Does the new MACRA legislation, effective January 1st, 2020, apply to all carriers offering Medicare supplement plans?

The new MACRA (Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act) legislation introduced significant changes to the Medicare program, particularly concerning Medicare supplement plans, also known as Medigap. One of the primary changes effective January 1, 2020, was the elimination of certain Medigap plans for new Medicare beneficiaries, specifically the plans that cover the Medicare Part B deductible.

These changes apply broadly to all carriers offering Medicare supplement plans. As a result, the legislation creates a uniform standard across multiple insurance providers, ensuring that no new beneficiaries can purchase the plans that cover the Part B deductible. Therefore, since MACRA applies universally to all Medicare supplement plans regardless of the carrier, the statement affirming that the legislation applies to all carriers is accurate.

The implementation of MACRA promotes consistency in the offerings of Medicare supplement products and helps alleviate Medicare spending overall by encouraging more beneficiaries to utilize preventive services without the financial burden of deductibles.