How Do I Stop All of the Calls and E-mails If I Sign Up With You, or Don’t?
Every Fall, everyone selling and marketing Medicare turns their attention to reaching you, however they can, so you'll buy their product. We're not above wanting your business either, but our approach looks nothing like the bombardment your phone, inbox, TV, and mailbox are about to face. I can't make those calls, texts, and emails stop completely. But before you write this off, let me give you a peek behind the curtain at how this is actually required to work, not just supposed to, and a plan so you're in control of it instead of the other way around.
Step 1: Have a Plan. Before October 15th each year, gather the people you trust to advise you on your healthcare, and decide whether you want to make any changes. Do this every year, even if the answer is no. You should receive your carrier's change notice in writing by the end of September, by mail, email, or both. Never rely on a phone call for this. You can also get a current explanation of benefits from your carrier's website, or from an agent like me.
Step 2: Get a Licensed Medicare Agent You Trust. Here's the approach Senior Health Services trained me on, and it's what drew me to this work: we're your agent and your guide for Medicare and everything around it, whether you change anything or not, at no additional charge for our time, research, and attention. If no one fills that role for you and your family, give me a real shot, I plan on doing this the rest of my life. If someone already does, and you trust them, stay with them. We're only paid if you sign up through us, but if you don't, we still want you taken care of, and we'll be here when you're ready. Reply or grab time on our website if you have questions.
Step 3: Know Your Plan and Your Answer. Now for the part that actually protects you. CMS marketing rules prohibit any of us from calling or emailing you at all unless you gave permission first. That rule doesn't cover regular mail, so be aware. Calling a number from a TV ad or mailer, visiting that website, filling out a permission to contact form, or calling a number off a business card, all count as permission. If someone calls you out of nowhere, you don't owe them a conversation. If someone calls claiming to be from your carrier, they should already know your information, don't give them anything until they confirm your member number and enough details to make you comfortable, and the call should be about an existing claim or issue, not a new sales pitch you never agreed to. And never say the word "yes" to a number you don't know, people have genuinely been enrolled in plans they never asked for this way.
I know that's a lot, and yes, it's a little scary. Thousands of Medicare agents do right by seniors every single day. Seek us out, review your plan every year, and send anyone else who calls to sell you something down the road kicking a rock. If you'd like this as a talk for your group, in Houston or online, I'd love to give it.