CMS recently displayed a proposed rule that includes revisions to Medicare Advantage, also known as Medicare Part C, as well as changes to the Medicare prescription drug benefit, Medicare Part D, that are part of Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) requirements passed earlier this year. As part of updates to promote health equity, CMS is proposing to update its current regulations that require MA organizations to ensure that services are provided in a culturally competent manner to list populations for consideration including rural residents. The rule also makes updates to Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) and to all 4 parts of Medicare regarding the standard for an identified overpayment. According to a recent brief from the RUPRI Center, while rural counties had a lower rate of MA participation than urban counties (34.6 percent and 44.6 percent, respectively), the rate of enrollment growth was higher in rural areas between 2020 and 2021 (14.2 percent and 6.2 percent, respectively). Comments are due by February 13
