Advocacy in action blog

National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA) CEO Kevin Mayeux, CAE, issued the following statement on the decision by some health plans to cease new and renewal commissions for Medicare prescription drug (Part D) plans and terminating existing marketing service agreements:

The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas has issued a stay preventing the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) from implementing a new rule changing compensation rules for professionals providing products and services related to Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D programs. NAIFA is not a party to the lawsuits, Americans for Beneficiary Choice et al. v. the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services et al. and The Council for Medicare Choice et al. v. HHS et al., but has been an outspoken critic of the rule since it was first proposed.

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.

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).

Beginning on December 27, 2021, brokers and consultants will be held to new compensation  transparency obligations under the Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA). The CAA is a spending  and coronavirus relief package that was signed into law on December 27, 2020 and expands ERISA’s existing disclosure requirements. It broadened the definition of a “covered plan” to include group health plans (previously it only included retirement plans).

NAIFA-Georgia is celebrating a win. HB 716 (Insurance; carriers issuing a health benefit plan in this state through an agent shall file proposed commission rates with the department) passed the Senate unanimously on June 26.