Today, Representatives Jayapal, DeLauro, Schakowsky and Doggett led 74 members of Congress in calling on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to enact “urgent reforms to Medicare Advantage (MA) plans.” As noted in the press release issued by Rep. Jayapal,
The private insurance companies running MA plans mislead the public by claiming their plans save money and improve care. However, private insurers in MA overcharged CMS by at least $83 billion in 2024 without any improvements to the quality of care for patients. These overpayments to private insurers threaten the stability of the entire Medicare program for the 65 million Americans who rely on it.
The letter, which was endorsed by the Center for Medicare Advocacy, is available here.
In addition, Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden issued a report yesterday detailing “an investigation into the marketing practices of health insurance companies that sell Medicare Advantage plans, with a focus on third-party marketing organizations (TPMOs) that insurers are increasingly employing to maximize the number of American seniors enrolled in their plans” according to the accompanying press release. The report is available here.
CMA released an issue brief discussing agents and brokers and litigation brought by TPMOs. The issue brief is available here.
March 27, 2025 – D. Lipschutz