Why Are You Different From the Ads on TV or the Phone Calls I Get?
Are you the same as the Medicare companies I see on TV, or the ones who call me every Fall? I hear this a lot as an independent Medicare broker-agent, and the honest answer is no, though we all get painted with the same brush. Here are the facts, verifiable in your Medicare & You book or at Medicare.gov, straight from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
Agents are only allowed to contact you in three situations. First, if you are already a customer and gave permission, your carrier can call, text, or email you. They should already have your details, so if they ask you for them, be cautious. Second, if you saw a TV ad or received a mailer and you call them first, they can then talk with you. Third, if you filled out a permission to contact form in person, they can follow up, though that permission should be tied to that specific event, not open ended.
Phone calls are the hardest to police. Your carrier may legitimately call about your plan or a wellness visit, and they should already know your details. If someone calls you cold, doesn't know your information, and you never gave permission, hang up. They are violating CMS marketing rules, not just being pushy.
TV ads and mailers are usually a specific insurer trying to win your business. Only call back if you want to talk with them, or reach out to someone like me first, so you can hear about all your options, not just one, and decide for yourself with no pressure. That's how I, and the group of agents I work alongside, believe this should be done. Let's talk when you're ready.