State RegulationsPA specificDifficulty 2/5
A Pennsylvania insurer reviews a newspaper advertisement for its Medicare supplement policy. Under the advertising standards of 31 Pa. Code 89.785, which feature would make the advertisement improper?
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Answer & full 3-part explanation (select an option above, or peek)
Why B is correct
Under 31 Pa. Code 89.785, Medicare supplement advertising must accurately identify the product and its issuer and must not mislead the reader about who stands behind the coverage. Language or imagery implying a federal-government or Medicare connection crosses the line, because it misrepresents the nature of a private policy sold under Pennsylvania's framework of 40 P.S. §§ 3101–3112. The Pennsylvania Insurance Department's review of Med-supp advertising focuses on exactly this confusion between a private insurer's contract and the government program it supplements.
Why the other options are wrong
- A) Truthfully labeling the product as Medicare supplement insurance is required transparency, not a defect.
- C) Identifying the licensed insurer and listing the premium inform the consumer accurately and comply with the advertising standards.
- D) Showing benefits alongside cost is straightforward, non-misleading information that the advertising rules welcome.
Memory hook
Name your company, not the government: Med-supp ads cannot borrow Medicare's halo.