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Several Stakeholder Organizations Call on Congress to Pass Permanent Special Needs Plan Reauthorization

February 5, 2018 By National Coalition on Health Care

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Washington, DC – On February 2, thirteen leading organizations called on Congressional leadership to include the Medicare Extenders package – and specifically the permanent reauthorization for the Medicare Advantage (MA) Special Needs Plan (SNP) program – in the February 8th Continuing Resolution.

“Congress should take advantage of this opportunity to pass widely supported bipartisan reforms that will help beneficiaries with complex needs access innovative, high value care,” urged John Rother, President and CEO of NCHC.

The letter argues that a permanent reauthorization for SNPs is essential to spur investment and foster innovation in the areas of coordinated care, disease management, and telehealth.

In addition to NCHC, the following organizations signed onto this letter: Alliance of Community Health Plans, America’s Health Insurance Plans, Anthem Inc., Better Medicare Alliance, Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, Association for Community Affiliated Plans, Healthcare Leadership Council, Meals on Wheels America, National Alliance on Mental Illness, SCAN Health Plan, and SNP Alliance.

To read the letter, please click here.

 

Cheryl Phillips, M.D., President and CEO, SNP Alliance:

“Special Needs Plans are designed to serve the needs of vulnerable high-risk and high-cost individuals. Permanent reauthorization of SNPs is critical to maintain stability of these plans and access for beneficiaries. Application deadlines for plans are only days away. Further delays in reauthorization could result in significant barriers for the SNPs to enroll and serve these special needs populations – resulting in potential increased cost and care disruptions.”

Andrew Sperling, Director of Legislative Advocacy, National Alliance on Mental Illness:

“Renewing the Dual Eligible SNPs is a critical priority for NAMI.  Medicare beneficiaries living with mental illness that are concurrently eligible for Medicaid need the certainty that the coordinated care that they rely on everyday will continue.  Congress must act on renewal of these health plans that serve vulnerable low-income beneficiaries.”

Justine Handelman, SrVP, Office of Policy and Representation, Blue Cross Blue Shield Association:

“Special Needs Plans are a critical part of the Medicare Advantage program and without their continued reauthorization, they will end in 2019, which will be a great loss to all affected beneficiaries who benefit from the value of these plans.”

Mary R. Grealy, President, Healthcare Leadership Council:

“Medicare spending growth has long been driven by those beneficiaries who face the most severe, complex physical and mental health challenges.  Medicare Advantage Special Needs Plans are achieving high-quality care at reduced costs and clearly warrant permanent reauthorization by Congress.”

Allyson Y. Schwartz, President and CEO, Better Medicare Alliance:

“Permanent authorization has been a top priority for Better Medicare Alliance, with our efforts leading a coalition of stakeholders and beneficiaries to strongly advocate for reauthorization. A stable environment is needed for SNPs to continue to provide successful models of care for high-risk, high-need beneficiaries with complex conditions. As we approach the next CR, we call on Congress to act now to permanently reauthorize Special Needs Plans that are providing innovation care management tailored to those with special needs under Medicare Advantage.”

 

To see other correspondence on immediate extenders’ priorities supported by NCHC, click below:

  • Joint letter calling on Congressional leadership to reauthorize vital health programs
  • Joint letter on Medicare extenders and vulnerable populations

Filed Under: 2017, Medicare Advantage: Building on Success, Policy Correspondence, Press Releases

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To bring together key stakeholders in order to achieve an affordable, high-value health care system for patients and consumers, for employers and other payers, and for taxpayers.

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National Coalition on Health Care

About Us

The National Coalition on Health Care (NCHC) was formed more than two decades ago to help achieve comprehensive health system change and is currently led by John Rother. We aim to be a leader in promoting a healthy population and a more effective, efficient and responsive health system that provides quality care for all. NCHC is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization of organizations. Our growing Coalition represents more than 80 participating organizations, including medical societies, businesses, unions, health care providers, faith-based associations, pension and health funds, insurers, and groups representing consumers, patients, women, … Read More...

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