CMS Announces New Marketing Regulations (Part 4)

CMS has approached the 2013 Marketing Regulations with a critical eye, and an editorial focus. In an effort to simplify and clarify the rules, CMS has removed around 70 pages from the document. Over the next few weeks, we’ll look at some of those changes, and explore what motivated CMS to make such drastic edits.

We’ll be wrapping up these regulations this week, so let’s dive right in with a list of the regulations from past years that are still in effect.

• Annual Enrollment Period Changes (AEP)
• 5% Translation Rule
• ANOC EOC, Formulary, LIS Rider due to members by September 30
• ANOC EOC must be mailed in the same envelope for the September 30 deadline
• Mailing Statements on Envelopes: ”Important Plan Information, This is an Advertisement, Health and wellness Information, Non-health or non-plan Information”
• 508 Compliance
• CMS 5 STAR Rating Plans can enroll members year round
• Must maintain records for 10 years
• Standardization of Plan Name Type
• SBC does not apply to Medicare beneficiaries

So, there you have it! CMS’ 2013 Medicare Marketing Guidelines in 4 simple blogs. Let’s wrap it up and look at the overall key takeaways.

• Multi-Language Insert
• ANOC EOC can be manufactured once filed
• Mailing to addresses with multiple members
• CMS Plan STAR Ratings - 15 days once released
• Marketing Material Identification font size/date no longer required
• Health Plan ID Cards Part C - New Medicare Number
• Health Plan ID Cards – Part D
• Call Center Hours of Operation listed only once
• Mailing Statements on Envelopes
• Disclaimers
• Directories – change pages no longer required
• 5 % Translation Rule
• 508 Compliance

Join us next week, as we leave Medicare marketing behind, and return to our normal discussions.

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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.