The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has declared enhancements to Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D, aimed at supporting individuals who participate in the Medicare program. This announcement, backed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), follows rules designed to promote pricing competition and mental health services.
"Competition within Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D will provide consumers with meaningful choices among plans so they can select one that best meets their individual needs. Additional consumer protections will help people make the right decisions and get the coverage they want without hassles," said HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra. "We know that increased competition is good for the marketplace. That’s why the Biden-Harris administration continues to increase competition in health care and lower costs, helping build on steps the administration has already taken as well as identify opportunities to further spur innovation."
According to an HHS news release, these expanded enrollee protections establish a benchmark that plans can use to reimburse an agent or broker. This is intended to protect Medicare Advantage and Part D plan enrollees, including prospective ones, from anti-competitive steering. The goal is to assist people in finding plans better suited to their healthcare needs rather than incentivizing insurance plan brokers. This objective aligns with a White House executive order aimed at stimulating competition within the nation's economy. CMS also intends to solidify broader Part D plans leading to quicker access for people to affordable drug treatment options.
"CMS is continuing its commitment to ensuring that Medicare Advantage and Part D prescription drug plans remain strong, stable, and affordable for people with Medicare," said CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure. "This final rule builds on Biden-Harris Administration efforts to strengthen consumer protections so that people with Medicare can more easily choose the Medicare coverage options that are right for them."
