North Dakota Warning of Unfair Medicare Marketing Practices

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(KNOX) – As concerns grow nationwide over unfair trade practices in the Medicare marketplace, the North Dakota Insurance Department is calling attention to tactics that could limit seniors’ access to unbiased advice and fair coverage options.

The Department has issued a bulletin warning all health insurance companies and licensed producers offering Medicare products in North Dakota against practices that restrict consumer access or unfairly manipulate compensation structures. The bulletin applies to all insurers and producers offering Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement, Cost Plans, and Prescription Drug Plans to North Dakota consumers eligible for Medicare.

In some states, insurance companies have attempted to restrict access to certain Medicare products by removing enrollment applications from carrier websites, discouraging producers from selling specific plans, or altering or discontinuing producer compensation mid-year. Such actions, the Department cautions, are considered unfair trade practices, unfair methods of competition, or deceptive acts under North Dakota Century Code §§ 26.1-04-02 and 26.1-04-03.

Consumers who believe they have experienced misleading or restrictive sales practices related to Medicare products are encouraged to contact NDSHIP at (888) 575-6611 or visit insurance.nd.gov.