More than 60 Organizations Warn No UPCODE Act Would Raise Costs, Cut Benefits for Millions of Seniors

WASHINGTON — Better Medicare Alliance (BMA), joined by 63 organizations representing providers, community groups, employers, minority health organizations, and senior advocates, today urged Congressional leaders to reject the No UPCODE Act — legislation that would scale back in-home health assessments, weaken care coordination, and threaten the benefits that millions of Medicare Advantage seniors rely on. The coalition also called on Congress to continue working with BMA and other stakeholders on constructive policy solutions that strengthen Medicare Advantage.

This letter follows new analysis from the Berkeley Research Group (BRG) showing that the No UPCODE Act would sharply reduce Medicare Advantage benefits, increase seniors’ out-of-pocket costs, and lead to nearly 6 million fewer enrollees by 2035. BRG’s findings underscore the concerns raised in the letter, highlighting how the legislation would reduce resources that support lower premiums, cost-sharing protections, and supplemental benefits relied on by millions of seniors.

“Seniors cannot afford policies that raise costs or weaken the preventive care they rely on in Medicare Advantage to stay healthy and independent,” said Mary Beth Donahue, President & CEO of Better Medicare Alliance. “For millions of low-income, chronically ill, and homebound beneficiaries, in-home health assessments are a lifeline — identifying unmet needs and preventing avoidable hospitalizations. We urge Congress to reject the No UPCODE Act and work with stakeholders to strengthen Medicare Advantage for the 35 million seniors who depend on its affordable, high-quality care every day.”

The coalition includes frontline clinical providers, Special Needs Plans, aging services organizations, and national health leaders who emphasize that the No UPCODE Act would particularly harm the highest-need seniors.

Dr. Elena Rios, President of the National Hispanic Health Foundation and BMA Board Chair, noted: “By excluding diagnoses from these visits, the No UPCODE Act is a cut to Medicare Advantage—reducing preventive care and resulting in fewer benefits and higher costs for the seniors least able to absorb them.”

Mark Mantei, CEO of The Vancouver Clinic in Washington and Oregon, added: “Medicare Advantage enables coordination of primary and preventive care, giving seniors the right support at the right time and avoiding preventable crises. The No UPCODE Act would take away useful tools that make this coordination possible — jeopardizing preventive care and driving higher costs for patients who can least afford them.”

The sign-on letter urges Congress to ensure that any Medicare Advantage policy changes occur through a transparent process with input from beneficiaries, providers, and advocates — without raising costs or undermining preventive care and care coordination for America’s seniors.

Together, these organizations stand ready to work with lawmakers to ensure that Medicare Advantage remains strong and stable for millions of beneficiaries who choose it.

Read the full letter here.

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Better Medicare Alliance is a community of hundreds of thousands of grassroots beneficiaries and 200+ ally organizations working to improve health care through a strong Medicare Advantage. Learn more at bettermedicarealliance.org.