Niagara Leader

Congresswoman Claudia Tenney has reintroduced legislation to address reductions in Medicare Advantage (MA) access and benefits for senior citizens in Upstate New York. This legislative move aims to tackle reimbursement shortcomings for local MA plans caused by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The proposed bill allows CMS to adjust benchmark amounts based on local wage indices that have risen by 20% or more, ensuring enrollees maintain access to comprehensive benefits and quality healthcare.

Tenney is accompanied by Representatives Elise Stefanik, Nick Langworthy, and Mike Lawler in backing this legislation. The revision of the wage index for Upstate New York hospitals by CMS in 2023 led to wage increases between 20-40%, providing relief for previously underpaid hospitals. However, this adjustment inadvertently created financial challenges for regional MA plans, mostly non-profit organizations, as CMS did not incorporate these new costs into their 2024 benchmark rates. Consequently, MA plans are facing financial difficulties that could result in cutting benefits and raising premiums for seniors.

Representative Tenney recently wrote to CMS requesting a reevaluation of the wage index and MA benchmark rates in Upstate New York. She stated, “Our community's seniors deserve continued access to affordable, high-quality healthcare. [...] This bill will ensure that Medicare Advantage plans continue to provide the robust benefits that so many members of our community rely on."

The legislation seeks to align benchmarks with increased costs to preserve the affordability and availability of MA plans for seniors in the region.