Medicare Advantage

Comments on the 2027 Advance Notice

Medicare Rights strongly supports proposed actions to limit some gaming in Medicare Advantage payment.

Comments on Proposed 2027 Medicare Advantage and Part D Policy Changes

Medicare Advantage Marketing, Brokers, and Agents 

Agents and brokers for MA plans receive commissions per enrollment and often receive additional “administrative” bonuses that balloon MA spending. These financial incentives drive aggressive and misleading marketing aimed at people looking for coverage. As a result, beneficiaries fall into the “MA Trap,” finding themselves enrolled in an MA plan that doesn’t meet their needs and without an efficient way to switch back to Original Medicare.

Beneficiary Experiences With Medicare Advantage Marketing

As the cost of care rises, beneficiaries increasingly look for plans that promise discounts or additional benefits. MA plans take advantage of this and flood potential beneficiaries with marketing calls, mailers, ads, and even in-person solicitation that can be deceptive and easily misunderstood.

Beneficiary Experiences with Medicare Advantage Supplemental Benefits

Original Medicare has significant gaps in coverage, including very limited coverage of dental, vision, and hearing care. By advertising supplemental benefits that seem to fill these gaps and help tackle the cost of care and living, MA plans captivate the attention of beneficiaries struggling to afford care. But these benefits are not standardized or clearly communicated, falling short of their original promises.

Medicare Advantage Proliferation: Too Much of a Complicated Thing

In recent years, insurance companies have flooded the MA market with plans that are difficult to tell apart, creating overwhelm and confusion that costs both beneficiaries and the Medicare program more than Original Medicare. This part addresses the causes and consequences of the rapid proliferation of Medicare Advantage (MA) plans in the absence of adequate consumer guidance and federal regulation.

Comments on the 2026 Advance Notice

Comments on Proposed 2026 Medicare Advantage Part D Policy Changes

A comprehensive commentary by the Medicare Rights Center on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) proposed rule for Contract Year 2026 (CMS–4208–P). The document outlines feedback and recommendations on changes to the Medicare Advantage Program, Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Program, and related policies. Topics include consumer protections, health equity, benefit transparency, drug affordability, and the integration of AI in healthcare services. This submission emphasizes safeguarding beneficiary access to affordable, equitable, and transparent healthcare.

Health Care Consolidation Request for Information

Consolidation and market concentration impact many aspects of the U.S. health care system. Our response to the RFI focuses on the consequences for Medicare and its enrollees. We discuss opportunities for policymakers to better protect older adults, people with disabilities, and the range of public programs that support their access to care.

Medicare Rights Center Response to Medicare Advantage Data Request for Information

It is evident Medicare Advantage (MA) enrollment and costs are growing, that access issues abound, and that transparency is long overdue. To ensure MA works well for those it is supposed to serve, the Medicare Rights Center urges the immediate and thorough collection and publication of additional data on (I) Equity, (II) Provider Directories and Networks, (III) Marketing, (IV) Utilization Management and Appeals, (V) Supplemental Benefits, (VI) Dually Eligible Individuals and D-SNPs, and (VII) Favorable Selection and Risk Adjustment. This information should be granular, regularly reported, and used to guide MA and program-wide improvements. CMS must finally hold plans accountable for the public dollars they use and the promises they make.