Audit Finds Mediocre Medicare Marketing Materials

Lately we have been hearing more and more information regarding Medicare audits and the poor marks that Medicare received for fraud control, oversight and various services that were substandard or too slow.  Most of the low grades that Medicare received were for things that could have been avoided if the proper supervision and care were exercised.

A new report shows yet another area in which Medicare has fallen down on the job.  The truly frustrating part of the most current situation is that this particular audit was done to determine the quality of the very marketing materials that Medicare prepares for seniors to help them determine which benefits – especially prescription drug coverage – will work best for them. 

The audit determined that at least 85% of the marketing materials that Medicare was creating and distributing were done with little or no oversight by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).  As a result, the materials do not adhere to government standards and regulations.

Most of the forms, marketing materials and enrollment papers are distributed by the private insurance companies who offer the plans; however, they are supposed to be regulated by CMS.  Because CMS has not been enforcing the regulations, beneficiaries are being put at risk by being given information that is inaccurate and not consistent with guidelines.

Lawmakers have leveled scathing criticism at CMS, and, in particular, the Bush administration for “total disregard for protecting the nation’s seniors.”  The Department of Health and Human Services Inspector General found that Medicare has been lax in too many areas, and this most important area of prescription drug coverage information leaves seniors trying to make critical decisions regarding healthcare coverage without proper information to do so intelligently.

To date, there have been no replacement marketing materials created or distributed.  Audits of Medicare are ongoing.

If you are a senior with questions regarding Medicare or Medicare Prescription Drug Supplemental Coverage, you can contact Medicare directly at www.medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE.