New Medicare Advantage Marketing Rules Help People Make Informed Choices, Alls...( Regulation h...),Health

Regulation highlights need for complete, unbiased information on Medicare choices.

Belleville, Ill. (Vocus) November 19, 2008 - Medicare beneficiaries trying to sort through their healthcare options for 2009 should welcome new rules designed to protect them against overly aggressive marketing tactics by some insurance companies and their agents, according to Allsup, a leading provider of Social Security disability, financial and healthcare-related services to people with disabilities.

"People need information to make an informed choice, but they need that information to be unbiased, complete and straightforward," said Paul Gada, personal financial planning director and product manager for Allsup Medicare Advisor(SM) service, which helps people with disabilities choose the best, most affordable Medicare plan to meet their specific needs.

The new regulations, issued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), became effective Oct. 1. They prohibit telemarketing and other unsolicited sales contacts by Medicare Advantage insurance companies or their agents to Medicare beneficiaries. The rules also ban financial incentives that could encourage agents to move beneficiaries from one plan to another in order to make bigger commissions.

Additionally, last week, the CMS issued '/>"/>