CMS mulls auto-enrolling seniors into Medicare Advantage

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is considering a policy to automatically enroll seniors into Medicare Advantage plans. The proposal would shift the default enrollment from traditional Medicare to MA for beneficiaries who do not make an active plan selection during their initial enrollment period. CMS is soliciting feedback on the concept, which aims to simplify enrollment but raises concerns about beneficiary choice and plan adequacy. If implemented, this could accelerate the shift of beneficiaries from fee-for-service Medicare to managed care, affecting provider referral patterns and network contracts. The policy discussion is part of broader CMS efforts to increase MA penetration, which already covers more than half of Medicare beneficiaries. Monitor CMS announcements for a formal proposal and comment period.