BRIEF: Virginia Mason Memorial backs off Advantage plan requirement for Medicare primary care

Oct. 09--YAKIMA, Wash. -- Virginia Mason Memorial will no longer require Medicare patients receiving primary care services to change their insurance coverage, the hospital said Tuesday.

Patients will receive a letter in the coming days that will state the hospital has reversed an earlier decision requiring them to sign up for a Medicare Advantage plan by Jan. 1, 2020, officials said.

"Our intent behind this decision was long-term improved patient care," the hospital wrote in a statement Tuesday. "However, given the feedback from patients and the community, we now understand that for a number of our patients, this change is simply not feasible."

Medicare Advantage differs from what is known as the original Medicare and supplement plan as it is sold and administrated by private insurance companies, rather than the federal government.

In a letter sent to community members last week, Memorial said the Medicare Advantage plan provides benefits to patients. Officials said today they want to provide additional time for discussions with patients and allow them to maintain a choice in insurance coverage in the meantime.

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