WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Preservation of Access for Seniors in Medicare Advantage Act of 2015 (HR 2581) was passed by the Ways and Means Committee on June 2nd. This legislation would require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to select MA plans to begin testing V-BID methodology. This demonstration project would allow plans to lower copayments and coinsurance for their beneficiaries, encouraging the use of high-value, evidence based medical services to better manage chronic conditions. The legislation explicitly prevents plans from increasing beneficiary cost-sharing on any service.
This bipartisan legislation will be discussed on the floor of the House of Representatives as part of a package of bills aimed to strengthen the Medicare Advantage program. A bipartisan companion bill, Value-Based Insurance Design Seniors Copayment Reduction Act of 2015 (S.1396), was introduced to the Senate on May 20th.
