The chair of the House Ways and Means Committee would consider allowing popular Medigap insurance plans to offer long-term care provisions for seniors.
Rep. Richard Neal (D-Mass.) on Monday asked the National Association of Insurance Commissioners to help Congress shape a long-term care benefit for the 70% of seniors he said eventually need help with activities of daily living.
“America’s healthcare system falls short in the types of long-term services and supports (LTSS) it offers older Americans and individuals with disabilities,” Neal wrote in a letter. “Offering a front-end LTSS benefit to seniors through a Medigap plan, even if limited to a modest lifetime cap, could provide some relief.”
Modern Healthcare reported Tuesday that Neal’s committee wants suggestions from NAIC President Eric Cioppa before scheduling a hearing. He specifically requested information on eligibility, caps, program design and the potential economic sustainability of such a program.
