In a letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), four senators have asked for improved data collection on the practices of Medicare Advantage (MA) plans. This comes as MA plans increasingly rely on prior authorization for certain services, leading to delays in care and higher out-of-pocket costs for seniors.
The letter, signed by Sens. Michael Bennet (D-CO), Bob Casey (D-PA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), and Tina Smith (D-MN), calls for CMS to use its authority to collect data on prior authorization requirements, the appeals process, and the amount of time it takes for MA plans to approve services. Currently, CMS does not collect this data, leaving seniors and their families in the dark about what services they can access and how quickly they can receive them.
The senators argue that the lack of data collection is preventing the public from understanding the full scope of the problem, and that improving the data collection process is essential to ensuring that seniors have access to the care they need. The letter also points to the increasing reliance on prior authorization in MA plans, which can lead to delays in care that can have serious consequences for seniors.
The senators believe that by improving data collection and transparency, CMS can better monitor MA plans and ensure that seniors have access to the care they need. They also argue that better data collection will help CMS identify potential problems and take corrective action when necessary.
The letter comes at a time when more and more seniors are turning to MA plans for their healthcare coverage. In 2020, nearly 35 million seniors are enrolled in MA plans, up from just over 30 million in 2018. The increased enrollment has led to an increased reliance on prior authorization, which can create delays in care and increase out-of-pocket costs for seniors.
The senators believe that by improving the data collection process, CMS will be better equipped to monitor the practices of MA plans and ensure that seniors have access to the care they need. They also argue that by improving data collection, CMS can identify potential problems before they become serious issues.
The letter calls on CMS to take action to improve data collection and transparency, and to take steps to ensure that seniors have access to the care they need. The senators believe that by improving the data collection process, CMS can better monitor MA plans and take corrective action when needed.
The letter is a positive step in the right direction, and it is encouraging to see senators taking action to ensure that seniors have access to the care they need. Improving data collection and transparency is essential to ensuring that seniors have access to the care they need, and it is encouraging to see senators taking action to ensure that this happens.
