Medicare program; changes to the Medicare Advantage and the Medicare prescription drug benefit programs for contract year 2013 and other changes. Final rule with comment period.

This final rule with comment period revises the Medicare Advantage (MA) program (Part C) regulations and prescription drug benefit program (Part D) regulations to implement new statutory requirements; strengthen beneficiary protections; exclude plan participants that perform poorly; improve program efficiencies; and clarify program requirements. It also responds to public comments regarding the long-term care facility conditions of participation pertaining to pharmacy services.