Regulators tighten rules for Medicare Advantage plans.
The US Department of Health and Human Services has issued a final rule that expands access to behavioral health care and cracks down on "misleading" advertisements by Medicare Advantage plans. The rule prohibits advertisements that do not mention a specific plan name and use Medicare logos or language in a way that could mislead and confuse enrollees into believing that the ads come from the government. The rule also clarifies criteria guidelines to help ensure that people with Medicare Advantage receive access to the same "medically necessary" care they would receive with traditional Medicare and expands the list of populations to which Medicare Advantage organizations must provide "culturally competent" services.