The Better Efficiency and Administrative Simplification Act, introduced by Rep. Jim Renacci (OH-16), was included in the Protecting the Integrity of Medicare Act (PIMA), a bipartisan legislative package introduced today by Rep. Kevin Brady (R-TX) and Rep. Jim McDermott (D-WA) to address waste, fraud, and abuse within the Medicare program. A combination of Ways & Means proposals, PIMA reforms the Medicare program to prevent fraud before it happens. This includes removing social security numbers from Medicare cards and increasing outreach and education between Medicare contractors and those who serve our seniors.

“I was pleased to see the Better Efficiency and Administrative Simplification Act included in a broad package to eradicate government waste, fraud, and abuse and protect Medicare beneficiaries,” said Renacci. “The idea for this legislation came straight from a constituent in North Canton who expressed concern over government waste and the Medicare program’s failure to provide a paperless option. Based on preliminary data, this commonsense legislation will save Medicare millions in program funds each year.”

The Better Efficiency and Administrative Simplification Act will give the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) the authority to allow beneficiaries to receive their Medicare Summary Notices more frequently and to expand the email option to other beneficiary documents. Increasing the frequency of these notices is significant because the beneficiary is typically the first line of defense against fraudulent billing practices. The sooner beneficiaries can report incorrect billing, the sooner the government can stop the payments from going out.

In addition, the Better Efficiency and Administrative Simplification Act will give CMS the ability to increase the length of contract years for Medicare Administrative Contractors (MAC). Doing so will empower CMS to combat fraud and abuse in our Medicare program, while increasing oversight over the MACs. While CMS has the ability to terminate contracts up for annual renewal within the contract term, CMS has limited flexibility in awarding new contracts when MACs are not meeting CMS requirements. Increasing the duration of the contract years helps CMS determine the efficiency and effectiveness of the MACs.

Renacci added, “Congress must act now to strengthen the Medicare program and protect it for current and future beneficiaries. I was proud to cosponsor the Protecting the Integrity of Medicare Act, and I look forward to seeing the House act on this important legislation before the end of the year.”

A section-by-section of the bill can be viewed here. Renacci’s provisions are detailed in Sections 9 and 10.