What We're Reading: MA Payment Increase; AI Oversight Framework; Wisconsin Withdraws ACA Lawsuits

CMS Increases 2020 Medicare Advantage Payments

CMS has finalized a 2.53% increase in payments to Medicare Advantage (MA) plans for 2020, which they said is a reflection of a new estimate on cost growth. This is up from the 1.59% increase proposed by the agency in February, reported Reuters. The increase comes after a final estimate determined a growth rate of 5.62%, up from the 4.59% estimated in February. In 2020, MA plans will also be able to offer benefits that address beneficiaries’ social needs, such as structural changes to the home like adding ramps and widening doorways.

FDA Proposes Regulatory Framework for Artificial Intelligence

Wisconsin Withdraws From 2 Affordable Care Act Lawsuits

The FDA has released a proposed framework for tailored regulatory oversight of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare. According to the white paper, the agency is aiming for a framework that is based on the International Medical Device Regulators Forum risk categorization principles, FDA’s benefit—risk framework, risk management principles in the software modification guidance, and an organization-based total product lifecycle approach. The goal, according to the FDA, is to embrace AI and machine learning while also ensuring patient safety.A federal court is allowing Wisconsin’s Democratic Attorney General Josh Kaul to withdraw 2 lawsuits from the state challenging the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The first is a multistate lawsuit that resulted in a federal judge striking down the ACA, and the second is a separate multistate challenge. According to the Wisconsin State Journal, Kaul had submitted requests to remove the state from the lawsuits earlier this month following authority from a state judge.