McClellan Introduces Bill to Improve Transparency of Seniors’ Medicare Advantage Supplemental Benefits

Washington, D.C. –​​ Today, Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (VA-04) introduced H.R. 5243 to increase data transparency around Medicare Advantage supplemental benefits for seniors. The legislation would require companies that offer Medicare Advantage plans to submit enrollee-level data on supplemental benefits to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

“When choosing which Medicare plan is best for their specific needs, seniors need adequate information about benefits and available providers. Many seniors choose Medicare Advantage plans without the data necessary to evaluate whether it meets their needs,” said Congresswoman McClellan. “Lack of data around Medicare Advantage supplemental benefits also kneecaps policymakers’ ability to assess whether these plans provide the care seniors need. My bill will make it easier to gather and evaluate supplemental benefit data so that seniors can make the best coverage decisions.”

Nationally, over half of eligible Medicare beneficiaries are enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans, which can choose to offer benefits not covered under Original Medicare. However, there is no requirement to specifically report on supplemental benefits or their utilization. 

This bill would mandate reporting for data like eligibility for supplemental benefits, the types of benefit categories offered, and utilization of and payments for supplemental benefits. It also requires HHS to publish the data annually with appropriate patient confidentiality safeguards in place.

Read the full bill text here.