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during stakeholder calls, and stated that it is challenging to interpret and use the information provided. Another commenter suggested that CMS release additional explanatory narrative to accompany supporting data and files, to help stakeholders better understand how CMS uses the data. Response: CMS thanks commenters for their thoughts and input regarding payments made under the MA program. CMS has a fiduciary duty to be a steward of the Medicare program. Protecting and strengthening Medicare for the 68 million Americans who have it now, and all the beneficiaries in the future, is a key priority for CMS. The policies finalized for CY 2026 are projected to increase average per capita payments to MA organizations by 5.06 percent in CY 2026, which will provide continued stability for the MA market and MA beneficiaries. We are finalizing policies that will ensure payments to MA organizations are up to date and reflect current diagnostic and expenditure trends. Further, the updates included in the CY 2026 Rate Announcement ensure accurate, appropriate payments to MA organizations and prevent wasteful Medicare spending. These policies were developed using careful analyses. Further, we note that MA payments, though different than FFS payments, are closely tied to FFS payment levels and are reflective of payment and utilization trends in that market. We respectfully disagree with the comments claiming that this update to payments in MA will result in increased costs or fewer benefits for beneficiaries. Although the projected 3.70 percent payment increase finalized in the CY 2025 Rate Announcement was a lower increase than in recent years, plan availability, choice, enrollment, and benefit offerings remained stable or grew in 2025. For CY 2025, as with previous years, access to MA plans with prescription drug coverage remains nearly universal, with about 99% of people enrolled in Medicare having access to at least one MA health plan in their area.2 In 2025, 98% of people with Medicare have access to ten or more MA plan choices when including Special Needs Plans (SNPs). Furthermore, the average number of MA plan choices per county remains robust, with 34 plan offerings for non- SNP MA plans with prescription drug coverage and 65 plan offerings in 2025 for all MA plans (including SNPs). Availability of SNPs is also at its highest level historically, with the number of SNP offerings growing by 9% from 2024 to 2025. Overall MA enrollment has similarly not been negatively impacted by the projected 3.70 percent payment increase we finalized in the CY 2025 Rate Announcement and increased by more than 3.1 percent from January 2024 to January 2025.3 In CY 2025, average rebate payments to plans, which fund supplemental benefits, remain stable. Additionally, in 2025, 97 percent of MA plans offer hearing and/or dental supplemental benefits and 99 percent of MA plans offer vision benefits. Given the stability seen in the MA program following the changes announced in the CY 2025 Rate Announcement, CMS expects this year’s estimated 5.06 percent payment increase to provide continued stability in beneficiary access, choice, and benefits. CMS reminds readers that

2 See Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug Programs projections for 2025. 3 See Medicare Advantage/Part D Contract and Enrollment data.