All Americans, regardless of where they choose to live or how much they earn, deserve access to high quality health care. Seniors across the country have worked hard for the promise that health coverage options would be available to them upon retirement.
Seniors eligible for Medicare have the choice between Medicare fee-for-service or Medicare Advantage. More than 16 million seniors — or 30 percent of the Medicare population — have chosen Medicare Advantage because they believe it offers better value and benefits. A recent study found a majority of new enrollees in Medicare Advantage each year from 2006-2011 were seniors leaving Medicare FFS. Moreover, the program enjoys a 90 percent satisfaction rate. In Florida, enrollment exceeds the national average, with more than 40 percent of our seniors choosing Medicare Advantage.
Medicare Advantage is a popular option because the program offers coordinated care with benefits that Medicare FFS does not offer, such as vision, dental and wellness programs. By focusing on prevention, including mammography screenings, blood sugar tests and assistance with managing chronic diseases, Medicare Advantage helps to keep seniors healthy instead of just treating them when they are sick. In many cases, seniors pay less for their MA than traditional Medicare. Despite Medicare Advantage's popularity, recent cuts threaten the viability of the program as seniors experience higher out-of-pocket costs and reduced benefits and services.
Instead of cutting Medicare Advantage, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services should learn from what is working in Medicare Advantage plans to improve cost efficiency and improve outcomes. Simply slashing an innovative and popular program makes no sense. As it develops the annual Medicare Advantage Rate Notice, we urge CMS to avoid cuts that would stifle innovation and hurt seniors. The American people rightfully expect that efforts to keep the cost curve bent should not hurt our seniors, who have earned their Medicare and their choice.
Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart represents Florida's 25th district, and Congressman Patrick Murphy represents Florida's 18th district.
