Bill to reauthorize, expand MA special needs plans clears committee

The House Ways and Means Committee yesterday approved legislation (H.R. 3168) that would reauthorize Medicare Advantage special needs plans and expand supplemental benefits to meet the needs of chronically ill enrollees, as advocated by the AHA. “This legislation gives plans the flexibility to tailor their products to better meet the needs of those chronically ill enrollees,” AHA Executive Vice President Tom Nickels said in a letter of support for H.R. 3044, which was incorporated into the bill. “Not only does that allow MA plans to offer additional health-related benefits to the chronically ill, but permits benefits that are not primarily health related. The AHA has strongly advocated for permitting for holistic care through coverage of social services.”