Members,
This has been a concerning issue for many of you, especially during Open Enrollment. Per the report, the OIG has identified marketing practices involving questionable payments and referrals between Medicare Advantage plans, health care professionals (HCP's), and third-party marketers such as agents and brokers and have determined that these practices are misleading to some Medicare enrollees in regard to choosing specific health plans or health care providers that may not meet the enrollees' needs.
The report also offers a way to report suspected fraud via these marketing practices as stated below:
"If you have information about MAOs, brokers, agents, HCPs, or other individuals or entities engaging in any of the suspect activities described above, please contact the OIG Hotline at
https://oig.hhs.gov/fraud/report-fraud/ or 1-800-447-8477 (1-800-HHS-TIPS)."
Please review the Special Fraud Warning (linked above) and share the information with applicable staff. Let us know if you have any questions or concerns.
Jennifer Elder
Director of Regulatory Affairs