Proposed cuts in federal payments in 2015 to Medicare Advantage plans amount to about 5.9% and will cost each subscriber $420 to $900 more while reducing choice, an analysis by consulting firm Oliver Wyman found. The proposed cuts would result in fewer plans from which seniors could choose, fewer participating health care providers, higher premiums and fewer benefits, and would disproportionately affect low-income seniors, a statement from America’s Health Insurance Plans said. “CMS should keep Medicare Advantage payment rates flat next year to protect seniors from another round of harmful cuts that would put at risk the high-quality coverage they like and rely on today,” said Karen Ignagni, AHIP’s president and CEO. BenefitsPro.com (2/28)