DeLauro, Blumenthal Join CT Doctors, Advocates, Mayor Harp to Highlight Medicare Advantage Participant Bill of Rights

NEW HAVEN, CT—Connecticut Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro and Senator Richard Blumenthal today joined New Haven Mayor Toni Harp and a number of patient advocates and doctors to highlight the Medicare Advantage Participant Bill of Rights. The legislation was developed as a result of UnitedHealth Group’s unprecedented dropping of doctors from their Medicare Advantage networks, including the entire Yale-New Haven Hospital network. DeLauro authored the bill and Blumenthal is a co-sponsor of the Senate version.

“Congress needs to take strong action to ensure that the bad behavior we saw from UnitedHealth does not happen again,” DeLauro said. “Seniors across America have similar stories. That is why I wrote the Medicare Advantage Participant Bill of Rights Act. We have to hold these companies accountable, and make sure they our putting our seniors first. I am working through multiple channels to make this happen for the seniors affected by UnitedHealth’s actions this past year. And this bill will help make sure this situation does not happen again.”

Blumentha lsaid: “Our experience with United Healthcare Group unconscionably dropping hundreds of doctors provides powerful and compelling evidence that stronger laws are needed. United Healthcare’s decision to narrow its networks—without adequate notice or consumer protections—caused widespread confusion and anxiety. This bill provides vital protection for elderly and frail patients from abruptly and unfairly losing the doctors they know and trust.”

The Medicare Advantage Participant Bill of Rights Act would require Medicare Advantage plans to finalize their provider networks 60 days before the annual open enrollment period begins. This would ensure that enrollees know what providers will be covered before they enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan. It would also prohibit plans from dropping doctors without cause outside of open enrollment, ensuring seniors would not have to worry about abruptly losing access to their doctors. The bill would also enhance transparency, by requiring Medicare Advantage plans to disclose the reasons for dropping providers, and requiring the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to redesign the tool that enables patients to compare plans.

The legislation has been endorsed by the Connecticut State Medical Society, Ohio State Medical Association, Fairfield County Medical Society, Hartford County Medical Society, American Society of Dermatologic Surgery Association, ACCSES, AFSCME, Alliance for a Just Society, American Academy of Dermatology Association, American Medical Association, American Association on Health and Disability, American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, American Osteopathic Association, Association of Assistive Technology Act Programs (ATAP), Brain Injury Association of America, Center for Medicare Advocacy, Medicare Rights Center, National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers, National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, OWL-The Voice of Women 40+, National Association for Home Care & Hospice, and the National Senior Citizens Law Center.