To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to maintain a website for Medicare beneficiaries to search for providers participating in MA plans and traditional Medicare.
- Bill Number
- H.R. 6115
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Health
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-11-18: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Last Updated
- 2025-12-02T09:06:04Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
This bill aims to improve transparency and accessibility for Medicare beneficiaries by requiring the creation and maintenance of an online tool to search for healthcare providers and suppliers participating in Medicare Advantage (MA) plans or traditional Medicare (also known as original Medicare under Parts A and B). MA plans are private health plans that provide Medicare benefits, often with networks of specific doctors and hospitals.
Key Provisions
- Website Requirement: The Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) must maintain an internet website starting no later than one year after the bill's enactment.
- Website Functions:
- Allow Medicare beneficiaries (and potential future beneficiaries) to search for providers of services (e.g., hospitals, doctors) and suppliers (e.g., medical equipment providers) that participate in a specific MA plan's network or in original Medicare.
- Enable users to identify all participating providers and suppliers for each MA plan and original Medicare.
- Amendments to Existing Law: The bill modifies Section 1851(d) of the Social Security Act:
- Updates paragraph (7) to reference the new website alongside existing information disclosure requirements.
- Adds a new paragraph (8) detailing the website's purpose and timeline.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Introduces a mandatory, centralized online search tool, which does not currently exist in this comprehensive form under the Social Security Act.
- Expands HHS's responsibilities for public information dissemination beyond existing requirements for plan comparisons, focusing specifically on provider networks to help beneficiaries make informed choices between MA plans and traditional Medicare.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: HHS will need to allocate resources for developing, maintaining, and updating the website, potentially involving technology upgrades and data integration from MA plans and Medicare providers.
- On Citizens: Medicare beneficiaries (over 65 million Americans) will gain easier access to provider information, reducing confusion when choosing plans and potentially lowering out-of-pocket costs by avoiding non-covered providers.
- On International Relations: No direct impacts, as this is a domestic healthcare policy focused on U.S. Medicare programs.
- Broader Effects: Could encourage more competition among MA plans by highlighting network differences, leading to better plan options for users.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Medicare Beneficiaries: Primary users who benefit from simplified provider searches to ensure coverage for their doctors and care needs.
- Healthcare Providers and Suppliers: Increased visibility through the website, which may affect patient volume and plan participation decisions.
- Medicare Advantage Plans: Required to report network details accurately, potentially facing scrutiny if networks are limited or change frequently.
- Department of Health and Human Services (HHS): Bears the implementation and ongoing maintenance burden, including coordination with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the agency that administers Medicare.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Strengthens existing consumer protection laws under Medicare by mandating digital transparency, with no apparent conflicts to the Social Security Act. Enforcement would rely on HHS compliance, potentially leading to future oversight by congressional committees like Ways and Means and Energy and Commerce.
- Constitutional: No significant issues; aligns with Congress's authority to regulate interstate commerce and social welfare programs under the Spending Clause.
- Political: Promotes equity in healthcare access, appealing to efforts for consumer empowerment in a system where MA enrollment has grown rapidly (over 50% of beneficiaries). It may spark debates on federal spending for tech infrastructure versus private-sector alternatives, but the bill itself is narrowly focused without partisan controversy evident in its text.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (15)
Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7], Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9], Rep. DeLauro, Rosa L. [D-CT-3], Rep. Doggett, Lloyd [D-TX-37], Rep. Jayapal, Pramila [D-WA-7], Rep. Khanna, Ro [D-CA-17], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Ocasio-Cortez, Alexandria [D-NY-14], Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9], Rep. Takano, Mark [D-CA-39], Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13], Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12], Rep. Omar, Ilhan [D-MN-5], Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6], Rep. Casar, Greg [D-TX-35]
Recent Actions
- 2025-11-18: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-11-18: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-11-18: Introduced in House
- 2025-11-18: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to maintain a website for Medicare beneficiaries to search for providers participating in MA plans and traditional Medicare. — issued 2025-11-18 — PDF (2 pages)