This paper is the first in a series intended to provide an overview of the impact to Medicare Advantage Organizations (MAOs) of upcoming changes to the way hospice benefits are provided. For calendar year 2021 (CY2021), MAOs may offer the hospice benefit to their beneficiaries by electing to participate in the Value Based Insurance Design (VBID) model option. The change from a fee-for-service (FFS) benefit supported by CMS to a Medicare Advantage covered benefit has implications that will be discussed throughout this series.
