Pasco Reporter

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representatives Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) and Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) have introduced the Addressing Whole Health in Medicare Advantage Act, a bill that aims to authorize Medicare Advantage programs to offer additional supplemental benefits to address various risk factors that impact seniors' health.

The legislation recognizes the importance of improving health outcomes by addressing socioeconomic and societal factors that influence overall health and wellness. These factors include education, physical environment, nutrition and food access, employment status, and access to support networks.

Under current law, Medicare Advantage plans can offer a wide range of supplemental benefits to chronically ill enrollees with the expectation of improving or maintaining patient health. The Bilirakis-Blumenauer bill extends this flexibility to provide targeted supplemental benefits to low-income patients and other beneficiaries at high risk for chronic conditions or poorer health outcomes due to these related factors.

"This commonsense legislation employs the basic principles of value-based health care. We must look at the big picture. It is impossible to improve the population health of communities without addressing the factors that contribute to poor health outcomes. Prevention, education, and access are essential components of effective health care programs such as Medicare. Allowing Medicare Advantage programs to tailor supplemental benefits based upon these factors can both help save money in the long run and more importantly improve patient outcomes for high-risk seniors. This is not just a pragmatic approach, it is the right thing to do as we work to ensure all seniors receive the best possible care," said Congressman Bilirakis.

"Supplemental benefits are a key component of the Medicare Advantage program," said Congressman Earl Blumenauer. "We know that the health of a patient is affected by not just the medical system but access to things like transportation, healthy food, and clean air. Expanding who can receive these services is a commonsense solution to invest in whole health."

The Better Medicare Alliance, an organization dedicated to supporting Medicare Advantage beneficiaries, commended Representatives Bilirakis and Blumenauer for their leadership. "Supplemental benefits offered through Medicare Advantage are a critical tool in addressing both health-related and non-health related needs of beneficiaries. Expanding the eligibility for certain supplemental benefits to low-income seniors and people with disabilities will enable Medicare Advantage to serve unmet social needs and advance health equity for underserved populations," said Mary Beth Donahue, President & CEO of the Better Medicare Alliance.

The Addressing Whole Health in Medicare Advantage Act has received support from various stakeholders who believe that this legislation will help improve patient outcomes and ensure that seniors receive the best possible care.