Verma Promotes Medicare Changes In Indianapolis

Seema Verma, administrator of the Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services, CMS, was in Indianapolis to promote changes to Medicare.  

Medicare open enrollment started last week.  Verma says new options include more plans and new supplemental benefits. 

"It could be something small like a ride to the doctor’s office, it could be some in-home help, maybe some nutritional services," says Verma. "The idea is providing enough flexibility so that plans can provide personalized health care to recipients."

Verma talked to residents and answered questions about the new online platform, cards and advantages of comparison shopping.  

Verma also talked about Marketplace open enrollment for plans through the Affordable Care Act, that begins Nov. 1.  She touted stabilized prices and more insurer options. 

This will be the first enrollment period since Congress voted to repeal the ACA individual mandate.  The program also has fewer navigators for people enrolling due to federal cuts.

Verma says one change will impact how states implement the ACA. 

"An exciting announcement, even today, about giving states more flexibility so they can figure out what works best for people in their state," says Verma. 

That will promote more waivers, similar to the one Indiana has for HIP 2.0, a Medicaid expansion plan that Verma helped create.  

Both programs together provide health insurance for more than 2.5 million Hoosiers.