Diverse Group of 91 Health Care Advocates Urge CMS To Fully Account for Medicare Advantage Beneficiaries’ Rising Care Needs In CY 2025 Rate Notice
Provider and patient advocacy groups across the country call on CMS to promote a stable Medicare Advantage program, serving more than 32 million Americans
WASHINGTON – A leading group of 91 Medicare Advantage stakeholders, including Better Medicare Alliance (BMA), the nation’s leading research and advocacy organization supporting Medicare Advantage, today sent a letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) requesting the agency fully account for seniors’ rising health care needs in its CY 2025 Final Rate Notice.
Across the board, healthcare stakeholders have seen an increase in seniors’ utilization of health care services, in part due to increased demand following delayed care during the COVID-19 pandemic. These trends are widespread and well-documented, however, stakeholders believe that CMS’ estimated growth rate in the Advance Notice does not fully reflect current medical cost and utilization trends. Now, BMA and dozens of community-based organizations, physician groups, and beneficiary advocates at the national and state level are raising concerns that the current proposal risks the stability of the Medicare Advantage program.
This stakeholder letter follows support voiced earlier this year by a bipartisan group of 61 U.S. Senators who sent a letter to CMS urging stability for Medicare Advantage for the more than 32 million beneficiaries who rely on it.
“We urge CMS to promote the stability of Medicare Advantage by finalizing rates that reflect the higher utilization trends being publicly reported and ensure any proposed changes in the final rate notice protect and strengthen the program,” reads the letter.
Organizations serving Medicare Advantage beneficiaries urge CMS to finalize rates that reflect current health care trends:
National Hispanic Council on Aging
“We are proud to join BMA and this stakeholder coalition in urging policymakers to protect the stability of Medicare Advantage,” said Dr. Yanira Cruz, President and CEO of the National Hispanic Council on Aging. “Hispanic seniors in America represent a key segment of Medicare beneficiaries, and the expanded access to flexible, affordable healthcare provided by Medicare Advantage is essential to reducing health disparities in the Hispanic community.”
Meals on Wheels America
“A stable Medicare Advantage program is critical to the thousands of senior nutrition programs that Meals on Wheels America is privileged to serve. Supplemental benefit partnerships with Medicare Advantage plans allow Meals on Wheels programs to ensure that seniors receive the nutritious meals, social connection, safety and wellness checks, and other essential services that they need to remain healthy and independent in their homes,” said Ellie Hollander, CEO of Meals on Wheels America.
YMCA of Southern Nevada
“Seniors in Nevada, and across the country, continue to choose Medicare Advantage for the expanded access it provides to supplemental benefits that foster social connection and active lifestyles. These benefits, achieved through community partnerships between Medicare Advantage plans and organizations like the YMCA, deliver tremendous long-term value for Nevada’s seniors and our community at-large. We are proud to join fellow organizations in calling on CMS to protect Medicare Advantage,” said Jordan Sommaggio, JD, MPA, Director of Development, YMCA of Southern Nevada.
New Hampshire Association of Nurse Anesthesiology
“There are over 100,000 Medicare Advantage beneficiaries in New Hampshire, and as the representative of hundreds of nurse anesthetists that serve them, we care deeply about the stability of their healthcare,” said Kisha Thompson, President of the New Hampshire Association of Nurse Anesthesiology. “We join this stakeholder coalition in urging CMS to protect Medicare Advantage so our members can continue to deliver innovative, value-based care for New Hampshire’s seniors.”
Georgia Psychiatric Physicians Association
“As the only statewide organization representing Georgia’s psychiatric patients and providers, we are thrilled to partner with BMA and our colleagues in calling for the protection of the Medicare Advantage program, which provides key benefits to support mental health,” said Travis Lindley, Executive Director and Devin Krecl, Associate Executive Director of the Georgia Psychiatric Physicians Association. “Mental health is health, and patients with a Medicare Advantage plan have access to a variety of supplemental benefits that support mental wellbeing for all Americans. We urge CMS to continue supporting this program and ensure it remains a reliable care option for those who need it most.”
A copy of the letter co-signed by 91 organizations can be found 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.