Unsolicited Phone Calls about Medicare: How to Protect Yourself from Scammers and Violators

Unsolicited CallsAbout Medicare

Have you received unsolicited phone calls regarding Medicare? If the answer is no, consider yourself very fortunate. This is especially true if you are approaching age 65 or recently reached age 65. In the past year and a half, I have received numerous calls from customers—as well as seniors referred to me whom I’ve never met—complaining of incessant phone calls about Medicare. These calls come in throughout the day and into the evening. So, who is making these calls?

Who Is Making Unsolicited Calls About Medicare?

The answer is call centers, as well as licensed agents. In some cases, the calls are simply SCAMS. They are a nuisance, not to mention just rude. More importantly, they are strictly prohibited by The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS), which is the agency of the Federal Government that is charged with the responsibility of administering Medicare.

You can read the rules for yourself by clicking here. I am not making this up. Scroll down to page 8, Marketing Through Unsolicited Contact.

With the approach of theAnnual Enrollment Period (October 15th), you can expect these calls to increase. What can be done to stop this? Unfortunately, it appears very little can be done. I’ve gathered specific information on some of these calls and reported it to CMS, but nothing came of it.

Aren’t These Calls Illegal?

Unsolicited phone calls are a very serious violation of the Medicare Communications and Marketing Guidelines (MCMG); as such, there are significant penalties for any agent or entity who commits a violation. Each year, every agent or entity engaged in marketing Medicare Plans is required to “certify” in order to continue to market these plans. Warnings about these calls are part of this certification process each year Agents or entities who violate these rules are risking serious consequences.

The rules are so stringent that agents are forbidden from calling a senior who has been referred to the agent, unless the referral first calls the agent. However, CMS seems disinterested in enforcing these rules.As pervasive as this problem is, surely CMS is aware. Until corrective action is taken by CMS, the problem will persist.

What You Can Do

If you happen to answer one of these calls, unless the call is from your agent or the plan you are currently enrolled in, just hang up. Nothing good will come of any discussion that ensues.

So, what motivates an agent or entity to continue to make these calls? Money (in the form of sales commissions)!And please take into consideration that anyone who makes such calls is putting his/her entire business at risk. Would you trust anything that person says?

There are far too many really good agents willing to play by the rules and help you through the process of evaluating different plans duringAEP. Please visit the link I provided in this blog so you can sort out the good from the bad.