This bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services to overhaul how Medicare regulates independent insurance agents and brokers who sell Medicare Advantage (Part C) and prescription drug plans (Part D). The legislation aims to distinguish between legitimate independent agents and third-party marketing organizations—particularly predatory call centers—and reduce regulatory burdens on independent agents. Specifically, the bill requires new rulemaking to clarify definitions, establish a standardized registration process across Medicare plans, create financial rewards for whistleblowers reporting scams, and eliminate the current 48-hour waiting period requirement before independent agents can meet with Medicare beneficiaries. The Secretary of Health and Human Services must complete three separate rulemaking processes within one year of enactment, with at least a 90-day public comment period for each. Additionally, the HHS Inspector General must investigate predatory marketing practices by call centers and submit findings and recommendations to Congress within one year. The legislation contains no new direct funding appropriations but imposes administrative requirements on federal regulators and private Medicare plans.
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