To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to expand supplemental benefits to meet the needs of chronically ill Medicare Advantage enrollees under the Medicare program, and for other purposes.

To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to expand supplemental benefits to meet the needs of chronically ill Medicare Advantage enrollees under the Medicare program, and for other purposes. 1. Expanding supplemental benefits to meet the needs of chronically ill medicare advantage enrollees (a) In general Section 1852(a)(3) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395w–22(a)(3) (1) in subparagraph (A), by striking Each Subject to subparagraph (D), each (2) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: (D) Expanding supplemental benefits to meet the needs of chronically ill enrollees (i) In general For plan year 2020 and subsequent plan years, in addition to any supplemental health care benefits otherwise provided under this paragraph, an MA plan may provide supplemental benefits described in clause (ii) to a chronically ill enrollee (as defined in clause (iii)). (ii) Supplemental benefits described (I) In general Supplemental benefits described in this clause are supplemental benefits that, with respect to a chronically ill enrollee, have a reasonable expectation of improving or maintaining the health or overall function of the chronically ill enrollee and may not be limited to being primarily health related benefits. (II) Authority to waive uniformity requirements The Secretary may, only with respect to supplemental benefits provided to a chronically ill enrollee under this subparagraph, waive the uniformity requirement under subsection (d)(1)(A), as determined appropriate by the Secretary. (iii) Chronically ill enrollee defined In this subparagraph, the term chronically ill enrollee (I) has one or more comorbid and medically complex chronic conditions that is life threatening or significantly limits the overall health or function of the enrollee; (II) has a high risk of hospitalization or other adverse health outcomes; or (III) requires intensive care coordination. . (b) GAO Study and Report (1) Study The Comptroller General of the United States (in this subsection referred to as the Comptroller General (A) The type of supplemental benefits provided to such enrollees, the total number of enrollees receiving each supplemental benefit, and whether the supplemental benefit is covered by the standard benchmark cost of the benefit or with an additional premium. (B) The frequency in which supplemental benefits are utilized by such enrollees. (C) The impact supplemental benefits have on— (i) indicators of the quality of care received by such enrollees, including overall health and function of the enrollees; (ii) the utilization of items and services for which benefits are available under the original Medicare fee-for-service program option under parts A and B of such title XVIII by such enrollees; and (iii) the amount of the bids submitted by Medicare Advantage Organizations for Medicare Advantage plans under such part C. (2) Report Not later than 5 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to Congress a report containing the results of the study conducted under paragraph (1), together with recommendations for such legislation and administrative action as the Comptroller General determines appropriate.

Summary: This bill allows a Medicare Advantage (MA) plan to provide certain supplemental benefits to chronically ill enrollees beginning in plan year 2020. The Government Accountability Office must report to Congress on the provision of such supplemental benefits to MA enrollees.