Notes from the CMS Fall 2010 Conference

Whew!

The Merrill Healthcare Team just wrapped up attending the CMS Fall 2010 Conference in sunny Baltimore and in addition to an excellent crab cake (ok...crab cakes 'cause who can eat just one!) what great information about all things healthcare! While all the speakers were great, the highlight of the conference was the opportunity to listen to newly appointed Director of CMS, Jonathan Blum.

Among the many topics covered at this conference were:

~ Enrollment Policy / Operations and Part D IRMAA

~ End of year transitions and MARx Activity & Enhancements with MARx Redesign & Modernization Overview

~ Customer Service Monitoring

~ Mandatory Compliance Programs

~ 2010 Marketing Guidelines & AEP Surveillance

A common theme that emerged across these presentations underscored the continual state of change we as Healthcare communicators will be dealing with well beyond 2014. Additionally, compliance-driven communications and CMS oversights will continue to challenge us in our member communications. Increased marketing surveillance and auditing are here to stay!

As we continue to grasp and operationalize the information gained, the Merrill platform for member and prospect communications will continue to set our customers apart; both to CMS and to their members.

More detailed information to come once I get a chance to digest everything I learned this week!

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Pam Argeris is a thought leader in the Healthcare Industry and possesses extensive, hands-on experience with CMS compliance, and multiple regulatory bodies such as NCQA, JACHO, and DOI. In her role at Merrill Corp., Pam focuses on developing solutions for compliance and quality assurance, delivered in a cost effective manner to improve beneficiary and prospect communications. You can contact Pam at Pamela.Argeris@merrillcorp.com.