How do I stop unwanted outreach from Medicare Advantage companies?

Dear Daniel, 

Many people experience unsolicited advertisements or other communication from Medicare Advantage Plans as they approach Medicare eligibility or during Fall Open Enrollment Period. These calls can be overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to make informed decisions about your healthcare coverage. 

If you are receiving unwanted marketing calls from insurance companies, you can register with the National Do Not Call Registry. This is a free federal service that stops sales calls from legitimate businesses that follow the law. However, keep in mind that you may still get calls from scammers or those not following the rules. Join the list at www.donotcall.gov or by calling 888-382-1222 from the phone you want to register.  

If you’re getting repeat calls from the same callers, you should block those specific phone numbers. Also know that by engaging with these callers, you may get more calls in the future. So when possible, do not pick up calls that are likely unwanted, hang up immediately if you realize this is a call you didn’t want to get, and report the number to the Federal Trade Commission at www.donotcall.gov.   

It is also helpful to be aware of Medicare marketing rules that private plans must follow when promoting their products. These rules are meant to prevent plans from presenting misleading information about a plan’s costs or benefits. Medicare private plans can market their plan through direct mail, radio, television, and print advertisements. Agents can also visit your home if you invite them for a marketing appointment. However, insurance agents cannot: 

• Call you if you didn’t give them permission to do so 
• Visit you in your home, nursing home, or other place of residence without your invitation 
• Offer gifts or prizes worth more than $15 to encourage you to enroll 
• Market their plans at educational events or in health care settings (except in common areas) 
• Sell you life insurance or other non-health products at the same appointment (known as cross-selling), unless you request information about such products 
• Use the term “Medicare-endorsed” or suggest that their plan is a preferred Medicare plan 
  • Plans can use Medicare in their names as long as it follows the plan name (for example, the Acme Medicare Plan) and the usage does not suggest that Medicare endorses that particular plan above other Medicare plans 
• Imply that they are calling on behalf of Medicare 

If Medicare Advantage Plans or their agents engage in prohibited activity, you can report that behavior to the Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) and to 1-800-MEDICARE (633-4227). 

Hope this is helpful!  

-Marci