Senate committee reports rise in deceptive Medicare Advantage marketing practices

Nov 03, 2022 - 03:31 PM
capitol hill 900x400

Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today released a report confirming deceptive marketing practices by Medicare Advantage plans, which found an increase in complaints from 2020 to 2021. The report recommends the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services reinstate certain MA plan requirements and hold bad actors accountable; require agents and brokers to adhere to best practices; implement robust MA marketing rules; and support unbiased beneficiary information sources. 

“It is unacceptable for this magnitude of fraudsters and scam artists to be running amok in Medicare and I will be working closely with CMS to ensure this dramatic increase in marketing complaints is addressed,” Wyden said.  

AHA yesterday urged the departments of Health and Human Services and Labor to take additional steps to ensure adequate oversight of commercial health plans, citing concern that certain MA and other plans are erecting barriers to care and pushing more of the cost onto patients. 

Related News Articles

Headline
AHA supports bill expanding in-network providers within MA plans 
The AHA Sept. 15 expressed support for the Ensuring Access to Essential Providers Act, legislation that would require Medicare Advantage plans to cover…
Headline
AHA urges Aetna to rescind ‘level of severity inpatient payment’ policy
The AHA Sept. 15 urged Aetna to rescind its recently announced “level of severity inpatient payment” policy, saying that it “could erode the transparency…
Perspective
Hospital Outpatient Departments Are Different from Independent Physician Offices
Public
Every health care provider strives to deliver their patients the best possible care, but not all providers offer the same level or complexity of care. Current…
Headline
Study: MA beneficiaries’ hospital stays longer than those under Traditional Medicare
A JAMA internal medicine study published Sept. 8 found that since the COVID-19 pandemic, Medicare Advantage beneficiaries have been experiencing longer…
Headline
Study finds less than 40% of Medicare beneficiaries with OUD receive standard care
A Health Affairs study published Sept. 2 found that less than 40% of Medicare beneficiaries with opioid use disorder received standard care in alignment with…
Headline
AHA study finds HOPDs treat sicker patients than independent physician offices
The AHA Sept. 3 released a study conducted by KNG Health Consulting that found Medicare patients who receive care in a hospital outpatient department are more…