Select an option below to continue reading this premium story.
Already a Honolulu Star-Advertiser subscriber? Log in now to continue reading.
Hawaii seniors covered by Medicare Advantage health insurance plans could face premium increases and see lower benefits under a government proposal to reduce Medicare spending, a new study shows.
The study commissioned by America’s Health Insurance Plans said if recently proposed cuts to the program take effect, local seniors could see cumulative premium increases and benefit reductions of between $100 and $120 per month on average.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is calling for payment reductions of 1.2 percent in 2016. The state-by-state report by Oliver Wyman said Medicare Advantage payments already have been cut by approximately 10 percent over the last two years.
"Seniors cannot afford another cut to their Medicare Advantage coverage. Policymakers should take action to stabilize Medicare Advantage funding for the millions of beneficiaries who depend on the program," AHIP President and CEO Karen Ignagni said in a press release.
AHIP’s Coalition for Medicare Choices recently started a grass-roots and ad campaign to stop any reductions to the program. The coalition’s 1.8 million seniors are writing letters and emails, making phone calls, attending events and engaging in social media to urge policymakers to protect Medicare Advantage from proposed cuts that could affect their coverage.
CMS is scheduled to announce final payment rates for Medicare Advantage on April 6.