EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
Currently, there is no statutory or regulatory authority governing allowability of administrative costs included in the adjusted community rate (ACR) process for determining Medicare capitation rates under risk-based contracts with managed care organizations (MCO). At a Massachusetts risk-based MCO we identified over $1.4 million in administrative costs that would be considered inappropriate and unallowable if considered in light of the Medicare program's general principle of paying only reasonable costs. Examples of such costs included lobbying costs, entertainment costs and unsupported costs. The methodology which allows MCOs to apportion administrative costs to Medicare is flawed and results in Medicare covering a disproportionate amount of the MCO's administrative costs. Additional reviews are underway and preliminary results show similar problems at other MCOs. The results of these reviews will be shared with the Health Care Health Financing Administration in the coming months so that appropriate legislative changes can be considered.