What is MACRA?

Understanding the Federal MACRA Mandate

MACRA (Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act) doesn’t affect you if you are already eligible for Medicare or currently enrolled in a Medicare Supplement plan. But the federal government has determined that if you are newly eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020, any Medicare Supplement plan you join would not provide coverage for the Medicare Part B deductible. Harvard Pilgrim Health Care has several Medicare Supplement plans available that will provide you with excellent coverage options. More details about MACRA are included in the answers to the questions below:

Who is affected by MACRA?

Only people newly eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020. You are newly eligible for Medicare if you turn 65 on or after January 1, 2020, or become eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020, due to disability or end-stage renal disease (ESRD).

What if I am already enrolled in the Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Medicare Supplement 1 plan?

If you enrolled in the Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Medicare Supplement 1 plan before January 1, 2020, you are not affected by MACRA and can continue to use your plan. You don’t need to take any action. Your plan or benefits will not be affected by MACRA.

What if I am eligible for a Medicare Supplement plan but haven’t enrolled?

MACRA does not affect you if you were eligible for a Medicare Supplement plan before January 1, 2020, but haven’t yet enrolled. You can enroll in eligible plans such as the Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Medicare Supplement 1 plan, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Medicare Supplement 1A plan or Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Medicare Supplement Core plan.

What if I am eligible for Medicare but my domestic partner isn’t eligible until after January 1, 2020?

You are not affected by MACRA if you became eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020. You can enroll in our Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Medicare Supplement 1 plan, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Medicare Supplement 1A plan or Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Medicare Supplement Core plan.

If your domestic partner became eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020, they are affected by MACRA and can enroll in our Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Medicare Supplement 1A plan, or Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Medicare Supplement Core plan; both do not cover your Medicare Part B deductible.

Which plans can I enroll in if I am affected by MACRA?

If you are affected by MACRA, you can enroll in our Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Medicare Supplement 1A plan or Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Medicare Supplement Core plan with an effective date of January 1, 2020.

If you have any questions about which plan options are available to you, or need any additional information, our local Medicare experts are available to assist you. Call today at 877-909-4742 (TTY: 711).