Kohl Statement On HSS-OIG Report On Medicare Part D Marketing Materials

Main Category: Medicare / Medicaid / SCHIP
Article Date: 05 Sep 2008 - 7:00 PST

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U.S. Senator Herb Kohl (D-WI), Chairman of the Senate Special Committee on Aging, welcomed a report by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG) on the oversight of marketing materials for stand-alone Medicare Part D prescription drug plans by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The report found inconsistencies and disorganization throughout the current oversight process, and determined that 85 percent of marketing materials do not fully meet CMS criteria. In reaction, Chairman Kohl released the following statement:

"I am disappointed that CMS has not consistently enforced the guidelines they have laid out for Part D marketing materials. Insurance companies must be held to these standards of clarity and accuracy so that seniors can choose a Medicare Part D plan from the overwhelming number of those available."

The report, Marketing Materials for Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (OEI-01-06-00050; 09/08), will be posted today on the HHS-OIG website: http://www.oig.hhs.gov

Special Committee on Aging
Senator Herb Kohl, Chair

http://www.aging.senate.gov