STAT+: CMS delays rule requiring Medicare Advantage insurers to remind members of unused benefits

Medicare is delaying implementation of a Biden-era rule that would have made Medicare Advantage plans notify members about their unused supplemental benefits — services such as vision and dental. 

Even though taxpayers hand health insurers more than $80 billion each year to spend on supplemental benefits, there’s very little transparency into whether people use them. The evidence that does exist suggests many members do not, and that some of the money is instead padding insurers’ profits. 

The rule, which was slated to begin in 2026, requires private Medicare plans to send members personalized notices between June 30 and July 31 listing any supplemental benefits they didn’t access during the first half of the year. Delaying implementation frees up insurers from the logistical burden of sending the notices, but it also means many older adults enrolled in the plans will continue to be unaware of the benefits available to them. 

Continue to STAT+ to read the full story…