The Wall Street Journal has linked a former congressional aide to a memo sent out to investors that sent health insurance stocks soaring earlier this month after a surprise decision by CMS to raise Medicare Advantage payments instead of lowering them, as was previously announced.
According to the Wall Street Journal, Mark Hayes, a lobbyist for health insurance giant Humana, confirmed news of the not-yet-public decision to Washington investment-research firm Height Securities, which alerted clients of the move before the agency publicly announced the higher rates. The raised MA payments will mean billions more for the health insurance industry, and now the Securities and Exchange Commission is looking into the situation.
Mr. Hayes was formerly a top health policy aide for Sen. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa), who has been vocally critical of the "political intelligence" industry exemplified in this case.
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According to the Wall Street Journal, Mark Hayes, a lobbyist for health insurance giant Humana, confirmed news of the not-yet-public decision to Washington investment-research firm Height Securities, which alerted clients of the move before the agency publicly announced the higher rates. The raised MA payments will mean billions more for the health insurance industry, and now the Securities and Exchange Commission is looking into the situation.
Mr. Hayes was formerly a top health policy aide for Sen. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa), who has been vocally critical of the "political intelligence" industry exemplified in this case.
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