Rothfus proposes Medicare plan change period

In addition to the Rothfus plan switching period bill, the lawmakers talked about H.R. 4177 and H.R. 4180 — two bills that would make it easier for consumers to contribute money to personal Medicare savings accounts.

Lawmakers also discussed H.R. 4196, a bill that would create a Medicare Advantage improvement fund by taking all funding away from the PPACA commercial exchange plan cost-sharing subsidy program.

The cost-sharing program is supposed to help low-income consumers buy “qualified health plans” through the new public exchanges, and handle deductibles, co-payments and coinsurance payments.

Rep. Jeff Denham, R-Calif., stumped for H.R. 4201, the Seniors’ Rights to Know Act bill.

The bill would require a Medicare Advantage plan to tell consumers about the effects of PPACA and a sister bill, the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act (HCERA), on the plan’s cost and benefits.

Denham said in a written version of his testimony that PPACA is about to impose a new health insurance tax and about $300 billion in funding cuts on the Medicare Advantage plans starting this year.

“Unfortunately, the impact will only grow with time,” Denham said. “Seniors have a right to know why their MA plans are being impacted.”

See also:

• CMS blinks on Medicare proposals
• Medicare drug program proposal draws fire
• Benefits group stumps for Medicare Advantage