New Proposal Would Require Insurance Agents To Disclose More About Medicare Advantage Plans

[Duaine]

Wait, don't we already do this for our clients? What does' CMS think that we're doing out here?

The ability to switch Medicare plans isn't as available as many beneficiaries are told or believe, and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services wants beneficiaries to be more aware of the practical limits.

In a section of new proposed regulations, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services says that agents and brokers must discuss certain topics with customers before enrolling them in Medicare Advantage plans, a proposal CMS labels Informed Enrollment.

The proposed regulations also say that after presenting this information, the agent is to "pause to address remaining questions the beneficiary may have…"

This section on "informed choice" is only part of a 713-page proposed regulation that also says, among other things, Medicare will pay for the new obesity drugs. That likely will increase future premiums.

The change in regulations was proposed recently. There's a public comment period. Then CMS has to review the comments and consider them before issuing final regulations.
[EXTERNAL LINK] - New Proposal Would Require Insurance Agents To Disclose More About Medicare Advantage Plans

 

[Panda1]

Sometimes I wonder just what CMS is thinking. What I'm guessing is that one agent somewhere was unaware that Medsup's requie underwriting after a certain time period. Or they did tell the customer and the customer insisted on MA and when things went sour they said "nobody told me ".

 

[sshafran]

Is that after I tell them that it's free and Medicare recommends this plan?

[Sarcasm for those who are slow]

 

[Yagents]

I'm all for this proposal, can't tell you how many people call me on mapd who had no idea they could be stuck on one forever. If I sold mapd, I would have everyone sign a document stating they understand......to cover my ass

 

[InsuranceGuy29]

Wait, don't we already do this for our clients? What does' CMS think that we're doing out here?

The ability to switch Medicare plans isn't as available as many beneficiaries are told or believe, and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services wants beneficiaries to be more aware of the practical limits.

In a section of new proposed regulations, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services says that agents and brokers must discuss certain topics with customers before enrolling them in Medicare Advantage plans, a proposal CMS labels Informed Enrollment.

The proposed regulations also say that after presenting this information, the agent is to "pause to address remaining questions the beneficiary may have…"

This section on "informed choice" is only part of a 713-page proposed regulation that also says, among other things, Medicare will pay for the new obesity drugs. That likely will increase future premiums.

The change in regulations was proposed recently. There's a public comment period. Then CMS has to review the comments and consider them before issuing final regulations.
[EXTERNAL LINK] - New Proposal Would Require Insurance Agents To Disclose More About Medicare Advantage Plans

Agents already discuss all of this. Thank God Chiquita Batshit Crazy Bananas and her entire commie CMS regime are going away in a month. This won't be passed, and even if it is...it'll be scrapped immediately. Medicare Advantage plans average out around a 89% satisfaction rating, according to the Medicare handbook. The sensationalist and fictitious war on Medicare Advantage really needs to stop. We get the game.....commies just want to control absolutely everything, and they got demolished and now need to go away. Bye bye.

 

[sshafran]

I'm all for this proposal, can't tell you how many people call me on mapd who had no idea they could be stuck on one forever. If I sold mapd, I would have everyone sign a document stating they understand......to cover my ass

Well, no, they can't be stuck on one forever.

They have at minimum 10/15-12/7 to elect something different then 1/1-3/31.

 

[Fisher]

Well, no, they can't be stuck on one forever.

They have at minimum 10/15-12/7 to elect something different then 1/1-3/31.

Probably meant stuck on an (any) MAPD forever if uninsurable. An MAPD by any other name is still an MAPD.

Although there is always the option of returning to straight OM and a PDP. So you are correct - a person cannot be stuck on an MAPD forever.

 

[sshafran]

Probably meant stuck on an (any) MAPD forever if uninsurable. An MAPD by any other name is still an MAPD.

Although there is always the option of returning to straight OM and a PDP. So you are correct - a person cannot be stuck on an MAPD forever.

Right. Go back to original Medicare if it's superior.

 

[Yagents]

Right. Go back to original Medicare if it's superior.

Go back to OM without a med supp? Only if financially well off, and if so, should have never been on mapd to begin with.

Had family friend on mapd. Got bad cancer. Couldn't go to mayo clinic and needed it. Only option, go back to OM with no supplement. Couldn't afford unlimited out of pocket, he passed away soon thereafter.

 

[Yagents]

Probably meant stuck on an (any) MAPD forever if uninsurable. An MAPD by any other name is still an MAPD.

Although there is always the option of returning to straight OM and a PDP. So you are correct - a person cannot be stuck on an MAPD forever.

Yes, stuck on any type of mapd or take on financial risk with no OOP max on OM A and B