Bill Overview
Title: A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to exclude independent agents and brokers from requirement to record calls with beneficiaries under the Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Benefit programs.
Description: This bill provides that independent agents and brokers who are contracted to market Medicare Advantage or Medicare prescription drug benefit plans do not have to record calls with beneficiaries.
Sponsors: Sen. Rounds, Mike [R-SD]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals enrolled in the Medicare program
Estimated Size: 64000000
- The bill relates to Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Benefit programs, which are part of Medicare.
- Medicare is a federal program in the United States, which primarily serves individuals who are 65 and older, some younger people with disabilities, and people with End-Stage Renal Disease.
- This bill specifically affects independent agents and brokers who market these plans.
- Medicare Advantage enrollment is reported at about 30 million people as of 2023.
- Approximately 64 million people are enrolled in Medicare overall.
- Not all Medicare beneficiaries will interact with independent agents and brokers, but changes in policy affecting these parties could indirectly influence beneficiaries' access to plan information.
Reasoning
- The policy specifically affects the administrative procedures of independent agents and brokers who are involved in marketing Medicare plans. Thus, the direct impacts are on these agents/brokers and not the Medicare beneficiaries themselves.
- Given that the policy does not involve financial costs and aims to reduce administrative burden, the wellbeing of agents may be impacted by lessening a regulatory requirement.
- The impact on Medicare beneficiaries would primarily revolve around changes in the communication dynamics with agents, who may now feel less constrained or more open in discussion, which could marginally affect the beneficiaries' decision-making experience.
- A large portion of the population (64 million enrolled in Medicare) may see little to no change in their wellbeing from this policy.
- The simulated interviews should focus on agents' experiences, indirect impressions from affected beneficiaries, and individuals not directly interacting with this aspect of Medicare.
Simulated Interviews
Retired nurse (Florida)
Age: 70 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I like having the option to talk to my agent freely about my plans. If they are less worried about recording calls, maybe they'll talk more openly.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Independent insurance agent (New York)
Age: 32 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Less recording means my job is a bit simpler and perhaps less stressful. I can focus more on client needs.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Caregiver (California)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I just hope this change doesn't mean we get less information or worse service.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Retired engineer (Texas)
Age: 68 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Not recording sounds worse for accountability, but I doubt it'll impact my care options much.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Medicare broker (Ohio)
Age: 54 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Honestly, this makes my daily tasks a bit less cumbersome. More time can be spent advising than complying.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Medicare regulatory advisor (Washington)
Age: 24 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Changes like these reduce oversight tools, but might improve agent-client dynamics.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Retired veteran (Kentucky)
Age: 76 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I view any increase in privacy as good, assuming it doesn't reduce service quality.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Schoolteacher (part-time) (Illinois)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I would prefer to know what's on the record when I talk, but it's not a big concern.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Insurance policy analyst (Georgia)
Age: 37 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Affects agent workflows, but uncertain about long-term impact on client satisfaction.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Recently retired librarian (Arizona)
Age: 65 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Without recordings, I hope brokers still have oversight to prevent misinformation.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $0 (Low: $0, High: $1000000)
Year 2: $0 (Low: $0, High: $1000000)
Year 3: $0 (Low: $0, High: $1000000)
Year 5: $0 (Low: $0, High: $1000000)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $5000000)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $50000000)
Key Considerations
- Potential impacts on consumer protection should be considered, as call recording removal may lead to lapses in oversight.
- Monitoring cost variations due to regulatory enforcement adaptation is essential to understand full fiscal impacts.
- A balance between privacy for agents/brokers and accountability/exposure of marketing practices should be evaluated.