• SHORT TITLE(S) AS INTRODUCED:
  Medicare+Choice Program Improvement Act of 1999

• OFFICIAL TITLE AS INTRODUCED:
  A bill to amend parts C and D of title XVIII of the Social Security Act to improve the operation of the Medicare+Choice and Medigap programs.

***NONE***

House Actions

Feb 2, 99:

Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Mar 11, 99:

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health and Environment, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Chairman.

Feb 2, 99:

Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

• COMMITTEE(S) OF REFERRAL:
  House Ways and Means
  House Commerce

• SUBCOMMITTEE(S):
  Hsc Health and the Environment

***NONE***

Rep Brown, Sherrod - 02/02/99	Rep Thurman, Karen L. - 02/02/99
Rep Waxman, Henry A. - 02/02/99	Rep Lewis, John - 02/02/99
Rep McDermott, Jim - 02/02/99	Rep Levin, Sander M. - 02/02/99
Rep Matsui, Robert T. - 02/02/99	Rep Neal, Richard E. - 02/02/99
Rep Frank, Barney - 02/02/99	Rep Moran, James P. - 02/02/99
Rep Frost, Martin - 02/02/99	Rep Markey, Edward J. - 02/02/99
Rep Schakowsky, Janice D. - 02/02/99	Rep Baldacci, John Elias - 02/09/99
Rep Pallone, Frank, Jr. - 02/09/99	Rep Rangel, Charles B. - 02/09/99
Rep Barrett, Thomas M. - 02/09/99	Rep Nadler, Jerrold - 02/23/99
Rep Miller, George - 02/23/99	Rep Hinchey, Maurice D. - 02/23/99
Rep Sandlin, Max - 02/23/99	Rep McGovern, James P. - 03/03/99
Rep Payne, Donald M. - 03/03/99	Rep Kaptur, Marcy - 03/03/99
Rep Kleczka, Gerald D. - 03/24/99	Rep Olver, John W. - 04/21/99
Rep Bonior, David E. - 04/21/99	Rep Brady, Robert - 04/28/99
Rep Lee, Barbara - 06/18/99	Rep Berkley, Shelley - 07/21/99
Rep Owens, Major R. - 09/08/99

(AS INTRODUCED)

Medicare+Choice Program Improvement Act of 1999 - Amends parts C (Medicare+Choice) and D (Miscellaneous Provisions) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act concerning the Medicare+Choice and Medigap programs to, among other things: (1) allow enrollment in alternative Medicare+Choice plans of Medicare beneficiaries whose Medicare+Choice organizations or group health plans under which they are enrolled have provided notice of intended coverage termination; (2) guarantee access for certain Medicare beneficiaries to Medigap policies in case of involuntary termination of coverage under a Medicare+Choice plan; (3) apply Medicare+Choice and Medigap consumer protections to disabled and end-stage renal disease Medicare beneficiaries; (4) prohibit attained-age rating of premiums for Medigap policies; (5) provide for non-preemption of State prescription drug coverage mandates in case of approved State Medigap waivers; (6) prohibit "cold-call" marketing of Medicare+Choice plans; (7) grant flexibility in the definition of the term "service area" under the Medicare+Choice program; (8) provide for a three-year phase-in of risk adjustment of Medicare+Choice plan payments; (9) allow delays in certain deadlines under the Medicare+Choice program, such as delay in the rate promulgation deadline; (10) account for costs of Departments of Veterans Affairs and Defense military facility services to Medicare-eligible beneficiaries in calculating Medicare+Choice plan payment rates; (11) increase civil monetary penalties for failure to meet Medigap open enrollment requirements; and (12) provide for National Association of Insurance Commissioners, at the request of the Secretary of Health and Human Services, review, and, along with the Secretary, update of benefit packages for Medigap policies.