H.R. 9544 is a federal bill introduced June 30, 2026, by Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-TX-37) with more than 50 Democratic co-sponsors. It would change how Medicare Advantage plans are paid by stopping insurers from using unsupported diagnosis codes — such as those found only through chart reviews without an in-person visit — to collect higher federal payments. The bill was referred to three House committees and remains in the introduced stage as of October 2026.
Medicare Advantage plans cover many Houston-area seniors. This bill changes how insurers bill the federal government for those plans, which could affect what plans are offered and what the government pays.
