Washington, D.C. - Yesterday, H.R. 2582, the Seniors' Health Care Plan Protection Act of 2015, which was introduced by Congressman Dave Loebsack and a bipartisan group of members was unanimously approved by the House of Representatives.
The bill protects seniors from unwarranted health care plan terminations by requiring changes to the Medicare Advantage risk adjustment model and delaying the authority of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to eliminate MA plans based on the STARS rating system. The STARS ratings system scores the performance of each Medicare Advantage plan based on various quality measures, but they have failed to adequately account for issues plans face due to serving a larger proportion of frail, low-income, or dual eligible patients. This can lead to the termination of plans that seniors depend on and that provide the kind of benefits that they need. The bill will make sure that CMS is using the right data to make the right decisions for seniors.
"It is critical that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services use the right data when they make decisions about Medicare Advantage plans. Seniors should not be penalized and lose a plan they like because that plan cares for a higher proportion of frail or low income beneficiaries," said Rep. Dave Loebsack. "By requiring CMS to reevaluate how they account for risky populations when it comes to evaluating plans we will ensure that seniors can continue to access the plans that they depend on."
"This bipartisan bill will ensure that seniors across the country are able to keep the care and benefits they choose because the plans fit their needs. On behalf of the more than 54,000 seniors in my district who are enrolled in this vital program, I urge my colleagues in the Senate to pass the Seniors Health Care Plan Protection Act," said Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-FL-16), the lead Republican sponsor.
The Seniors' Health Care Plan Protection Act will now go to the Senate for consideration.
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