Bill would bar Medicare advantage plans from dropping doctors mid-year

The proposal, introduced by Democrats in the House and Senate, would require insurers to finalize their doctor networks 60 days before autumn enrollment begins.

Modern Healthcare: UnitedHealth Provider Cuts Spur Legislation 
Legislation that would prohibit Medicare Advantage plans from dropping doctors in the middle of the year has been introduced in the House and Senate. The proposal was spurred by controversial cuts to provider networks over the past year by UnitedHealth Group. The legislation was introduced by Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) and Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio). Both of their home states were impacted by United's provider cuts last year (Demko, 6/26).

Hartford Courant: Blumenthal, DeLauro Introduce Medicare Advantage Bill 
New legislation submitted by two Connecticut members of Congress would require health insurers to finalize their physician networks for Medicare Advantage plans 60 days before the autumn enrollment begins. The goal of the Medicare Advantage Participant Bill of Rights Act is to keep patients from having changes to their doctor networks mid year, forcing them to either pay higher, out-of-network rates or switch physicians (Sturdevant, 6/26).