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We are extremely pleased 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 BENEFICIARY SELECTIONS, CENTERS FOR MEDICARE AND MEDICAID SERVICES (CMS), BALTIMORE, MD Ms. Block. Thank you for welcoming me to go over Medicare Advantage and also, specifically, marketing conformity.

Working very closely with Congress, we have actually fine-tuned Medicare Benefit for many years to promote strong strategy participation across the nation. With a vibrant market of prepare for 2007, recipient enrollment is currently at an all-time high. I take pride in these successes and also stand devoted to collaborate with you in the days ahead to preserve option for individuals with Medicare.

Such extra advantages vary by strategy, yet can include: lower cost-sharing, enhanced Part D prescription drug insurance coverage, Component B and also D costs reductions; and, accessibility to things and also services like listening device, regular physicals or vision exams that original Medicare does not cover. Despite the programs' successes, CMS takes recent records of hostile advertising and marketing of some items very seriously.

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I desire to talk today about several of the manner ins which CMS is building upon lessons discovered and also info collected throughout 2006. CMS enforcement for marketing violations varies from releasing a caution letter or restorative action strategy to suspending enrollment and also also, ultimately, terminating a strategy from the program - Medicare agent Huntington NY. This year alone, we have actually fined strategies greater than $400,000 in civil financial fines for failing to give information to beneficiaries in a timely fashion.

Our experience shows that, now and then, private fee-for- solution strategies have actually not been clear concerning what they supply our recipients and what they do not give. Consequently, for 2008, we will certainly need strategies to include details, distinct language in all advertising products, enrollment products and also sales presentations outlining what a beneficiary can anticipate if he or she registers for a strategy, and call all brand-new candidates to confirm that they do, actually, comprehend the functions of the strategy and wish to enlist.

Our utmost problem is to assist and secure the recipient. Recipients and enrollees misinform by a strategy are offered an opportunity to switch to an additional plan. Additionally, during the initial quarter of every year, all enrollees already have the opportunity to change out of private fee-for-service strategies or any type of various other MA prepare for any reason and select one more choice.

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CMS manages violations of our advertising standards. CMS is taking numerous actions to identify organizations in demand of conformity treatment, consisting of tracking problems by performing secret purchasings of sales events across the nation.

Especially, CMS functions cooperatively with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners and State departments of insurance to develop a design conformity and also enforcement Memorandum of Comprehending. Much, 20 States and also Puerto Rico have signed the MOU that will enable us to share details regarding non-compliant advertising and marketing tasks. CMS prepares to issue quickly a proposed rule that will promote oversight for Medicare Benefit strategies as well check my blog as Component D prescription medicine plans.

These are only the preliminary actions we are taking to make certain that Medicare beneficiaries are not being misleaded, misinformed or defrauded. We are holding strategies liable for the actions of both utilized and also independent agents marketing their products. This includes calling for documented training of marketing agents and also brokers. Ultimately, I desire to guarantee you that the large majority of seniors that bought Medicare Benefit products are pleased with their strategies and the solutions they are getting.

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Thanks again for the possibility to speak to you today. I look onward to answering your inquiries. The Chairman. Thank you, Ms. Block. Prior to we get to inquiries for you, we want to learn through our Position Member, Legislator Smith, in addition to Legislator Whitehouse. Senator Smith. Thanks, Senator Kohl, for calling this crucial hearing on a very crucial issue.

We thank you for your extravagance and also your time (Medicare agent Huntington NY). I desire to make a distinction, which I hope people who are interested will recognize.

These things must be directed out. All stakeholders who want to see this program proceed demand to understand that, if left untreated, my link this will weaken confidence in the program. Having said that, I intend to make clear my belief that Medicare Advantage and also Medicare Component D are tolerable just since they are exclusive shipment systems.

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They can work better. But to all that have an interest in the ongoing success of these programs, it pertains to each of us independently to do all that we can to take care of the issues as well as to repair them quickly. What I did when I was Chairman as well as currently, as Ranking Participant-- and I share the Chairman's problem-- what I began to do in the 109th Congress is to offer oversight.

It requires to alter. We will certainly proceed that oversight with the view, at least, from my sight, to protecting and also strengthening these programs that do so a lot excellent, help so several people, especially, in rural locations. So any kind of try this site company with a passion in either prescription medications or Medicare Advantage: Jump on top of this as well as get on top of it fast.

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