Coalition Members and Administrator Seema Verma Talk Medicare Advantage

Members of the Coalition for Medicare Choices met personally with Administrator Seema Verma, who heads the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). CMS oversees that entire Medicare program. Participants included Pat and Herb Braden from Lebanon, PA; Roger Souder from Auburn, IN; Ruth Williams from Ridgeville, SC; and Gerry Wrench from Marinette, WI.

Coalition members expressed their appreciation for policies Administrator Verma has overseen at CMS to support Medicare Advantage. They also shared with Administrator Verma how Medicare Advantage has positively impacted their lives, including:

• Low out-of-pocket costs
• Financial savings
• Comprehensive coverage
• Access to wellness and preventive care

Ruth Williams shared a story with Administrator Verma about a procedure she had to remove part of her small intestine. Ruth attributed Medicare Advantage, including the free exercise and wellness programs covered by her plan, as the main reason she experienced minimal recovery time and without the need for prescription pain medication.

Gerry Wrench, another coalition member, applauded a recent policy approved by CMS allowing Medicare Advantage plans to cover additional supplemental benefits, like transportation and grocery delivery. He believes these benefits will keep seniors out of nursing homes and provide them a higher overall quality of life. Administrator Verma agreed with coalition members that she wanted to support programs that are helping to keep seniors in their homes and out of nursing facilities.

The Coalition for Medicare Choices would like to express our appreciation to Administrator Verma for taking the time to meet with our members. We look forward to continuing the conversation and working together to strengthen and grow Medicare Advantage.