors is criminally convicted
or has a civil judgment entered against it for fraudulent activities or
is
sanctioned under any Federal program involving the provision of health
care or
prescription drug services.
I.
MARKETING
1.
The MA
Organization may not distribute any marketing materials, as defined
in 42
CFR
422.80(b)
and in the Marketing Materials Guidelines for Medicare Advantage-Prescription
Drug Plans and Prescription Drug Plans (Medicare Marketing Guidelines),
unless
they have been filed with and not disapproved by CMS in accordance with
§422.80.
The file and use process set out at §422.80(a)(2) must be used, unless the MA
organization notifies CMS that it will not use this process.
2.
CMS
and the MA Organization shall agree upon language setting forth the benefits,
exclusions and other language of the Plan. The MA Organization bears full
responsibility for the accuracy of its marketing materials. CMS, in its
sole
discretion, may order the MA Organization to print and distribute the agreed
upon marketing materials, in a format approved by CMS. The MA Organization
must
disclose the information to each enrollee
electing
a plan as outlined in 42 CFR 422. 111.
3.
The MA
Organization agrees that any advertising material, including that labeled
promotional material, marketing materials, or supplemental literature,
shall be
truthful and not misleading. All marketing materials must include the Contract
number. All membership identification
cards must include the Contract number on the front of the card.
4.
The MA
Organization must comply with the Medicare Marketing Guidelines, as well
as all
applicable statutes and regulations, including and without limitation Section
1851(h) of the Act and 42 CFR §§422.80,
422.111 and 423.50. Failure to comply may result in sanctions as provided
in 42
CFR Part 422 Subpart
0.
Article
IV
CMS
Payment to MA Organization
A.
The MA
Organization agrees to develop its annual benefit and price bid proposal
and
submit to CMS all required information on premiums, benefits, and cost
sharing,
as required under 42 CFR Part 422 Subpart F.
[422.504(a)(10)]
B. Methodology.
CMS
agrees to pay the MA Organization under this contract in accordance with
the
provisions of section 1853 of the Act and 42 CFR Part 422 Subpart G. [422.504(a)(9)]
6
C.
Attestation of payment
data
(Attachments A.'B,
and 0.
As a condition for receiving a monthly payment under paragraph B
of this
article, and 42 CFR
Part
422
Subpart G,
the
MA
Organization agrees that its chief executive officer (CEO),
or chief
financial officer (CFO),
or an
individual delegated with the authority to sign on behalf of one of these
officers, and who reports directly to such officer, must request payment
under
the contract on the forms attached as Attachment A (enrollment attestation)
and
Attachment B (risk adjustment data) hereto which attest to (based
on best knowledge, information and belief, as of the date
specified
on
the attestation form)
the
accuracy, completeness, and truthfulness of the data identified on these
attachments. The Medicare Advantage Plan Attestation of Benefit
Plan
and Price must be signed and attached to the executed version of this
contract.
1.
Attachment A requires that the CEO, or CFO, or an individual delegated
with the
authority to sign on behalf of one of these officers, and who reports directly
to such officer, must attest based on best knowledge, information, and
belief
that each enrolled
for whom
the MA Organization is requesting payment is validly
enrolled, or was validly
enrolled
during the period for which payment is requested, in an MA plan offered
by the
MA Organization. The MA Organization shall submit completed enrollment
attestation forms to CMS,
or its
contractor, on a monthly basis. (NOTE: The forms included as attachments
to this
contract are for reference only. CMS will provide instructions for the
completion and submission of the forms in separate documents. MA Organizations
should not take any action on the forms until appropriate CMS instructions
become available.)
2.
Attachment B requires that the CEO, or CFO, or an individual delegated
with the
authority to sign on behalf of one of these officers,
and
who reports directly to such officer, must attest
to (based on best knowledge, information and belief, as of the date
specified
on
the attestation form)
that the
risk adjustment
data it submits to CMS under §422.310 are accurate, complete, and truthful. The
MA Organization shall make annual attestations to this effect for risk
adjustment data on Attachment B and according to a schedule to be published
by
CMS. If such risk adjustment data are generated by a related entity, contractor,
or subcontractor of an MA Organization, such entity, contractor, or
subcontractor must similarly attest
to (based on best knowledge, information, and belief, as of the date
specified
on the attestation form)
the
accuracy, completeness, and truthfulness of the data. [422.504(1)]
3.
The
Medicare Advantage Plan Attestation of Benefit Plan and Price (which is
attached
hereto) requires that the CEO, CFO, or an individual delegated with the
authority to sign on behalf of one of these officers, and who reports directly
to such officer, must attest (based
on best knowledge, information and belief, as of the date
specified
on
the attestation form)
that the
information and documentation comprising the bid submission proposal is
accurate, complete, and truthful and fully conforms to the Bid Form and
Plan
Benefit Package requirements; and that the benefits described in the
CMS-approved
proposal
bid submission agree with the benefit package the MA Organization will
offer
during the period covered by the proposal bid submission. This document
is being
sent separately to the MA Organization and must be signed and attached
to the
executed version of this contract, and is incorporated herein by reference.
[422.502(1)]
7
Article
V
MA
Organization Relationship with Related Entities, Contractors, and
Subcontractors
A.
All
references to "contracts" and "contractors" in this Article shall include
deemed
contracts (where applicable) and deemed contract providers (where applicable)
as
defined in §422.216(f).
B.
Notwithstanding any relationship(s) that the MA Organization may have with
related entities, contractors, or subcontractors, the MA Organization maintains
full responsibility for adhering to and otherwise fully complying with
all terms
and conditions of its contract with CMS. [422.504(i)(l)]
C.
The MA
Organization agrees to require all related entities, contractors, or
subcontractors to agree that—
1.
HHS,
the
Comptroller General, or their designees
have the
right to inspect, evaluate, and audit any pertinent contracts, books, documents,
papers, and records of the related entity(s),
contractors),
or
subcontractors)
involving transactions related to this contract; and
2.
HHS,
the Comptroller General, or their designees have the right to inspect,
evaluate,
and audit any pertinent information for any particular contract period
for 10
years from the final date of the contract period or from the date of completion
of any audit, whichever is later.
[422.504(i)(2)]
D.
The MA
Organization agrees that all contracts or written arrangements into which
the MA
Organization enters with providers, related entities, contractors, or
subcontractors (first tier and downstream entities) shall contain the following
elements:
1. Enrollee
protection provisions that provide—
(a)
Consistent with Article III(C), arrangements that prohibit providers from
holding an enrollee
liable
for payment of any fees that are the legal obligation of the MA Organization;
and
(b)
Consistent with Article III(C), provision for the continuation of
benefits.
2.
Accountability provisions that indicate that—
(a)
The
MA Organization oversees and is accountable to CMS for any functions or
responsibilities that are described in these standards; and
(b)
The
MA Organization may only delegate activities or functions to a provider,
related
entity, contractor, or subcontractor in a manner consistent with requirements
set forth at paragraph D of this article.
3.
A
provision requiring that any services or other activity performed by a
related
entity, contractor or subcontractor in accordance with a contract or written
agreement between the related entity, contractor, or subcontractor and
the MA
Organization will be consistent and comply with the MA Organization's
contractual obligations to CMS. [(422.504(i)(3)]
E.
If any
of the MA Organization's activities or responsibilities under this contract
with
CMS is delegated to other parties, the following requirements apply to
any
related entity, contractor, subcontractor, or provider:
1.
Written arrangements must specify delegated activities and reporting
responsibilities.
8
2.
Written arrangements must either provide for revocation of the delegation
activities and reporting requirements or specify other remedies in instances
where CMS
or the
MA
Organization
determine that such parties have not performed satisfactorily.
3.
Written arrangements must specify that the performance of the parties is
monitored by the MA Organization on an ongoing basis.
4.
Written arrangements must specify that either—
(a)
The
credentials of medical professionals affiliated with the party or parties
will
be either reviewed by the MA Organization; or
(b)
The
provider verification process will be reviewed and approved by the MA
Organization and the MA Organization must audit the provider verification
process on an ongoing basis. The provider verification process will consist,
at
a minimum, of ensuring that providers have a state license to operate and
be
eligible for payment by Medicare.
5.
All
contracts or written arrangements must specify that the related entity,
contractor, or subcontractor must comply with all applicable Medicare laws,
regulations, and CMS instructions.
[422.504(i)(4)]
F.
If the
MA Organization delegates selection of the providers, contractors, or
subcontractors to another organization, the MA Organization's written
arrangements with that organization must state that the MA Organization
retains
the right to approve, suspend, or terminate any such arrangement.
[422.504(i)(5)]
Article
VI
Records
Requirements
A.
MAINTENANCE OF RECORDS
1.
The MA
Organization agrees to maintain for 10 years books, records, documents,
and
other evidence
of accounting procedures and practices that—
(a)
Are
sufficient
to
do the following:
(i)
Accommodate periodic auditing of the financial
records (including data related to Medicare utilization, costs, and computation
of the benefit
and
price bid) of the MA Organization.
(ii)
Enable
CMS to inspect or otherwise evaluate the quality, appropriateness and timeliness
of services performed under the contract, and the facilities of the MA
Organization.
(iii)
Enable
CMS to audit and inspect any books and records of the MA Organization that
pertain to the ability of the organization to bear the risk of potential
financial losses, or to services performed or determinations of amounts
payable
under the contract.
(iv)
Properly
reflect all direct and indirect costs claimed to have been incurred and
used in
the preparation of the benefit and price bid proposal.
(v)
Establish component rates of the benefit and price bid for determining
additional and supplementary benefits.
(vi)
Determine the rates utilized in setting premiums for State insurance agency
purposes and for other government and private purchasers; and
9
(b)
Include at least records of the
following:
(i)
Ownership and operation of the MA
Organization's financial, medical, and other record keeping
systems.
(ii)
Financial statements for the current contract period and ten prior
periods.
(iii)
Federal
income tax or informational returns for the current contract period and
ten
prior periods.
(iv)
Asset
acquisition, lease, sale, or other action.
(v)
Agreements, contracts (including, but not limited to with related or unrelated
prescription drug benefit
managers) and subcontracts.
(vi)
Franchise, marketing, and management agreements.
(vii)
Schedules of charges for the MA Organization's fee-for-service
patients.
(viii)
Matters
pertaining to costs of operations.
(ix)
Amounts
of income received, by source
and payment.
(x)
Cash
flow statements.
(xi)
Any
financial
reports filed with other Federal programs or State authorities.
[422.504(d)]
2.
Access
to facilities and records.
The MA
Organization agrees to the following:
(a)
The
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS),
the
Comptroller General, or their designee
may
evaluate, through inspection or other means—
(i)
The
quality, appropriateness, and timeliness of services furnished to Medicare
enrollees
under
the contract;
(ii)
The
facilities of the MA Organization; and
(iii)
The
enrollment and disenrollment
records
for the current contract period and ten prior periods.
(b)
HHS, the
Comptroller General, or their designees
may
audit, evaluate, or inspect any books, contracts, medical records, documents,
papers, patient care documentation, and other records of the MA Organization,
related entity, contractor (including deemed contract providers as
defined
in
§422.216(f)),
subcontractor, or its transferee that pertain to any aspect of services
performed, reconciliation of benefit liabilities, and determination of
amounts
payable under the contract, or as the Secretary may deem necessary to enforce
the contract.
(c)
The MA
Organization agrees to make available, for the purposes specified
in
section (A) of this article, its premises, physical facilities and equipment,
records relating to its Medicare enrollees, and any additional relevant
information that CMS
may
require, in a manner that meets CMS
record
maintenance requirements.
(d)
HHS, the
Comptroller General, or their designee's
right to
inspect, evaluate, and audit extends through 10 years from the final date
of the
contract period or completion of audit, whichever is later
unless-
(i)
CMS
determines there is a special need to retain a particular record or group
of
records for a longer period and notifies the MA Organization at least 30
days
before the normal disposition date;
(ii)
There has been a termination, dispute, or fraud or similar fault by the
MA
Organization, in which case the retention may be extended to 10 years from
the
date of any resulting final resolution of the termination, dispute, or
fraud or
similar fault; or
(iii)
HHS, the Comptroller General, or their designee determines that there is
a
reasonable possibility of fraud, in which case they may inspect, evaluate,
and
audit the MA Organization at any time. [422.504(e)]
10
B.
REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
1.
The
MA
Organization shall have an effective procedure to develop, compile, evaluate,
and report to CMS,
to its
enrollees,
and to
the general public, at the times and in the manner that CMS
requires, and while safeguarding the confidentiality
of the doctor-patient relationship, statistics and other information as
described in the remainder of this section (B).
[422.516(a)j
2.
The MA
Organization agrees to submit to CMS certified
financial
information that must include the following:
(a)
Such
information as CMS may require demonstrating that the organization has
a
fiscally sound operation, including:
(i)
The cost
of its operations;
(ii)
A
description, submitted to CMS annually and within 120 days of the end of
the
fiscal
year, of significant business transactions (as defined in §422.500) between the
MA Organization and a party in interest showing that the costs of the
transactions listed in paragraph (2)(a)(v) of this section do not exceed
the
costs that would be incurred if these transactions were with someone who
is not
a party in interest; or
(iii)
If they
do exceed, a justification that the higher costs are consistent with prudent
management and fiscal soundness requirements.
(iv)
A
combined financial statement for the MA Organization and a party in interest
if
either of the following conditions is met:
(aa)
Thirty-five percent or more of the costs of operation of the MA
Organization
go
to a party in interest.
(bb)
Thirty-five percent or more of the revenue of a party in interest is from
the MA
Organization.
[422.516(b)]
(v)
Requirements for combined financial statements.
(aa)
The
combined financial statements required by paragraph (2)(a)(iv) must display
in
separate columns the financial information for the MA Organization and
each of
the parties in interest.
(bb)
Inter-entity
transactions must be eliminated in the consolidated column.
(cc)
The
statements must have been examined by an independent auditor in accordance
with
generally accepted accounting principles and must include appropriate opinions
and notes.
(dd)
Upon
written request from the MA Organization showing good cause, CMS may waive
the
requirement that the organization's combined financial
statement include the financial information required in paragraph (2)(a)(v)
with
respect to a particular entity.
[422.516(c)]
(vi)
A
description of any loans or other special financial
arrangements the MA Organization makes with contractors, subcontractors,
and
related entities.
(b)
Such
information as CMS may require pertaining to the disclosure of ownership
and
control of the MA Organization.
[422.504(f)(l)(ii)]
(c)
Patterns
of utilization of the MA Organization's services.
3.
The MA
Organization agrees to participate in surveys required by CMS and to submit
to
CMS all information that is necessary for CMS to administer and evaluate
the
program and to simultaneously establish and facilitate a process for current
and
prospective beneficiaries to exercise choice in obtaining Medicare services.
This information includes, but is not limited to:
(a)
The
benefits
covered under the MA plan;
(b)
The
MA monthly basic beneficiary premium and MA monthly supplemental beneficiary
premium, if any, for the plan.
11
(c)
The
service area and continuation area, if any, of each plan and the enrollment
capacity of each plan;
(d)
Plan
performance indicators for the benefits under the plan including — (i) Disenrollment
rates
for Medicare enrollees
electing
to receive benefits through the plan
for
the previous 2 years;
(ii)
Information on Medicare enrollee
satisfaction;
(iii)
The
patterns of utilization of plan services;
(iv)
The
availability, accessibility, and acceptability of the plan's
services;
(v)
Information on health outcomes and other performance measures required
by
CMS;
(vi)
The
recent record regarding compliance of the plan with requirements of this
part,
as determined
by CMS; and
(vii)
Other
information determined by CMS to be necessary to assist beneficiaries in
making
an
informed choice among MA
plans
and traditional-Medicare;
(e)
Information about beneficiary
appeals and their disposition;
(f)
Information regarding all formal actions, reviews, findings, or other similar
actions by States, other regulatory bodies, or any other certifying or
accrediting organization;
(g)
Any
other information deemed necessary by CMS for the administration or evaluation
of the Medicare program. [422.504(f)(2)]
4.
The MA
Organization agrees to provide to its enrollees and upon request, to any
individual eligible to elect an MA plan, all informational requirements
under
§422.64 and, upon an enrollee's,
request,
the financial
disclosure information required under §422.516.
[422.504(f)(3)]
5.
Reporting
and disclosure under XXXXX.
(a)
For
any employees' health benefits plan that includes an MA Organization in
its
offerings, the MA Organization must furnish, upon request, the information
the
plan needs to fulfill its reporting and disclosure obligations (with respect
to
the MA Organization) under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act
of 1974
(ERISA).
(b)
The MA
Organization must furnish the information to the employer or the employer's
designee,
or to
the plan administrator, as the term "administrator" is defined in ERISA.
[422.516(d)]
6.
Electronic
communication.
The MA
Organization must have the capacity to communicate with CMS
electronically.
[422.504(b)]
7.
Risk
Adjustment data. The MA Organization agrees to comply with the requirements
in
§422.310 for submitting risk adjustment data to CMS. [422.504(a)(8)]
Article
VII
Renewal
of the MA Contract
X.
Xxxxxxx
of contract:
In
accordance with §422.505, following the initial contract period, this contract
is renewable annually only if-
(1)
The
MA Organization has not provided CMS with a notice of intention not to
renew;
[422.506(a)]
12
(2)
CMS
and the
MA
Organization reach agreement on the bid under 42 CFR
Part 422
Subpart F;
and
[422.505(d)]
(3)
CMS
informs the MA Organization that it authorizes a renewal.
B. Nonrenewal
of
contract
(1)
Nonrenewal
by
the Organization.
(a)
In
accordance with §422.506, the MA Organization may elect not to renew its
contract with CMS as of the end of the term of the contract for any reason,
provided it meets the time frames for doing so set forth in subparagraphs (b)
and
(c)
of this
paragraph.
(b)
If the
MA Organization does not intend to renew its contract, it must
notify—
(i)
CMS, in
writing, by the first Monday in June of the year in which the contract
would
end, pursuant to §422.506;
(ii)
Each
Medicare enrollee,
at least
90 days before the date on which the nonrenewal
is
effective. This notice must include a written description of all alternatives
available for obtaining Medicare services within the service area including
alternative MA plans, Medigap
options,
and original Medicare and prescription drug plans and must receive CMS
approval
prior to issuance.
(iii)
The
general public, at least 90 days before the end of the current calendar
year, by
publishing a CMS-approved
notice
in one or more newspapers of general circulation in each community located
in
the MA Organization's service area.
(c)
CMS
may accept a nonrenewal notice submitted after the applicable annual non-renewal
notice deadline if —
(i)
The
MA Organization notifies
its
Medicare enrollees
and the
public in accordance with subparagraph
(l)(b)(ii) and (l)(b)(iii) of this section; and
(ii)
Acceptance is not inconsistent with the effective and efficient
administration of the Medicare program.
(d)
If the
MA Organization does not renew a contract under subparagraph (1), CMS will
not
enter into an MA contract with the Organization for 2 years from the date
of
contract separation unless there are special circumstances that warrant
special
consideration, as determined by CMS.
[422.506(a)]
(2)
CMS
decision not to renew.
(a)
CMS
may elect not to authorize renewal of a contract for any of the following
reasons:
(i)
The
MA Organization's level of enrollment, growth in enrollment, or insufficient
number of contracted providers is determined by CMS to threaten the viability
of
the organization under the MA program and or be an indicator of
beneficiary
dissatisfaction with the MA plan(s) offered by the organization.
(ii)
For
any of the reasons listed in §422.510(a) [Article VIII, section (B)(l)(a) of
this contract], which would also permit CMS to terminate the
contract.
(iii)
The
MA Organization has committed any of the acts in §422.752(a) that would support
the imposition of intermediate sanctions or civil money penalties under
42 CFR
Part 422 Subpart 0.
(iv)
The MA
Organization did not submit a benefit
and
price bid or the benefit
and
price bid was not acceptable.
13
(b) Notice. CMS
shall
provide notice of its decision whether to authorize renewal of the contract
as
follows:
(i)
To the
MA
Organization by May 1 of the contract year, except in the event of (2)(a)(iv)
above, for which notice will be sent by September 1.
(ii)
To the
MA Organization's Medicare enrollees
by mail
at least 90 days before the end of the current calendar year.
(iii)
To the
general public at least 90 days before the end of the current calendar
year, by
publishing a notice in one or more newspapers of general circulation in
each
community or county located in the MA Organization's service area.
(c) Notice
of appeal rights.
CMS
shall give the MA Organization written notice of its right to reconsideration
of
the decision not to renew in accordance with §422.644. [422.506(b)]
Article
VIII
Modification
or Termination of the Contract
A.
Modification
or
Termination of Contract by Mutual Consent
1.
This
contract may be modified or terminated at any time by written mutual
consent.
(a)
If
the contract is modified
by
written mutual consent, the MA Organization must notify its Medicare enrollees
of any changes that CMS determines are appropriate for notification within
time
frames specified by CMS.
[422.508(a)(2)]
(b)
If
the contract is terminated by written mutual consent, except as provided
in
section (A)(2) of this Article, the MA Organization must provide notice
to its
Medicare enrollees and the general public as provided in section B(2)(b)(ii)
and
B(2)(b)(iii) of this Article.
[422.508(a)(l)]
2.
If
this contract is terminated by written mutual consent and replaced the
day
following such termination by a new MA contract, the MA Organization is
not
required to provide the notice specified
in
section B of this article. [422.508(b)]
B.
Termination of the Contract by CMS or the MA Organization 1. Termination
by
CMS.
(a)
CMS
may terminate a contract for any of the following reasons:
(i)
The
MA Organization has failed substantially to carry out the terms of its
contract
with CMS.
(ii)
The
MA Organization is carrying out its contract with CMS in a manner that
is
inconsistent with the effective and efficient implementation of 42 CFR
Part
422.
(iii)
CMS
determines that the MA Organization no longer meets the requirements of
42 CFR
Part 422 for being a contracting organization.
(iv)
There is
credible evidence that the MA Organization committed or participated in
false,
fraudulent or abusive activities affecting the Medicare program, including
submission of false or fraudulent data.
(v)
The MA
Organization experiences financial
difficulties so severe that its ability to make necessary health services
available is impaired to the point of posing an imminent and serious risk
to the
health of its enrollees, or otherwise fails to make services available
to the
extent that such a risk to health exists.
14
(vi)
The
MA
Organization substantially fails to comply with the requirements in 42
CFR
Part
422
Subpart M
relating
to grievances and appeals.
(vii)
The MA
Organization fails to provide CMS
with
valid risk adjustment data as required under §422.310 and
423.329(b)(3).
(viii)
The MA
Organization substantially fails to comply with the prompt payment requirements
in §422.520.
(ix)
The MA
Organization substantially fails to comply with the service access requirements
in §422.114.
(x)
The MA
Organization fails to comply with the requirements of §422.208 regarding
physician incentive plans.
(xi)
The MA
Organization substantially fails to comply with the marketing requirements
in
§422.80.
(b) Notice.
If CMS
decides to terminate a contract for reasons other than the grounds specified
in
section (B)(l)(a) above, it will give notice of the termination as
follows:
(i)
CMS will
notify the MA Organization in writing 90 days before the intended date
of the
termination.
(ii)
The MA
Organization will notify its Medicare enrollees
of the
termination by mail at least 30 days before the effective date of the
termination.
(iii)
The MA
Organization will notify the general public of the termination at least
30 days
before the effective date of the termination by publishing a notice in
one or
more newspapers of general circulation in each community or county located
in
the MA Organization's service area.
(c) Immediate
termination of contract by CMS.
(i)
For
terminations based on violations prescribed in paragraph (B)(l)(a)(v) of
this
article, CMS will notify the MA Organization in writing that its contract
has
been terminated effective the date of the termination decision by CMS.
If
termination is effective in the middle of a month, CMS has the right to
recover
the prorated share of the capitation payments made to the MA Organization
covering the period of the month following the contract
termination.
(ii)
CMS
will notify the MA Organization's Medicare enrollees in writing of
CMS'
decision
to terminate the MA Organization's contract. This notice will occur no
later
than 30 days after CMS notifies the plan of its decision to terminate this
contract. CMS will simultaneously inform the Medicare enrollees of alternative
options for obtaining Medicare services, including alternative MA Organizations
in a similar geographic area and original Medicare.
(iii)
CMS
will notify the general public of the termination no later than 30 days
after
notifying the MA Organization of CMS'
decision
to terminate this contract. This notice will be published in one or more
newspapers of general circulation in each community or county located in
the MA
Organization's service area.
(d) Corrective
action plan
(i)
General.
Before
terminating a contract for reasons other than the grounds specified in
section
(B)(l)(a)(v) of this article, CMS will provide the MA Organization with
reasonable opportunity, not to exceed time frames specified
at 42
CFR Part 422 Subpart N,
to
develop and receive CMS approval of a corrective action plan to correct
the
deficiencies
that are the basis of the proposed termination.
15
(ii) Exception.
If a
contract is terminated-under
section (B)(l)(a)(v) of this article, the MA
Organization will not have the opportunity to submit a corrective action
plan.
(e) Appeal
rights. IfCMS
decides
to terminate this contract, it will send written notice to the MA Organization
informing it of its termination appeal rights in accordance with 42 CFR
Part
422
SubpartN.
[422.510]
2.
Termination by the MA Organization
(a)
Cause
for termination.
The MA
Organization may terminate this contract ifCMS
fails to
substantially carry out the terms of the contract.
(b) Notice.
The MA
Organization must give advance notice as follows:
(i)
To
CMS,
at least
90 days before the intended date of termination. This notice must specify
the
reasons why the MA Organization is requesting contract termination.
(ii)
To
its Medicare enrollees,
at least
60 days before the termination effective date. This notice must include
a
written description of alternatives available for obtaining Medicare services
within the service area, including alternative MA and MA-PD
plans,
PDP
plans,
Medigap
options,
and original Medicare and must receive CMS approval.
(iii)
To the
general public at least 60 days before the termination effective date by
publishing a CMS-approved
notice
in one or more newspapers of general circulation in each community or county
located in the MA Organization's geographic area.
c) Effective
date of termination.
The
effective date of the termination will be determined by CMS and will be
at least
90 days after the date CMS receives the MA Organization's notice of intent
to
terminate.
(d) CMS'
liability.
CMS'
liability for payment to the MA Organization ends as of the first day of
the
month after the last month for which the contract is in effect, but CMS
shall
make payments for amounts owed prior to termination but not yet
paid.
(e)
Effect of termination by
the
organization. CMS will not enter into an agreement with the MA Organization
for
a period of two years from the date the Organization has terminated this
contract, unless there are circumstances that warrant special consideration,
as
determined by CMS.
[422.512]
Article
IX
Restrictions
on Use of Data
The
MA
Organization agrees that its use of the data it is authorized to collect
to
carry out the terms of this contract shall be used exclusively for the
purpose
of operating its MA private fee-for-service
plan.
The MA Organization may not use data collected under this contract in the
operation of any other line of business offered by the MA Organization
or its
related entities, contractors, or subcontractors.
16
Article
X
Requirements
of Other Laws and Regulations
A.
The
MA
Organization agrees to comply with—
(1)
Federal laws and regulations designed to prevent or ameliorate fraud, waste,
and
abuse, including, but not limited to, applicable provisions of Federal
criminal
law, the False Claims Act (31 USC
3729
et seq.) ,
and the
anti-kickback statute (section 1128B(b) of the Act): and
(2)
HIPAA
administrative simplification rules at 45 CFR
Parts
160, 162, and 164. l422.504(h)]
B.
The MA
Organization maintains ultimate responsibility for adhering to and otherwise
fully complying with all terms and conditions of its contract with CMS,
notwithstanding any relationship(s) that the MA organization may have with
related entities, contractors,
or subcontractors.
[422.504(i)]
C.
In the
event that any provision of this contract conflicts with the provisions
of any
statute or regulation applicable to an MA Organization, the provisions
of the
statute or regulation shall have full force and effect.
Article
XI
Severability
The
MA
Organization agrees that, upon CMS'
request,
this contract will be amended to exclude any MA plan or State-licensed
entity
specified by CMS, and a separate contract for any such excluded plan or
entity
will be deemed to be in place when such a request is made.
[422.504(k)]
Article
XI
Miscellaneous
A.
Definitions.
Terms not otherwise defined in this contract shall have the meaning given
to
such terms in 42 CFR Part 422.
B.
Alteration
to Original Contract Terms. The MA Organization agrees that it has not
altered
in any way the terms of this contract presented for signature by CMS. The
MA
Organization agrees that any alterations to the original text the MA
Organization may make to this contract shall not be binding on the
parties.
C.
Approval to Begin Marketing and Enrollment. The MA Organization agrees
that it
must complete CMS operational requirements prior to receiving CMS approval
to
begin Part C marketing and enrollment activities. Such activities include,
but
are not limited to, establishing and successfully testing connectivity
with CMS
systems to process enrollment applications (or contracting with an entity
qualified to perform such functions on the MA Organization's Sponsor's
behalf)
and successfully demonstrating capability to submit accurate and timely
price
17
comparison
data. To establish and successfully test connectivity, the MA
Organization must,
1)
establish and test physical connectivity to the CMS
data
center, 2) acquire user identifications and
passwords, 3) receive, store, and maintain data necessary to perform enrollments
and send and
receive transactions to and from CMS, and 4) check and receive transaction
status information.
D.
Incorporation of Applicable Addenda. All addenda checked off and initialed
on
the cover sheet
of
this contract by the MA Organization are hereby incorporated by
reference.
18
In
witness whereof, the parties hereby execute this contract.
FOR
THE
MA
ORGANIZATION
Xxxx
X. Xxxxx
Printed
Name
|
President
and CEO
Title
|
/s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxx
Signature
|
9/14/06
Date
|
Advance
/WellCare PFFS Insurance, Inc.
Organization
|
0000
Xxxxxxxxx Xx Xxxxx, XX 00000
Address
|
FOR
THE CENTERS FOR MEDICARE & MEDICAID SERVICES
|
|
/s/
Xxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxx
X. Xxxxx
Acting
Director
Medicare
Advantage Group
Center
for Beneficiary Choices
|
9/25/06
Date
|
19
ATTACHMENT
A
ATTESTATION
OF ENROLLMENT INFORMATION RELATING TO CMS
PAYMENT TO A MEDICARE ADVANTAGE ORGANIZATION
Pursuant
to the contract(s)
between the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
Services
(CMS) and (INSERT
NAME OF MA
ORGANIZATION),
hereafter referred to as the MA
Organization,
governing the operation of the following Medicare Advantage plans (INSERT
PLAN IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS HERE),
the MA
Organization hereby requests payment under the contract, and in doing so,
makes
the following attestation concerning CMS payments to the MA Organization.
The MA
Organization acknowledges that the information described below directly
affects
the calculation of CMS payments to the MA Organization and that
misrepresentations to CMS about the accuracy of such information may result
in
Federal civil action and/or
criminal prosecution. This attestation shall not be considered a waiver
of the
MA Organization's right to seek payment adjustments from CMS based on
information or data which does not become available until after the date
the MA
Organization submits this attestation.
1.
The MA
Organization has reported to CMS for the month of (INDICATE MONTH AND
YEAR)
all new
enrollments, disenrollments,
and
changes in enrollees'
institutional status with respect to the above-stated MA plans. Based on
best
knowledge, information, and belief, all information submitted to CMS in
this
report is accurate, complete, and truthful.
2.
The MA
Organization has reviewed the CMS monthly membership report and reply listing
for the month of (INDICATE MONTH AND YEAR) for the above-stated MA plans
and has
reported to CMS any discrepancies between the report and the MA Organization's
records. For those portions of the monthly membership report and the reply
listing to which the MA Organization raises no objection, the MA Organization,
through the certifying CEO/CFO,
will be
deemed to have attested, based on best knowledge, information, and belief,
as of
the date indicated below, to their accuracy, completeness, and
truthfulness.
To
be
signed monthly by CFO
(INDICATE
TITLE [CEO or CFO, or person delegated to sign for either officer])
(INDICATE
MA ORGANIZATION)
20
ATTACHMENT
B
ATTESTATION
OF RISK ADJUSTMENT DATA INFORMATION RELATING TO CMS
PAYMENT TO A MEDICARE ADVANTAGE ORGANIZATION
Pursuant
to the contract(s) between the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
Services
(CMS) and (INSERT
NAME OF MA
ORGANIZATION),
hereafter referred to as the MA
Organization,
governing the operation of the following Medicare Advantage plans (INSERT
PLAN IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS HERE),
the MA
Organization hereby requests payment under the contract, and in doing so,
makes
the following attestation concerning CMS payments to the MA Organization.
The MA
Organization acknowledges that the information described below directly
affects
the calculation of CMS payments to the MA Organization or additional benefit
obligations of the MA Organization and that misrepresentation to CMS about
the
accuracy of such information may result in Federal civil action and/or
criminal prosecution.
The
MA
Organization has reported to CMS for the period of (INDICATE DATES) all
(INDICATE TYPE OF DAT
A-IMPATIENT
HOSPITAL, OUTPATIENT HOSPITAL. OR PHYSICIAN}
risk
adjustment data available to the MA Organization with respect to the
above-stated MA plans. Based on best knowledge, information, and belief
that, as
of the date indicated below, all information submitted to CMS in this report
is
accurate, complete, and truthful.
To
be
signed by CFO
(INDICATE
TITLE tceo
or
CFO,
or person delegated to sign for either officer])
(INDICATE
MA ORGANIZATION)
21
[SAMPLE
- DO NOT USE
- THIS DOCUMENT WILL BE
SENT
DIRECTLY TO THE MAO THROUGH HPMS] ATTACHMENT
C
-
Medicare Advantage Plan Attestation of Benefit Plan and Price
<Legal
Entity Name>
<Contract
#>
Date:
<XX/XX/XXXX>
I
attest
that the following plan numbers as established in the final Plan Benefit
Package
(PBP) will be operated by the above-stated organization and made available
to
eligible Medicare beneficiaries in the approved service area during program
year
2007.
Plan
ID
|
Segment
ID
|
Version
|
Plan
Name
|
Plan
Type
|
Transaction
Type
|
MA
Premium
|
Part
D Premium
|
CMS
Approval
Date
|
Effective
Date
|
<xxx>
|
<x>
|
<x>
|
<Plan
Name>
|
<Plan
Type>
|
<Transaction
Type>
|
$<Plan
Premium>
|
$<Part
D Premium>
|
<xx/xx/xx>
|
<xx/xx/xx>
|
<xxx>
|
<x>
|
<x>
|
<Plan
Name>
|
<Plan
Type>
|
<Transaction
Type>
|
$<Plan
Premium>
|
$<Part
D Premium>
|
<xx/xx/xx>
|
<xx/xx/xx>
|
<xxx>
|
<x>
|
<x>
|
<Plan
Name>
|
<Plan
Type>
|
<Transaction
Type>
|
$<Plan
Premium>
|
$<Part
D Premium>
|
<xx/xx/xx>
|
<xx/xx/xx>
|
CEO
|
CFO
|
||
<Name
of CEO>
|
Date
|
<Name
of CEO>
|
Date
|
<Title>
|
<Title>
|
||
<Address
1>
|
<Address
1>
|
||
<Address
2>
|
<Address
2>
|
||
<City,
State Zip>
|
<City,
State Zip>
|
||
<Phone
#>
|
<Phone
#>
|
22
ADDENDUM
TO MEDICARE MANAGED CARE CONTRACT PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 1860D-1 THROUGH
1860D-42
OF THE SOCIAL SECURITY ACT FOR THE OPERATION OF A VOLUNTARY MEDICARE
PRESCRIPTION DRUG PLAN
The
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
Services
(hereinafter referred to as "CMS")
and
Advance
/ WellCare PFFS Ins. Inc.______,
a
Medicare
managed
care organization (hereinafter referred to as the MA-PD
Sponsor)
agree to amend the contract (INSERT
''H'”
or
“R "
NUMBER)
governing the MA-PD Sponsor's operation of a Part C
plan
described in
Section
1851(a)(2)(A) of the Social Security Act (hereinafter referred to as "the
Act")
or a Medicare cost plan to include this addendum under which the MA-PD
Sponsor
shall operate a Voluntary Medicare Prescription Drug Plan pursuant to sections
1860D-1 through 1860D-42 (with the exception of section 1860D-22 and 1860D-31)
of the Act.
This
addendum is made pursuant to Subpart L
of 42
CFR
Part 417
(in the case of cost plan sponsors offering a Part D
benefit)
and
Subpart K.
of 42
CFR Part 422 (in the case of an MA-PD Sponsor offering a Part C
plan).
NOTE:
For
purposes of this addendum, unless otherwise noted, reference to an "MA-PD
Sponsor" or "MA-PD Plan" is deemed to include a cost plan sponsor or a
MA
private
fee-for-service
contractor offering a Part D benefit.
Article
I
Medicare
Voluntary
Prescription Drug Benefit
A.
The
MA-PD
Sponsor
agrees to operate one or more Medicare Voluntary Prescription Drug Plans
as
described in its application and related materials, including but not limited
to
all the attestations contained therein and all supplemental guidance, for
Medicare approval and in compliance with the provisions of this addendum,
which
incorporates in its entirety the Solicitation
For Applications for New Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug Plan (MA-PD)
Sponsors,
released on January 24, 2006 [applicable
to Medicare Part C
contractors] or the Solicitation
for Applications for New
Cost
Plan Sponsors,
released
on January 24. 2006 [applicable to Medicare cost plan contractors] (hereinafter
collectively referred to as "the addendum").
The
MA-PD Sponsor also agrees to operate in accordance with-
the
regulations at 42 CFR
§423.1
through 42 CFR §423.910 (with the exception ofSubparts Q, R,
and
S),
sections
1860D-1 through 1860D-42 (with the exception of sections 1860D-22(a) and
1860D-31) of the Social Security Act, and the applicable solicitation identified
above, as well as all other applicable Federal statutes, regulations, and
policies. This addendum is deemed to incorporate any changes that are required
by statute to be implemented during the term of this addendum and any
regulations or policies implementing or interpreting such statutory
provisions.
B. CMS
agrees
to perform its obligations to the MA-PD Sponsor consistent with the regulations
at 42 CFR §423.1 through 42 CFR §423.910 (with the exception of Subparts
Q, R,
and S), sections 1860D-1 through 1860D-42 (with the exception of sections
1860D-22(a) and 1860D-31) of the Social Security Act, and the applicable
solicitation, as well as all other applicable Federal statutes, regulations,
and
policies.
C.
CMS
agrees that it will not implement, other than at the beginning of a calendar
year, regulations under 42 CFR Part 423 that impose new, significant regulatory
requirements on the MA-PD Sponsor. This provision does not apply to new
requirements mandated by statute.
D.
This
addendum is in no way intended to supersede or modify 42 CFR, Parts 417,
422 or
423. Failure to reference a regulatory requirement in this addendum does
not
affect the applicability of such requirements to the MA-PD Sponsor and
CMS.
Article
II
Functions
to be Performed by the MA-PD Sponsor
A.
ENROLLMENT
1.
MA-PD
Sponsor agrees to enroll in its MA-PD plan only Part D-eligible
beneficiaries
as they are defined in 42 CFR §423.30(a) and who have elected to enroll in MA-PD
Sponsor's Part C or Section 1876 benefit.
2
2.
If the
MA-PD
Sponsor
is a cost plan 'sponsor,
the MA-PD
Sponsor
acknowledges that its Section 1876 plan enrollees
are not
required to elect enrollment in its Part D
plan.
B.
PRESCRIPTION DRUG BENEFIT
1.
MA-PD
Sponsor agrees to provide the required prescription drug coverage as defined
under 42 CFR§423.100
and, to the extent applicable, supplemental benefits
as
defined in 42 CFR §423.100 and in accordance with Subpart C
of 42
CFR Part 423. MA-PD Sponsor also agrees to provide Part D benefits as described
in the MA-PD Sponsor's Part D bid(s) approved each year by CMS
(and
in
the Attestation of Benefit Plan and Price, attached hereto).
2.
MA-PD
Sponsor agrees to calculate and collect beneficiary Part D premiums in
accordance with 42 CFR §§423.286
and 423.293.
3.
If the
MA-PD Sponsors is a cost plans sponsor, it acknowledge that its Part D
benefit
is offered as an optional supplemental service in accordance with 42 CFR
§417.440(b)(2)(ii).
C.
DISSEMINATION
OF PLAN
INFORMATION
1.
MA-PD
Sponsor agrees to provide the information required in 42 CFR
§423.48.
2.
MA-PD
Sponsor agrees to disclose information related to Part D benefits to
beneficiaries in the manner and the form specified
by CMS
under 42 CFR §§423.128
and 423.50 and in the "Marketing Materials Guidelines for Medicare
Advantage-Prescription Drug Plans (MA-PDs)
and
Prescription Drug Plans (PDPs)."
3.
MA-PD
Sponsor certifies that all materials it submits to CMS under the File and
Use
Certification authority described in the Marketing Materials Guidelines
are
accurate, truthful, not misleading, and consistent with CMS marketing
guidelines.
D.
QUALITY ASSURANCE/UTILIZATION MANAGEMENT
MA-PD
Sponsor agrees to operate quality assurance, cost, and utilization management,
medication therapy management programs, and support electronic prescribing
in
accordance with Subpart D of 42 CFR Part 423.
E.
APPEALS
AND GRIEVANCES
MA-PD
Sponsor agrees to comply with all requirements in Subpart M
of 42
CFR Part 423 governing coverage determinations, grievances and appeals,
and
formulary
exceptions.
MA-PD Sponsor acknowledges that these requirements are separate and distinct
from the appeals and grievances requirements applicable to the MA-PD Sponsor
through the operation of its Part
C
or cost
plan benefits.
3
F.
PAYMENT
TO MA-PD
SPONSOR
1.
MA-PD
Sponsor and CMS
agree
that payment paid for Part D
services
under the addendum will be governed by the rules in Subpart G
of 42
CFR
Part
423.
2.
If the
MA-PD Sponsor is participating in the Part D Reinsurance Payment Demonstration,
described in 70 FR
9360
(Feb. 25, 2005), it affirms
that
it will not seek payment under the demonstration for services provided
to
employer group enrollees.
G.
BID
SUBMISSION AND REVIEW
If
the
MA-PD Sponsor intends to participate in the Part D program for the future
year,
MA-PD Sponsor agrees to submit a future year's Part D bid, including all
required information on premiums, benefits,
and
cost-sharing, by the applicable due date, as provided in Subpart F of 42
CFR
Part 423 so that CMS and the MA-PD Sponsor may conduct negotiations regarding
the terms and conditions of the proposed bid and benefit plan renewal.
MA-PD
Sponsor acknowledges that failure to submit a timely bid under this section
may
affect the sponsor's ability to offer a Part C
plan,
pursuant to the provisions of 42 CFR §422.4(c).
H.
COORDINATION WITH OTHER PRESCRIPTION DRUG COVERAGE
1.
MA-PD
Sponsor agrees to comply with the coordination requirements with State
Pharmacy
Assistance Programs (SPAPs)
and
plans that provide other prescription drug coverage as described in Subpart
J
of 42
CFR Part 423.
2.
MA-PD
Xxxxxxx agrees to comply with Medicare Secondary Payer procedures as stated
in
42 CFR §423.462.
I.
SERVICE
AREA
AND
PHARMACY ACCESS
1.
The
MA-PD Sponsor agrees to provide Part D benefits
in the
service area for which it has been approved by CMS to offer Part C or cost
plan
benefits
utilizing a pharmacy network and formulary
approved
by CMS that meet the requirements of 42 CFR §423.120.
2.
The
MA-PD Sponsor agrees to ensure adequate access to Part D-covered
drugs at
out-of-network
pharmacies according to 42 CFR §423.124.
3.
MA-PD
Sponsor agrees to provide benefits by means ofpoint-of-service
systems
to adjudicate prescription drug claims in a timely and efficient
manner in compliance with CMS standards, except when necessary to provide
access
in underserved
areas,
I/T/U
pharmacies (as defined
in 42
CFR §423.100), and long-term care pharmacies (as defined
in 42
CFR §423.100).
4
4.
MA-PD
Xxxxxxx
agrees to contract with any pharmacy that meets the MA-PD
Xxxxxxx's
reasonable and relevant standard terms and conditions. If MA-PD Sponsor
has
demonstrated that it historically fills 98% or more of its enrollees'
prescriptions
at pharmacies owned and operated by the MA-PD Sponsor (or presents compelling
circumstances that prevent the sponsor from meeting the 98% standard or
demonstrates that its Part D
plan
design will enable the sponsor to meet the 98% standard during the contract
year), this provision does not apply to MA-PD Sponsor's plan.
5.
The
provisions of 42 CFR§423.120(a)
concerning the TRICARE
retail
pharmacy access standard do not apply to MA-PD Sponsor if the Sponsor has
demonstrated to CMS
that it
historically fills more than 50% ofits
enrollees'
prescriptions at pharmacies owned and operated by the MA-PD Sponsor. MA-PD
Sponsors excused from meeting the TRICARE standard are required to demonstrate
retail pharmacy access that meets the requirements of 42 CFR §422.112 for a Part
C
contractor
and 42 CFR §417.416(e) for a cost plan contractor.
J.
COMPLIANCE PLAN/PROGRAM INTEGRITY
MA-PD
Sponsor agrees that it will develop and implement a compliance plan that
applies
to its Part D-related
operations, consistent with 42 CFR §423.504(b)(4)(vi).
K.
LOW-INCOME SUBSIDY
MA-PD
Xxxxxxx agrees that it will participate in the administration of subsidies
for
low-income individuals according to Subpart P
of 42
CFR Part 423.
L.
BENEFICIARY FINANCIAL PROTECTIONS
The
MA-PD
Sponsor agrees to afford its enrollees protection from liability for payment
of
fees that are the obligation of the MA-PD Sponsor in accordance with 42
CFR
§423.505(g).
M.
RELATIONSHIP WITH RELATED ENTITIES, CONTRACTORS, AND SUBCONTRACTORS
1.
The
MA-PD Sponsor agrees that it maintains ultimate responsibility for adhering
to
and otherwise fully complying with all terms and conditions of this
addendum.
2.
The
MA-PD Sponsor shall ensure that any contracts or agreements with
subcontractors
or agents performing functions on the MA-PD Sponsor's behalf related to
the
operation of the Part D benefit are in compliance with 42 CFR
§423.505(i).
5
N.
CERTIFICATION OF DATA THAT DETERMINE PAYMENT
MA-PD
Sponsor
must provide certifications in accordance with 42 CFR§423.505(k).
Article
III
Record
Retention and Reporting Requirements
A.
MAINTENANCE OF RECORDS
MA-PD
Sponsor agrees to maintain records and provide access in accordance with
42 CFR
§§423.504(d) and 505(d) and (e).
B.
GENERAL
REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
The
MA-PD
Sponsor agrees to submit to information to CMS
according to 42 CFR §§423.505(f),
423.514, and the "Final Medicare Part D
Reporting Requirements," a document issued by CMS and subject to
modification
each program year.
C.
CMS
LICENSE FOR USE OF PLAN FORMULARY
PDP
Sponsor
agrees to submit to CMS each plan's formulary
information, including any changes to its formularies,
and
hereby grants to the Government[
and
any
person or entity who might receive the formulary
from the
Government,]
a
non-exclusive license to use all or any portion of the formulary for any
purpose
related to the administration of the Part D program, including without
limitation publicly distributing, displaying, publishing or reconfiguration
of the information in any medium, including xxx.xxxxxxxx.xxx, and by any
electronic, print or other means of distribution.
Article
IV
HIPAA
Transactions/Privacy/Security
A.
MA-PD
Xxxxxxx agrees to comply with the confidentiality
and enrollee
record
accuracy requirements specified in 42 CFR §423.136.
B.
MA-PD
Xxxxxxx agrees to enter into a business associate agreement with the entity
with
which CMS has contracted to track Medicare beneficiaries'
true out-of-pocket costs.
6
Article
V
Addendum
Term and
Renewal
A.
TERM
OF ADDENDUM
This
addendum is effective from the date of
CMS'
authorized representative's signature through December 31, 2007. This addendum
shall be renewable for successive one-year periods thereafter according
to 42
CFR§423.506.
MA-PD
Sponsor
shall not conduct Part D-related
marketing activities prior to October 1,
2006 and
shall not process enrollment applications prior to November 15, 2006. MA-PD
Sponsor shall begin delivering Part D
benefit
services on January 1, 2007.
B.
QUALIFICATION TO RENEW ADDENDUM
1.
In
accordance with 42 CFR §423.507, the MA-PD Sponsor will be determined qualified
to renew this addendum annually only if—
(a)
CMS
informs
the MA-PD Sponsor that it is qualified to renew its addendum; and
(b)
The
MA-PD Sponsor has not provided CMS with a notice of intention not to renew
in
accordance with Article VII of this addendum.
2.
Although MA-PD Sponsor may be determined qualified to renew its addendum
under
this Article, if the MA-PD Sponsor and CMS cannot reach agreement on the
Part D
bid under Subpart F
of 42
CFR Part 423, no renewal takes place, and the failure to reach agreement
is not
subject to the appeals provisions in Subpart N
of
42 CFR
Parts 422 or 423. (Refer to Article XI for consequences of non-renewal
on the
Part C
contract
and the ability to enter into a Part C
contract.)
Article
VI
Nonrenewal
of Addendum
A.
NONRENEWAL BY THE MA-PD SPONSOR
1.
MA-PD
Sponsor may non-renew
this
addendum in accordance with 42
CFR423.507(a).
2.
If the
MA-PD Sponsor non-renews
this
addendum under this Article, CMS cannot enter into a Part D addendum with
the
organization for 2 years unless there are special circumstances that warrant
special consideration, as determined by CMS.
B.
NONRENEWAL BY CMS
CMS
may
non-renew this addendum under the rules of 42 CFR 423.507(b). (Refer to
Article
X
for
consequences of non-renewal on the Part C contract and the ability to enter
into
a Part C contract.)
7
Article
VII
Modification
or Termination
of Addendum by Mutual Consent
This
addendum may be modified or terminated at any time by written mutual consent
in
accordance with 42 CFR
423.508.
(Refer to Article X
for
consequences of non-renewal on the Part C
contract
and the ability to enter into a Part C
contract.)
Article
VIII
Termination
of Addendum by CMS
CMS
may
terminate this addendum in accordance with 42 CFR 423.509. (Refer to Article
X
for consequences of non-renewal on the Part C contract and the ability
to enter
into a Part C contract.)
Article
IX
Termination
of Addendum by the MA-PD
Sponsor
A.
The
MA-PD Sponsor may terminate this addendum only in accordance with 42 CFR
423.510.
B.
CMS will
not enter into a Part D
addendum
with an organization that has terminated its addendum within the preceding
2
years unless there are circumstances that warrant special consideration,
as
determined by CMS.
C.
If the
addendum is terminated under section A of this Article, the MA-PD Sponsor
must
ensure the timely transfer of any data or files. (Refer to Article X for
consequences of non-renewal on the Part C contract and the ability to enter
into
a Part C contract.)
Article
X
Relationship
Between Addendum and Part C Contract or 1876 Cost Contract
A.
MA-PD
Sponsor acknowledges that, if it is a Medicare Part C contractor, the
termination or nonrenewal
of this
addendum by either party may require CMS to terminate or non-renew
the
Sponsor's Part C contract in the event that such non-renewal or termination
prevents the MA-PD Sponsor from meeting the requirements of 42 CFR §422.4(c), in
which case the Sponsor must provide the notices specified in this contract,
as
well as the notices specified
under
Subpart K
of 42
CFR Part 422. MA-PD Sponsor also acknowledges that Article X.B.
of this
addendum may prevent the sponsor from entering into a Part C contract for
two
years following an addendum termination or non-renewal where such non-renewal
or
termination prevents the MA-PD Sponsor from meeting the requirements of
42 CFR
§422.4(c).
8
B.
The
termination of this addendum by either party shall not, by itself, relieve
the
parties from their obligations under the Part C
or
cost
plan contracts to which this document is an addendum.
C.
In the
event that the MA-PD
Sponsor's Part
C or
cost
plan contract (as applicable) is terminated or nonrenewed
by
either party, the provisions of this addendum shall also terminate. In
such an
event, the MA-PD Sponsor and CMS
shall
provide notice to enrollees
and the
public as described in this contract as well as 42 CFR
Part
422, Subpart K
or 42
CFR Part 417, Subpart K,
as
applicable.
Article
XI
Intermediate
Sanctions
The
MA-PD
Sponsor shall be subject to sanctions and civil monetary penalties, consistent
with Subpart 0 of 42 CFR Part 423.
Article
XII Severability
Severability
of the
addendum shall be in accordance with 42 CFR §423.504(e).
Article
XIII Miscellaneous
A.
DEFINITIONS: Terms not otherwise defined
in
this addendum shall have the meaning given such terms at 42 CFR Part 423
or, as
applicable, 42 CFR Part 422
or Part
417.
B.
ALTERATION TO ORIGINAL ADDENDUM TERMS: The MA-PD Sponsor agrees
that it has not altered in any way the terms of the MA-PD addendum presented
for
signature by CMS. MA-PD Sponsor agrees that any alterations to the original
text
the MA-PD Sponsor may make to this addendum shall not be binding on the
parties.
C.
ADDITIONAL CONTRACT TERMS: The MA-PD Sponsor agree to include in this addendum
other terms and conditions in accordance with 42 CFR §423.505(j).
D.
CMS
APPROVAL
TO
BEGIN MARKETING AND ENROLLMENT ACTIVITIES:
The
MA-PD
Sponsor agrees that it must complete CMS operational requirements related
to its
Part D benefit
prior
to receiving CMS approval to begin MA-PD plan marketing activities relating
to
its Part D benefit.
Such
activities include, but are not limited to, establishing and successfully
testing connectivity with CMS systems to process enrollment applications
(or
contracting with an entity qualified to perform
9
such
functions on MA-PD
Xxxxxxx's behalf)
and
successfully demonstrating the capability to submit accurate and timely
price
comparison data. To establish and successfully test connectivity, the
PDP
Sponsor
must, 1)
establish and test physical connectivity to the CMS
data
center, 2) acquire user identifications
and passwords, 3) receive, store, and maintain data necessary to perform
enrollments and send and receive transactions to and from CMS, and 4) check
and
receive transaction status information.
10
MA-PD
PART D CONTRACT ADDENDUM
In
witness whereof, the parties hereby execute this Addendum.
FOR
THE
MA ORGANIZATION
Xxxx
Xxxxx
|
President
and CEO
|
|
Printed
Name
|
Title
|
|
/s/
Xxxx
Xxxxx
|
9-14-06
|
|
Signature
|
Date
|
|
Advance/WellCare
PFFS Ins. Inc
|
0000
Xxxxxxxxx Xxxx-Xxx 0 Xxxxx XX 00000
|
|
Organization
|
Address
|
|
FOR THE CENTERS FOR MEDICARE & MEDICAID SERVICES | ||
/s/
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
Deputy
Director
Employer
Policy & Operations Group
Center
for Beneficiary
Choices
|
9/25/06
Date
|
Page
of 1 of
1
PART
C/D
BENEFIT PLAN(S)
DESCRIPTION TO BE ATTACHED TO MA
CONTRACT
SECTION
1876/PART D
OPTIONAL SUPPLEMENTAL BENEFIT PLAN DESCRIPTION TO BE ATTACHED TO SECTION
1876
CONTRACT
11
MA-PD
EMPLOYER/UNION-ONLY
GROUP CONTRACT ADDENDUM
EMPLOYER/UNION-ONLY
GROUP-ADDENDUM
TO CONTRACT WITH APPROVED ENTITY PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 1851 THROUGH 1859
AND
1860D-1
THROUGH 1860D-42 OF THE SOCIAL SECURITY ACT FOR THE OPERATION OF A MEDICARE
ADVANTAGE PRESCRIPTION DRUG PLAN
The
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
Services
(hereinafter referred to as "CMS")
and
Advance/WellCare
PFFS Insurance, Inc. a
Medicare Advantage Organization (hereinafter referred to as the "MA
Organization") agree to amend the contract H1340 (INSERT
"H"
OR
"R"
NUMBER)
governing the MA Organization's operation of a Medicare Advantage plan
described
in section 1851(a)(2)(A) or section 1851(a)(2)(C) of the Social Security
Act
(hereinafter referred to as "the Act"), including all attachments, addenda,
and
amendments thereto, to include the provisions contained in this Addendum
(collectively hereinafter referred to as the "contract"), under which the
MA
Organization shall offer Employer/Union-Only
Group MA-PD Plans (hereinafter referred to as "employer/union-only group
MA-PDs")
in
accordance with the waivers granted by CMS under section 1857(i) of the
Act. The
terms of this Addendum shall only apply to MA-PD plans offered exclusively
to
employers/unions.
This
Addendum is made pursuant to Subparts K
of 42
CFR
Parts
422 and 423.
Page
1 of
10
MA-PD
EMPLOYER/UNION-ONLY
GROUP CONTRACT ADDENDUM
ARTICLE
I
EMPLOYER/UNION-ONLY
GROUP MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PRESCRIPTION DRUG PLANS
A.
MA
Organization agrees to operate one or more employer/union-only group
MA-PDs
in
accordance with the terms of the Medicare Advantage contract,
this
Addendum, which incorporates in its entirety: either the 2006 Solicitation
For
Applications From Prescription Drug Plans released on January 21, 2005
(as
revised on March 9, 2005) or the 2007 Solicitation For Applications For
New
Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug (MA-PD) Sponsors released on January
27,
2006 (as revised on February 2, 2006), as modified
by the
2007 Application For Medicare Advantage Organizations To Offer New
Employer/Union-Only
Group Waiver Plans (EGWPs)
(released on January 27, 2006) (except for requirements contained-therein
that are
expressly waived or modified
by
this Addendum), all provisions of Federal statutes, regulations, and policies
applicable to MA Organizations and MA plans (except to the extent any such
provisions are expressly waived or modified
by
this Addendum); and any employer/union-only group waiver guidance. MA
Organization also agrees to operate one or more employer/union-only group
MA-PDs
in accordance with the regulations at 42 CFR
Parts
422 and 423 (with the exception ofSubparts Q, R,
and
S),
sections
1851 through 1859 and 1860D-1 through 1860D-42 of the Act (with the exception
of
1860D-22(a) and 1860D-31), and the applicable solicitations/applications,
as
well as all other applicable Federal statutes, regulations, and policies,
including any employer/union-only group waiver guidance.
B.
This
Addendum is deemed to incorporate any changes that are required by statute
to be
implemented during the term of the contract, and any regulations and policies
implementing or interpreting such statutory provisions.
C.
In the
event of any conflict between the employer/union-only group waiver guidance
issued prior to the execution of the contract and this Addendum, the provisions
of this Addendum shall control. In the event of any conflict between the
employer/union-only group waiver guidance issued after the execution of
the
contract and this Addendum, the provisions of the employer/union-only group
guidance shall control.
D.
This
Addendum is in no way intended to supersede or modify 42 CFR Parts 422
and 423
or sections 1851 through 1859 and 1860D-1 through D-42
of the
Act, except as specifically provided in applicable employer/union-only
group
waiver guidance and/or
in
this Addendum. Failure to reference a statutory or regulatory requirement
in
this Addendum does not affect the applicability of such requirement to
the MA
Organization and CMS.
E.
The
provisions of this Addendum apply to all employer/union-only group MA-PDs
offered by MA Organization under this contract number. In the event of
any
conflict between the provisions of this Addendum and any other provision
of the
contract, the terms of this Addendum shall control.
Page
2 of
10
MA-PD
EMPLOYER/UNION-ONLY
GROUP CONTRACT ADDENDUM
ARTICLE
II
FUNCTIONS
TO BE PERFORMED BY THE MEDICARE ADVANTAGE ORGANIZATION
A.
PROVISION OF MA
BENEFITS
1.
MA
Organization agrees to provide enrollees
in each
of its employer/union-only group MA-PDs
the
basic benefits
(hereinafter referred to as "basic benefits") as required under 42 CFR§422.101
and, to the extent applicable, supplemental benefits
under
42 CFR §422.102 and as established in the MA Organization's final benefit and
price bid proposal as approved by CMS.
2.
The
requirements in section 1852 of the Act and 42 CFR §422.100(c)(l) pertaining to
the offering of benefits covered under Medicare Part A and in section 1851
of
the Act and 42 CFR §422.50(a)(l) pertaining to who may enroll in an MA-PD are
waived for employer/union-only group MA-PD enrollees who are not entitled
to
Medicare Part A.
3.
For
employer/union-only group MA-PDs offering non-calendar year coverage, MA
Organization may determine basic and supplemental benefits (including
deductibles,
out-of-pocket limits, etc.)
on a
non-calendar year basis subject to the following requirements:
(a)
Applications, bids, and other submissions to CMS must be submitted on a
calendar
year basis; and
(b)
CMS
payments will be determined on a calendar year basis.
4.
For
employer/union-only group MA-PDs that have a monthly beneficiary rebate
described in 42 CFR §422.266;
(a)
MA
Organization may vary the form of rebate for a particular plan benefit
package
so that the total monthly rebate amount may be credited differently for
each
employer/union group to whom MA Organization offers the plan benefit package,
with the exception of a rebate credited toward the reduction of the Part
B
premium as stated in II.A.4(b); and
(b)
MA
Organization must:
(i)
ensure
Part B premium reductions are the same for all enrollees in a plan benefit
package;
(ii)
ensure
that the total monthly rebate amount per enrollee
is
uniform across all employer/union groups within the plan benefit
package;
Page
3 of
10
MA-PD
EMPLOYER/UNION-ONLY
GROUP CONTRACT ADDENDUM
(iii)
ensure
that all rebates are accounted for and used only for the purposes provided
in
the Act; and
(iv)
retain
documentation that supports the use of all of the rebates on a detailed
basis
for each employer/union group within the plan benefit package and must
provide
access to this documentation in accordance with the requirements of 42
CFR§422.501.
B.
PROVISION OF PRESCRIPTION DRUG BENEFITS
1.
(a)
Except as provided in II.B.
1
(b), MA
Organization agrees to provide basic prescription drug coverage, as defined
under 42 CFR §423.100, under any employer/union-only group MA-PD, in accordance
with Subpart C
of 42
CFR Part 423. MA Organization also agrees to provide Part D
benefits
under any employer/union-only group MA-PD as described in MA Organization's
bid
approved each year by CMS.
(b)
CMS
agrees that MA Organization will not be subject to the actuarial equivalence
requirement set forth in 42 CFR §423.104(e)(5) with respect to any
employer/union-only group MA-PD and may provide less than the defined standard
coverage between the deductible and initial coverage limit. MA Organization
agrees that its basic prescription drug coverage under any employer/union-only
group MA-PD will satisfy all of the other actuarial equivalence standards
set
forth in 42 CFR §423.104, including but not limited to the requirement set forth
in 42 CFR §423.104(e)(3) that the plan has a total or gross value that is at
least equal to the total or gross value of defined standard
coverage.
(c)
CMS
agrees that nothing in this Addendum prevents MA Organization from offering
benefits in addition to basic prescription drug coverage to employers/unions.
Such additional benefits offered pursuant to private agreements between
MA
Organization and employers/unions will be considered non-Medicare Part
D
benefits. MA Organization agrees that such additional benefits may not
reduce
the value of basic prescription drug coverage (e.g., additional benefits
cannot
impose a cap that would preclude enrollees
from
realizing the full value of such basic prescription drug coverage).
(d)
MA
Organization agrees that enrollees of employer/union-only group MA-PDs
shall
not be charged more than the sum of his or her monthly beneficiary premium
attributable to basic prescription drug coverage and 100% of the monthly
beneficiary premium attributable to his or her supplemental prescription
drug
coverage (if any). MA Organization must pass through the direct subsidy
payments
received from CMS to reduce the amount that the beneficiary pays.
Page
4 of
10
MA-PD
EMPLOYER/UNION-ONLY
GROUP CONTRACT ADDENDUM
(e) MA
Organization agrees that any additional non-Medicare Part D
benefits
offered to an employer/union will always pay primary to the subsidies provided
by CMS
to
low-income individuals under Subpart P
of 42
CFR
Part 423
(the "Low-Income Subsidy").
2.
MA
Organization agrees enrollees
of
employer/union-only group MA-PDs
will not
be permitted to make payment of premiums under 42 CFR §423.293(a) through
withholding from the enrollee's
Social
Security, Railroad Retirement Board, or Office of Personnel Management
benefit
payment.
3.
MA
Organization agrees it shall obtain written agreements from each
employer/union
that provide that the employer/union may determine how much of an enrollee's
Part D monthly beneficiary premium it will subsidize, subject to the
restrictions set forth in II.B.3(a) through (e). MA Organization agrees
to
retain these written agreements with employers/unions and provide access
to
these written agreements to CMS in accordance with 42 CFR §§423.504(d) and
423.505(d) and (e).
(a)
The
employer/union can subsidize different amounts for different classes of
enrollees in the employer/union-only group MA-PD provided such classes
are
reasonable and based on objective business criteria, such as years of service,
date of retirement, business location, job category, and nature of compensation
(e.g., salaried v.
hourly).
Different classes cannot be based on eligibility for the Low Income
Subsidy.
(b)
The
employer/union cannot vary the premium subsidy for individuals within a
given
class of enrollees.
(c)
The
employer/union cannot charge an enrollee
for
prescription drug coverage provided under the plan more than the sum of
his or
her monthly beneficiary premium attributable to basic prescription drug
coverage
and 100% of the monthly beneficiary premium attributable to his or her
supplemental prescription drug coverage (if any). The employer/union must
pass
through direct subsidy payments received from CMS to reduce the amount
that the
beneficiary
pays.
(d)
For all
enrollees eligible for the Low Income Subsidy, the low income premium subsidy
amount will first be used to reduce the portion of the monthly beneficiary
premium attributable to basic prescription drug coverage paid by the enrollee,
with any remaining portion of the premium subsidy amount then applied toward
the
portion of the monthly beneficiary premium attributable to basic prescription
drug coverage paid by the employer/union.
(e)
If
the low income premium subsidy amount for which an enrollee is eligible
is less
than the portion of the monthly beneficiary
premium paid by the enrollee, then the employer/union should communicate
to the
enrollee the financial consequences for the beneficiary of enrolling in
the
employer/union-only group
Page
5 of
10
MA-PD
EMPLOYER/UNION-ONLY GROUP
CONTRACT ADDENDUM
MA-PD
as
compared to enrolling in another Part D
plan
with a monthly beneficiary
premium equal to or below the low income premium subsidy amount.
4.
For
non-calendar year employer/union-only group MA-PDs, MA
Organization may determine benefits (including deductibles,
out-of-pocket limits, etc.) on a non-calendar year basis subject to the
following requirements:
(a)
Applications, formularies,
bids and
other submissions to CMS
must be
submitted on a calendar year basis;
(b)
The
employer/union-only group MA-PD must be actuarially
equivalent to defined standard coverage for the portion of its plan year
that
falls in a given calendar year. An employer/union-only group MA-PD will
meet
this standard if it is actuarially equivalent for the calendar year in
which the
plan year starts and no design change is made for the remainder of the
plan
year. In no event can MA Organization increase during the plan year the
annual
out-of-pocket threshold;
(c)
After an
enrollee's
incurred
costs exceed the annual out-of-pocket threshold, the employer/union-only
group
MA-PD must provide coverage that is at least actuarially equivalent to
that
provided under standard prescription drug coverage;
eligibility
for such coverage can be determined on a plan year basis.
C.
ENROLLMENT REQUIREMENTS
1.
MA
Organization agrees to restrict enrollment in an employer/union-only group
MA-PD
to those individuals eligible for the employer's/union's employment-based
group
coverage.
2.
MA
Organization will not be subject to the requirement to offer the
employer/union-only
group MA-PD to all Medicare eligible beneficiaries
residing in its service area as set forth in 42 CFR§422.50.
3.
If an
employer/union elects to enroll individuals eligible for its employer/union-only
group MA-PD through a group enrollment process, MA Organization will not
be
subject to the individual enrollment requirements set forth in 42 CFR §422.60
and §423.32(b).
MA
Organization agrees that all individuals eligible for its employer/union-only
group MA-PD will be advised that the employer/union contracting with MA
Organization to offer an employer/union-only group MA-PD (hereinafter referred
to as "employer/union") intends to enroll them into the plan through a
group
enrollment process unless the individual affirmatively opts out of such
enrollment. MA Organization agrees that all such individuals will be provided
this information at least 30 days prior to the effective date of the
individual's enrollment in the employer/union-only group MA-PD. MA Organization
agrees the information must include a summary of benefits offered under
the
employer/union-only group MA-PD, an explanation of how to get more information
on such plan, and an explanation of how to contact Medicare for
Page
6 of
10
MA-PD
EMPLOYER/UNION-ONLY
GROUP CONTRACT ADDENDUM
information
on other MA-PD plans that might be available to the individual. In addition,
MA
Organization agrees that all information necessary to effectuate enrollment
must
be submitted electronically to CMS,
consistent with CMS
instructions.
D.
BENEFICIARY PROTECTIONS
1.
Except
as provided in II.D.2.,
CMS
agrees that, with respect to any
employer/union-only
group MA-PDs,
MA
Organization will not be subject to the information requirements set forth
in 42
CFR§423.48
and the prior review and approval of marketing materials and election forms
requirements set forth in 42 CFR §422.80 and §423.50. MA Organization will be
subject to all other disclosure and dissemination
requirements contained in 42 CFR §422.111, §423.128 and in CMS guidance,
including those requirements contained in the "Medicare Marketing Materials
Guidelines for Medicare Advantage Plans (MAs),
Medicare
Advantage Prescription Drug Plans (MA-PDs), Prescription Drug Plans (PDPs)
and 1876
Cost Plans."
2.
CMS
agrees that the disclosure and dissemination requirements set forth in
42 CFR
§422.111 and §423.128 will not apply with respect to any employer/union-only
group MA-PD when the employer/union is subject to alternative disclosure
requirements (e.g., the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974
("ERISA"))
and
fully complies with such alternative requirements. MA Organization agrees
to
comply with the requirements for this waiver contained in employer/union-only
group waiver guidance, including those requirements contained in Chapter
13 of
the "Medicare Marketing Guidelines for Medicare Advantage Plans (MAs),
Medicare
Advantage Prescription Drug Plans (MA-PDs), Prescription Drug Plans (PDPs)
and
1876 Cost Plans."
E.
SERVICE
AREA, FORMULARIES
AND
PHARMACY ACCESS
1.
CMS
agrees that employer/union-only group Local MA-PDs that provide coverage
to
individuals in any part of a State can offer coverage to retirees eligible
for
the employer/union-only group MA-PD throughout that State. CMS also agrees
that
employer/union-only group Regional MA-PDs that provide coverage to individuals
in any part of a Region can offer coverage to retirees eligible for the
employer/union-only group MA-PD throughout that Region.
2.
CMS
agrees that non-network Private Fee-for-Service
employer/union-only group MA-PDs may extend coverage beyond their designated
service areas to all enrollees
of a
particular employer/union-only group plan, regardless of where they reside
in
the nation, when the most substantial portion of the employer's employees
(or in
the case of a union, the union's participants) reside in the service area
where
the MA Organization, either itself or through subcontractors or other partners,
is a provider of non-group MA-PD coverage. The MA Organization agrees to
conduct
an actual review of where the substantial portion of the
Page
7 of
10
MA-PD
EMPLOYER/UNION-ONLY
GROUP CONTRACT ADDENDUM
employer's/union's
employees/participants reside and to maintain adequate supporting documentation
of such review (including the date of such review, by whom the review was
conducted, and any other relevant documentation to substantiate the review),
and
to permit CMS
to audit
and review such documentation. Such expanded service areas must have convenient
Part D
pharmacy
access sufficient to meet the needs of enrollees
wherever
they reside.
3.
MA
Organization agrees to utilize, as the formulary
for any
employer/union-only group MA-PD, a base formulary that has received approval
from CMS, in accordance with CMS formulary guidance, for use in a non-group
MA-PD offered by MA Organization. Except as set forth in 42 CFR§423.120(b)
and sub-regulatory guidance, MA Organization may not modify the approved
base
formulary used for any employer/union-only group MA-PD by removing drugs,
adding
additional utilization management restrictions, or increasing the cost-sharing
status of a drug from the base formulary. Enhancements that are permitted
to the
base formulary include adding additional drugs, removing utilization management
restrictions, and improving the cost-sharing status of drugs.
4.
For
any employer/union-only group MA-PD, MA Organization agrees to provide
Part D
benefits
in the
plan's service area utilizing a pharmacy network and formulary that meets
the
requirements of 42 CFR §423.120, with the following exception: CMS agrees that
the retail pharmacy access requirements set forth in 42 CFR §423.120(a)(l)
("Tricare"
standards) will not apply when the employer/union-only group MA-PD's
pharmacy
network is sufficient to meet the needs of its enrollees throughout the
employer/union-only group MA-PD's service area, as determined by CMS. CMS
may
periodically review the adequacy of the employer/union-only group MA-PD's
pharmacy network and require the employer/union-only group MA-PD to expand
access if CMS determines that such expansion is necessary in order to ensure
that the employer/union-only group MA-PD's network is sufficient to meet
the
needs of its enrollees.
F.
PAYMENT
TO MA ORGANIZATION
Except
as
provided in II.F.l
through
4, payment under this Addendum will be governed by the rules of Subparts G
and
J
of 42
CFR Part 423.
1.
MA
Organization acknowledges that the risk sharing, plan entry and retention
bonus
provisions of section 1858 of the Act and 42 CFR §422.458 shall not apply to any
employer/union-only group Regional MA-PDs.
2.
MA
Organization acknowledges that the risk-sharing payment adjustment described
in
42 CFR §423.336 is not applicable for any employer/union-only group MA-PD
enrollee.
3.
MA
Organization will receive a monthly direct subsidy under 42 CFR Subpart
G
Page
8 of
10
MA-PD EMPLOYER/UNION-ONLY
GROUP
CONTRACT ADDENDUM
for
each
employer/union-only group MA-PD enrollee
equal to
the amount of the national average monthly bid amount (not its approved
standardized bid), adjusted for health status (as determined under 42
CFR§423.329(b)(l))
and
reduced by the base beneficiary premium for the employer/union-only group
MA-PD,
as adjusted under 42 CFR §423.286(d)(3), if applicable. The further adjustments
to the base beneficiary
premium contained in 42 CFR §423.286(d)(l) and (2) will not apply.
4.
MA
Organization will not receive monthly reinsurance payment amounts in the
manner
set forth in 42 CFR §423.329(c)(2)(i) for any employer/union-only
group
MA-PD enrollee, but instead will receive the full reinsurance payment following
the end of year reconciliation as described in 42 CFR
§423.329(c)(2)(ii).
5.
For
non-calendar year plans:
(a)
CMS
payments
will be determined on a calendar year basis;
(b)
Low
income subsidy payments and reconciliations will be determined based on
the
calendar year for which the payments are made; and
(c)
MA
Organization acknowledges that it will not receive reinsurance
payments
under
42
CFR §423.329(c).
Page
9 of
10
MA-PD
EMPLOYER/UNION-ONLY GROUP CONTRACT ADDENDUM
In
witness whereof, the parties hereby execute this Addendum.
FOR
THE
MA ORGANIZATION
Xxxx
Xxxxx
|
President
and CEO
|
|
Printed
Name
|
Title
|
|
/s/
Xxxx
Xxxxx
|
9-14-06
|
|
Signature
|
Date
|
|
Advance/WellCare
PFFS Insurance, Inc.
|
0000
Xxxxxxxxx Xxxx, Xxx 0 Xxxxx XX 00000
|
|
Organization
|
Address
|
|
FOR THE CENTERS FOR MEDICARE & MEDICAID SERVICES | ||
/s/
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx
Xxxxxx
X. Xxxxxxxxx
Deputy
Director
Employer
Policy & Operations Group
Center
for Beneficiary Choices
|
9/28/06
Date
|
Page
10
of 10
Medicare
Advantage Attestation of Benefit Plan and Price
ADVANTAGE/WELLCARE
PFFS INSURANCE INC.
H1340
Date:
09/12/2006
I
attest that the following plan numbers as established in the
final Plan
Benefit Package (PBP) will be operated by the above-stated organization
and made available to eligible beneficiaries in the approved
service area
during program year 2007. I further attest that the organization
will
comply with all applicable program guidance that CMS has issued
to date
and will issue during the remainder of 2006 and 2007 pursuant
to Medicare
program authorizing statutes and regulations, including but not
limited
to, the 2007 Call Letters, the 2007 Solicitations for New Contract
Applicants, and
the CMS memoranda issued through the Health Plan Management System
(HPMS).
|
||||||||||
Plan
ID
|
Segment
ID
|
Version
|
Plan
Name
|
Plan
Type
|
Transaction
Type
|
MA
Premium
|
Part
D Premium
|
CMS
Approval Date
|
Effective
Date
|
|
002
|
0
|
2
|
Duet
|
PFFS
|
Initial
|
0.00
|
N/A
|
9/12/2006
|
01/01/2007
|
|
003
|
0
|
3
|
Duet
|
PFFS
|
Initial
|
0.00
|
N/A
|
9/12/2006
|
01/01/2007
|
|
004
|
0
|
4
|
Duet
|
PFFS
|
Initial
|
0.00
|
N/A
|
9/12/2006
|
01/01/2007
|
|
005
|
0
|
3
|
Duet
|
PFFS
|
Initial
|
0.00
|
N/A
|
9/12/2006
|
01/01/2007
|
|
006
|
0
|
3
|
Summit
|
PFFS
|
Initial
|
91.00
|
0.00
|
9/12/2006
|
01/01/2007
|
|
007
|
0
|
3
|
Summit
|
PFFS
|
Initial
|
121.00
|
0.00
|
9/12/2006
|
01/01/2007
|
|
008
|
0
|
5
|
Summit
|
PFFS
|
Initial
|
124.70
|
16.20
|
9/12/2006
|
01/01/2007
|
|
009
|
0
|
3
|
Summit
|
PFFS
|
Initial
|
127.80
|
33.20
|
9/12/2006
|
01/01/2007
|
|
010
|
0
|
3
|
Summit
|
PFFS
|
Initial
|
137.90
|
43.10
|
9/12/2006
|
01/01/2007
|
|
011
|
0
|
3
|
Summit
|
PFFS
|
Initial
|
162.40
|
48.60
|
9/12/2006
|
01/01/2007
|
|
012
|
0
|
3
|
Freedom
|
PFFS
|
Initial
|
0.00
|
0.00
|
9/12/2006
|
01/01/2007
|
|
013
|
0
|
3
|
Concert
|
PFFS
|
Initial
|
0.00
|
0.00
|
9/12/2006
|
01/01/2007
|
|
014
|
0
|
3
|
Concert
|
PFFS
|
Initial
|
37.70
|
3.30
|
9/12/2006
|
01/01/2007
|
|
015
|
0
|
5
|
Concert
|
PFFS
|
Initial
|
39.20
|
41.70
|
9/12/2006
|
01/01/2007
|
|
016
|
0
|
4
|
Concert
|
PFFS
|
Initial
|
59.30
|
49.70
|
9/12/2006
|
01/01/2007
|
|
017
|
0
|
3
|
Concert
|
PFFS
|
Initial
|
89.50
|
49.50
|
9/12/2006
|
01/01/2007
|
|
801
|
0
|
4
|
Employer
Plan 1
|
PFFS
|
Initial
|
0.00
|
28.50
|
9/12/2006
|
01/01/2007
|
|
802
|
0
|
4
|
Employer
Plan 2
|
PFFS
|
Initial
|
0.00
|
28.50
|
9/12/2006
|
01/01/2007
|
Page 1
of 2 - ADVANCE/WELLCARE PFFS INSURANCE, INC. - H1340 -
09/12/2006
*
For all
800-series Plan IDs, plans have the flexibility to vary the premium amounts
that
they charge. Therefore, the amount listed in the "MA Premium" and "Part
D
Premium" columns may not coincide with the amount actually charged. For
CY2007,
the direct subsidy payment will be based on the national average monthly
bid
amount rather than on the bid submitted by the plan. Also, the base beneficiary
premium will be used rather than the plan's premium as derived from their
standardized bid in determining the low-income premium subsidy.
/s/
Xxxx
Xxxxx
|
9-14-06
|
|
CEO:
|
Date:
|
|
Xxxx
Xxxxx
|
||
CEO/President
|
||
0000
Xxxxxxxxx Xx Xxx 0
|
||
Tampa,
FL 33634
|
||
000-000-0000
|
||
CFO:
|
||
Xxxx
Xxxxxxx
|
Date:
|
|
CFO
|
||
0000
Xxxxxxxxx Xx Xxx 0
|
||
Tampa,
FL 33634
|
||
000-000-0000
|
Page 2
of 2 - ADVANCE/WELLCARE PFFS
INSURANCE, INC. - H1340 - 09/12/2006