Medicare is now permitting health insurers to enroll particpants in marketplace or other commercial plans into their Medicare Advantage programs.
The switches — known as a “seamless conversion” — are allowed when individuals become eligible for Medicare.
It “requires the insurer to send a letter explaining the new coverage, which takes effect unless the member opts out within 60 days.”
As a result, some beneficiaries are now in Medicare Advantage plans, even though they signed up for traditional Medicare.
Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) says there should be stronger protections for seniors:
“I am exploring the option of requiring an ‘opt-in’ so that Medicare beneficiaries are adequately informed and able to make the choices that work best for them.”
