Bill Overview
Title: Save Medicare Act
Description: This bill renames Medicare Advantage (MA) as the Alternative Private Health Plan program. It also establishes civil penalties for entities that continue to advertise MA plans with Medicare in the title.
Sponsors: Rep. Pocan, Mark [D-WI-2]
Target Audience
Population: People eligible for Medicare and potential/current Medicare Advantage beneficiaries
Estimated Size: 64000000
- The bill focuses on renaming and regulating the advertising of Medicare Advantage plans.
- Medicare Advantage plans are popular among Medicare beneficiaries, particularly the elderly.
- There are millions of Medicare beneficiaries in the United States.
- Some individuals under 65 with disabilities or certain conditions also qualify for Medicare.
- The penalties for advertising might affect entities in the healthcare and insurance sectors, which could indirectly impact the consumers they serve.
Reasoning
- The Medicare beneficiary population is large, including both elderly individuals and some younger disabled persons.
- Most beneficiaries may not notice a change, as the bill focuses on renaming and advertising regulations.
- Advertising penalties could indirectly impact consumers through changes in agency behavior.
- The budget constraints suggest limited direct impact on individuals; advertising adjustments are primary focus.
Simulated Interviews
Retired (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 72 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I heard about the name change to my Medicare Advantage plan.
- I'm not worried. As long as my benefits don’t change much, I’m okay.
- Advertising didn’t influence my initial decision much.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Mechanic (retired) (Detroit, MI)
Age: 67 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm evaluating my Medicare options closely due to my health needs.
- The name change might make options clearer, which I appreciate.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Retired teacher (Boston, MA)
Age: 74 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- These advertising changes seem necessary to avoid confusion.
- My coverage under Medicare Advantage remains my main concern.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Subsistence farmer (Rural Kentucky)
Age: 65 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Haven't seen many ads around here to begin with.
- Name changes don’t mean much if my local options don’t change.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Tech Worker (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 45 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I rely on clear information to make informed decisions about my healthcare.
- This policy might help avoid confusion.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Retired nurse (Orlando, FL)
Age: 85 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- My concern is more about my day-to-day care than the name of my plan.
- I don’t think this will directly change my coverage.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Retired business owner (New York, NY)
Age: 70 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 9
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think clarity in advertising is beneficial.
- I'm pleased there are penalties for misuse.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 9 |
Retired (Dallas, TX)
Age: 82 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm looking into different plans, and clearer information would help.
- Renaming might help me distinguish options better.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Finance executive (Seattle, WA)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I support the clarification in plan names.
- This impacts my trust in the provider's transparency.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Retired librarian (Chicago, IL)
Age: 68 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 1.5 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Clearer distinctions might help me better understand and choose.
- I prefer minimal confusion when looking at plan options.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $15000000 (Low: $10000000, High: $20000000)
Year 2: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 3: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 5: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The enforcement mechanisms for the advertising penalties are crucial for compliance.
- Renaming activities should be coordinated to avoid confusion during the transition period for Medicare beneficiaries.