Provide Accurate Information Directly Act
Floor Speech
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Mr. ESTES. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, I rise in support of this legislation.
Right now, Medicare Advantage is an extremely popular program for seniors in the country, with a 99 percent satisfaction rate. Many in Kansas and across the United States rely on this program for quality, affordable healthcare.
It is critical that we work together to find solutions to strengthen and improve Medicare Advantage. The Provide Accurate Information Directly Act, or the PAID Act, does exactly that.
At a time when partisan bickering seems to be louder than the needs of Americans here in Washington, this bipartisan solution will improve healthcare processes for thousands of seniors. The PAID Act ensures that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, or CMS, is properly reimbursed for Medicare Advantage and Medicare part D costs that are covered by another settling party.
To better understand how this bill works for Medicare Advantage and its beneficiaries, let me offer you this scenario:
A 75-year-old Medicare beneficiary is crossing the street when she is hit by a car. She is taken to the hospital to be treated for her injuries where her care, subsequent physician visits, and prescription drugs are covered by her Medicare Advantage plan.
Following this, she files a claim with the auto insurer of the driver who accidentally hit her with his vehicle. Since her Medicare Advantage program paid for her hospital and follow-up care, the plan is entitled to seek reimbursement from the driver's auto insurer for healthcare costs resulting from this accident.
Due to the current reporting system, her Medicare Advantage plan or Medicare part D plan may never be reimbursed. This legislation would correct this issue, allowing Medicare to better share this information to determine if a claimant is a Medicare beneficiary and, if so, how much is owed on that beneficiary's behalf.
This information sharing is not new. Currently, Medicare parts A and B already share this information. Information of the related parties will only be shared once a request is filed and will protect the beneficiary's private medical information.
For too long, Medicare Advantage has been unable to receive proper reimbursement for the services they ensure are provided to our seniors. This bill is not only a significant process improvement, but it increases the longevity of this vital program.
Congress has not made any meaningful improvements to the process since 2007, when this body enacted reforms that allowed Medicare parts A and B to streamline this process. After 13 years of leaving other plans in the dark, this plan would provide a win for Medicare Advantage beneficiaries, settling parties so that they can close out claims on time, CMS so they are allowed to recoup medical expenses, and, ultimately, the American taxpayer.
As the Representative for Kansas' Fourth District, strengthening and improving healthcare, especially Medicare Advantage, has been some of the most valuable representation I can provide to my constituents. I am sure many colleagues can say the same.
Currently, more than 28,000 of my constituents rely on Medicare Advantage because it still allows them to benefit from private-sector innovation. It is truly the best way to give seniors the care they need without sacrificing quality and while maintaining fiscal responsibility.
Of all the process improvements that Congress can provide for this program in 2020, the PAID Act makes significant strides to ensure that our seniors and future generations can benefit from this program.
I hope my colleagues on both sides of the aisle will join me in supporting this bipartisan legislation at a time when bipartisan solutions are seemingly scarce. Together, we can build on reforms like this to continue to improve our healthcare, rebuild our economy, and deliver meaningful relief to Americans looking to Congress for leadership through the challenges our country is facing.
Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Bilirakis), who is one of the sponsors of this bill.
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Mr. ESTES. Madam Speaker, I have no other speakers, and I yield myself the balance of my time.
Madam Speaker, at a time when bipartisan solutions are becoming rarer, the PAID Act is a meaningful, commonsense measure that will provide financial stability and longevity to Medicare Advantage.
Medicare Advantage is the best way to give seniors the care they need without sacrificing quality and maintaining fiscal responsibility. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this bipartisan measure to allow this program to continue serving our seniors.
America is looking toward Congress for leadership through all of the new challenges we face. Throughout our history, the United States has rarely needed bipartisanship more than it does now. We must work together to improve healthcare, rebuild our economy, and deliver meaningful relief to our Nation.
Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.
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