Better Medicare Alliance Responds to OIG Report on Medicare Advantage Health Risk Assessments

WASHINGTON – Better Medicare Alliance, the nation’s leading research and advocacy organization supporting Medicare Advantage, responded today to the OIG report on Medicare Advantage in-home health assessments, commonly known as health risk assessments:  

“This report paints a misleading picture of in-home health assessments in Medicare Advantage. Seniors value in-home assessments because they are easy, affordable, and empower them to take control of their health. Meanwhile, in-home assessments keep seniors healthier and more independent by identifying gaps in care and delivering critical health information,” said  Mary Beth Donahue, President and CEO of Better Medicare Alliance. “Medicare Advantage is designed to achieve a better overall understanding of individuals’ health, and in-home assessments are a crucial part of this model. This information ensures seniors get the resources they need. We have supported codified best practices for these assessments and will continue to do so.”  

In addition to pushing for established best practices for in-home health assessments, Better Medicare Alliance supports ensuring transparency through annual reporting and incorporating health equity into every assessment. Additionally, BMA has called upon CMS to ensure greater payment accuracy by auditing every Medicare Advantage plan every year.  

We look forward to continuing our work with policymakers to strengthen and modernize Medicare Advantage for nearly 34 million seniors and people with disabilities. 

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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