U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Bob Casey (D-PA) recently praised Biden administration proposals seeking protections for people with Medicare.
Health and Human Services (HHS), via the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), indicated a provision of the proposed rules bolsters protections for Medicare recipients exploring Medicare Advantage and Part D coverage, addressing potentially misleading marketing while also ensuring access to the accurate and necessary information to make coverage choices.
CMS is proposing prohibiting ads that do not mention a specific plan name, in addition to ads using words and images that may be confusing or using language or logos in a way that is misleading, confusing, or misrepresents the plan.
“People exploring Medicare coverage options deserve peace of mind that they are receiving honest, transparent, and accurate information about health coverage options and have access to the care they need,” CMS Deputy Administrator and Director of the Center for Medicare Dr. Meena Seshamani said. “These proposed protections are common sense and critical to the physical, mental, and financial stability of millions of people who choose a Medicare coverage option each year.”
Wyden, chair of the Senate Finance Committee, and Casey, chair of the Senate Special Committee on Aging, expressed support for the proposed initiatives.
“These proposals are an important step towards protecting seniors in Medicare from scammers and unscrupulous insurance companies and brokers,” Wyden said. “I look forward to continuing my work with the Biden administration and my colleagues on the Finance Committee to ensure these consumer protections are put into effect and enforced so seniors can enroll in the Medicare plan of their choice without worrying about being misled.”
Casey said the reforms are a strong step in the right direction to ensure older adults have the information they need to choose Medicare coverage.