Today the Medicare program provides health coverage to 42 million senior citizens and disabled Americans and by 2030 this number will nearly double to 78 million. This will present significant challenges and BCBSA is committed to supporting efforts to ensure that Medicare can continue to meet the needs of beneficiaries for years to come. BCBSA believes that in order to meet the needs of a growing senior population, we must promote Medicare initiatives that focus on improving quality and efficiency in the program.
Medicare Advantage
More than 10 million Medicare beneficiaries are enrolled in the Medicare Advantage (MA) program. MA plans provide enhanced value by offering coordinated care, comprehensive benefits and protection from the high cost-sharing found in traditional Medicare.
BCBSA urges Congress to oppose any further cuts to the MA program. Congress has already cut nearly $30 billion from MA over the last 4 years and these cuts will continue to affect beneficiaries for years ahead. Additional funding cuts would result in increased beneficiary cost sharing, reduced benefits and fewer private plan choices. A study by the Emory University researchers Kenneth Thorpe, Ph.D and Adam Atherly, Ph.D found MA funding cuts would cause more than 3 million people to lose their MA coverage.
Quality
Providers should be rewarded for delivering the best possible care, not paid for simply ordering more services. Blue Plans are increasingly reimbursing providers based on outcomes and quality of care and the government should incorporate pay-for-quality incentives into Medicare and other government programs.
Electronic prescribing
E-prescribing is a tool that can improve healthcare quality and save lives by helping to reduce adverse drug events. In addition, it can provide embedded clinical decision support tools to assist providers in making the best decisions. BCBSA applauds Congress for including incentives for physicians to use e-prescribing in Medicare starting in 2009 with penalties for non-adoption starting in 2012 (with exceptions for certain small providers). Congress should look for additional ways to improve the Medicare program and provide safer and more efficient benefits for all seniors.
BCBSA Policy and Positions:
BCBSA’s Position on Medicare Advantage Funding
BCBSA Position on Why Local Fee-For-Service Medicare Spending Should Not be Used to Set MA Payment
Coalition Letter in Support of Medicare Electronic Medication and Safety Protection Act of 2007
BCBSA Policy Paper on Medicare E-prescribing
Dr. Korn’s Statement on Medicare Value Based Purchasing
Other Resources
2007 Thorpe and Atherly Report on the Impact of MA Cuts