Medigap (B) Subgroup

Draft: 12/09/15

Conference Call

November 30, 2015

The Medigap (B) Subgroup of the Senior Issues (B) Task Force met via conference call Nov. 2, 2015. The following Subgroup members participated: Mary Mealer, Chair (MO); Martin Swanson, Vice Chair (NE); Tolanda Coker (AZ); Susan Jennette (DE); Linda P. Ziegler (FL); Yvonne Clearwater (IL), Stephanie McGaughey-Bowker (KY); Catherine Grason (MD); Jay Eads (MS); Sarah L. Allen (NY); Gayle L. Woods (OR); and Jackie Myers (VA). Also participating were: Steve Ostlund (AL); Jacob Lauten (AK); James Brown (CA); Teresa Winer (GA); Julie Holmes (KS); Jeff Merckens and Thomas Record (ME); Sherri Mortensen-Brown (MN); Ted Hamby (NC); Chanelle McDavid (NJ); Syed Rahman (NV); Katherine Melton (OH); Michael Gurgiolo (PA); Andrew Dvorine (SC); Susan Anderson (SD); and Laura Bryan and Peter Smas (TX).

The following Subgroup Statutory Working Members participated: Cindy Goff (America’s Health Insurance Plans); David Korsch and Shari Westerfield (Blue Cross Blue Shield Association—BCBSA); Karen Geiger (Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield); Bonnie Burns (California Health Advocates—CHA); David Lipschutz (Center for Medicare Advocacy); Derrick Claggett (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services—CMS); Amy Lazzaro and Marilyn McGaffin (CIGNA); Guenther Ruch (GHR Consulting); Sue Rohan (Health Care Services Corporation); Casey Schwarz (Medicare Rights Center); Galen Ullstrom (Mutual of Omaha); Al Sochor (Old Surety Life Insurance); Michelle Muirhead (Physician’s Mutual); William Schiffbauer (Schiffbauer Law Office); Peggy Camerino (United American Insurance/Torchmark); and Dotti Outland and Tammy Sawar (UnitedHealthcare Medicare & Retirement).

1. Adopted its Nov 2 Minutes

Mr. Ostlund made a motion, seconded by Mr. Rink, to adopt the Subgroup’s Nov 2 minutes. The motion passed.

2. Discussed Matters Raised at the Fall National Meeting

Ms. Mealer thanked all parties that commented at the Fall National Meeting on the serious issue of consumers being misinformed about Medigap C and F Plans. Ms. Mealer informed the Subgroup of the press notice Missouri sent out in response to this issue.

3. Discussed the High Deductible Plan G

Derrick Claggett (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services—CMS) provided an update on CMS’ interpretation of the application of Part B deductible to a high deductible Plan G. The Subgroup extensively discussed where a policyholder has met the full high deductible amount up front with all Part A out of pocket expenses the Plan G High Deductible still cannot cover the Part B deductible because of the federal law.

Guenther Ruch (GHR Consulting) and William Schiffbauer (Schiffbauer Law Office) explained their drafting note to Section 9.2 A(3).

Ms. Ziegler expressed concern about including expenses for the Part B deductible benefit being used to satisfy the High Deductible for the proposed Plan G with a High Deductible, in light of the legislative language in the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA).

Mr. Claggett welcomed input from Subgroup members to help address this matter

Ms. Mealer said the Subgroup would next meet Dec 14 via conference call to discuss this in further detail.

Having no further business, the Medigap (B) Subgroup adjourned.

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