NOW IS THE TIME TO CALL ON ALL DEMOCRATS AND DEMAND THAT THEY STOP THE GAG ORDER ON HUMANA, THAT THEY POST THE HEALTHCARE BILL ON LINE AND THAT THEY POST THE NUMBERS ON LINE AS WELL. The reason the first part of this message is in all caps is the time sensitiviy we have right now. We have an opportunity to be involved in this process, so get involved. If we don't speak up now we will suffer the consequences of our lack of action. The time is at hand, what are you going to do?!
I might have something of interest to add to this. I work in the healthcare industry and more specifically work for a Medicare Advantage Plan. After Humana sent letters to their MA members and received a cease and desist order as well as being subjected to a full CMS (Federal Government body who controls Medicare) investigation for the letter they sent the government took one additional step to insure no other insurance company was allowed to provide their members with information regarding the healthcare legislation, they passed a new law banning MA insurance carriers from contacting their own members further without government approval. Here is the translation of the new law our office received from Gorman Healthgroup this week:
MEDICARE NEWS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: CMS Media Affairs Office
September 21, 2009
MEDICARE ISSUES NEW GUIDANCE TO INSURANCE COMPANIES ON MEDICARE MAILINGS
Guidance Comes After Humana Distributed Potentially Misleading Materials
Medicare today called on Medicare-contracted health insurance and prescription drug plans to suspend potentially misleading mailings to beneficiaries about health care and insurance reform. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently asked Humana, Inc. to end similar mailings. Humana has agreed to do so.
“We are concerned that the materials Humana sent to our beneficiaries may violate Medicare rules by appearing to contain Medicare Advantage and prescription drug benefit information, which must be submitted to CMS for review” said Jonathan Blum, acting director of CMS’ Center for Drug and Health Plan Choices. “We also are asking that no other plan sponsors are mailing similar materials while we investigate whether a potential violation has occurred.”
Humana is one of a number of private health plans that contracts with CMS to offer health care services and drug coverage to Medicare beneficiaries as part of the Medicare Advantage and Part D programs. CMS learned that Humana had been contacting enrollees in one or more of its plans and, in mailings that CMS obtained, made claims that current health care reform legislation affecting Medicare could hurt Medicare beneficiaries. The message from Humana urges enrollees to contact their congressional representatives to protest the actions referenced in the letter.
“We are concerned that, among other things, the information in the letter is misleading and confusing to beneficiaries, who may believe that it represents official communication about the Medicare Advantage program,” said Blum
Specifically, CMS is investigating whether Humana inappropriately used the lists of Medicare enrollees for unauthorized purposes.
Based on the findings of the investigation, CMS will pursue appropriate compliance and enforcement actions.
Basically we are only allowed to ask questions or criticize the government with their permission. This is at best a suspension of free speech and an unprecedented invasion of the free market and at worst downright frightening.
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