Cortez Masto Applauds New Special Enrollment Period to Protect Seniors from Coverage Gaps

Source: United States Senator for Nevada Cortez Masto

April 22, 2022

Following Cortez Masto’s urging, the administration will help ensure seniors have a smooth path to Medicare coverage after the COVID-19 public health emergency ends 

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) applauded the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS) proposal to create a new Medicare special enrollment period for seniors currently enrolled in Medicaid and waive any accrued late-fees to improve their access to care.

“The COVID pandemic has been difficult for everyone, especially for older Americans,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “I’m pleased to see the administration heeded my call to ensure Nevada seniors can continue to access quality, affordable health care. I’ll continue doing everything possible to support their needs, including lowering prescription drug costs.”

Senator Cortez Masto is a leader in the Senate in ensuring older Nevadans can access quality, affordable health care. She helped extend Medicare enrollees’ access to telehealth services in the recent government funding bill. In February, the senator urged the Biden administration to continue supporting the Medicare Advantage program, which provides quality health care to 27 million seniors and people with disabilities. She has cosponsored legislation to make health care more affordable by giving Medicare the power to negotiate drug prices, capping drug costs, and limiting egregious price hikes by drug manufacturers. She has also worked to prevent Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.

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