Better Medicare Alliance Calls for CMS to Implement Only Those Provisions Required by Law in 2026 Proposed Rule to Protect Medicare Advantage Beneficiaries
BMA provides additional recommendations in comments to CMS on CY 2026 Proposed Rule to stabilize the program for more than 34 million beneficiaries
WASHINGTON — Better Medicare Alliance (BMA), the nation’s leading research and advocacy organization supporting Medicare Advantage, called on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to pause and thoroughly evaluate proposed policy and technical changes for Medicare Advantage and Part D Issued by the Biden Administration before finalizing policies not required by statute. In comments formally submitted to CMS, BMA emphasized the need for stability and thoughtful consideration of proposed changes to safeguard affordability, access, and quality of care for more than 34 million beneficiaries.
“Millions of Medicare Advantage beneficiaries are already navigating significant changes in Medicare Advantage and Part D, including implementation of the IRA, as well as the impact of the last two years of Medicare Advantage rate changes that led to higher costs, reduced benefits, and widespread plan closures in 2025,” said Mary Beth Donahue, President and CEO of Better Medicare Alliance. “We encourage CMS to prioritize stability and take the time needed to carefully review these proposals to protect the affordability and access that Medicare Advantage beneficiaries rely on.”
BMA’s comments emphasize the importance of:
Enhancing Transparency: To improve the beneficiary experience, BMA supports CMS’s proposal to integrate provider directories with Medicare Plan Finder but recommends:
- Delaying implementation to CY 2027 to allow adequate preparation.
- Clarifying processes for timely updates to maintain accuracy and consistency.
Preserving Supplemental Benefits: Supplemental benefits are essential tools to close care gaps and address both health-related and social needs. BMA recommends:
- Extending the Value-Based Insurance Design (VBID) program for at least one more year to promote stability and smooth transitions for beneficiaries.
- Codifying clear rules for supplemental benefits and increasing transparency to empower beneficiaries with a better understanding of their health plans.
Simplifying Care for Dual-Eligible Beneficiaries: Dual eligible beneficiaries often navigate complex systems of care. BMA calls for:
- Adoption of integrated ID cards to streamline access for individuals enrolled in both Medicare and Medicaid.
- Targeted implementation of integrated Health Risk Assessments (HRAs) focused on Fully Integrated D-SNPs to ensure meaningful impact and reduce administrative burdens.
Balancing Oversight and Efficiency in Marketing and Communications: BMA supports CMS’s efforts to protect beneficiaries from misleading marketing but urges:
- Reasonable review timelines to prevent bottlenecks and ensure timely dissemination of accurate information.
- Collaboration with stakeholders to ensure a balanced approach that maintains transparency while reducing unnecessary complexities.
Medicare Advantage is now the Medicare program of choice for over half of Medicare beneficiaries, or more than 34 million Americans, who rely on the program for affordable, high-quality care. BMA urges CMS to work with stakeholders to ensure policies are thoroughly reviewed and thoughtfully implemented to preserve stability for beneficiaries.
Read the full comment letter here.
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Better Medicare Alliance is a community of more than one million grassroots beneficiaries and 200+ ally organizations working to improve health care through a strong Medicare Advantage. Learn more at www.bettermedicarealliance.org.