What’s a patient to do if the Medicare Advantage plan he or she belongs to is being investigated by the government (CMS) for deceptive techniques in the way it handles its drug and insurance coverage plans? Well, for starters, potential beneficiaries should think twice before signing with a third party whose enrollment practices are well within federal regulators’ crosshairs. The Tampa, FL-based WellCare (which is the target of more than three times the nation’s average in beneficiary complaints) will temporarily suspend its operations by March 7 as it straightens things out. According to CMS, WellCare had “demonstrated a longstanding and persistent failure to comply” with federally-backed healthcare requirements. So, is it back to fee-for-service Medicare for current WellCare customers? In this currently shaky healthcare economy, that may be the best option for them. | LINK

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