In-network MOOP limit
(4) In-network MOOP limit. Except as provided in paragraph (f)(5) of this section, MA local plans (as defined in 422.2) must have an enrollee in-network maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) amount for basic benefits that is no greater than the annual limit calculated by CMS using Medicare Fee-for-Service (FFS) data projections. With respect to a private fee-for-service (PFFS) plan, the in-network MOOP limits specified in this paragraph (f)(4) apply. MA organizations are responsible for tracking out-of-pocket spending accrued by the enrollee, and must alert enrollees and contracted providers when the plan's in-network MOOP amount is reached. (i) Medicare FFS data projections in CMS MOOP limit calculations. For each year beginning on or after January 1, 2023, CMS calculates three MOOP limits using Medicare FFS data projections. For purposes of this paragraph (f)(4) and calculating actuarially equivalent copayments as described in paragraph (f)(7) of this section, the term Medicare FFS data projections means the projections of beneficiary out-of-pocket costs for the applicable contract year, based on recent Medicare FFS data, including data for beneficiaries with and without diagnoses of ESRD, that are consistent with generally accepted actuarial principles and practices as outlined in paragraph (f)(7)(i) of this section. The dollar ranges for the three MOOP limits are as follows: (A) Mandatory MOOP limit. One dollar above the intermediate MOOP limit and up to and including the mandatory MOOP limit. (B) Intermediate MOOP limit. One dollar above the lower MOOP limit and up to and including the intermediate MOOP limit. (C) Lower MOOP limit. Between $0.00 and up to and including the lower MOOP limit. (ii) MOOP type. An MA organization that establishes a plan's MOOP amount within the dollar range specified in paragraphs (f)(4)(i)(A) through (C) of this section has the corresponding mandatory, intermediate, or lower MOOP type for purposes of paragraphs (f) and (j) of this section and 422.101(d) and 422.113(b)(2)(v). (iii) CMS rounding of MOOP limits. Each MOOP limit CMS calculates is rounded to the nearest $50 increment and in cases where the MOOP limit is projected to be exactly in between two $50 increments, CMS rounds to the lower $50 increment. (iv) MOOP limits for 2023. For 2023, CMS calculates the MOOP limits as follows, applying paragraph (f)(4)(vi)(A) of this section: (A) Mandatory MOOP limit. $7,175 (the 95th percentile of projected contract year 2021 Medicare FFS beneficiary out-of-pocket spending for beneficiaries without diagnoses of ESRD) plus 70 percent of the ESRD cost differential unless: The resulting MOOP limit (after application of the rounding rules in paragraph (f)(4)(iii) of this section) reflects an increase greater than 10 percent compared to the mandatory MOOP limit from the prior year, in which case CMS caps the increase to the mandatory MOOP limit by 10 percent of the prior year's MOOP limit. (B) Intermediate MOOP limit. The numeric midpoint between the mandatory and lower MOOP limits (calculated before application of the rounding rules in paragraph (f)(4)(iii) of this section and after application of the 10 percent cap on increases to the mandatory and lower MOOP limits from the prior year in paragraphs (f)(4)(iv)(A) and (C) of this section). (C) Lower MOOP limit. $3,360 (the 85th percentile of projected contract year 2021 Medicare FFS beneficiary out-of-pocket spending for beneficiaries without diagnoses of ESRD) plus 70 percent of the ESRD cost differential unless: The resulting MOOP limit (after application of the rounding rules in paragraph (f)(4)(iii) of this section) reflects an increase greater than 10 percent compared to the voluntary MOOP limit from the prior year, in which case CMS caps the increase to the lower MOOP limit by 10 percent of the prior year's MOOP limit. (v) MOOP limits for 2024 and subsequent years. For 2024 and subsequent years, CMS annually calculates the MOOP limits as follows, applying paragraph (f)(4)(vi)(B) of this section: (A) Mandatory and lower MOOP limits. The prior year's MOOP limits are increased or decreased for the upcoming contract year to reflect the applicable percentiles (95th for the mandatory MOOP and 85th for the lower MOOP) of the Medicare FFS data projections unless: Either of the resulting MOOP limits reflect an increase greater than 10 percent compared to the same type of MOOP limit from the prior year, in which case CMS caps the increase to the applicable MOOP limit(s) by 10 percent of the prior year's MOOP limit annually until the MOOP limit(s) reflects the applicable percentile(s). (B) Intermediate MOOP limit. Is either maintained at the prior year's limit or if either the mandatory or lower MOOP limit changes from the prior year, updated to the new numeric midpoint between the mandatory and lower MOOP limits (calculated before application of the rounding rules in paragraph (f)(4)(iii) of this section and after application of the 10-percent cap on increases to the mandatory and lower MOOP limits from the prior year in paragraph (f)(4)(v)(A) of this section). (vi) CMS calculation of the ESRD cost differential. For purposes of the ESRD cost transition methodology to calculate annual MOOP limits contained in this section, the ESRD cost differential is the difference between, first, for the mandatory MOOP limit, $7,175 and for the lower MOOP limit, $3,360 and second, for the mandatory MOOP limit, the 95th percentile and, for the lower MOOP limit, the 85th percentile of the Medicare FFS data projections for each year between 2023 and 2024. CMS transitions to using the Medicare FFS data projections by factoring in a percentage of the ESRD cost differential on the following schedule: (A) For 2023, CMS uses projected Medicare FFS beneficiary out-of-pocket spending for beneficiaries without diagnoses of ESRD plus 70 percent of the ESRD cost differential. (B) For 2024 and subsequent years, CMS uses the Medicare FFS data projections. (5) Combined MOOP limit. With respect to a local PPO plan, the MOOP limits specified under paragraph (f)(4) of this section apply only to use of in-network providers. (i) Combined and total catastrophic MOOP limits. MA local PPO plans must establish a combined enrollee MOOP amount for basic benefits that are provided in-network and out-of-network that is no greater than the total catastrophic limit applicable to regional plans in 422.101(d)(3). (ii) In-network and combined MOOP type. The type of in-network MOOP limit dictates the type of combined MOOP limit the MA plan may use. MA PPO plans must have the same MOOP type (lower, intermediate, or mandatory) for the in-network MOOP limit and combined limit on in-network and out-of-network out-of-pocket expenditures. (iii) MOOP limit attainment. MA organizations are responsible for tracking out-of-pocket spending accrued by the enrollee and must alert enrollees and contracted providers when the combined MOOP amount is reached. (6) General cost sharing limits. Cost sharing for basic benefits specified by CMS does not exceed levels annually determined by CMS to be discriminatory for such services. For each year beginning on or after January 1, 2023, a MA organization must establish cost sharing for basic benefits that complies with the cost sharing limits in this paragraph (f)(6), paragraph (j) of this section, and 422.113(b)(2), which are in addition to any other limits and rules applicable to MA cost sharing, including the requirement in 422.254(b)(4) that overall MA cost sharing for basic benefits be actuarially equivalent to Medicare FFS cost sharing. Cost sharing may be a coinsurance or copayment; a cost sharing limit is calculated for a plan benefit package service category or for a reasonable group of benefits covered under the plan. For purposes of cost sharing evaluation, the analysis is completed at the plan (or segment) level. An MA plan must not charge an enrollee a copayment for a basic benefit that is greater than the cost of the covered service(s). (i) The 50 percent cap on original Medicare benefits. For in-network basic benefits that are not specifically addressed in this paragraph (f)(6), paragraph (j)(1) of this section, or 422.113(b)(2), and for out-of-network basic benefits, MA plans must not establish a cost sharing amount that exceeds 50 percent coinsurance or an actuarially equivalent copayment value (calculated by CMS following the requirements in paragraph (f)(7) of this section or, if CMS does not calculate a copayment limit, based on the average Medicare FFS allowable amount for the plan service area or the estimated total MA plan financial liability for the service category or for a reasonable group of benefits in the PBP for that contract year). The rules in this paragraph (f)(6)(i) apply regardless of the type of MOOP limit established by the plan. (ii) Copayment rounding rules. The following rounding rules apply in calculating copayment limits and in evaluating compliance with this paragraph (f)(6) and paragraphs (f)(7), (f)(8), and (j)(1) of this section: (A) For service categories subject to paragraph (f)(6)(i) of this section, professional services subject to paragraph (f)(6)(iii) of this section, and benefits listed in paragraph (j)(1)(i) of this section, the final actuarially equivalent copayment value is rounded to the nearest whole $5. (B) For inpatient hospital acute and psychiatric and skilled nursing facility cost sharing limits subject to paragraphs (f)(6)(iv) and (j)(1)(i)(C) of this section, the final actuarially equivalent copayment value is rounded to the nearest whole $1. (C) When the actuarially equivalent copayment value is projected to be exactly between two increments, the final figure is rounded to the lower dollar amount. (iii) Cost sharing limits for professional services. (A) For in-network basic benefits that are professional services, including primary care services, physician specialist services, partial hospitalization, and rehabilitation services, an MA plan must not establish cost sharing that exceeds the limits in this paragraph (f)(6)(iii) for the MOOP limit established by the MA plan. (B) When calculating copayment limits for purposes of this paragraph, CMS calculates an actuarially equivalent value to the coinsurance limits in this paragraph (f)(6)(iii), subject to the requirements in paragraph (f)(7) of this section and the restrictions on increases to copayment limits in paragraph (f)(8) of this section. If CMS does not calculate a copayment limit for a professional service category, the MA plan must not establish a copayment that exceeds the actuarially equivalent value to the coinsurance limits in this paragraph (f)(6)(iii) based on the estimated total MA plan financial liability for that benefit for that contract year. (C) For 2023, MA plans must not exceed the cost sharing limits for professional service categories, as follows: