The global population of senior citizens is growing faster than ever, commensurate with aging Baby Boomers, lower birth rates, and longer life spans. Medicare caters to the unique healthcare requirements of elderly Americans through traditional and private plan options.
To advocate for this population, the Better Medicare Alliance (BMA) focuses on monitoring Medicare Advantage benefits, which cover nearly half of all Medicare beneficiaries. BMA partners with prominent health insurance providers and other non-profit healthcare organizations to advocate for fair and equitable healthcare for Medicare-eligible adults.
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How BMA Impacts Healthcare
BMA conducts research, leads advocacy efforts, and cultivates industry partnerships to positively affect healthcare policy related to Medicare. BMA’s grassroots efforts rely on collaborations with Congress and leading health agencies to continue to optimize Medicare Advantage benefits for all parties involved.
Specifically, BMA can leverage its support for Medicare Advantage among corporate and government allies to improve healthcare access and services and lower costs for consumers. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) credit Medicare Advantage for serving underrepresented communities at a higher rate and offering lower costs than traditional Medicare.
Who Does BMA Work With?
BMA maintains powerful partnerships with various state, regional, and national agencies, aligned in their mission to support and stabilize Medicare Advantage benefits. They also work closely with other organizations with similar aims, such as the Alliance for Aging Research, the American Nurses Association, and the Health Innovation Alliance.
BMA also boasts allies in state business bureaus and federal government sectors, including bipartisan legislators and administrators. BMA and its partners count the advancement of health equity/reducing disparities in healthcare, value-based care, and cost-lowering measures among their most prominent ongoing initiatives.
How Does BMA’s Leadership Structure Work?
BMA comprises a team of scholars, executives, and policy experts with a common objective: strengthening and supporting Medicare Advantage through data-driven initiatives. The highest levels of leadership at BMA include President and CEO Mary Beth Donahue, Chief Strategic Officer, Senior VP of Government Affairs Chris Long, and Senior Director of Policy and Research Kaitlyn Saal-Ridpath.
Alongside its Board of Directors and executive staff, MA employs a Council of Scholars, including head researchers, advisors, and scholars from global health agencies, esteemed higher education institutions, and non-profit organizations. BMA also relies on a team of seniors who personally share their stories as advocates in support of Medicare Advantage nationwide.
How BMA Continues To Grow
BMA has expanded its membership alongside an ever-increasing Medicare Advantage enrollment rate, which has doubled since 2012. Beneficiaries count increased flexibility among private plan options, expanded benefits, and lower premium costs among their top incentives to pursue Medicare Advantage.
A growing base of Medicare Advantage beneficiaries means BMA must amp up its oversight. BMA recently established a sister organization, the Center for Innovation in Medicare Advantage, to focus on conducting research and using data to improve Medicare Advantage options in a post-COVID-19 world.
What Is BMA Working On In 2024?
BMA recently conducted its own research into the potential effects of changes to Medicare Advantage costs and benefits in 2024. The Centers for Medicaid Services, or CMS, issues an annual advance notice of changes for the following year, and insurers disagree over what impact these changes might have. BMA found the proposed changes, including increased premium rates, fewer rebates, and lack of access to local providers, could deprive seniors of the healthcare they need.
BMA joined the discussion around CMS’ new risk adjustment model by asking the Biden administration directly to reconsider implementing these changes to Medicare Advantage in 2024. At its core, BMA strives to maintain the integrity of Medicare Advantage benefits and reduce out-of-pocket costs for beneficiaries.
All in All
BMA assembled a variety of top healthcare executives, scholars, and policymakers to collectively support cost-effective, comprehensive healthcare for seniors enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans. To this end, BMA maintains several principal initiatives, including advancing health equity, promoting value-based care, and improving patient engagement rates.
BMA recently developed a sister organization dedicated to forward-focused Medicare Advantage research and lobbied the Biden administration for revisions to CMS’ proposed Medicare Advantage spending cuts in 2024. BMA continues to drive policy and oversight toward improved outcomes, especially preserving cost savings among Medicare Advantage plans.