Misleading Marketing Practices in Medicare Advantage

OBJECTIVE

In recent years, concerns about aggressive and deceptive marketing practices in Medicare Advantage have become more pressing. These concerns have focused on agents and brokers used by Medicare Advantage plans who target and mislead seniors, at times enrolling them in plans without their knowledge or directing them to plans that substantially increase their out-of-pocket costs. This study will examine Medicare Advantage marketing practices and the harms they cause to individuals. It will focus on the complaints individuals reported to CMS from 2020 to 2024 about Medicare Advantage marketing practices. We will also look at the actions taken by agents and brokers that led to the complaints and the incentive structures that encourage brokers to change individuals’ enrollments.

TIMELINE

• July 15, 2025
  Announced
• Today
  Office of Evaluation and Inspections In-Progress
• Est FY2027
  Estimated Fiscal Year for Project Completion

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