Wyden Launches Probe Into Deceptive Marketing by Medicare Advantage Plans

[douglas9]

Sen. Ron Wyden on Tuesday launched an inquiry into "potentially deceptive" marketing tactics being used by private insurers and other companies that offer Medicare benefits through Medicare Advantage and Part D prescription drug plans, citing "alarming reports" about contractors "engaging in aggressive sales practices that take advantage of vulnerable seniors and people with disabilities."

In his capacity as chair of the Senate Finance Committee, which has jurisdiction over federal healthcare programs under the Social Security Act, including privately run Medicare Advantage (MA) and Part D drug plans, Wyden (D-Ore.) sent letters requesting more information from 15 state insurance commissioners and state health insurance assistance programs.

The letter—sent to officials in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Texas—comes amid a surge in complaints about MA and Part D marketing materials that purport to inform seniors of their coverage options.

In May, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), which has the authority to regulate materials used to market MA and Part D plans, reported that complaints from seniors more than doubled from 2020 to 2021.

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2022/08/23/wyden-launches-probe-deceptive-marketing-medicare-advantage-plans

[jmbar2]

1. I'm SO glad you posted this!

I am just starting the process of shopping for whatever it is that I need on top of Medicare and they DO make it sound very good.


Many thanks.

[Demsrule86]

8. I like my advantage plan. At this point with my husband having three surgeries this year, and

living off of savings. I can not afford original Medicare. I had Covid in June and my Advantage plan has paid for every test and treatment I needed including 8 days in the hospital. I have '0' premiums and gym memberships. I get back $100 per month from plan B Medicare. And my expensive drug eliquis is covered.

If Democrats can make original medicare more affordable and cover vision and dental...fine. But attacking a plan that millions of Americans depend on for their health care coverage when for many there is no alternative is wrong. And the GOP will use this sort of thing to get Democrats booted out of office. If you don't like Advantage then don't use it. Now I would add deceptive practices should not be allowed. However, I looked at a number of plans including original Medicare, and chose the one that I could afford. I understand the advantages and the disadvantages of both plans.

[katmondoo]

15. That is the problem, it sounds too good and with all the advertising it shows a scam in progress

I hate the advertising and they would not be pushing this deal if were not a scam. They must be making money to spend so much on advertising. Just listen to all the promises and you know they are lying. Nobody gives you everything for nothing.

[Ray Bruns]

2. My sister in law works with insurers and she told my

parents to never enroll in these plans because it’s almost impossible to get back on Medicare.

[marybourg]

3. Good!

[Goonch]

4. "I called......"

[SheltieLover]

5. Please xpost to seniors group? Added link

I've seen several ops asking about Advantage plans.

Ty for sharing!



https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=forum&id=1183

[maxrandb]

6. My 92 years old mom somehow got suckered into a Medicare Advantage plan

Her out of pocket max is $4500 per year.

Anyone know a 92 year old that won't have to pay $4500 every year?

I have tried to work with them, but they are nothing but an HMO Plan.

The way they plan is worded, it appears that if she switches back to traditional Medicare, she loses her supplemental.

BTW-my mom's co-pay for an emergency hospital stay was $170 per day for a semi-private room for the 1st 7 days and $254 for the ambulance ride.

[MOMFUDSKI]

7. Just last week my doc

said my Humana Advantage Plan was the best out there. Then I spoke to my agent/broker and he told me about the new bennies coming Jan 1 and it is getting even better. So I still have a problem having $140plus coming off the top of my SS check each month and then adding a $250/mo premium to that. Why would I pay $400/mo opposed to roughly $9. Bring it.

[jmbar2]

17. How do you pay only $9?

I am losing a benefit I had in Oregon that paid all the premiums and deductibles. It was based on being low income, but I am now losing it because I worked a short, part-time job. Had to because of rising expenses, and now I am losing that benefit.

I don't understand yet what it will mean to me, but your post makes it sound really scary. They shouldn't penalize seniors for having to come up with extra income during a period of high inflation.

[Hotler]

9. HI! IT'S ME AGAIN ....

[a kennedy]

10. I HEAR YA, AND CAN'T STAND HIM. 🤬 🤬 🤬

[a kennedy]

11. Curious, here's the plan we have......

https://quartzbenefits.com/join-quartz/medicare-plans/join-medicare-advantage/what-is-quartz-medicare-advantage/. We think it’s pretty good…….

[kentuck]

12. They pretend to be from Medicare.

I must get 5 or 6 calls per day.

[Samrob]

13. THANK YOU!!. They shouldn't be allowed to use the term "Medicare" at all. nt

[Ron Green]

14. One risk pool is a health care system. Multiple risk pools is an investment scheme.

We have enough investment schemes in this country; we need a health care system.

We have tried for years to get Wyden to support universal health care, and he won’t do it. He can’t escape the bubble of money and influence that keeps him alive. None of them can, I guess.

[MiniMe]

16. It's about time.

So sick of Joe Namath and Jimmy JJ Walker. Almost as tired of hearing about Camp Lejeune with their 20 different commercials a day from different ambulance chasing law firms