MedPAC Outlines Possible Plan for Standardization of Hearing Benefits in Medicare Advantage

The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) recently held its first meeting of 2024 and continued its discussion of potential standardization of certain supplemental benefits in Medicare Advantage (MA).

Conversation over the past year has centered around possibly standardizing hearing, vision, and dental benefits in MA plans. A possible framework for the standardization of these benefits was presented at the most recent meeting and envisions the following:

(1) Standardized benefits would be offered only in conventional plans; 
(2) Part A & B cost sharing and supplemental hearing, vision, and dental services would be standardized;
(3) Insurers could offer plan with identical benefits (hearing and vision could offer a standard and high option) but different types of provider networks; and 
(4) Standardized benefits would be set by regulation.

Click here for more information.