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We are extremely happy to have you with us today, Ms. Block, and also we would certainly be pleased to get your testimony. STATEMENT OF ABBY L. BLOCK, DIRECTOR, CENTER FOR BENEFICIARY OPTIONS, CENTERS FOR MEDICARE AND MEDICAID SERVICES (CMS), BALTIMORE, MD Ms. Block. Thank you for inviting me to discuss Medicare Advantage and, particularly, marketing compliance.

Working closely with Congress, we have refined Medicare Advantage over the years to promote strong plan participation across the country. With a vibrant marketplace of prepare for 2007, beneficiary enrollment is currently at an all-time high. I boast of these successes as well as stand dedicated to work with you in the days ahead to preserve choice for people with Medicare.

Such extra advantages differ by strategy, yet can include: lower cost-sharing, enhanced Component D prescription drug protection, Part B and D premium decreases; as well as, access to things as well as services like listening devices, regular physicals or vision examinations that original Medicare does not cover. No matter of the programs' successes, CMS takes current reports of hostile marketing of some items extremely seriously.

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I wish to chat today concerning some of the manner ins which CMS is building on lessons found out and info gathered throughout 2006. CMS enforcement for marketing offenses varies from issuing a caution letter or corrective activity strategy to suspending enrollment and also also, eventually, ending a plan from the program - Medicare agent Huntington NY. This year alone, we have actually fined strategies much more than $400,000 in civil financial fines for falling short to offer details to beneficiaries in a timely way.

Our experience reveals that, once in a while, personal fee-for- solution strategies have actually not been clear about what they provide our recipients and also what they do not give. For 2008, we will require plans to include specific, unambiguous language in all marketing materials, registration products as well as sales presentations laying out what a beneficiary can expect if he or she signs up for a plan, and also call all new candidates to confirm that they do, in truth, recognize the attributes of the strategy and wish to enroll.

Our utmost concern is to assist and also secure the beneficiary. Consequently, beneficiaries as well as enrollees misdirect by a strategy are offered a chance to switch to another strategy. On top of that, throughout the first quarter of every year, all enrollees currently have the chance to switch over out of personal fee-for-service plans or any kind of other MA plan for any kind of reason and also pick an additional option.

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CMS manages infractions of our advertising standards. CMS is taking numerous steps to recognize organizations in need of conformity treatment, consisting of tracking problems by carrying out secret buyings of sales occasions across the country.

Especially, CMS functions cooperatively with the National Organization of Insurance Policy Commissioners and also State divisions of insurance policy to create a model compliance and also enforcement Memorandum of Recognizing. Until now, 20 States as well as Puerto Rico have authorized the MOU that will enable us to share information about non-compliant marketing tasks. CMS prepares to release quickly a suggested rule that will certainly assist in oversight for Medicare Benefit plans as well as Part D prescription medication plans.

These are only the preliminary actions we are requiring to make certain that Medicare beneficiaries are not being misinformed, deceived or defrauded. We are holding strategies in charge of the activities of both employed and also why not check here independent representatives offering their products. This includes requiring documented training of marketing representatives and brokers. I desire to ensure you that the large majority of elders who acquired Medicare Advantage items are satisfied with their plans as well as the solutions they are obtaining.

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Thank you, Ms. Block. Before we obtain to inquiries for you, we would certainly like to listen to from our Ranking visite site Member, Legislator Smith, as well as Senator Whitehouse. Thank you, Legislator Kohl, for calling this crucial hearing on an extremely vital concern.

We thank you for your extravagance and also your time (Medicare agent Huntington NY). I desire to make a difference, which I wish individuals that are interested will certainly recognize.

These points have to be routed out. All stakeholders who wish to see this program continue need to understand that, if left unattended, this will weaken confidence in the program. Having said that, I intend to make clear my belief that Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D are tolerable merely due to the look these up fact that they are private shipment systems.

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They can function better. But to all that have an interest in the ongoing success of these programs, it pertains to each of us separately to do all that we can to fix the problems and also to fix them quickly. What I did when I was Chairman and currently, as Ranking Participant-- as well as I share the Chairman's concern-- what I started to do in the 109th Congress is to provide oversight.

It requires to transform. So we will certainly continue that oversight with the sight, at the very least, from my view, to protecting and reinforcing these programs that do so a lot great, aid many individuals, particularly, in country places. So any type of company with a passion in either prescription drugs or Medicare Benefit: Hop on top of this and jump on top of it fast.

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