Advocating for Clear Coverage for Clinical Trial Services for Medicare Advantage Enrollees

NCCS joined with 20 patient advocacy groups and professional societies to urge the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to correct a long-standing inequity in Medicare coverage by requiring Medicare Advantage plans to provide coverage for clinical trials. Currently, individuals with Medicare Advantage plans must revert to standard fee-for-service Medicare if they wish to participate in a clinical trial. The current policy is confusing and may result in higher out-of-pocket costs for enrollees who decide to participate in a clinical trial. Other enrollees will be discouraged from participating in clinical trials. NCCS and the other signatories to the letter stressed to CMS that Medicare Advantage enrollees should be given clear coverage for clinical trials services — the same as other Medicare-covered services — through their Medicare Advantage plans.