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We are very delighted to have you with us today, Ms. Block, as well as we would be pleased to receive your testimony. DECLARATION OF ABBY L. BLOCK, DIRECTOR, CENTER FOR RECIPIENT OPTIONS, CENTERS FOR MEDICARE AND MEDICAID SOLUTIONS (CMS), BALTIMORE, MD Ms. Block. Thank you for inviting me to talk about Medicare Advantage and also, in specific, advertising conformity.


Working closely with Congress, we have actually refined Medicare Benefit for many years to advertise strong strategy participation throughout the country. With a vibrant market of prepare for 2007, beneficiary enrollment is currently at an all-time high. I take pride in these successes and also stand dedicated to collaborate with you in the days ahead to maintain option for individuals with Medicare.


Such additional advantages vary by strategy, but can consist of: lower cost-sharing, improved Part D prescription medicine insurance coverage, Part B as well as D premium reductions; and also, access to things and services like listening device, routine physicals or vision tests that original Medicare does not cover. Despite the programs' successes, CMS takes recent records of aggressive advertising and marketing of some products very seriously.

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I wish to chat today about some of the methods that CMS is building on lessons found out and also info gathered during 2006. CMS enforcement for advertising infractions ranges from issuing a warning letter or restorative activity strategy to suspending registration as well as also, eventually, ending 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 falling short to supply info to beneficiaries in a timely fashion.


Our experience shows that, now and then, exclusive fee-for- solution strategies have actually not been clear regarding what they provide our beneficiaries and also what they don't supply. Consequently, for 2008, we will certainly require strategies to include details, distinct language in all marketing materials, registration materials and sales presentations outlining what a recipient can expect if she or he registers for a plan, and also call all new applicants to verify that they do, in fact, recognize the attributes of the plan as well as dream to enlist.


Our utmost problem is to aid as well as shield the beneficiary. Recipients and also enrollees mislead by a plan are offered a possibility to switch to one more plan. On top of that, during the very first Get More Info quarter of annually, all enrollees currently have the possibility to switch over out of exclusive fee-for-service plans or any kind of various other MA plan for any kind of reason as well as pick one more alternative.

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CMS handles violations of our advertising and marketing guidelines. CMS is taking lots of actions to identify companies in need of conformity treatment, including tracking issues by conducting secret shoppings of sales events throughout the nation.


Specifically, CMS works en masse with the National Association of Insurance Policy Commissioners and State divisions of insurance policy to establish a version compliance and enforcement Memorandum of Recognizing. Thus far, 20 States and also Puerto Rico have signed the MOU that will enable us to share info regarding non-compliant advertising and marketing activities. CMS prepares to provide quickly a suggested rule that will assist in oversight for Medicare Benefit plans as well as Component D prescription medication strategies.


We are holding plans liable for the actions of both used and independent agents selling their products. I want to ensure you that the vast majority of elders who got Medicare Benefit items are satisfied with their his explanation plans as well as the solutions they are receiving.

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Thank you, Ms. Block. Prior to we obtain to questions for you, we would such as to hear from our Position Member, Senator Smith, as well as Senator Whitehouse. Thank you, Legislator Kohl, for calling this important hearing on a very vital issue.


You have actually heard me complain in the past that the leadership of the Us senate need to talk to the Aging Committee before they set up votes. We apologize to the witnesses. We thank you for your indulgence and your time. We respect it deeply, especially this certain issue. I wish to make a distinction, which I really hope individuals that are interested will certainly understand.


These points must be transmitted out. All stakeholders who would love to see this program proceed requirement to understand that, if left untreated, this will threaten confidence in the program. Having said that, I intend to explain my belief that Medicare Benefit and also Medicare Component D are tolerable merely since they are personal distribution systems.

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They can work better. But to all who have a passion in the continued success of these programs, it involves each people individually to do all that try this site we can to take care of the problems and also to fix them quick. What I did when I was Chairman and also now, as Ranking Participant-- and I share the Chairman's worry-- what I began to do in the 109th Congress is to provide oversight.


It needs to transform. We will certainly continue that oversight with the sight, at the very least, from my view, to protecting as well as enhancing these programs that do so a lot excellent, help so numerous people, specifically, in rural locations. So any kind of company with a rate of interest in either prescription drugs or Medicare Advantage: Hop on top of this and also jump on top of it quickly.