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We are really delighted to have you with us today, Ms. Block, and we would be pleased to receive your testimony. STATEMENT OF ABBY L. BLOCK, SUPERVISOR, CENTER FOR RECIPIENT OPTIONS, CENTERS FOR MEDICARE AS WELL AS MEDICAID SOLUTIONS (CMS), BALTIMORE, MD Ms. Block. Thank you for inviting me to discuss Medicare Benefit and also, specifically, advertising and marketing conformity.

Functioning carefully with Congress, we have improved Medicare Advantage throughout the years to advertise solid strategy engagement across the nation. With a dynamic market of prepare for 2007, recipient registration is now at an all-time high. I take pride in these successes and stand committed to deal with you in the days ahead to maintain option for individuals with Medicare.

Such added advantages differ by strategy, yet can include: lower cost-sharing, boosted Component D prescription medication insurance coverage, Part B and also D premium reductions; and also, access to things as well as solutions like listening device, regular physicals or vision examinations that original Medicare does not cover. No matter of the programs' successes, CMS takes current reports of aggressive advertising and marketing of some products very seriously.

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I want to talk today regarding some of the methods that CMS is building on lessons discovered and also info collected throughout 2006. CMS enforcement for advertising infractions ranges from releasing a caution letter or rehabilitative activity strategy to suspending registration and also, eventually, terminating a strategy from the program - Medicare agent Huntington NY. This year alone, we have fined plans a lot more than $400,000 in civil financial fines for falling short to provide info to recipients in a timely fashion.

Our experience reveals that, once in a while, exclusive fee-for- service strategies have not been clear about what they supply our recipients and also what they do not give. Consequently, for 2008, we will certainly require strategies to include details, distinct language in all advertising materials, enrollment products as well as sales discussions outlining what a beneficiary can anticipate if he or she registers for a strategy, and also call all new candidates to verify that they do, in truth, understand the attributes of the plan as well as wish to sign up.

Our utmost problem is to assist and also shield the recipient. As a result, recipients and also enrollees mislead by a strategy are given an opportunity to switch to another plan. On top of that, throughout the very first quarter of each year, all enrollees already have the opportunity to switch over out of exclusive fee-for-service strategies or any type of various other MA plan for any reason and also select one more alternative.

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CMS manages infractions of our advertising guidelines. Problems including scams and misuse go to the paramedics, our program honesty service providers. Claims of deceptive advertising and marketing as well as registration go to the OIG. Ultimately, States manage complaints about qualified agents and brokers. CMS is taking several actions to identify organizations in demand of compliance intervention, consisting of tracking complaints by performing secret shoppings of sales occasions across the country.

Specifically, CMS works cooperatively with the National Association of Insurance Coverage Commissioners as well as State divisions of you can check here insurance policy to establish a version compliance and also enforcement Memorandum of Comprehending. Much, 20 States as well as Puerto Rico have actually authorized the MOU that will certainly enable us to share details about non-compliant marketing activities. CMS prepares to release quickly a suggested regulation that will help with oversight for Medicare Advantage plans and also Component D prescription medication plans.

We are holding plans accountable for the activities of both employed and also independent representatives offering their products. I want to ensure you that the vast bulk of seniors who purchased Medicare Advantage products are pleased with their strategies as well as the solutions they are obtaining.

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Thank you again for the possibility to consult with you today. I anticipate addressing your concerns. The Chairman. Thanks, Ms. Block. Prior to we get to inquiries for you, we would certainly such as to speak with our Position Participant, Senator Smith, along with Senator Whitehouse. Legislator Smith. Thanks, Senator Kohl, for calling this crucial hearing on a really essential issue.

You have actually heard me complain in the past that the management of the Us senate should talk to the Aging Committee prior to they set up votes. We say sorry to the witnesses. We thank you for your extravagance and your time. We appreciate it deeply, particularly this particular concern. I intend to make a distinction, which I hope people that are interested will understand.

These things have to be routed out. All stakeholders that would love to see this program proceed need to comprehend that, if left unchecked, this will weaken confidence in the program. Having said that, I want to explain my belief that Medicare Benefit and Medicare Component D are not bad simply since they are private delivery systems.

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They can work better. To all who have a rate of interest in the continued success of these programs, it comes to each of us individually to do all that we can to deal with the troubles and to fix them fast. What I did when I Medicare agent Huntington NY was Chairman and also now, as Ranking Participant-- as well as I share the Chairman's concern-- what I began to do in the 109th Congress is to provide oversight.

It needs to transform. We will continue that oversight with the view, at the very least, from my sight, to maintaining and also reinforcing these programs that do so much good, help so many individuals, particularly, in rural locations. Any kind of firm with a passion in either prescription view it medications or Medicare Advantage: Get on top of this as well as obtain on top of it fast.

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