The health policy journal club is an interdisciplinary, inter-professional group convened monthly by the Farley Health Policy Center to discuss timely topics in health policy. A curated selection of high-yield articles provides the basis for discussion. Past topics have included income inequality and health, professionalism in medicine, patients as consumers, and adjusting payment for measures of social risk. This page presents the reading list from the most recent journal club. 

This month's health policy journal club delved into the multifaceted landscape of Medicare Advantage, discussing its future pathways, the implications of upcoding and prior authorization, and the role of supplemental benefits. The session also explored various proposed reforms, providing a comprehensive overview of current challenges and opportunities within the program. 

Medicare Advantage Overview & Trends 

Albanese J. Two Paths for Medicare's Future: Medicare Advantage and Accountable Care Organizations. Paragon Health Institute Policy Brief. January 15, 2025. 

Freed M, Fuglesten Biniek J, Damico A, Neuman T. Medicare Advantage in 2024: Enrollment Update and Key Trends. KFF. August 8, 2024. 

Payment & Finance 

MedPAC Report to Congress: Medicare Payment Policy. March 2025. 

Freed M, Fuglesten Biniek J, Damico A, Neuman T. Medicare Advantage in 2024: Premiums, Out-of-Pocket Limits, Supplemental Benefits, and Prior Authorization. KFF. August 8, 2024. 

Turco MT, Seshamani M. Time to Reexamine the Role of Supplemental Benefits in Medicare Advantage. Health Affairs Forefront. April 3, 2025. Template for ‘What We’re Reading’ Posts

Prior Authorization 

Fuglesten Biniek J, Sroczynski N, Freed M, Neuman T. Medicare Advantage Insurers Made Nearly 50 Million Prior Authorization Determinations in 2023. KFF. January 28, 2025. 

Turco MT, Seshamani M. Prioritize Prior Authorization Reforms in Medicare Advantage. Health Affairs Forefront. February 19, 2025. 

Health Plans Take Action to Simplify Prior Authorization. Press Release. June 23, 2025. AHIP. 

Proposed Reforms & Future Implications 

Albanese J. Improving Medicare Through Medicare Advantage. Paragon Health Institute. February 2024. Introduction pages 3-4 and 35-37. 

Van de Water PN. Growth in Medicare Advantage Raises Concerns. Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. January 10, 2025. 

Jacobson G, Blumenthal D. Defaulting into Medicare Advantage: What It Could Mean for Medicare and Its Beneficiaries. Health Affairs Forefront. May 27, 2025. 

In Case You Missed It (ICYMI) 

AcademyHealth’s Situation Report: SCOTUS Upholds Prevention Mandate, Senate Advances Medicaid Cuts provides updates on recent developments in federal health policy that we’ve discussed in the last few journal clubs.