As States Seek to Regain Control of MA Marketing, Senate Launches Probe Into Plan Practices

  • Sep 01, 2022

    As CMS urges Medicare Advantage insurers to tighten up their oversight of third-party marketing organizations (TPMOs) and as state insurance regulators seek to regain authority over MA marketing that was transferred to CMS nearly 20 years ago, Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) wants answers about “potentially deceptive marketing tactics practiced by Medicare Advantage plans.” His investigation could signal legislative interest in returning MA marketing oversight to states, but some industry experts question whether breaking up the CMS-owned process would be in the best interest of beneficiaries.

    In letters sent last month, the Senate Finance Committee chairman wrote to 15 state insurance commissioners and State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIPs) expressing his concern about reports of increased beneficiary complaints regarding MA and Part D plan marketing materials and “alarming reports that MA and Part D health plans and their contractors are engaging in aggressive sales practices that take advantage of vulnerable seniors and people with disabilities.”

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  • Lauren Flynn Kelly

    Lauren has been covering health business issues since the early 2000s and specializes in in-depth reporting on Medicare Advantage, managed Medicaid and Medicare Part D. She also possesses a deep understanding of the complex world of pharmacy benefit management, having written AIS Health’s Radar on Drug Benefits from 2004 to 2005 and again from 2011 to 2016. In addition to her role as managing editor of Radar on Medicare Advantage, she oversees AIS Health’s publications and manages the health editorial staff. She graduated from Vassar College with a B.A. in English.

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