New Standards Aim to Upgrade Medicare Advantage Senior Care
Washington, Tuesday, 11 August 2026.
A national grant enables the NCQA to establish standardized quality metrics for Medicare Advantage plans, driving accountability and improving personalized care for millions of aging Americans.
National Framework for Age-Friendly Care
On 11 August 2026, the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) announced funding from The John A. Hartford Foundation (JAHF) to launch the NCQA Age-Friendly Health Plan program [1]. This initiative represents the first national standardized evaluation program for Medicare Advantage plans regarding age-friendly care [1]. The collaboration expands on the existing Age-Friendly Health Systems movement and utilizes the 4Ms Framework, which includes What Matters, Medication, Mentation, and Mobility [2]. JAHF is a private, nonpartisan philanthropy based in New York City with over 40 years of experience focusing on priority areas such as creating age-friendly health systems [1]. Dr. Vivek Garg, President and CEO of NCQA, stated that the partnership offers a unique opportunity to help Medicare Advantage plans turn age-friendly principles into better care [2].
Economic Implications and Accountability
The partnership focuses on developing accountability metrics and person-centered benchmarks that managed care organizations must adopt [1]. For healthcare executives and policymakers, the initiative signals tightening quality standards and potential regulatory shifts in senior care delivery across the United States economy [1]. The NCQA is an independent nonprofit developing this framework based on 35+ years of operation [2]. Rani E. Snyder, President of JAHF, noted that this initiative represents an important opportunity to extend principles to the health plans that help shape care for millions of older adults [2]. By creating meaningful measures and alignment, the organizations aim to help build a healthcare system that enables older adults to live with greater dignity, health, and purpose [1].
Implementation Timeline and Feedback
NCQA will conduct development activities including gathering feedback from older adults and caregivers regarding their expectations for age-friendly health plans [1]. The plan involves engaging Medicare Advantage plans to refine the program, validating market demand, testing the framework, and preparing for a national launch [2]. There is no specific completion date provided for the program rollout [alert! ‘no specific completion date provided’] [2]. Interested parties are directed to contact Jennifer Strohmeyer for participation in the development process [1]. The program aims to support independence, preserve function, coordinate around the whole person, and engage families and caregivers [2].