Bilirakis and Blumenauer File Bill to Help High Risk Seniors
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representatives Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) and Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) have filed the Addressing Whole Health in Medicare Advantage Act. This important legislation authorizes Medicare Advantage programs to offer additional supplemental benefits to address a variety of risks factors that impact seniors’ health. There is growing recognition that improving health outcomes is intrinsically linked to the socioeconomic and other societal factors that influence overall health and wellness. Examples of these factors include: education, physical environment, nutrition and food access, employment status, and access to support networks. Under current law, Medicare Advantage plans are permitted to offer a wide array of supplemental benefits to chronically ill enrollees. These expanded benefits are required to have a reasonable expectation of improving or maintaining patient health. The new Bilirakis-Blumenauer bill allows Medicare Advantage plans the same flexibility to provide targeted supplemental benefits to low-income patients and other beneficiaries who are at high risk for developing chronic conditions or experiencing poorer health outcomes due to these related factors.
"This commonsense legislation employs the basic principles of value-based health care. We must look at the big picture. It is impossible to improve the population health of communities without addressing the factors that contribute to poor health outcomes. Prevention, education, and access are essential components of effective health care programs such as Medicare. Allowing Medicare Advantage programs to tailor supplemental benefits based upon these factors can both help save money in the long run and more importantly improve patient outcomes for high-risk seniors. This is not just a pragmatic approach, it is the right thing to do as we work to ensure all seniors receive the best possible care," said Congressman Bilirakis.
“Supplemental benefits are a key component of the Medicare Advantage program,” said Congressman Earl Blumenauer. “We know that the health of a patient is affected by not just the medical system but access to things like transportation, healthy food, and clean air. Expanding who can receive these services is a commonsense solution to invest in whole health.”
“Better Medicare Alliance applauds Representatives Gus Bilirakis and Earl Blumenauer for their leadership and support of the more than 31 million beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare Advantage,” said Mary Beth Donahue, President & CEO of the Better Medicare Alliance. “Supplemental benefits offered through Medicare Advantage are a critical tool in addressing both health-related and non-health related needs of beneficiaries. Expanding the eligibility for certain supplemental benefits to low-income seniors and people with disabilities will enable Medicare Advantage to serve unmet social needs and advance health equity for underserved populations.”