NEWS

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON WAYS AND MEANS
SUBCOMMITTEE ON HEALTH

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Mark Gundersen (202) 225-8933
Wednesday, May 30, 2001

Chairman Johnson's Statement on HCFA Decision To Extend Medicare HMO Reporting Deadline

Deadline Extended from July 1^st to September 17^th

WASHINGTON, DC - Ways & Means Health Subcommittee Chairman Nancy Johnson (R-CT) issued the following statement today in response to Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson's announcement to extend the Medicare HMO reporting deadline:

"We are pleased with the Health Care Financing Administration's (HCFA) quick response to our recommendation letter and bipartisan legislation that extend the Medicare HMO reporting deadline from July 1^st to September 17^th. HCFA's action sends a strong message to health plan administrators and seniors that help is on the way.

"Each year, health plan administrators must decide if their plan will remain in the Medicare program. This complex decision is made more difficult by the existing July 1^st deadline - a date that is set long before enough statistical information is available to forecast costs for the coming year. The new deadline will allow health plan administrators to analyze data collected throughout the year, not just in one quarter.

"No health plan should prematurely leave the Medicare program due to a lack of sufficient data analysis. Extending the deadline to September 17^th represents a step forward in our efforts to provide the best possible care to our nation's seniors. We are hopeful Congress will enact this legislation quickly to make this change permanent."

Click on the links for a copy of correspondence letter.

Michael McMullen letter
Karen Ignani letter