MedPAC Discusses Medicare Advantage, Findings from Focus Groups

The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) met Oct. 10 and 11to provide an overview of findings from its beneficiary and provider focus groups, among other agenda items. Beneficiary focus groups presented their perspectives on choosing coverage, access to both primary care and specialty care, telehealth, and prescription drugs. Clinician groups discussed a wider range of topics including telehealth, organization of care delivery, working with Medicare Advantage (MA) plans, frustrations with quality reporting, and participation in accountable care organizations. Commissioners stated their impressions of the findings and how this information can influence future analysis of the Medicare program.

The commission also held a session on MA coverage of supplemental benefits, estimating that MA plans received $83 billion in rebates from Medicare in 2024 to pay for them. Supplemental benefits can be used to reduce Part B premiums, provide Part D benefits, reduce cost sharing, or cover non-Medicare services (e.g., dental services, vision services, meals, and fitness benefits). Commissioners discussed limitations in available data to make conclusions about beneficiary use of supplemental benefits but noted that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has taken steps to improve collection of data.