WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Deborah Ross (NC-02) and Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE) introduced the No Surprise Bills for Seniors Act, legislation to protect seniors from losing their Medicare prescription drug coverage because of unexpected or unknown premium increases.

 

Recent changes to Medicare Part D have left thousands of seniors facing unexpected premiums for prescription drug coverage they previously received at no cost. When beneficiaries do not realize they owe a premium, even one of just a few dollars, they can lose their coverage all together, forcing them to pay for their medications out of pocket or go without until the next open enrollment period. 

 

Reporting from KFF Health News found that some beneficiaries lost coverage after owing as little as $8.10 in unpaid premiums. In Durham, a 74-year-old Medicare beneficiary lost his prescription drug coverage after his monthly premium increased from $0 to $3.60. He was ready to pay the premium as soon as he learned he owed it—but was told he could not restore his coverage.

 

The No Surprise Bills for Seniors Act would give the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) greater flexibility to create a pathway for individuals to re-enroll in Part D, ensuring seniors do not go without the prescription drugs that Medicare entitles them to. 

 

This legislation is endorsed by the Medicare Rights Center.

 

“No senior should lose access to the medications they depend on because their premium increased –often by only a few dollars– without them realizing it," said Congresswoman Ross. “If a senior is able and willing to pay what they owe, they should not be forced to go months without life-saving medication because of bureaucratic changes within the Medicare system. I’m proud to introduce this legislation with Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester to give Medicare the flexibility it needs to make sure a surprise bill does not result in the loss of health care for our seniors.”

 

“Missing a payment on a surprise monthly premium increase—which can be as little as one dollar—shouldn’t cost someone their access to medication. Yet for the thousands of Medicare beneficiaries, it’s a risk they have to take to afford their health care,” said Senator Blunt Rochester. “I’m proud to introduce the No Surprise Bills for Seniors Act with Congresswoman Ross to bring clarity to our complex healthcare system and help seniors and individuals with disabilities maintain access to their medications.”

 

Full bill text can be found here.

 

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