Advocacy in action blog

NAIFA has raised concerns over a new Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) policy to automatically log health care consumers out of their federally facilitated marketplace accounts  after 30 minutes of inactivity. Proposed as a security measure, the time limit “could unintentionally harm consumer access to health insurance coverage and impede the ability of licensed professionals to effectively serve their clients,” NAIFA President Doug Massey wrote in a letter to policymakers.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has implemented a new security procedure on Friday, August 29, that will require agents and brokers to reconnect their CMS Enterprise Portal Federally-facilitated Marketplace (FFM) account credentials after 30 minutes of inactivity.

The Medicare system, including various Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D plans, can be very confusing to beneficiaries and older Americans exploring their healthcare options. The guidance of experienced, licensed professionals is often indispensable. NAIFA President Doug Massey recently sent a letter to the chairmen and ranking members of the House Ways and Means Committee, Subcommittee on Health, and Subcommittee on Oversight outlining the role of the agent and suggesting ways Congress can strengthen consumer protections while preserving access to professional guidance. 

"The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' (CMS) decision to positively adjust agent compensation for 2026 is a meaningful step in the right direction," said NAIFA CEO Kevin Mayeux, CAE. "This adjustment reflects growing recognition of the critical role licensed insurance professionals play in guiding Medicare beneficiaries through a complex and often confusing system.

NAIFA CEO Kevin Mayeux, CAE, released the following statement in response to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) press release announcing an aggressive strategy to enhance and accelerate Medicare Advantage audits:

NAIFA strongly urges the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to reconsider a proposal that would change the compensation rules for professionals providing products and services related to Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D programs.

NAIFA members help millions of individuals and employers administer and utilize Medicare plan options as well as other health plans. They are a vital part of the plan-selection process and serve as expert resources for consumers considering their Medicare plan options or looking for specific drugs and services to be covered. Agents and brokers educate clients on how Medicare works, research physician networks and prescription formularies for the plans to ensure a suitable health and drug plan is recommended, and review plan-comparison and enrollment changes annually.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) introduced new regulations in the Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for Plan Year 2024 that all agents, brokers, and web-brokers must follow before helping consumers complete and submit their Marketplace application. To ensure that agents and brokers understand the specific guidelines of these new regulations, CMS recently published several frequently asked questions (FAQs) that answer common questions about these new requirements.

In May, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a Final Rule which revises the Medicare Advantage (Part C) program and the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit (Part D) program regulations to implement changes related to marketing and communications, past performance, Star Ratings, network adequacy, medical loss ratio reporting, special requirements during disasters or public emergencies, and pharmacy price concessions.

In May, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a Final Rule which revises the Medicare Advantage (Part C) program and the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit (Part D) program regulations to implement changes related to marketing and communications, past performance, Star Ratings, network adequacy, medical loss ratio reporting, special requirements during disasters or public emergencies, and pharmacy price concessions.  

On June 7, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) regarding compensation paid by issuers to agents and brokers who assist customers with enrollment during a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) or during Open Enrollment Periods (OEPs).