Senators Attack Retail Medicare Agent Call Recording Requirement

Two Senate Republicans are trying to shield traditional agents and brokers from new federal Medicare plan producer call recording requirements.

Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., has introduced S. 5149, a bill that would exclude retail producers from the new consumer call recording requirement. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services recently imposed the requirements on “third-party marketing organizations” that help Medicare plan issuers find prospects for Medicare Advantage plans and Medicare Part D prescription drug policies.

CMS developed the new requirements because of complaints from consumers, lawmakers and traditional retail agents and brokers about big, national marketing organizations using potentially misleading television ads and lead-generation campaigns to boost Medicare plan sales.

CMS has applied the new rules to the traditional retail agents and brokers along with the big, national, call-center-based marketing organizations.