Despite Trump Transition Chaos, Medicare Advantage Plans Must ‘Keep Calm’

  • Feb 06, 2025

    In the first few weeks of Donald Trump’s second presidency, Medicare Advantage plans faced a tremendous amount of uncertainty as the White House threatened to pause federal financial assistance activities, issued multiple executive orders outlining the new administration’s priorities, and targeted diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives across departments. HHS also issued a freeze on communications that temporarily halted plan activities related to CMS audits, and Trump's new Department of Government Efficiency has accessed CMS systems in search of potential fraud.

    After the Wall Street Journal reported that DOGE the Elon Musk-led agency that has not been authorized by Congress gained access to "key payment and contracting systems" for Medicare and Medicaid, CMS on Feb. 5 issued a statement confirming that the agency is collaborating with DOGE. 

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  • Lauren Flynn Kelly

    Lauren has been covering health business issues since the early 2000s and specializes in in-depth reporting on Medicare Advantage, managed Medicaid and Medicare Part D. She also possesses a deep understanding of the complex world of pharmacy benefit management, having written AIS Health’s Radar on Drug Benefits from 2004 to 2005 and again from 2011 to 2016. In addition to her role as managing editor of Radar on Medicare Advantage, she oversees AIS Health’s publications and manages the health editorial staff. She graduated from Vassar College with a B.A. in English.

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