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We are really happy to have you with us today, Ms. Block, as well as we would be pleased to receive your testimony. STATEMENT OF ABBY L. BLOCK, SUPERVISOR, FACILITY FOR RECIPIENT SELECTIONS, CENTERS FOR MEDICARE AND MEDICAID SERVICES (CMS), BALTIMORE, MD Ms. Block. Thanks for welcoming me to go over Medicare Benefit as well as, specifically, advertising compliance.

Working closely with Congress, we have actually improved Medicare Benefit throughout the years to promote strong plan engagement across the nation. With a vivid market of strategies for 2007, beneficiary enrollment is currently at an all-time high. I boast of these successes as well as stand dedicated to deal with you in the days in advance to maintain option for individuals with Medicare.

Such added advantages differ by plan, however can consist of: lower cost-sharing, boosted Component D prescription medication protection, Part B and D costs reductions; and also, accessibility to items and solutions like listening device, routine physicals or vision exams that initial Medicare does not cover. Regardless of the programs' successes, CMS takes current reports of aggressive marketing of some products really seriously.

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I intend to speak today about several of the means that CMS is building on lessons discovered and details collected during 2006. CMS enforcement for marketing offenses varies from providing a caution letter or corrective activity strategy to suspending registration as well as even, eventually, terminating a strategy from the program - Medicare agent Huntington NY. This year alone, we have actually fined plans much more than $400,000 in civil financial fines for falling short to provide details to beneficiaries in a timely way.

Our experience reveals that, from time to time, private fee-for- service strategies have actually not been clear concerning what they provide our beneficiaries and also what they do not supply. For 2008, we will call for plans to include certain, unambiguous language in all marketing materials, registration products and sales presentations laying out what a recipient can expect if he or she authorizes up for a plan, as well as call all new applicants to validate that they do, in truth, comprehend the attributes of the strategy and also desire to enroll.

Our utmost worry is to help as well as safeguard the recipient. Therefore, recipients as well as enrollees misinform by a strategy are provided an opportunity to switch to another strategy. Additionally, throughout the very first quarter of annually, all enrollees already have the chance to switch out of private fee-for-service strategies or any kind of various other MA plan for any type of reason and select an additional choice.

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For instance, CMS deals with violations of our advertising and marketing standards. Issues involving scams and also abuse go to the paramedics, our program integrity specialists. Claims of illegal marketing as well as enrollment most likely to the OIG. Finally, States deal with problems about licensed agents as well as brokers. CMS is taking several actions to determine companies seeking compliance intervention, including monitoring grievances by performing secret purchasings of sales events throughout the nation.

Particularly, CMS works en masse with the National Organization of Insurance Coverage Commissioners and also State departments of insurance to develop a model conformity as well as enforcement Memorandum of Understanding. Thus far, 20 States and Puerto Rico have signed the MOU that will enable us to share info regarding non-compliant advertising tasks. CMS plans to provide soon a proposed rule that will certainly assist in oversight for Medicare Advantage plans and Part D prescription drug strategies.

These are only the initial steps we are requiring to ensure that Medicare recipients are not being misguided, misguided or defrauded. We are holding strategies in charge of Recommended Reading the actions of both utilized and also independent agents offering their items. This consists of needing documented training of marketing representatives and brokers. Ultimately, I wish to ensure you that the large bulk of elders who bought Medicare Benefit products are satisfied with their plans and the services they are getting.

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Thank you once more for the chance to consult with you today. I eagerly anticipate addressing your concerns. The Chairman. Thank you, Ms. Block. Prior to we reach inquiries for you, we wish to listen to from our Position Participant, Legislator Smith, in addition to Legislator Whitehouse. Senator Smith. Thanks, Senator Kohl, for calling this essential hearing on a very crucial issue.

We thank you for your indulgence as well as your time (Medicare agent Huntington NY). I want to make a distinction, which I wish individuals that are interested will understand.

These things must be transmitted out. All stakeholders who would love to see this program continue need to understand that, if left untreated, this will certainly weaken self-confidence in the program. Having claimed that, I intend to make clear my belief that Medicare Benefit and also Medicare Component D are okay just because they are private delivery systems.

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They can function better. To all who have a rate of interest in the ongoing success of these programs, it comes to each of us separately to do all that we can to repair the problems and also to repair them quick. What I did when I was Chairman and now, as Position Member-- and I share the Chairman's concern-- what I began to do in the 109th Congress is to give oversight.

It needs to change. We will proceed that oversight with the sight, at least, from my sight, to protecting as well as strengthening these programs that do so a lot great, help so many individuals, specifically, in country locations. Any kind of firm with an interest in either prescription you can try this out medications or Medicare Advantage: Get on top of this as well as get this on top of it quickly.

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