HHS Updates Medicare Drug Cost-Sharing, Plan Quality Ratings

The Trump administration announced changes to patient cost-sharing in Medicare’s prescription drug benefit and will update the methodology used to rate private Medicare Advantage plans.

The final rule (RIN 0938-AV63), released Thursday by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, implements changes to Part D enacted under the Inflation Reduction Act in 2022 and will update the methodology used to calculate insurers’ “star ratings,” which are quality scores that determine bonuses and marketing privileges. The changes would take effect in 2027.

The new rule finalizes the Inflation Reduction Act’s elimination of Medicare Part D’s coverage gap as part ...