Senate Committee Seeks Ways to Hold MAOs Accountable for ‘Slimy’ Marketing

“Wheel of deceit.” “Sleazy, private sector scoundrels.” The transfer of personal information “from one moneygrubbing hand to another.” These are just a few of the verbal gems dropped by Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) when, during a recent hearing on Capitol Hill, he described the billion-dollar third-party Medicare marketing machine that has been under increased scrutiny by Congress, consumer advocates and researchers.  

But beyond Wyden’s descriptive remarks, the Senate Finance Committee chair and other lawmakers queried stakeholders about real solutions to rein in misleading marketing practices and improve seniors’ shopping experience. Suggestions that came up on multiple occasions included prohibiting the transfer of beneficiary information from one lead generator to another, putting additional limits on the fees brokers earn for enrolling MA members, penalizing MA insurers for the actions of third-party marketers, and increasing transparency around the full cost associated with enrolling in an MA plan.