Which Medicare programs are covered by ACA Section 1557?

• A. Parts A, C, and D, but not B.
• B. Part B only.
• C. All Parts A-D.
• D. Part A only.

Answer: (A)

Section 1557 protects people from discrimination in health programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance. Medicare Parts A, C, and D fit that scope because Part A is the hospital insurance program funded by the federal system, and Parts C (Medicare Advantage) and D (prescription drug plans) are delivered through private plans that receive federal funds and operate under CMS contracts. Part A and Parts C and D thus fall under the nondiscrimination protections of 1557.

Medicare Part B, on the other hand, is a medical insurance program funded through general revenues and beneficiary premiums and administered directly by CMS as a traditional federal program, not through an entity receiving federal financial assistance for a health program or activity. Because of that difference, Part B is not covered by Section 1557 in the way Parts A, C, and D are.

So, the Medicare programs covered by ACA Section 1557 are Parts A, C, and D; Part B is not.