Becker’s Healthcare Podcast Summary
Episode: Advocating for Medicare Advantage with Don Maroney of Alignment Health Plan
Release Date: August 4, 2025
Introduction
In this episode of the Becker’s Healthcare Podcast, host Jacob Emerson engages in an insightful conversation with Don Maroney, the President of Alignment Health and CEO of Alignment Health Plan. With over 36 years of experience in the healthcare sector, particularly focusing on Medicare beneficiaries, Don brings a wealth of knowledge and a passionate perspective on the future of Medicare Advantage (MA).
Alignment Health Plan Overview
Don Maroney provides a comprehensive overview of Alignment Health Plan, highlighting its mission and reach.
Don Maroney [00:30]: “At Alignment, we are a Medicare Advantage prescription drug plan primarily serving five states: Arizona, California, Nevada, Texas, and North Carolina. We serve about 200,000 Medicare Advantage lives, transforming lives and being there when our members need us most.”
Alignment Health Plan emphasizes personalized and proactive care, aiming to deliver exceptional value and outcomes for seniors across its service areas.
Don Maroney’s Congressional Testimony
A significant portion of the discussion centers around Don’s recent testimony before the House Committee on Ways and Means and the Health and Oversight Subcommittees. This joint hearing focused on evaluating the past, present, and future of the Medicare Advantage program.
Don Maroney [02:06]: “It was an honor to represent Alignment Health before Congress. I wanted to spotlight what works and why it matters, sharing our vision to become more proactive, personal, and purpose-driven.”
Don expressed both excitement and nervousness about the opportunity to influence national policy, emphasizing the importance of advocating for policies that enhance the quality and value of MA programs.
Challenges in Medicare Advantage
The Medicare Advantage program has faced numerous challenges over the past few years, including regulatory changes and reimbursement trends. Don outlines some of the most pressing issues affecting the program.
Don Maroney [04:18]: “It has been the most challenging in the last 18 to 24 months, with regulatory policies and changes that everyone is concerned about.”
Key challenges include the implementation of prior authorizations and ensuring adequate rural care access, which are critical for maintaining the program’s integrity and accessibility.
Alignment Health’s Advocacy Priorities
Don outlines the primary advocacy goals Alignment Health is pursuing to address the challenges facing Medicare Advantage.
1. Hospital Parity
Ensuring that Medicare Advantage plans receive the same consideration as Medicare fee-for-service contracts when partnering with hospitals.
Don Maroney [04:50]: “If a hospital is accepting Medicare fee-for-service, they should automatically accept Medicare Advantage contracts. This would foster competition and improve access, especially in rural markets.”
This policy aims to level the playing field, allowing high-performing MA plans like Alignment to compete fairly and expand their reach.
2. Choice for Dual Eligible Beneficiaries
Advocating against policies that limit the choices of dual eligible beneficiaries by forcing enrollment into exclusively aligned plans.
Don Maroney [06:15]: “Seniors deserve a choice, and they should absolutely still have a plan like Alignment available to them with continuous open enrollment.”
Maintaining choice ensures that beneficiaries can select plans that best meet their individual healthcare needs.
Alignment Health’s Star Ratings
Don proudly highlights Alignment Health Plan’s exceptional performance in Medicare Advantage star ratings, underscoring the company’s commitment to quality care.
Don Maroney [07:48]: “100% of our members across all of our states are in a four-star or greater. We are one of the seven Medicare Advantage plans nationwide that qualify for a five-star plan.”
These high ratings reflect Alignment’s dedication to delivering superior healthcare services and outcomes for its members.
Current Political Climate in Washington
Discussing the political landscape, Don shares his perspective on how lawmakers are currently approaching the Medicare Advantage program.
Don Maroney [08:43]: “I believe both sides really care about Medicare Advantage. It’s not about restricting the program but refining and strengthening it to ensure competition, choice, and value.”
Under the new administration, there is a focus on enhancing the program without imposing undue restrictions, aiming to support smaller organizations and promote sustainable, value-driven care models.
Final Thoughts and Advice
As the conversation concludes, Don offers valuable advice to other Medicare leaders, emphasizing the importance of consumer-centric approaches and supporting healthcare providers.
Don Maroney [10:28]: “Put the senior first, support the doctors caring for them, and leverage technology like AI to assist rather than replace the human touch. Focus on ensuring seniors are independent, mobile, and have peace of mind.”
Don underscores that prioritizing the needs of seniors and fostering strong relationships with healthcare providers are crucial for the sustained success of Medicare Advantage programs.
Conclusion
Don Maroney’s insights offer a compelling look into the current state and future direction of Medicare Advantage. His dedication to advocating for seniors, enhancing program quality, and fostering competitive and equitable healthcare environments positions Alignment Health Plan as a leader in the Medicare Advantage landscape. For more in-depth discussions and industry analysis, listeners are encouraged to explore additional episodes of the Becker’s Healthcare Podcast.
For more information and to listen to additional episodes, visit Beckershospitalreview.com.