CMS Proposes Policy and Payment Changes for Medicare Advantage and Part D Plans
February 16, 2023
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recommends policy changes to Medicare Advantage (MA) and Part D plans each
Celebrating 35 years of making Medicare more accessible, affordable, and equitable!
Denials and Appeals
Largely driven by prior authorization, MA and Part D coverage denials leave beneficiaries with only bad options: paying out-of-pocket, going without, or getting embroiled in a daunting and deeply flawed appeals process. Each path can lead to delayed care, abandoned therapies, worse health, and higher costs. Particularly egregious are improper coverage denials, which force people to make this choice unnecessarily. Changes are long overdue. Harmful denials must be curbed, and the appeals systems must be reformed to function as a safety valve—rather than as an inadequate substitute for sound plan decisions and robust federal oversight.
Comments on Proposed Changes to Medicare Advantage and Part D for Contract Year 2024
February 13, 2023
The Medicare Rights Center comments on the Medicare Program; Contract Year 2024 Policy and Technical Changes proposed rule.
Medicare Rights Trends Report Shows Part D Enrollees Continue to Struggle with Costs and Other Barriers to Care
June 9, 2022
This is part 3 of the helpline trends report series. Read part 1, part 2, and part 4. This third
Medicare Rights Trends Report Highlights Medicare Advantage and Part D Coverage Denials
June 2, 2022
This is part 2 of the helpline trends report series. Read part 1, part 3, and part 4. This second
Medicare Rights Advocates for Key Health Care Reforms in Congressional Budget Bill
October 12, 2021
In recent months, the Medicare Rights Center has been helping ensure that important health care reforms are included in the
Medicare Rights Urges Congress to Prioritize Critical Medicare Updates
July 22, 2021
This week, as Congress continued to discuss strategies to improve health coverage, Medicare Rights weighed in, urging them to prioritize critical
Action Alert: Tell Congress to Strengthen Medicare
July 15, 2021
Congress is currently considering strategies to improve health coverage and affordability. Weigh in today to make sure that Medicare is part
Statement for the Record “Negotiating a Better Deal: Legislation to Lower the Cost of Prescription Drugs”
May 4, 2021
Immediate action is needed to transform the nation’s drug pricing system in ways that will lower prices, strengthen Medicare, and promote the well-being of those who rely on its coverage. H.R. 3 would significantly advance these goals, in part by authorizing Medicare to negotiate prices for certain drugs; imposing inflationary rebates; and restructuring Part D to cap beneficiary out-of-pocket costs at $2,000 per year, reduce the federal government’s liability, and better align pricing incentives.
Reduce Barriers to Care
January 20, 2021
The Biden administration must reduce barriers to care by making coverage more available, accessible, and affordable. On our Helpline, we frequently hear from older adults and people with disabilities who live on modest or limited incomes and are struggling to access and afford their care. These financial challenges—which have in many cases been worsened by the coronavirus pandemic—along with rising health care and prescription drug costs, antiquated coverage rules, and burdensome program requirements can make it difficult for older adults and people with disabilities to obtain the care they need. The following reforms would help reduce these barriers to care by making Medicare stronger, easier to navigate, and more affordable.
Summary of Policy Recommendations for the Biden Administration
December 17, 2020
The Medicare Rights Center (Medicare Rights) looks forward to working with the Biden administration to advance policies that protect and strengthen Medicare as well as the health and economic well-being of those who rely on its coverage. To facilitate this dialogue, we compiled a set of administrative actions for their consideration. We will also outline our legislative priorities for the 117th Congress.
CMS Proposes Policy and Payment Changes for Medicare Advantage and Part D Plans
February 16, 2023
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recommends policy changes to Medicare Advantage (MA) and Part D plans each
Comments on Proposed Changes to Medicare Advantage and Part D for Contract Year 2024
February 13, 2023
The Medicare Rights Center comments on the Medicare Program; Contract Year 2024 Policy and Technical Changes proposed rule.
Medicare Rights Trends Report Shows Part D Enrollees Continue to Struggle with Costs and Other Barriers to Care
June 9, 2022
This is part 3 of the helpline trends report series. Read part 1, part 2, and part 4. This third
Medicare Rights Trends Report Highlights Medicare Advantage and Part D Coverage Denials
June 2, 2022
This is part 2 of the helpline trends report series. Read part 1, part 3, and part 4. This second
Medicare Rights Advocates for Key Health Care Reforms in Congressional Budget Bill
October 12, 2021
In recent months, the Medicare Rights Center has been helping ensure that important health care reforms are included in the
Medicare Rights Urges Congress to Prioritize Critical Medicare Updates
July 22, 2021
This week, as Congress continued to discuss strategies to improve health coverage, Medicare Rights weighed in, urging them to prioritize critical
Action Alert: Tell Congress to Strengthen Medicare
July 15, 2021
Congress is currently considering strategies to improve health coverage and affordability. Weigh in today to make sure that Medicare is part
Statement for the Record “Negotiating a Better Deal: Legislation to Lower the Cost of Prescription Drugs”
May 4, 2021
Immediate action is needed to transform the nation’s drug pricing system in ways that will lower prices, strengthen Medicare, and promote the well-being of those who rely on its coverage. H.R. 3 would significantly advance these goals, in part by authorizing Medicare to negotiate prices for certain drugs; imposing inflationary rebates; and restructuring Part D to cap beneficiary out-of-pocket costs at $2,000 per year, reduce the federal government’s liability, and better align pricing incentives.
Reduce Barriers to Care
January 20, 2021
The Biden administration must reduce barriers to care by making coverage more available, accessible, and affordable. On our Helpline, we frequently hear from older adults and people with disabilities who live on modest or limited incomes and are struggling to access and afford their care. These financial challenges—which have in many cases been worsened by the coronavirus pandemic—along with rising health care and prescription drug costs, antiquated coverage rules, and burdensome program requirements can make it difficult for older adults and people with disabilities to obtain the care they need. The following reforms would help reduce these barriers to care by making Medicare stronger, easier to navigate, and more affordable.
Summary of Policy Recommendations for the Biden Administration
December 17, 2020
The Medicare Rights Center (Medicare Rights) looks forward to working with the Biden administration to advance policies that protect and strengthen Medicare as well as the health and economic well-being of those who rely on its coverage. To facilitate this dialogue, we compiled a set of administrative actions for their consideration. We will also outline our legislative priorities for the 117th Congress.