CMS Delays Requirement For MA Plans To Notify Enrollees of Unused Benefits

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on September 8, 2025, announced a "temporary enforcement pause" of a requirement set to begin in 2026 that Medicare Advantage (MA) plans must send their enrollees an annual, mid-year notice detailing all supplemental benefits for which the individual is eligible but has not yet used.

CMS took the action following receipt of "a barrage of questions and requests for technical guidance from MA plans."

Therefore, plans will not need to comply in 2026, and the suspension of the requirement will remain in effect until further notice.

LeadingAge is disappointed to see this delay, given the lack of transparency surrounding what proportion of MA supplemental benefits are being used by MA enrollees currently.

We supported this provision as it has the potential to ensure enrollees can take full advantage of their plan benefits, which often are a key reason why they select a particular plan.