Universal American Corporation Approved for New Medicare Advantage Sales

On August 5, 2011, the Universal American Corporation announced that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has lifted marketing and enrollment sanctions and Universal American is once again approved to enroll new Members into their 2011 Medicare Advantage plans with new plan effective dates of September 1, 2011.

As noted in the Universal American press release:

"Richard Barasch, Chairman and CEO of Universal American, stated, 'We have worked hard to resolve the issues that led to the sanction and we made significant improvements to strengthen our sales oversight and our overall compliance practices. We are gratified that CMS has recognized these improvements. Our members will benefit from our redoubled commitment to provide them with reliable, high-quality products and service.'"

(Here is the link to the complete Universal American press release: http://investor.uafc.com/ phoenix.zhtml? c=75985& p=irol-newsArticle& ID=1593882)

Medicare beneficiaries are reminded that they are able to still join a 2011 Medicare Part D prescription drug plan or Medicare Advantage plan if they are either newly eligible for the Medicare program (such as just turning 65) or they have been granted a Special Enrollment Period (such as when they have moved outside of their former plan's service area or lost their employer's health coverage).

All Medicare beneficiaries can join a 2012 Medicare Advantage plan or 2012 Medicare Part D prescription drug plan during the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) starting October 15th and continuing through December 7th with coverage beginning on January 1st, 2012.

The on this site online Medicare Advantage plan search tool MA-Finder will be updated to show the 2011 Universal American Medicare Advantage plan details, enrollment, and contact information. The 2012 MA-Finder and 2012 PDP-Finder will be released in early October when the 2012 Medicare plan information becomes available.