Skip to main content

Insights & Updates

Stay informed with the latest compliance strategies, CMS updates, and tips to keep your healthcare team ahead.

Compliance
July 5, 20268 min read

What Is a CMS Universe Scrubber?

Universe is CMS's word, not a vendor's. What universe scrubbing software actually validates (structure, formats, timeliness logic, cross-table consistency), why IDS makes it matter, and seven questions for evaluating any tool in the category.

By Sevana Health TeamRead More
Compliance
July 5, 202610 min read

The Friday Afternoon HPMS Memo: Why Guidance Management Breaks Down After the Inbox

A single HPMS memo can touch six departments. Why spreadsheet-and-email memo tracking breaks down, what the 2026 audit changes mean for your evidence trail, and what a closed-loop guidance workflow looks like.

By Sevana Health TeamRead More
Audit Prep
June 2, 202615 min read

When the Engagement Letter Lands: A 30-Day Playbook for the 2026 CMS Audit Cycle

A former Medicare Advantage Chief Compliance Officer's 30-day playbook for the first month after a 2026 CMS program audit engagement letter arrives. Days 1-3, 4-10, 11-20, 21-30, plus cross-cutting readiness items.

By Amelia Marie BiehlerRead More
Compliance
May 30, 20268 min read

How CMS Ensures Medicare Advantage Plans Stay Compliant

A practical overview of how CMS oversees Medicare Advantage and Part D plans in 2026: program audits, the new CAR/Observation/IDS framework, the five universe protocols, CPE evaluation, and what audit-ready actually requires.

By Sevana Health TeamRead More
Compliance
May 15, 202612 min read

The FA Universe: How CMS Audits Your Formulary at the Pharmacy Counter

The Formulary Administration audit looks at what your PBM rejected, what got transitioned, and whether members were notified on time. A practical walkthrough of where most plans get tripped up.

By Sevana Health TeamRead More
Compliance
May 15, 202614 min read

The CDAG Universe: A Table-by-Table Guide for Part D Compliance Teams

A practical walkthrough of the Part D Coverage Determinations, Appeals and Grievances universe. Where it differs from ODAG, the timeliness rules that catch plans off guard, and the data quality issues we see most.

By Sevana Health TeamRead More
Compliance
April 5, 202610 min read

CMS CY 2027 Final Rule: Star Ratings Overhaul - What Compliance Teams Need to Know

CMS is removing 11 measures from Star Ratings and scrapping the Health Equity Index reward. Here is what changed, what it means for quality bonus payments, and where oversight is shifting.

By Sevana Health TeamRead More
Compliance
March 20, 20266 min read

Manual CMS Memo-to-Policy Matching: A Compliance Risk You Can Eliminate

Why manually cross-referencing CMS memos to your P&P library creates audit exposure, and how AI-powered policy intelligence gives compliance teams a systematic, documentable process.

By Sevana Health TeamRead More
Compliance
March 7, 20267 min read

CMS Enforcement Is Escalating, and Medicare Advantage Plans Should Pay Attention

CMS posted nearly $2.9M in MA/Part D fines by early April 2025, matching all of 2024. Learn what's driving enforcement and how plans can strengthen compliance.

By Sevana Health TeamRead More
Company
February 23, 20264 min read

Sevana Health Completes Its SOC 2 Type 2 Examination

An independent service auditor evaluated our security controls and confirmed they operated effectively over time. Here's what a SOC 2 Type 2 report means for our customers and why it matters for health plans handling sensitive CMS data.

By Sevana Health TeamRead More
Compliance
February 23, 202614 min read

The ODAG Universe: A Table-by-Table Guide for Compliance Teams

A practical walkthrough of all 5 ODAG universe tables: OD, Reconsiderations, Payment, Effectuations, and Grievances. Learn what each table captures, which fields matter most, and where plans commonly get tripped up.

By Sevana Health TeamRead More
Compliance
January 24, 202610 min read

Invalid Data Submission (IDS) in 2026: What You Need to Know

With CMS eliminating audit scoring and ICAR/ORCA classifications, Invalid Data Submission (IDS) becomes even more critical. Learn what triggers IDS findings and how to prevent them before February 2026.

By Sevana Health TeamRead More
Compliance
December 17, 202512 min read

CMS SNPCC Compliance Guide: Protecting Vulnerable Medicare Members Through Care Coordination

Learn how CMS SNPCC audits ensure Special Needs Plans deliver coordinated care. Understand the 13 CMS standards, HRA timeliness requirements, and how to build a proactive compliance program.

By Sevana Health TeamRead More
Compliance
December 16, 20258 min read

The CPE COA Universe: Your Roadmap for CMS's New "Collaborating on Compliance" Approach

Under CMS's 2026 "Collaborating on Compliance" model, your COA universe becomes the foundation for every discussion with auditors. Learn what the 12 COA data elements mean, common gaps that undermine discussions, and how to prepare before February 2026.

By Sevana Health TeamRead More
Compliance
November 24, 20258 min read

Big Changes Coming to CMS Program Audits in 2026

CMS released their 2026 Program Audit Updates memo with significant changes: scoring eliminated, ICAR/ORCA classifications removed, new CPE evaluation approach, and evolved validation audit requirements. Here's what compliance teams need to know.

By Sevana Health TeamRead More
Technology
November 20, 202514 min read

Measuring TPA Performance: A Data-Driven Approach to CMS Universe File Compliance

Learn how to systematically measure Third-Party Administrator performance in CMS universe file validation with actionable metrics to drive continuous improvement and reduce compliance risk.

By Sevana Health TeamRead More
Compliance
September 26, 20256 min read

Celebrating National Compliance Officer Day: The Unsung Heroes of Healthcare

Honoring the dedication of compliance professionals who safeguard healthcare integrity while navigating an increasingly complex regulatory landscape, including the dramatic expansion of CMS audits in 2025.

By Sevana Health TeamRead More
Compliance
September 22, 20258 min read

Building a Culture of Compliance: How Structured FWA Investigations Protect Your Health Plan

Learn how incident management systems help health plans conduct structured fraud, waste, and abuse investigations while promoting a culture of compliance.

By Sevana Health TeamRead More
Compliance
May 16, 20268 min read

5 Biggest Medicare Advantage Compliance Challenges in 2026

The 2026 CMS Program Audit framework reset what compliance means for Medicare Advantage plans. Five challenges every MA compliance team faces this year, and how each maps to the new audit reality.

By Sevana Health TeamRead More
Compliance
July 5, 202611 min read

CMS Compliance Requirements for Medicare Advantage: The Complete Reference

The two layers of CMS compliance requirements: the seven mandatory program elements at 42 CFR 422.503(b)(4)(vi), and the operational obligations they exist to keep in check, from determination timeliness to delegated entity oversight, plus how CMS verifies both.

By Sevana Health TeamRead More
Audit
May 16, 202610 min read

CMS Audit Preparation for Medicare Advantage Plans: A 2026 Guide

How to prepare for a 2026 CMS Program Audit under the new CAR/Observation/IDS framework. Universe file validation, COA universe readiness, documentation requirements, and during-audit response.

By Sevana Health TeamRead More
Compliance
May 16, 20268 min read

The Real Cost of Medicare Advantage Non-Compliance

What non-compliance actually costs Medicare Advantage plans: CMS CMPs, contract action, audit-record IDS findings, and the operational and reputational consequences that exceed the headline penalty number.

By Sevana Health TeamRead More

Stay Updated

Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest compliance insights and product updates delivered to your inbox.